From Quito: Quilotoa Lake and Indigenous Markets Day Trip

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Discover the Saquisilí or Pujilí market on a day trip from Quito. Visit a traditional indigenous house, stop at the Tigua community gallery, and take a photo of the Toachi River Canyon.

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Highlights

Discover the Saquisilí or Pujilí market, depending on the day of your tour
Visit a traditional indigenous house and learn about daily life in the Andes
Stop at the Tigua community gallery and see the famous animal face sculptures
Take a photo of the Toachi River Canyon and admire the views of the Andes
Hike into the Quilotoa crater and return to the community viewpoint

Description

Visit the Saquisilí or Pujilí market (depending on the day) and learn about the daily life of the indigenous people of the Andes on a full-day tour from Quito. Stop at the Tigua community gallery, visit a traditional indigenous house, and take a hike into the Quilotoa crater. Start your day with a pick-up from your hotel in Quito and head to the Saquisilí or Pujilí market, depending on the day. A couple of hours from Quito in the capital of Cotopaxi Province, Latacunga Canton, you can find two important indigenous markets in the area that exchange products from tropical zones and products from the Andes. Visit a traditional indigenous house and learn about the daily life of the indigenous people of the Andes. Reach the highest point of the mountain range at 3800 meters above sea level and learn about daily life by visiting an indigenous hut. Stop at the Tigua community gallery and arrive in the Tigua community, where most people make a living through agriculture, livestock, craftsmanship, and painting. The latter two have made them famous artists around the world, with sculptures of animal faces in vividly colored wood and paintings on sheepskin. Visit the Toachi Canyon to take photographs and make a mandatory stop to take photos and selfies at the viewpoint of the Toachi River Canyon. Finally, arrive at Quilotoa Lake, a lake formed within a volcanic crater, and its emerald-colored water leaves a lasting impression on all its visitors. The lake has two viewpoints: the Shalalá viewpoint and the community viewpoint. Visit the community viewpoint, which has access to the crater, and descend to the lake. Adventure enthusiasts can try kayaking, and the most daring can swim in its cold waters. Return to your hotel in Quito.

Includes

Visit to Saquisilí or Pujilí market (depending on the day) Visit to a traditional indigenous house Stop at the Tigua community gallery Visit to the Toachi Canyon for photographs Quilotoa Lake Hike into the Quilotoa crater and return

Important Information

The tour starts early in the morning to make the most of the day. Be prepared for a moderate hike into the Quilotoa crater. The weather can be unpredictable, so dress accordingly. Kayaking on Quilotoa Lake is an optional activity with additional cost.