Otavalo is a largely indigenous town in Imbabura Province, well known for its daily handicrafts market. The town, which is in a valley, is surrounded by the peaks of the Imbabura, Cotacachi and Mojanda volcanoes.

Mojanda is a collapsed caldera and contains three large lakes, some native forest and two peaks which can be climbed in a few hours from the lakes.Fuya fuya is closest to Otavalo, and Cerro Negro across the lake looks down on Tabacundo.

The Indians of Otavalo are famous for the weaving of textiles, which has a 400 year history.Otavalo is also known for its traditional Andean music and musicians.

Tourist Offices
The tourist office on the lower corner of the Poncho Plaza (main handicrafts market) has lots of good information, maps and suggestions.

Around and closeby
A number of the small tour agencies in Otavalo operate tours and are quite affordable. Walking north from Otavalo on the train tracks or getting a local bus will bring you to Peguche, where the waterfall is used by shaman for ceremonial bathing before important festivals.The Andean Music group “Ñanda Mañachi” live here and make wind instruments for sale.

A little further north from Peguche is Iluman, a town known for the finishing of felt hats and many practicing Shaman or as they are called locally “Yachag’s”.

Agato is another village just a few miles south east of Otavalo known for quality back strap weaving. Take a Bus from Otavalo terminal or hike from Peguche.

San Rafael village sitting above the Panamerican highway just south of Otavalo is famed for work with the Totora reeds. Mats and other items can be bought at the community shop on the plaza. The festivals of Coraza in June are particularly colourful here.

San Pablo is both a village and the lake. There is an annual swimming race across the lake, which begins near here, and there are several nice hotels close by. Lago San Pablo also known as Imbacocha sits at the foot of Imbabura volcano and on still days reflects the surrounding mountains in its mirror like surface.

Sightseeing
Local visits include: El Lechero, an ancient tree, Parque Condor, where raptors and condors can be seen flying, “Museo de Obraje”, which is a living museum giving excellent explanations of the processes involved in weaving various traditional products by hand.

Otavalo’s famous festivals are celebrated close to the equinox and solstice dates. They are the Raymi’s (Inti-Raymi, Cori-Raymi etc), however the catholic influence of the conquistadors resulted in name and date changes, so San Juan on 24th June and Yamor in early September are the biggest traditional party dates.

On 31st October each year there is a 2 day hike over Mojanda mountain from Quito to Otavalo to celebrate the founding of Otavalo town. Bring a sleeping bag.All are welcome.

Getting there
If you come from Tulcan buses will drop you off on the bypass and it's only a 10 minute walk to the centre from there. There is a small bus terminal, north-east of town along Calle Atahualpa and buses from Quito arrive there regularly.

Getting around
There are services to local villages, also to Intag, Ibarra and Quito.