Ecuador Road Trip | Quito to Otavalo

From Quito we took a beautiful drive north through the Guayllabamba valley, and the north part of Cayambe valley. Just as we entered the province of Imbabura we stopped for this scenic view along the Pan-American Highway.

Imbabura volcano and San Pablo lagoon.

The indigenous Otavaleños are famous for weaving textiles and the work they do is amazing. When plans to visit the weaver we had scheduled didn’t work out, my guide David immediately came up with plan B. He remembered visiting José Manuel Bautista in Agoto about 10-15 years ago and I don’t know how, but he found his shop down a walkway behind a church. Visiting this shop to observe José demonstrating the ancestral weaving techniques that have been handed down for generations was a highlight of my day.

José

I loved José’s work and bought a beautiful wall hanging. Not sure where I’ll hang it since I don’t currently have any walls, but someday I’ll have a place for it.

José also shared with me how some of the colors are achieved by using the blood of a special worm, then adding lemon or baking soda to change the tint.

Tiny worms used for red coloring.

I had visited the Market in Otavalo with Mariana before my trip to the Galapagos, but was very happy to return for an overnight stay at Hotel Coraza in Otavalo.

Heading to work and school in Otavalo

I love this little town & the welcome feeling from the Indigenous people who live there. My original visit was on a Saturday during the market where they buy & sell everything from livestock to handicrafts . It was nice to return during the week and see the people of the town going about a normal work and school day. It’s just a very clean, quiet, nice place to be. Their re-cycling truck even played a pretty song as it made stops through town.