Otavalo market and Hacienda Daily from Quito 3 days, 2 nights, or 2 days, 1 night Drive to the craft village of Calderón, and continue to Cayambe, dominated by a snow-tipped volcano. Onwards to pretty Lago San Pablo, and the wood-carving community of San Antonio. Overnight at a rural hotel. Next day, continue to Otavalo where in addition to the Saturday extravaganza there is a daily artisan market. Continue to Chota valley and visit busy Ibarra, a population of indigenous mountain people and others of African origin from the coast. Finally, inspect the leather-goods in Cotacachi, and climb the stone-flagged track to the rim of Cuicocha volcanic crater lake before returning to Quito.

Read more about: The Andes