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The trip was very varied and interesting. The guide (Javier) and driver (Patricio) were both excellent. The trip goes to a variety of sites all with something different to see.
I found it a little difficult to get an answer about the pick up time but that worked out fine in the end. The lunch venue was fine and we didn't choose the pre paid lunch option and were able to choose our own lunch.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
It was a great day. Enjoyed every stop. However, we only had a little over an hour in Otavalo on Saturday (the biggest market day). The correct title for the tour would be "Quito area tour including Otavalo."
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
This was really a sight to see! I have been to many flea markets in the U.S., but this one was the largest. Quality of the merchandise was really good, too. Afterwards, we went to a nice place for lunch at very reasonable prices with entertainment included.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
Esteban was a great tour guide. I like the explanation of the Otavalo dress. The restaurant in Cocatahatchi was very good.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
trip was wonderful and we really enjoyed the marketplace in otavalo, I hope to get back soon
our guide with Viator did a great job.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
This trip was good except that it would have been better with more time at the market . An all day tour with only 1 1/2 hours at the market indicates too much time spent at other sites .
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
We enjoyed the trip to Otavalo and the stops along the way. We visited a marzipan demonstration, Panama hat shop, and Cotaccachi leather town along the way. Our guide, Stefan, was very helpful and interesting. He spoke both Spanish and English. We would have liked more time to shop in Otavala markets. The Pan American Highway was a challenge for our bus but the ride was comfortable and clean.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
The guide was very knowledgable and helpful. Also, the bus was air conditioned and comfortable. The trip was on a day with heavy traffic and we spent over 4 hours getting back. We spent more time on the bus than at the actual markets. I felt rushed at the markets, which was the whole point of the trip. If I were to go on a normal day, without so much traffic, I think I would have enjoyed the tour more. One more thing...buying the package with the lunch is more expensive than just buying it once you get to the resturant.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
This tour was quite disappointing compared to our other Viator experiences.
Firstly, our scheduled 8 hour tour took over 10 hours and we almost missed an evening engagement with the rest of our travel group. Too much time allowed at shopping sites - the Otavalo Market (1.5 hours to visit too many similar stalls selling not so artisan goods and 1.75 hours checking out a street with leather stores as well as allowing time for lunch - which was quite good albeit in a tourist oriented restaurant). The food section of the market was very traditional, interesting and tasty!
Washroom breaks on the bus ride were well spaced and appreciated.
Our tour group consisted of 20 passengers and Roberto, our guide, had half English and half Spanish speaking clients. I do understand a bit of Spanish and understand enough that when there is a 3 minutes explanation about a site or bit of history in Spanish and the English version takes but 30 seconds - the Anglophone version was missing some interesting points. In some cases he would not offer an English version unless asked - a specific example being his explanation of typical foods of a region in Spanish and only when asked did the English version come forward.
As noted previously, my wife and I have enjoyed 2 previous Viator tours - I would not recommend this tour as a one day venture to 'experience' Equadorian culture outside of Quito.
The central market in Quito has all the same items and could be accessed more readily PLUS there were many stores that specialize had much higher quality and variety of clothing and handicraft goods including items from many South American countries.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
This was a well orgainized trip with frequent stops and enough time for shopping at several places. a great way to see the country side as well as Otavalo.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
totally enjoyed this trip. Roberto was an excellent guide - very informative. We were given plenty of time to enjoy shopping in Otavalo. I would definately recommend this trip to anyone.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
Norman R
Canada
Salome was our guide and she was excellent. There were several interesting stops along the way which enhanced our visit to Otavalo. More time in Otavalo would be a good idea. We had 1.5 hours - maybe should be 2. We wondered why there was no stop when we crossed the equator. all in all a good trip and recommended.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
While the drive was pleasant your photograph of the market was totally misleading. We expected to go to a fresh produce market and instead we were taken to a craft market for tourists. We didn't want lunch so we were left to look after ourselves for three hours in a town with very little to look at.
Our guide was poor and gave little information of value for the day and his time keeping was poor. In summary the day was a complete waste of time..leaving the hotel at 8.20am and not getting back until 7.10pm
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
"Horrible Service! Almost an Hour Late Picking Up! BEWARE!!"
My boyfriend and I booked the Saturday Otavalo Market tour through viator.com nearly a week before the actual tour date. When we booked the tour we were informed that we had to contact the tour operator to arrange the exact time for hotel pickup. On the Sunday before travel we began emailing the company to arrange hotel pickup. We received no response. We followed up again on Wednesday to arrange for hotel pickup. It wasn't until Thursday evening that the company emailed us back saying that they would let us know by Friday at 6:00 pm of the pickup time. Guess what? Friday at 6:00 pm we still hadn't received a response. In fact, it wasn't until well after midnight that we received a pickup time from the company (note, we didn't see the email until after we had awakened Saturday morning). The email indicated that hotel pickup was supposed to be at 7:40 that morning. We quickly got ready, and headed to the lobby to wait on the driver and guide.
Long story short, the guide didn't arrive at the hotel until 8:36 am - 56 MINUTES LATE!!! We emailed the tour operator numerous times that morning to determine the status, and only once did they respond. I think they told us the guide was in a "car accident." However, by the end of the day we had heard three different explanations: car accident, traffic, and flat tire. Not sure what story or combination of stories was true.
Because the guide was so late we, of course, didn't have time to complete the entire itinerary. We completely skipped Peguche, which left me extremely disappointed.
I would not recommend booking this tour. The Tour Operator is extremely unprofessional and their representatives/guides lack necessary customer service skills.
Doing what: Otavalo Marketplace with Optional Lunch
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