Villages & Markets tour from Hacienda Hato Verde

Latacunga (Tuesdays or Fridays)

Is the provincial capital of Cotopaxi. Although it has had to endure several earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, some of the colonial buildings, built in porous volcanic stone, still stand in the center of the city, in particular around the main square, dedicated to the memory of the city's main benefactor, don Vicente Leon.

On Tuesdays an enchanting Indian market takes place where a great variety of local products is offered.

Price per person: USD 50,00

Pujilí (Wednesdays or Sundays)

On Wednesdays and Sundays a colorful Indian market takes place where you will find handicrafts, especially ceramics.

It is still an unspoiled market and perfect for people, who like to experience a genuine market without tourists and articles for them. Most of the activities is concentrated around the huge roofed market square but extends to nearby streets and plazas.

Price per person: USD 50,00

Saquisilí (Thursday)

On Thursdays the region's largest Indian market takes place. It takes five plazas. Each plaza has its own special name, according to local products. Each plaza offers food, clothing and endless of colorful products. Early in the morning is the animal market, just outside of town, and the product market during the whole day in the center of town.

Amorning visit by vehicle to the nearby rural Saquisili Indian market is perfect for Hato Verde guests, you can amble through the squares and streets buying local crafts or a traditional poncho or simply watching the locals trading on this, the most important market day. Men sit behind old sewing machines putting the collars on new ponchos or behind stone wheels grinding knives for people; ladies pass through the market selling a multitude of wares...

Price per person: USD 50,00

Volcán Quilotoa (Any Day)

The most important natural attraction in the area is the caldera of the Quilotoa volcano and its lake, considered the most beautiful one in the country.

From the road, one cannot see the breathtaking, aquamarine Crater Lake until the last few steps when approaching the rim. Then the whole lake and its vista leave one with a sense of awe. The oval shaped caldera is located at 3.840 m. (12,595 ft). From the village lookout point, visitors can see the majestic volcanic lake in its entire splendor with the Illinizas peaks as a background.

The Quilotoa caldera, which dominates the vast Andean countryside, is oval shaped with steep crater walls that drop more than 300 m. (984 ft.) down to a large lake over 2.5 Km (8,200 ft.) wide, at 3,500 m. (11,480 ft.) elevation. The lake is 240 m. (787 ft.) deep and its water is somewhat alkaline and when combined with the copper makes the water purely aquamarine in color.

The surrounding area of the volcano is deeply gulled by erosion with the Toachi valley draining the area to the coast (similar to the Ten Thousand Smokes Valley and Mt. Katmai in Alaska). The plains around the Crater Lake are buried by a thick layer of pyroclastic materials, which were ejected by the various eruptions of the volcano. The Quilotoa volcano had 5 large ash-producing eruptions in the last 40,000 years and the last eruption occurred 800 years ago.

One can hike or horseback ride down to the aquamarine waters of the Quilotoa Crater Lake, as there is a small beach below and boat rental. For experience hikers the trek around the caldera will be an amazing hike in an astonishing place, which will forever be remembered.

Market day is Saturday in this small Indian town, Zumbahua, high in the Andes. It is a small and unspoiled market and perfect for people, who like to experience a genuine Indian market. Indigenous women still come with their llamas to town to help to carry with their purchases later on. As the town is only 20 minutes from Quilotoa Crater Lake, it is a good idea to combine both visits.

Price per person: USD 95,00 including box lunch.

Baños (any day)

Passing by Latacunga and Ambato to stop at Yambo volcanoes Crater Lake and Salasaca's village (textiles and hand embroidered crafts) at Tungurahua province. We reach Baños (subtropical town), it's a popular tourist spot with Ecuadorians and foreigners where we visit the cathedral, stop for lunch and visit the thermal baths. Finally, we continue our trip to Agoyan waterfalls and El Pailon del Diablo (Devils cauldron) waterfalls where we hike for 90 minutes and return to Hato Verde.

Baños tropical surrounding includes beautiful waterfalls, thermal springs, and rivers. A paradise in the mountains and one of the gateways to the Amazon is famous for its waterfalls and thermal hot springs that surround it. An ideal place for Eco-tourism and some other adventure sports such as trekking, mountain biking, kayaking among others.

Price per person: USD 95,00 including box lunch.