The drive north from Quito first takes you through a treeless, African bush type terrain of steep ravines and then through heavily cultivated, greener, alpine pastures and an immense patchwork of fields criss-crossed with streams, so characteristic of this immense plateau high up in the Andes. The town of Otavalo is reached in 2 hours (110 kms) from Quito. Here you will find one of the largest and most colourful indian textile markets in Ecuador, particularly busy on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays.

The Hosteria Cusin and Hacienda Pinsaqui are only a further 30 minute drive and are an excellent base from which to visit the andean lakes (notably Cuicocha and Yaguarocha), the leather markets of Cotacachi town and the town of San Antonio de Ibarra, where they produce the most intricate of wood carvings.