Local Indigenous Markets
Andean tradition thrives in this area and local markets provide many opportunities to observe how people have been trading for thousands of years
Andean tradition thrives in this area and local markets provide many opportunities to observe how people have been trading for thousands of years. You may be bargaining for a poncho, fresh fruit and produce, fried bread, or a rope to tie your brand new llama, or better yet buy two!
Local markets only happen on specific days of the week. Below you can see which markets might coincide with your visit to the area.
| day | town | notes | distance from Black Sheep Inn |
| Monday | Guantualo | A very small, non-touristy, rural community market. | No direct road, but a lovely 3 hour hike each way. |
| Tuesday | Latacunga | A large market spreading across two plazas in the center of town. Very colorful. Visit the slaughter house and meat market for a close up view. | 2+ hours by car |
| Wednesday | Pujilí | Smaller than the Pujilí Sunday market. | 2 hours by car |
| Thursday *Best Market* | Saquisilí | Economically one of the most important markets in Cotopaxi Province. The entire community comes alive with vendors on every street corner selling everything imaginable throughout the village. | 2 hours by car |
| Friday | No Market | Vendors preparing for Saturday Market fill the plazas in Latacunga. | |
| Saturday *Best Market* | Zumbahua | A morning market surrounded by rocky peaks. Very indigenous and colorful. Lots of llamas. Market ends by 1-2 pm. | 1 hour by car |
| Saturday | Latacunga | Much bigger than Tuesday’s market. | 2+ hours by car |
| Sunday | Chugchilán, Sigchos & Pujilí | Local markets add life to the otherwise sleepy villages of Chugchilán, Sigchos & Pujilí | 5 min walk to Chugchilán, 45 mins – Sigchos. |
Related Destinations
Local Indigenous Markets
Andean tradition thrives in this area and local markets provide many opportunities to observe how people have been trading for thousands of years
Local People
Traditional techniques of farming, building and animal husbandry are still in use.
Cheese Factory – in the high paramó
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Iliniza Cloud Forest
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Chinalo Furniture Workshop
About two kilometers down the road from Black Sheep Inn is the community of Chinalo, where the Don Bosco Mission is located.
Canyon Plateau
A sprawling expanse of dramatic cliffs and rugged terrain, sculpted by the hands of time, offering a glimpse into Earth’s geological history and captivating the adventurous spirit within.
Rio Toachi Canyon
A spectacular testament to the forces of nature, etched deep into the heart of Ecuador’s terrain, enchants with its vast expanse and rugged grandeur, inviting exploration and contemplation
Ilinizas Twin Peaks
The iconic twin peaks stand as a breathtaking geological marvel, captivating adventurers and scientists alike with their rugged beauty and unique formation.
Cotopaxi Volcano
Iconic Andean volcano, Cotopaxi, stands sentinel with its snow-capped peak, symbolizing both beauty and danger.
Laguna Quilotoa
Lake Quilotoa is a beautiful volcanic crater lake located at 3800 meters (12,400 feet) between the towns of Zumbahua and Chugchilán.





