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Before you go
Your trip to Cayambe.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Cayambe – Pichincha Destination Otavalo and Imbabura about 75 km from Quito
How to get there
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Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre (UIO) Quito (Tababela) · 50 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Cayambe lies on the Panamerican Highway, about 75 km north of Quito, and buses between Quito and Otavalo stop in town. The nearest airport is Quito (UIO), in Tababela. Confirm schedules before traveling.
How many days
Half a day to a day: the Quitsato sundial, the center with Puntiatzil, and a stop for bizcochos. It works as a stop on the way between Quito and Otavalo.
When to go
It is cold year-round, with clearer mornings. From June to September there is less rain and the volcano is visible more often. In June the Fiestas del Sol y San Pedro take place.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Not required. Panamerican Highway buses pass through Cayambe and Quitsato. For the Cayambe volcano area you need a 4x4 vehicle or a tour with an operator.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Cayambe
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Morning
Quitsato sundial
Start with the Quitsato sundial, on the Equator line south of town, with guides’ explanations about the astronomy of Andean peoples.
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Afternoon
Puntiatzil and center
Head to Cayambe’s center and visit the Puntiatzil archaeological site, a few blocks from the central park.
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Late afternoon
Bizcochos with queso de hoja
Stop at one of the bizcocho houses to try the wood‑fired bizcochos with queso de hoja and manjar de leche, then continue to Otavalo or Quito.
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Evening
Return to Otavalo or Quito
Via the Panamerican Highway, Otavalo is about 40 minutes away and Quito around one and a half hours, depending on traffic.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth stopping in Cayambe between Quito and Otavalo?
Yes. In half a day you can see the Quitsato sundial on the Equator line and try the bizcochos with queso de hoja.
What are Cayambe’s bizcochos?
Elongated biscuits baked in a wood‑fired oven, served with queso de hoja and manjar de leche. They are registered as a Guaranteed Traditional Specialty in Ecuador.
Is the Cayambe volcano on the Equator line?
Yes. The Cayambe volcano, at 5,790 meters, is crossed by the Equator line and is the only point on it covered in snow.
What is Quitsato?
A 54‑meter‑diameter sundial, built in 2006 on the Equator line south of Cayambe. The name, from the Tsáfiqui language, means half of the world.
When are Cayambe’s festivals?
The Fiestas del Sol y San Pedro take place in June, with dances and parades by local communities.