Hi Raymond, I’d definitely suggest you do the Otavalo market and Cotacachi on Saturday. Your hotel can make those arrangements for you or you can arrange it in advance through the folks at Nuevo Mundo Expeditions. Write to Julieta and/or Oswaldo (Julieta Muñoz: julieta@nuevomundoexpeditions.com or oswaldo@nuevomundoexpeditions.com) and they can help you. There are several different equator markers — one os simply a small marker that people stop and take photos with. The others are full-blow museums/theme destinations and are more popular with tourists. The larger of the two is Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) and, right next door, the less polished Inti Nan — you could easily do both of these in one day. I am uncertain about prices, sometimes it depends if you go with a group or individually with a driver and guide. Julieta can quote you a price and it will likely be less than your hotel price. Having said that, the larger hotels will charge far more for tours than a hostel will. In Quito, I strongly recommend you take a guided tour of Old Town — don’t miss it.
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