Hacienda Zuleta, Unique Haciendas & the Hidden Magic Andes
Journey through Ecuador’s hidden Andean treasures, where historic haciendas, breathtaking mountain landscapes, and rich cultural traditions reveal the authentic magic of the Andes.
During this trip you will have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the old haciendas of Ecuador and visit the Indian markets such as the famous Otavalo market, where you can find a plentiful variety of handicrafts.
Itinerary
Itinerary 7 Days / 6 Nights
Day 1: Arrival to Quito, Ecuador
Arrival in Quito and transfer to Hotel Café Cultura.
Hotel Cultura Manor
Ikala Quito Hotel Boutique
Day 2: The best colonial site in South America – free afternoon
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is one of the most beautiful cities of Ecuador. It is divided into the old or colonial city and the modern city. The Colonial Quito is still reminiscent of how it was 450 years ago, even though it is a small island surrounded on all sides by a fast-growing modern city. In colonial Quito are narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls over which the steeples and cupolas of historic churches and a cathedral site. The integrity of colonial Quito was assured in 1978 when the United Nations declared the city a World Cultural Heritage Site.
This day you will visit the colonial site of Quito where you will walk through the Main Plaza. Visit the Government Palace, the Cathedral and some of the most important churches built around the XVI and XVII centuries. After this visit our guide will drive you to a local restaurant where a delicious typical lunch will be waiting for you.
Return to your hotel and free afternoon to enjoy of Quito by your own. Overnight.
(B.L)
Day 3: Quito – Hacienda Guachalá – Hacienda Zuleta
At 06h30 our guide will be waiting for you at the lobby of our hotel in order to travel to the north of Quito. First you will visit Hacienda Guachalá the oldest hacienda of Ecuador, where you can enjoy a delicious typical breakfast, also you can walk around the property and know about the history of this wonderful hacienda.
Then you will continue to Hacienda Zuleta, a famous hacienda which was once the property of one of Ecuador’s remarkable presidents and is still owned by his descendants.
At this hacienda you will have some interesting activities like: learn about the protection of the Andean condor with the Condor Huasi project, located about 5 km from the house in a valley surrounded by native forest. At Condor Huasi, the only reproduction and liberation site licensed by the governmental condor protection agency in Ecuador, you will be able to observe the eight condors that are in captivity and with some luck you might see wild condors flying above you or even landing on the aviary.
Return to the main house in order to enjoy of a delicious lunch and in the afternoon, you can visit the different projects of this hacienda like the embroidery workshop, the cheese production, milkshed, worm farm, you can walk around the garden and others. Diner and overnight.
Hacienda Zuleta
(B.L.D)
Day 4: Otavalo & its surroundings
After breakfast you will depart to Otavalo in order to explore the area, first you will arrive to Carabuela a small town close to Otavalo where you will visit an old master weaver who will explain you about the traditional process that the Otavaleños use to make their handicrafts.
Then you will continue to Cotacachi town known for its famous leather handicrafts, lunch in a local restaurant and then you will visit Cuicocha that is part of Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. This lake lies inside the crater of an active volcano surrounded by native vegetation. This place is considered as a sacred lake and in a certain season of the year the native people celebrate traditional rituals there, to purify and clean their souls. If time and weather permits you can walk through the trail that surrounds the crater (3 hours approximately) and enjoy of the amazing view of taita (Quichua word that means father) Imbabura, Cayambe mountain, etc. Late in the afternoon our guide will drive you to your preferred hacienda where you will diner and overnight.
Hacienda Las Palmeras Inn
Hacienda Pinsaquí
Hacienda Piman
(B.L.D)
Day 5: Otavalo – Polylepis Lodge
After breakfast you will you will depart to the north of our country until arrive to Polylepis Lodge that is an amazing hidden place in the Ecuadorian Andes.
Short time to rest and then you will take one of the trails in order to discover the area. This reserve it is the only place in the world where you can find two ecosystems in the same area, the Millenary forest of Polylepis and the Frailejones Paramo, which is a native plant of the Andes Highlands and one of the favorite foods of the Spectacled bear.
Lunch included and free afternoon to rest and enjoy of the extra services of the lodge. At night the local guide will be waiting for you in order to hike through the Polylepis magic forest where elves and gnomes come to life for the cold nights of wasteland. Return to the lodge, overnight.
Polylepis Lodge
(B.BL.D)
Day 6: Polylepis Lodge – Otavalo: the most important indigenous market in South America - Papallacta Hot Springs
After breakfast you will return to Otavalo (2 hours and a half approximately).
You will take your lunch in a local restaurant and then our guide will drive you to the famous Ponchos’ Market that is considered the most important indigenous market of South America; Here you can find colorful handicrafts like rugs, clothes, Panama hats, pictures, jewelry, etc.
Shopping time and then you will depart to Papallacta Resort & SPA where you will diner and overnight.
Termas de Papallacta SPA
(B.L)
Day 7: Relaxing in Hot Springs – international flight
After breakfast, you can walk through the trails of the area or we can rest and enjoy of the hot springs and the thermoludic area (SPA) that this place offers.
The SPA’s hydrotherapy area consists of five hot thermal pools and one cold pool. The Thermoludic Area is the ideal place to experience a variety of different hydro massages using either water jets or air bubbles.
After an unforgettable expedition in Ecuador you will be transferred to the airport to catch your international flight home.
(B.L)
Explore the
place you stay
Hotel Cultura Manor. It is located in the center of Quito, close to most restaurants, souvenir shops. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast in a separated area. Boutique Hotel Cultura Manor in Quito is a delightful mix of European traditions and contemporary trend. It is considered an inner-city retreat, with an out-going personality and inspirational food.
Standard rooms: Tourist
Suites: First Class
Ikala Quito Hotel Boutique is a charming and stylish boutique hotel, built in may 2010, guided by the prestige value of traditional hospitality service. The hotel is located in a ideal sector in Quito, in the neighborhood of La Mariscal, the most traditional, commercial and touristic area of Quito. It is the ambition to host you in this hotel featuring the authenticity and diversity of the worlds of Ecuador with a hart for quality and style in every aspect ranging from accommodation, gastronomy to service.
Tourist Sup
Hacienda Zuleta is located between 2870 and 3050 meters in the Andean mountains of Northern Ecuador and 110 kilometers north of Quito. This is a historic adobe hacienda, built in 1691, it is the centerpiece of a 4,000-acres working farm that includes a dairy, cheese factory, organic garden, tree nursery, trout farm, embroidery workshop, and condor-raising project. This hacienda offers nine guest rooms are appointed with Spanish Colonial antique furniture, down comforters, and linens embroidered by local Indian women.
Luxury
Hacienda Pinsaquí, this colonial hacienda was constructed as far back as 1790, and following a disastrous earthquake that shook the region in 1867, faithfully and caringly restored. The building originally housed a textile workshop, employing nearly one thousand local weavers and spinners. In the late 1800s, the unique creations of these workers became internationally renowned, when the “bayetas”, a special fabric typical of Pinsaquí, arrived at the World’s Fair in Chicago.
Tourist Superior
Hacienda Piman is one of the oldest traditional haciendas in northern Ecuador, it combines elegant colonial flair with the fresh perspective of a newly refurbished boutique hotel. It is situated amid 12 acres of beautiful gardens in the middle of arid mountains that offers a cozy and comfortable place full of history and great services.
First Class
Polylepis Lodge is located in the buffer zone of the Angel Ecological reserve, within 12 hectares of the only remaining millennial Polylepis forest of volcanic and glacial origin. This lodge offers 14 cottages with private bathroom, hot water, comfortable and cozy beds.
Tourist Superior
Termas de Papallacta SPA, is located 40 miles east of Quito. Perched on a high Andean valley at the entrance route to the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle, the spa – resort offers its visitors health, recreation, adventure and rest. Whether relaxing in the thermal baths, indulging in pampering spa treatments, or embarking on adventure walking around Termas de Papallacta. Accommodation in hotel rooms or luxury cabins is complemented by our restaurants which serve a range of culinary delights to tickle your taste buds.
Standard: Tourist & Tourist Superior
Suite: First Class
Dates & Rates
| PRICE PER PERSON 2024 IN USD | ||||||||
| HOTELS CATEGORY | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-5 PAX | 6-9 PAX | 10-11 PAX | 12-15 PAX | 16 PAX | Sing Sup |
| Tourist | $4.100 | $2.488 | $2.100 | $1.926 | $1.685 | $1.628 | $1.539 | $299 |
| Tourist Sup | $4.122 | $2.647 | $2.276 | $1.974 | $1.726 | $1.667 | $1.577 | $325 |
| First Class | $4.276 | $2.735 | $2.349 | $2.047 | $1.799 | $1.741 | $1.651 | $380 |
| PRICE PER PERSON 2025 IN USD | ||||||||
| HOTELS CATEGORY | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-5 PAX | 6-9 PAX | 10-11 PAX | 12-15 PAX | 16 PAX | Sing Sup |
| Tourist | $4.234 | $2.562 | $2.283 | $1.991 | $1.751 | $1.695 | $1.607 | $349 |
| Tourist Sup | $4.294 | $2.745 | $2.334 | $2.041 | $1.801 | $1.745 | $1.657 | $380 |
| First Class | $4.479 | $2.989 | $2.578 | $2.279 | $2.033 | $1.975 | $1.886 | $425 |
To request a quote or make a reservation let's start with your details...*
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Accommodation based on double room in all the hotels and haciendas detailed in the itinerary
- Meals as described on the itinerary
- Entrance fees to: condor Huasi project, Cuicocha lake (Cotacachi – Cayapas ecological reserve), train ticket, el Angel ecological reserve
What's Not Included
- Meals not specified
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Personal expenses
