South America
6 Day Ecuador Haciendas and Highlands - From: $5,250
Trip Summary
Explore the Ecuadorian Andes on this six day adventure. Discover the area's majestic snow-capped mountains, fertile valleys, colorful markets, lovely colonial towns, ancient haciendas and historic cities, all illuminated by a dramatic spectacle of intense blue sky and playful clouds. Stay at a working hacienda offering a peaceful atmosphere to explore the Otavalo region.
Highlights
- Browse colorful markets and navigate the mazelike streets of Quito
- Stay at an authentic working hacienda which dates back to the 1500's
- Visit an Andean Condor restoration project located in a high mountain valley
- Explore Cotopaxi National Park located in the shadow of the world's highest active volcano
Trip Details
Price:
| Per Person, double occupancy | From: $5,250 |
Based on low season rates with two guests traveling.
Departure Dates:
- Daily
Itinerary
Day 1
Quito, Ecuador
Arrive Quito. Transfer to Hotel Plaza Grande.
Lodging: Hotel Plaza Grande
Day 2
Quito City Tour - Ibarra - Hacienda Zuleta
After breakfast step into the colonial heart of Quito, a major center of trade, politics, culture, and art in its heyday. Right across Independence Plaza stand the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, and the main Cathedral. On one street alone, appropriately named Street of the Seven Crosses, are seven spectacular colonial churches. Among these is the Church of La Compañia de Jesus, built by the Jesuits as a replica of Il Bessu in Rome. Just up another block is the church and monastery of San Francisco, the largest colonial building in the Americas. After exploring the mazelike streets that are a living, vibrant museum, head up the Panecillo, the hill from which the Virgin of Quito statue keeps vigil over her city. From this vantage point see the center from another striking perspective. Enjoy lunch at Hotel Plaza Grande, collect your luggage, and then depart by charter flight for Ibarra. After our 30-minute flight north over the Andes, a short drive brings you to Zuleta. This 4,000-acre working hacienda dates back to the 1500s.Since its transformation into an exclusive hotel, Zuleta has been selected as one of the world's "Top Ten Finds" by Outside magazine. After a welcome cocktail and introduction to the property's history, you will have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure to enjoy a hike, horseback ride, a visit to the embroidery project that employs local indigenous women, or simply relax in the hacienda's comfortable surroundings. Dinner will be a delightful introduction to local Andean specialties, including unique Zuleta dishes, which have been featured in Food & Wine magazine.
Lodging: Hacienda Zuleta
Day 3
Hacienda Zuleta
In this full day at Zuleta, you will experience a variety of the working farm's myriad activities. First comes a full farm-style breakfast made with the freshest ingredients, followed by a mid-morning hike to the hacienda's condor reintroduction project, nestled in a high mountain valley. This project nurses condors who have been hurt, and it is not uncommon to see wild condors gliding overhead. Also see trout production, as the hacienda raises seed trout for other fish cultivation projects. Weather permitting, you may enjoy a picnic lunch here or back at the main house. Either way, count on the hacienda's own fresh grilled trout being on the menu, along with homegrown vegetables and some Andean specialties such as llapingachos (potato cakes), and torta de arroz (a complex, layered rice dish). In the afternoon hike an hour back toward the hacienda, possibly making a stop at the milking barn, before paying a visit to the cheese factory, which produces artisan cheeses with local flavors. Round out the afternoon with optional horseback riding, if you wish, or take an embroidery lesson in the embroidery workshop.
Lodging: Hacienda Zuleta
Day 4
Cotopaxi
After a relaxing morning at Hacienda Zuleta return to Ibarra and board a private flight to Latacunga (approximate flight time 1 hour). Drive to Hacienda San Agustin de Callo. Built on the site of an important Inca Palace, this working farm offers an unrivaled glimpse into Ecuador’s rich and colorful past. San Aguistin de Callo is one of only two major Inca sites in Ecuador. Nestled in the foothills of Cotopaxi volcano, the hacienda provides the perfect setting for enjoying the countryside by horseback, mountain biking, walking or hiking.
Lodging: San Augustin de Callo
Day 5
Cotopaxi - Quito
Spend the morning at Cotopaxi National Park viewing the dramatic snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano—the world’s highest active volcano. Its perfectly cone-shaped peak reaches nearly 20,000 feet. Cotopaxi National Park is also home to abundant plant life, Inca ruins, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the Andes Mountains. Cross the paramo, or high plateau, at the base of Cotopaxi, which is at an altitude of approximately 12,500 feet. Explore interesting small towns and the beautiful countryside around the Cotopaxi area, where fertile volcanic soil provides excellent farmland, and rich field mosaics reflect the country’s Indian weavings. In late afternoon we return to Latacunga for a private flight back to Quito.
Lodging: Hotel Plaza Grande
Day 6
International Flights Home
Transfer to the Quito International airport for international flights home.
Lodging: International Flights Home
Destinations
The Details
