Tailor-made tours
Hacienda packages
Discover the magic of the Andean region, the marvellous landscapes, the rich ancestral cultures and the warmth of the people of the colder regions. Encounter the simple way of life of its inhabitants and the gentle pace of times past in the Haciendas of the Highlands. Many of the Haciendas date back to the 16th century, but toDay, in the Ecuadorian haciendas, modern technology lives side by side in harmony with traditional organic farming techniques.
Enjoy the taste of country hospitality; experience the rich Ecuadorian folklore and traditional cuisine. Spend time with Ecuadorian families, the owners of beautiful haciendas, which are located on historic sites with an impressive display of country architecture, furniture and colonial art. Rooms are ample and cosy, most featuring fireplaces. Enjoy magnificent surroundings and farm activities.
Elite Hacienda itinerary
Private, 8 days/ 7 nights
Please enquire for prices.
Overnights: Hilton Colon Quito, Hacienda Zuleta, Hacienda San Agustín de Callo, and Hacienda Chillo Jijón.
Itinerary includes all meals. Minimum four guests, maximum 12 guests.
Day 1 - Arrive in Quito.
Assistance and transfer from the airport to the hotel Hilton Colon in Quito.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Hilton Colon.
Day 2 - Visit Quito.
After breakfast, drive along the northern residential section to the impressive Parliament Building, whose stone mural records Ecuador’s history. Stroll downtown to visit the St. Augustine Convent, its Colonial patio, cloisters, coffered ceilings and the vast collection of paintings showing the life of St. Augustine. Visit the Independence Plaza flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Continue to the Church of San Francisco, one of the greatest religious buildings of the New World. Its impressive façade and atrium lead to its gilt interior, a Baroque influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar.
Enjoy lunch downtown at a traditional restaurant with Ecuadorian specialties and live music entertainment. After lunch visit the Recoleta of San Diego, a place of retreat for monks and laymen in the Colonial times. Important work of restoration has redeemed the church, the cloisters, the pictorial and sculptural works of art, the altarpieces and the caissoned ceilings. Later, see the Museum of the City of Quito, which showcases daily life in the city from 10,000 BC to the end of the 20th century. This imposing building was originally a hospital and is now a must-see for all Quito visitors. Visit a Colonial mansion, the House of Urrutia, inhabited until recently by family members of the original owners, and left unchanged. Dinner and overnight at the hotel Hilton Colon.
Day 3 - Otavalo
Early morning departure. Travel north along the Panamerican Highway through astonishing mountain scenery. Arrive in Cayambe for breakfast at the Hacienda La Compañía. Continue north to Otavalo and visit the colourful Otavalo Indian Market, famous for its handicrafts.There is ample time to visit the market and stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets filled with Otavalo Indians, wearing blue ponchos, white trousers and long braided hair.
Stop for lunch at one of the charming country inns or haciendas of the area. In the afternoon, visit the leather shops in Cotacachi. Later transfer to the Hacienda Zuleta, where you will overnight in a room with lovely
garden views. A welcome drink and typical hors-d’oeuvres will be served in the hacienda’s living room, hosted by the owner, with an informal chat about the history of the hacienda. Dinner will consist of delicious soup, salads and vegetables, produced organically at the hacienda, and a choice of beef, trout or chicken, all following traditional family recipes.
Day 4 - Hacienda Zuleta
Early risers may go bird watching or participate in the hacienda’s milking process. After a hearty hacienda breakfast, take the “Condor’s Trail”, a moderate walk to see condors, the archaeological remains of the Caranqui culture and observe trout farming. This excursion can also be taken on horseback.
Picnic lunch is served, weather permitting; otherwise lunch will be served back at the hacienda. After lunch visit the embroidery centre, part of the work of the hacienda’s foundation, and the cheese factory.
During the evening, visit the hacienda’s private library of Galo Plaza, former President of Ecuador and Secretary of the OAS (Organization of American States). After dinner relax by the warmth of the fireplace or enjoy stargazing in the hacienda’s central patio.
Day 5 - Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
Enjoy an early walk around the Hacienda Zuleta or a short ride on horseback. After breakfast, travel south to arrive the Hacienda Hualilagua de Jijón for lunch. Lunch will be served in the charming dining room.
Continue southward, along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to the Hacienda San Agustín de Callo. Follow the footsteps of the German scientist, Alexander von Humboldt, to discover what he called the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” in 1802. This magical route is surrounded by snow-capped summits. In times past, its mystical beauty nourished the mythology of early cultures and later provided an incentive for the conquering Spanish to settle here. Brooks and rivers run down from the mountains past small villages of adobe houses and terraced farmland.
The Hacienda San Agustín de Callo is located at the foot of the imposing Cotopaxi Volcano. Weather permitting, visit the Cotopaxi National Park (entrance fee not included), go horseback riding or mountain biking.
Back at the Hacienda; meet in the living room for cocktails hosted by the owner, who will give an informal chat about the history of the hacienda. Enjoy dinner specialties that include lamb, shrimp, vegetarian options and a selection of cheeses. The fresh vegetables are grown in the hacienda’s farm-garden.
Day 6 - Indian Market & Hacienda Chillo Jijón
After a buffet breakfast, visit a local Indian market. Colour is the essence of the ancient Indian markets of the Ecuadorian highlands, the native dresses of men and women, the fresh produce piled in neat rows, the bluest sky, and the brightly coloured designs of hand-woven woollen sweaters and the naïf paintings of Tigua. All make these markets not only beautiful but unique. Farm products, wares and handicrafts are displayed everywhere on the plazas and the colourful fruits, vegetables and costumes provide countless opportunities to take photographs.
Enjoy lunch at San Agustín de Callo and then proceed to the Hacienda Chillo Jijón. Arrive the hacienda in the mid-afternoon and, after checking into your room, gather for cocktails, hosted by the owner. Dine in the beautiful Colonial dining room.
Day 7 - Hacienda Chillo Jijón & Art Galleries
Enjoy breakfast and the activities offered by the Hacienda Chillo Jijón, which include tennis, bike riding, horseback riding or a short walk in the surrounding gardens. After lunch at the hacienda, return to Quito and visit some of the city’s most beautiful Art Galleries. Dinner at the Restaurant Mare Nostrum, specialised in seafood dishes. Overnight at the Hilton Colon Hotel.
Day 8
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Useful tips
- Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, and coat).
- Take a warm coat for the evenings and rain protection from February to May.
- This tour includes walking at an average altitude of 2800 meters (9200 feet).
- Bring sun protection (SPF 40) and good walking shoes.
- Average temperatures: Day 6° to 18°C / 43° to 64°F; Night 0° to 8°C / 32° to 46° F.
Hacienda Zuleta
A 19-room estate with nine private rooms available for guests, all with hand embroidered linens and beautiful garden views. A member of the Plaza family will be your host and show you around the hand embroidery workshop, the condor rehabilitation project, the trout farm and the cheese factory. Zuleta is surrounded by magnificent Andean landscapes that you can enjoy on foot, horseback or bicycle.
Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
Located right at the foot of Cotopaxi Volcano, it was built in the 16th century on the site of an important Inca Palace. Two of the original surviving Inca rooms now serve as chapel and dining room. In the latter, which offers a grand view of Cotopaxi, you will be savouring the hacienda’s excellent Ecuadorian cuisine. Most rooms have a fireplace and are furnished with the original antiques of the hacienda.
Hacienda Chillo Jijon
This hacienda is located in a valley close to Quito. Its 1730’s Manor House reflects the luxury of the 18th century. Guests are personally invited by the owners to relax and explore this most beautiful hacienda, the tranquillity of its colonial corridors and patios, the shade of its 20 acres of private gardens and woods, the luxury of its library and salons and the warmth of its private fireplace suites. Tennis, horseback riding and biking are available for your recreation.
Special Hacienda itinerary
Private, 6 days/ 5 nights
Please enquire for prices.
Overnight: Hotel Dann Carlton or similar in Quito, Hacienda Pinsaquí and Hacienda La Ciénega.
Includes all meals. Minimum 2 guests, maximum 26 people.
Day 1 - Arrive in Quito
Assistance and transfer from the airport to the hotel Dann Carlton or similar in Quito. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2 - Otavalo Indian Market & Hacienda Pinsaqui
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, travel north, on the Panamerican Highway, to the Province of Imbabura. This province is one of the most popular destinations in Ecuador, a magical land of lakes, snow-covered mountains and terraced farmlands. Here is the town of Otavalo, with its famous Indian market that dates back to pre-Inca times and is known for its textiles woven on back-strap and shuttle looms, and its fine handicrafts.
For centuries, regional markets have played an important role in Indian life, providing regular gathering places for trade and socialising. The tour is a feast of brilliant scenery and artisan villages, such as Calderón, a small town where bread dough figurines are made in many shapes and sizes.
Continue along the Valleys of Guayllabamba and Cayambe, with their dairy farms and rose plantations. Visit the market of Otavalo, piled high with ponchos, woollen goods, tapestries, the original “Panama” hats, sweaters, Indian jewellery and many handicrafts. Enjoy lunch at a country inn of the area.
In the afternoon, visit the town of Cotacachi, filled with shops of leather goods; San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for its woodcarvings; and the town of Peguche, where textiles are woven in old-fashioned shuttle looms. Overnight and dinner will be at the historic Hacienda Pinsaquí.
Day 3 - Hacienda La Compañía /Hacienda La Cienega
Enjoy a succulent breakfast at the Hacienda Pinsaquí and travel to the Hacienda La Compañía, where lunch will be served (soft drinks included). This farm once belonged to the Jesuit order “La Compañía de Jesús.” It preserves its original architecture of the 18th century.
Travel southward, along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to the Hacienda La Ciénega. Enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation at this cosy hacienda. Located near the foot of the majestic Cotopaxi Volcano, this hacienda offers guests a unique experience of residing within the walls of a live museum of great charm and elegance. For centuries La Ciénega has witnessed many important events in the history of Ecuador.
Day 4 - Cotopaxi National Park
After breakfast, visit Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of over 88,000 acres (36,000 hectares) surrounding the highest active volcano in the world. This park is especially attractive to nature lovers, with its treeless vegetation of the Andean moorlands or paramo.
Bird life includes the Andean gull, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and, with some luck, the Andean condor. Lunch will be served at one of the local hosterías. Dinner and overnight at the Hacienda La Ciénega. Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park is not included.
Day 5 - Indian Market & Hacienda Hualilagua de Jijon
After breakfast at La Ciénega, visit one of the colourful local Indian Markets (there is one for each Day of the week). Here the native dresses of men and women, the fresh produce piled in neat rows, the bluest of skies and the brightly coloured designs of hand-woven woollen sweaters make these markets not only beautiful, but also uniquely colourful.
Renowned since pre-Columbian times, Indian markets have changed very little over 500 years. Each plaza has its distinctive products: livestock, esteras (straw mats) and sugar cane cakes, food and toys, weavings of wool and hemp fibre, clay-pot pans and herbs, fruits, grains and cereals. Vendors sit under pieces of cloth extended over fragile wooden structures. There are also abundant vendors of ribbons, medicines, prepared food and of course, fortune tellers.
The barter system at the markets continues into the third millennium. Lunch will be served at the Hacienda Hualilagua de Jijon, featuring organic cereals and vegetables cultivated at the hacienda. Return to Quito in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel Dann Carlton.
Day 6
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Useful tips
- Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater and coat).
- Take a warm coat for the evenings and rain protection from February to May.
- This tour includes walking at an average altitude of 2800 meters (9200 feet).
- Bring sun protection (SPF 40) and good walking shoes.
- Average Temperatures: Day 6° to 18°C / 43° to 64°F; Night 0° to 8°C / 32° to 46°F.
Hacienda Pinsaqui
First built in the year 1790, this uniquely restored colonial hacienda was originally a textile workshop, employing 1,000 local weavers and spinners. Fabrics woven in Pinsaquí were exported to the United States in the late 1800s. Among its illustrious guests was General Simón Bolívar, who usually spent the night at Pinsaquí on his trips back and forth to Bogotá. An important treaty between Colombia and Ecuador was signed at this hacienda, and much history is held within its walls. The main structure was destroyed by an earthquake in 1867 and has now been restored and adapted with 16 ample and comfortable rooms, with heavy ornate beds and fireplaces, for its guests. Pinsaquí has a unique atmosphere with long corridors, wide walls, antique candelabra and furniture, with echoes of sounds and voices from the past. With three centuries of history, the romantic Hacienda Pinsaquí invites you to be a part of its magic and its legends. Hacienda Pinsaqui has belonged to the Freile family since 1888.
Hacienda La Compañia
It was built by the Jesuits only six years after the conquest of Quito, and remained in their hands for 200 years, until the King of Spain expelled them from the Colonies. The Hacienda La Compañía is located in the foothills of the Cayambe volcano and surrounded by spectacular Andean landscapes. It preserves its original structure, including a marvellous chapel. The Hacienda has been owned by the same family for one hundred years.
Hacienda La Ciènega
It is located in the area of Guaytacama, in the Valley of Lasso at the foot of Cotopaxi volcano, and belongs to the descendants of its original owner in the 17th century, the Marquis of Maenza. The Manor House was built in 1838 and is reached via an avenue flanked by gigantic and fragrant eucalyptus trees. It was open to the public in 1982, with spacious rooms surrounded by beautiful gardens. The charm, taste and elegance of the rooms at La Ciénega have witnessed important events in Ecuador's history.
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