HIKING THE HACIENDAS OF ECUADOR
6 DAY TOUR

Ecuador is a country of extraordinary beauty, blessed by nature’s considerable gifts: snowcapped volcanoes, sparkling blue lakes, lush emerald valleys and cool cloud forests harbouring a multitude of spectacular bird and plant life.

Nestled in the fertile highlands are exquisite haciendas, the majority of which date back to the 16th century. These historic retreats were once large farming estates (and some are still actively working today) which have now been converted to gracious country inns that exude the flavour of colonial Ecuador with all the amenities of a fine hotel.

By day you’ll hike and explore the countryside, soaking up the beautiful scenery, appreciating nature’s bounty and meeting Ecuador’s friendly, welcoming people. You’ll hike around Laguna de Cuicocha, a crater lake on the flanks of Volcano Cotacachi, walk an old “hacienda trail” in the high Andean grasslands and visit the famous Indian market at Otavalo. By night you’ll put your feet up by a roaring log fire, ponder long-gone eras steeped in history, and feast on delicious cuisine fit for a baron. The old saying, Mi casa es su casa, has never been truer.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Hike Pesillo to Hacienda Zuleta
In the morning we will drive for one hour until we reach the town of Pesillo, a small village about an hour’s drive from Guachala, where we’ll have lunch. Afterwards, we'll embark on our three-hour hike through the high Andean grasslands (altitude about 9,800') along an old “hacienda trail” linking Guachala with Zuleta. There are more than eight old haciendas that lie along the route. We’ll arrive in the afternoon at Zuleta, a 4,000-acre working hacienda with general agriculture, forestation and dairy farming operations. The remainder of the day is free to relax or visit the beautiful grounds of the hacienda. L,D…Hacienda Zuleta

Day 2 — Hacienda Zuleta
We'll start with a two hour hike to the hacienda’s condor reintroduction project, stopping along the way to see some pre-Inca mounds. In the afternoon we’ll hike for an hour back to the hacienda to visit the cheese factory and embroidery workshop and learn all about the farm’s purebred horses. (Optional horseback riding is available).
B,L,D…Hacienda Zuleta

Day 3 - Hike Zuleta Cusin
We'll hike through the pastoral valley from Zuleta  to  San Pablo Lake where we can see magnificent views of Volcano Imbabura, if its a clear day we will also be able to see Volcano Cayambe, towering in the distance.  Imbabura gives its name to this province and has been considered sacred by the people of this area since before the arrival of the Incas.  Much of our morning walk is on a picturesque path, that is lined by eucalyptus trees and winds through wheat, alfalfa, potato and corn fields.  There is a gradual ascent at the beginning of the walk, then the trail levels before gently descending into the San Plablo Lake.
We’ll arrive at Cusin for lunch, a luxurious country inn amidst eternally blooming gardens with nearly 400 years of colonial history. The hacienda is located near Otavalo in a spectacular natural setting at the foot of the dormant Volcano Imbabura.

B,L,D…Hacienda Cusin

Day 4 - Hike Cusin Pinsaqui
After breakfast we will a hike around the Imbabura foot hills., Imbabura Urcu, with a great view of the San Pablo lake and valley as well as the the fuya fuya mountain and Cotacachi.  We'll start by crossing several corn, wheat, chocho (lupinus) and potato fields.  After  a few miles we will start our descent to the small villages of Agato and Peguche, ending up in Pinsaqui another colonial hacienda, which was originally built as a textile workshop. We’ll take a tour of the house and grounds (which some have likened to a set from a Fellini movie!) before dinner.B,L,D…Hacienda Pinsaqui

Day 5 — Laguna de Cuicocha
We’ll drive to the nearby Cotacachi-Cayapas ecological reserve for a three-hour hike at Laguna de Cuicocha (10,200'), a deep-blue crater lake on the lower southern flanks of Volcano Cotacachi. We’ll be able to enjoy views of several nearby volcanoes, including Imbabura, Cayambe, and Cotacachi, and do some more bird-watching (ruddy ducks, giant hummingbirds, silvery grebes, and more). After the hike we’ll stop at the picturesque colonial town of Cotacachi, famous for its leatherwork, and perhaps make some purchases.
B,L,D…Hacienda Pinsaqui

Day 6 — Otavalo
We’ll spend the morning at the famous Indian crafts market at Otavalo, the most important market in Ecuador, and one of the best in South America. Many items are for sale: Otavaleños are most famous for their weavings; woollen goods include sweaters, blankets, gloves, scarves and ponchos. Panama hats are also a good buy as are jewellery and colourfully embroidered blouses and shirts. We’ll have a chance to do some good-natured bargaining (it’s expected) for some terrific souvenirs. In addition to the crafts market, there is also an animal market and produce fair. After the excitement of the market, we’ll head back to Quito. B,L

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