Hacienda Zuleta and Quito

(1 customer review)

$2,239 – $3,025

Explore Quito and the surrounding area through visiting markets, artisans, and staying at a traditional, working hacienda. Hacienda Zuleta is one of the oldest working haciendas in Ecuador, dating from the late 1600s, and is an amazing place to stay with living pre-Columbian, Spanish, and Ecuadorian history and traditional culture.

Trip Length: 5 days
Destination: Quito, Otavalo, Cuicocha Crater, Hacienda Zuleta
Lodging: Luxury
Activities: Walking, cultural experiences, markets, cooking

WHY THIS TRIP

Explore Quito and the surrounding area through visiting markets, artisans, and staying at a traditional, working hacienda. Spend a full day in Quito, exploring Old Town, going to a fruit and vegetable market, followed by a cooking class with a chef. Heading north of Quito, you go to a beautiful crater lake, leather workers shops, and Otavalo Market, the largest indigenous market still in operators. You spend the nxt couple of nights at Hacienda Zuleta. Hacienda Zuleta is one of the oldest working haciendas in Ecuador, dating from the late 1600s, and steeped in pre-Columbian, Spanish, and Ecuadorian traditional culture and history. The Hacienda has been owned by the same family for over a hundred years, and they’ve received dignitaries and guests into their home for over a hundred years. The owners work closely with the local community to keep the hacienda thriving. Here you’ll have the chance to learn about traditional arts & crafts, cheese making, see Andean condors, and go horseback riding with chagras (cowboys).

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Avoid the tourist crowds and discover incredible places and live authentic experiences
  • Enjoy delicious home cooked meals
  • Walk through the unique Andean paramo ecosystem
  • Rise early to witness condors and learn about reintroduction efforts
  • Get behind the scenes and join your chef in search for local products in traditional markets
  • Farm to table meals at Hacienda Zuleta, with hand made cheese, organic vegetables, and freshly brewed Ecuadorian coffee
  • Learn from local artisans in their workshops
  • Shop at the famous Otavalo Market

TRIP OPERATOR

A pioneer of the multisport experience in Ecuador and the Galapagos, Quito-based NeoTropic Expeditions (formerly Ecuador Adventure) provides meaningful, fun and safe eco-adventure experiences reflecting the company’s strong commitment to sustainable eco-tourism in Ecuador.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary


DAY 1: Arrive in Quito

Upon your arrival to Quito ́s airport, we transfer you in private transportation to your luxury hotel in Quito.

We spend our first night at Boutique Hotel Plaza Grande, a legendary building of eclectic architecture and the first luxury hotel in Quito. Its privileged location in the main plaza of the historic center offers impressive views of the government palace, The Cathedral, ancient domes of old churches and The Panecillo Hill. No Meals included.

Overnight in Quito at Hotel Mama Cuchara or similar
Meals Included: –

DAY 2: Explore Quito: Traditional Market, Handicrafts, & Cooking Experience

After a delightful breakfast, we walk through the landmarks of Quito’s colonial, historical downtown, named World Heritage by UNESCO. We meet local artisans and immerse ourselves in the city vibe, visiting the San Francisco market the first, sampling local ingredients and learning about history and Andean healing traditions. If you’re feeling adventurous enough you can venture for a curandera (ancestral physician) healing treatment. We continue our exploration of the city historical center walking down an area called La Ronda, full of art and ancestral trades, featuring wooden handcrafted toys, pictures painted on dried goatskin, tin objects, ceramics, jewelry, Escuela Quiteña paintings, wood carving, and sweets shops including exotic and unique ice cream flavors and fine Cacao products.

After awakening our senses, we join our chef for a traditional cooking class that blend contemporary techniques with colonial classic recipes that have endured for centuries in this part of the world. Enjoy a delightful dinner at La Belle Epoque at Hotel Plaza Grande.

Overnight in Quito at Hotel Mama Cuchara or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Cuicocha Crater Lake, Otavalo Market, and Hacienda Zuleta

An early start takes us north on a beautiful scenic drive to the province of Imbabura, a magical land of lakes and mountains of outstanding beauty. The Northern Sierra offers magnificent scenery of volcanoes, sparkling lakes and patchwork-covered hills.

Our first morning stop is at a local Cayambe bakery for a sampling of their famous biscuits with hot fresh cocoa. After that we continue to Cuicocha, a crater lake collected in a secondary caldera of the extinct Cotacachi Volcano. The lake and surrounding slopes are protected nature reserve. We keep our eyes open for Andean birds while we walk around the crater rim.

We travel on to the indigenous market of Otavalo, famous around the world for their quality weaving. We ́ll also find an impressive variety of Ecuadorian handicrafts.

We arrive at La Mirage, a beautiful resort and spa where we enjoy an a la carte gourmet lunch. This exquisite spot with its manicured gardens, free strolling peacocks and lovely hummingbirds will delight your senses. After lunch we visit Cotacachi village, famous for its leather shops.

We spend our evening at Hacienda Zuleta, an impressive 4,000 acre (2,000 hectares) colonial working farm belonging to the family of the late Galo Plaza Lasso, former president of Ecuador, for over 100 years. It was chosen as one of the world’s “Top Ten Finds” by Outside magazine and named as one of the best Ecuador Hotels by National Geographic Traveler.

Overnight at Hacienda Zuleta
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Hacienda Zuleta: Homemade Cheese & Traditional Farm

Explore the quaint Zuleta village and discover the Andean farm experience at Hacienda Zuleta, we’ll tour the farm’s operation, visit their cheese factory to learn about Zuleta’s semi-aged, handmade cheese, visit the Hacienda’s organic garden where the ingredients for our farm-to-table Hacienda lunch originate. We also visit their shop with local fine handmade jewelry and beautifully embroidered handmade linens. Guest can also choose a visit to the “Condor Huasi Project” that works on the introduction of the majestic Andean Condor into the wild. At the end of the day relax and we’ll cozy up in front of one of the Hacienda’s stone fireplaces or relax with an optional massage session.

Overnight at Hacienda Zuleta
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Depart From Quito

You’ll be picked up and taken to the Quito Airport in time for your departing flight. If you’re on a later flight, you’ll have a free day at Hacienda Zuleta to explore and relax.

Meals Included: Breakfast

travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip: 

You will be picked up at the Quito Airport upon your arrival. You will be dropped off at the Quito Airport or in the Quito city center.

Trip Start: Quito, Ecuador

Trip End: Quito, Ecuador

Complete Your Trip

This is a trip segment, meaning that it should part of a longer trip in Ecuador. A trip to Quito and the Hacienda Zuleta pairs well with a stay in a lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and a trip to the Galapagos Islands. You’re in Ecuador, you may as well see it all!

 

Prices & Dates

2021 PRICES:

Prices are per person, and based on double or triple occupancy. 

2 Travelers: $3,025.00
3 Travelers: $2,680.00
4 Travelers: $2,509.00
5 – 9 Travelers: $2,435.00
10+ Travelers: $2,239.00
Single Supplement: $1,037.00

Notes: The trip price is subject to change based on room availability. Departures over Easter, Christmas, or New Years will have an additional surcharge, please inquire for availability and pricing.

2022 PRICES: 
Trip Dates: 

This trip can start on any day, pending availability.

Family Trip Dates: 

None, but families are welcome!

 

 

 

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED: 
  • All accommodations
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Soft drinks and one glass of wine with dinners
  • All activities as described in the itinerary
  • Private, expert English speaking guide
  • All transportation

View Terms and Conditions: https://detourdestinations.com/terms-and-conditions/neotropic-expeditions

NOT INCLUDED: 
  • Meals not indicated
  • Tips to your guide, hotel staff, and driver
  • Personal or medical expenses
  • Travel insurance (recommended)
  • International flights (can be arranged on your own or with our flight partners at Exito Travel – for a quote let us know your home airport)

Accommodations

Located in the Historical Center of Quito (an UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Hotel Mama Cuchara is an 18th century Spanish colonial mansion, recently converted into a boutique luxury hotel. It is ideally located in a quiet neighborhood, and within walking distance of the main plazas, churches, restaurants, and historical sites. Hotel Mama Cuchara has a rotating art exhibit featuring Ecuadorian artists.

Each room at the Hacienda Zuleta has beautiful views of the gardens and mountains, and a private bathroom with hot water. Rooms are heated by wood-burning stoves. Double beds are queen- or king-sized. Some rooms have twin beds, and a few can accommodate 3 or 4 people. There are adjoining rooms for families or small groups.

Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Standard Room
Standard Room
Deluxe Room
Deluxe Room

Rooming Options

ROOMING OPTIONS: Double, Triple, Single, Quadruple, Suite, Adjoining Cabins/Rooms

 

1 review for Hacienda Zuleta and Quito

  1. Patti Lower –

    Hacienda Zuleta was breathtaking. The staff was warm and friendly, the food wonderful, and the hacienda itself was beautiful. It was the perfect way to wind down our vacation in Ecuador.

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