The Andes
Hacienda Zuleta
Hacienda Zuleta is a historic working farm of 4,000 acres and a 14-room hotel, situated at 2,800 metres altitude amongst magnificent Andean landscapes two hours north of Quito, producing milk and cheese and a wide variety of organic crops.
While staying at Hacienda Zuleta, learn about its history from the 16th C to today and the way of life of the Zuleta community and take part in many absorbing activities including horse riding, trekking, mountain biking and visits to the cheese and embroidery factories.
There are 14 traditionally designed rooms offering log fires, comfortable beds and private bathrooms. The hacienda is full of history and was once the home of the former Ecuadorian president Galo Plaza Lasso. There is a good trail system around the property and plenty to explore.
The landscape around the hacienda is beautiful and birdwatching guides are available to help guests spot the best species. There is an Andean condor rehabilitation centre where rescued birds can be seen up close in the aviary and also in the wild.
The dining room has good friendly service with food cooked using local recipes and ingredients produced on the farm.
Facilities
Private bathrooms and dining area.
Local Wildlife
Andean condors can be seen in the wild and at the rehabilitation centre where rescued birds are sensitively rehabilitated into the wild. Many Andean birds can be seen in the area and spectacled bears, guanacos and pumas are also present.
Optional Activities
Bird and wildlife spotting, treks, horse riding, horse drawn carriage rides, mountain biking and visits and tours of the farm, cheese and embroidery production, local markets and other attractions.
John Melton
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding our Ecuador tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Too many wildlife highlights to specify!
Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge: Spectacled bears (mother and two cubs) along with three species of antpitta, cock of the rock lek, myriads of dazzling hummingbirds and numerous colourful forest birds especially tanagers and toucans (inc. plate-billed mountain toucan). Napo Wildlife Centre: Giant river otters fishing, two sloths, five scarlet macaws at the second clay lick, six species of monkey (including the golden-mantled tamarin), numerous forest birds (including vocal white-throated toucan and many-banded aracari from the canopy tower and blue-and-yellow macaw). Galapagos Islands: snorkelling with hammerhead sharks, rays, green turtles, sea-lions and penguins. Unbelievably tame birds, waved albatrosses, three species of booby, two species of frigate bird etc. Also, Galapagos hawk, Galapagos short-eared owl and confusing Darwin’s finches.
