Hacienda Zuleta	Hacienda courtyard	Classic rural scene in Ecuador's central highlands		Hacienda accommodation exterior	Deluxe Room	Junior Suite

Hacienda Zuleta, Otavalo, Ecuador

Delightful mountain retreat in the Central Highlands set within a working farm

Only available as part of a tailor-made holiday in Ecuador or a wider Latin America tour

Dating from the late 16th century, the historic Hacienda Zuleta sits in Ecuador's majestic Andean mountain range at 9,600 feet above sea level, and only two hours north of Quito and 45 minutes from the famous market town of Otavalo. Zuleta is a colonial working farm spanning 4,000 acres. It's wonderfully friendly - arriving at the hacienda feels more like being welcomed into the home of a long lost friend.

Accommodation

In order to preserve the structure and character of the original colonial building, every room has a different shape and charm. All are individually decorated with antiques, authentic family pictures and hand embroidered linens - again transmitting the feeling of a private home. Rooms have beautiful garden and mountain views and some provide access to private gardens, terraces or a courtyard where hummingbirds feed. Suites are available for families and adjoining rooms are also available.

Activities & Experiences

This working farm has recently opened to visitors for a minimum of three nights and there is plenty to do and see. Local workers are only too pleased to show guests the dairy and cheese factory, organic garden, tree nursery, trout farm, an embroidery workshop owned by the indigenous community, and the successful condor-recuperation and raising project. Miles of meandering trails through lush pastureland, pine trees and a eucalyptus forest make the valley of Zuleta a paradise for outdoor activities, such as hiking and trekking in Ecuador. Mountain bikes and horses are also available for exploring.

Facilities & Services

Satellite TV, movies and games are available at any time in one of the living rooms, as well as coffee, soft drinks and a bar service. WiFi is available in some parts of the farm house and a computer with 24/7 internet service is also available for guests. Other facilities include lovely gardens, cosy living and reading rooms, horse-riding, mountain bikes and a horse drawn carriage rides.

Dining here is a joy, with wonderful Ecuadorian cuisine created from fresh ingredients from Zuleta's organic garden and farm.

Weather & Seasons

Year round destination. Due to its position on the equator and its altitude, temperatures vary greatly between night and day. Daytime temperatures average 23-25ºC, while at night temperatures drop to 10ºC or lower. The drier season runs from May to September.