ECMT-7020
ELITE HACIENDA PROGRAM
Private - Eight Days - Seven Nights
Daily departures from Quito

Discover the magic of the Andean region, the marvelous 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 Ecuador’s 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, owners of beautiful haciendas, located on historic sites with an impressive display of country architecture, furniture and colonial art. Rooms are ample and cozy, most feature fireplaces. Enjoy magnificent surroundings and farm activities.

Hacienda Chillo Jijon 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, offering the tranquility 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.

Hacienda La Ciénega 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, the Marquis of Maenza, dating back to the 17th century. 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 of La Ciénega have witnessed important events in Ecuador’s history.

Hacienda La Compañía 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. Hacienda La Compañía is located in the foothills of the Cayambe volcano and surrounded by spectacular Andean landscapes. It preserves its original structure, including its marvelous chapel. The Hacienda has been owned by the same family for one hundred years.

Hacienda Pinsaqui was 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 the Hacienda, and much history is held within its walls. The main structure of the Hacienda 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, 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 San Agustin de Callo, located right at the foot of Cotopaxi volcano, 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 of which offers a grand view of Cotopaxi, while savoring the hacienda’s excellent Ecuadorian cuisine. Most rooms have a fireplace and are furnished with the original antiques of the hacienda.

Hacienda Zuleta is 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.

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 St. Augustine Convent, its Colonial patio, cloisters, coffered ceilings and the vast collection of paintings showing the life of St. Augustine. Visit 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. An 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 accommodations at the hotel Hilton Colon. (B/L/D)

DAY 3 - Otavalo
Early this morning, travel north along the Panamerican Highway through astonishing mountain scenery. Arrive in Cayambe for breakfast at Hacienda La Compañía. Continue north to Otavalo and visit the colorful Otavalo Indian Market, famous for its handicrafts. Here Otavaleños barter in silence, in marked contrast to the raucous noise of other markets. 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 Hacienda Zuleta and accommodations at a private room with lovely garden views.

A welcome drink and typical hors-d’ouvres will be served at the Hacienda’s living room, hosted by the owner with an informal chat about the Hacienda’s history. Dinner consists of delicious soup, salads and vegetables produced organically at the Hacienda, and a choice of beef, trout or chicken, all following traditional family recipes. (B/L/D)

DAY 4 - Hacienda Zuleta
Early risers may go birdwatching or participate in the Hacienda’s milking process. After a hearty Hacienda breakfast, take the "Condor’s Trail", a moderate walk to see condors, archaeological remains of the Caranqui culture and observe trout farming. This excursion can also be done on horseback. Picnic lunch is served, weather permitting; otherwise lunch will be served at the Hacienda. After lunch visit the embroidery center, 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 at the Hacienda’s central patio. (B/L/D)

DAY 5 - Hacienda San Agustin de Callo
Enjoy an early walk around Hacienda Zuleta or a short ride on horseback. After breakfast, travel south to arrive at lunchtime at Hacienda Hualilagua de Jijón. Lunch will be served at the charming dining room. Continue southward, along the Avenue of the Volcanoes to 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 snowcapped summits. In times past, its mystical beauty nourished the mythology of early cultures and later provided incentive to the conquering Spanish to settle here. Brooks and rivers run down from the mountains past small villages of adobe houses and terraced farmlands. Hacienda San Agustín de Callo is located at the foot of imposing Cotopaxi Volcano. Room distribution. Weather permitting, visit the Cotopaxi National Park (entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park is not included), go horseback riding or mountain biking.
Back in the Hacienda, meet at the living room for cocktails hosted by the owner, who will give an informal chat about the Hacienda’s history. Enjoy dinner specialties that include lamb, shrimp, vegetarian specialties and a selection of cheeses. Fresh vegetables served are grown in the Hacienda’s farm-garden. (B/L/D)

DAY 6 - Indian Market & Hacienda Chillo Jijón
After a buffet breakfast, visit a local Indian market of the area. Color is the essence of the ancient Indian markets of the Ecuadorian highlands, the native dresses of both men and women, the fresh produce piled in neat rows, the bluest sky, the brightly colored designs of hand-woven woolen 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 colorful fruits, vegetables and costumes provide countless opportunities to take photographs. Enjoy lunch at San Agustín de Callo and then proceed to Hacienda Chillo Jijón. Arrive in the Hacienda at mid-afternoon and after checking into your room, gather for cocktails hosted by the owner. Dine in the beautiful Colonial dining room. (B/L/D)

DAY 7 - Hacienda Chillo Jijón & Art Galleries
Enjoy breakfast and the facilities of the Hacienda Chillo Jijón, including tennis court, bike riding, horseback riding or a short walk in the surrounding gardens. Lunch at the Hacienda. After lunch, return to Quito and visit some of the city’s most beautiful Art Galleries. Dinner at Restaurant Mare Nostrum, with seafood specialties. Accommodations at the Hilton Colon Hotel. (B/L/D)

DAY 8
Transfer to the airport for return flight to USA. (B)