By adding trips to “Compare Trips” (above), you can easily make a side-by-side detailed comparison of as many trips as you like.

Wilderness Travel trip selected as National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime!”
See more awards

Zuleta is centuries old and full of charm

This unique country estate, founded in the late 16th century, is the ideal base for enjoying Ecuador's highlands.

Otavalo and Hacienda Zuleta Extension

Traditional Cultures and Snow-Capped Volcanoes

Email Area Manager Print this Page

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From:	$1025
Length:	3 days
Arrive:	Quito, Ecuador
Depart:	Quito, Ecuador
Activity:	Wildlife & Natural History, Walking, Cultural Adventures
Trip Level:	explain

Our Trips using this Extension

Darwin Cruise
Evolution Cruise
Finch Cruise
Fitzroy Cruise
Galapagos Private Journey
La Encantada Cruise
Ultimate Galapagos

Day 1
Hacienda Zuleta

Morning pickup from your Quito hotel and drive north along the Pan-American Highway into the green and beautiful Ecuadorian highlands. Arrive in time for lunch and optional afternoon activities at beautiful Hacienda Zuleta. Outside Magazine named Zuleta one of the world’s “Top Ten Finds” in 1997. Virtually everything gracing the table at Zuleta comes fresh from Zuleta’s rich earth and is carefully prepared by hand.

Day 2
Hacienda Zuleta

You may wish to walk some of the beautiful trails at the hacienda. Other activities, such as mountain biking and horseback riding, are available at an additional cost. Of special interest to many guests are the estate’s hand-embroidery workshop (optional tour at extra cost), condor rehabilitation project, trout farm, and cheese factory.

Day 3
Return to Quito

Visit the village of Otavalo, with its famed market offering the best selection of Ecuadorian woven tapestries, alpaca clothing, and pottery. Otavalo’s market is held daily, but the biggest market, held Saturdays, includes a livestock market in the early morning. Transfer back to Quito, arriving mid-afternoon.

Extension Costs

3 days / 2 nights

$1025 per person, based on double occupancy
Single supplement: $125
Solo traveler: from $1280
Child discount: $500 (11 and under)

4 days / 3 nights

$1250 per person, based on double occupancy
Single supplement: $125
Solo traveler: from $1500
Child discount: $500 (11 and under)

Hacienda Zuleta

Our Trips using this Lodging:

Otavalo and Hacienda Zuleta Extension

Highlands, Ecuador

There is something quite special about Hacienda Zuleta. Surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of forest and grazing lands, it was built at the end of the 16th century and is still a private family home. You can get a sense Ecuador’s history here, and that of the Galo Plaza-Lasso family (which has produced two of country’s most beloved former presidents) in their photos, paintings, and furnishings. There are just 11 guest rooms at the estate, plus beautiful gardens, famous hospitality, and excellent food, often fresh from the organic garden and trout farm (and Zuleta’s hand-made artisan cheese is delicious). All the guest rooms and the main sitting room have roaring fireplaces to keep away the chill of the 9,000-foot altitude. There are no TVs or video games here to break the spell, just peace and quiet in a spectacular Andean setting. It’s a delightful place to call home after a day of hiking, visiting the condor rehabilitation project, or horseback riding in the high Andes.