The haciendas of the Ecuadorian highlands were the great estates of the colonial period, and several of the best have become small hotels with their own horses, chapels and kitchens. This six day holiday strings four of them together. You start in old Quito, drive north to the Otavalo market and San Pablo lake, soak in the Papallacta hot springs, then spend two nights on a working hacienda at the foot of Cotopaxi with a morning on horseback along the old cobbled roads. It is a gentle, comfortable week that works well on its own and even better as the first half of a Galápagos holiday.
Haciendas of Ecuador: Otavalo, Papallacta & Cotopaxi
Six days in the Ecuadorian Andes staying in the old haciendas: Quito, the Otavalo market, the Papallacta hot springs and a working estate under Cotopaxi. From £1,999 per person with flights.
Highlights
Old Quito on foot, from the cathedral to San Francisco, and the equator line at Mitad del Mundo
The Otavalo market on the Plaza de Ponchos and San Pablo lake under Imbabura
A night at Termas de Papallacta, the best hot springs in the country
Cotopaxi National Park, Limpiopungo lake and the páramo wildlife
Two nights on a traditional Andean hacienda, with a private horseback ride to the La Viudita viewpoint
Lunch cooked and hosted by the hacienda family
Your Itinerary
Day 1: London to Quito
Fly from London to Quito, where your guide meets you and drives you to your hotel in the old town. Quito was the first city in Latin America to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its historic centre is one of the best preserved in the Americas. Overnight at Patio Andaluz or similar.
Day 2: Old Quito, the equator and on to Otavalo
A morning walk through the colonial centre with your guide: the cathedral, the gold-leaf altars of La Compañía and the church and plaza of San Francisco, with a coffee and humitas at the Café Cantuña. Around midday you drive to the Mitad del Mundo monument on the equator. Then north towards Otavalo, stopping in Cayambe for the town's famous bizcochos, to arrive at your hacienda for the night. Overnight at Hacienda Pinsaquí or similar. Breakfast included.
Day 3: Otavalo market to Papallacta
The day in and around Otavalo. The indigenous market is one of the most famous in South America, with woven tapestries, blankets, knitwear and pottery, and the bargaining is part of it. You stop at San Pablo lake for the view of Imbabura volcano, then drive in the late afternoon to Papallacta, a small mountain village built around natural hot springs, for a long soak before dinner. Overnight at Termas de Papallacta. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 4: Cotopaxi National Park to your hacienda
Time for the pools or a short walk in the morning, then a scenic drive to Cotopaxi National Park. The volcano is the highest active one in the world and the páramo around it holds wild horses, deer, llamas and the chuquiragua, the mountaineer's flower. You walk to Limpiopungo lake and visit the park museum, then settle into a traditional Andean hacienda for two nights. Overnight at Hostería Los Mortiños or similar. Breakfast and picnic lunch included.
Day 5: A full day on the hacienda
After breakfast you are introduced to the daily life of the estate, then saddled up for about two hours on horseback along old cobblestone roads to the La Viudita viewpoint over the whole valley. Back at the house the owner hosts a typical lunch. The afternoon is yours: rest, walk the grounds or cycle on the páramo. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 6: Hacienda to Quito airport
Transfer to Quito airport for your flight home, or for the flight to the Galápagos if you are carrying on. Breakfast included.
What's Included
- Return flights from London (other UK airports on request)
- Five nights in a Quito boutique hotel, two haciendas and the Papallacta spa hotel, twin or double rooms
- Breakfast every day, lunch on days three, four and five
- Private transport throughout with an English speaking guide
- The horseback ride and all the visits in the itinerary
- Airport transfers in Quito
- ATOL protection on the whole package
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed
- Drinks
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal spending
- Entry to optional museums at the equator line
Frequently Asked Questions
From £1,999 per person, two sharing, with return flights from London, five nights, a private guide and driver and the meals listed. It is a from price, so your dates and the hacienda grade set the final figure. We quote before you commit to anything.
Plan your haciendas holiday in Ecuador
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Tailor-Made Holiday
Guide price from£1,999
Flights Includedper personATOL protected (10898)
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Tailor-Made Holiday
Guide price from£1,999
Flights Includedper personATOL protected (10898)
Private holiday
Flexible dates
6 days (suggested)
Fully customisable
No commitment, we respond within 24 hours
Real reviews
What our customers say
From travellers who visited Ecuador with us
“
Spent twelve days in mainland Ecuador and was blown away by the diversity. The cloud forest at Mindo had incredible birdwatching, we spotted toucans and hummingbirds within the first hour. The indigenous market at Otavalo was colourful and authentic, and the Amazon lodge near Tena gave us a taste of the jungle. Good food throughout, especially the llapingachos. Solid four stars, the roads can be a bit hair-raising.
Alastair F.
“
Ecuador packs an extraordinary amount into a small country. We started in Quito, the old town is a UNESCO gem, then took the train to the Avenue of Volcanoes. Cotopaxi on a clear day is unforgettable. The highlight was Baños: zip-lining over canyons, the swing at the edge of the world, and soaking in thermal baths afterwards. Fabian's planning was meticulous.
Barbara & John L.
“
Ecuador is a hidden gem. We trekked to Cotopaxi, explored the Amazon and spent time in gorgeous Cuenca. The variety in such a small country is remarkable. Highly recommend Travelfab.
Tom & Lisa B.
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