Hacienda Zuleta

There are seven luxurious junior suites, the most spacious of the Hacienda’s rooms at 30m2. With beautiful colonial-era interiors, wooden beams and Ecuadorian paintings and furnishings, the Junior Suite is a true representation of the country’s distinctive culture. All suites include a king-size bed with plump anti-allergenic bedding, fresh roses and hot water bottles. A desk with ample space for working is also provided, as well as chairs and a comfy sofa corner. There is plenty of storage space for all of your belongings, as well as a cosy fireplace where guests can snuggle up and relax.

The Hacienda’s three standard rooms offer the classic comfort and style of Ecuadorian decor and furnishings, at a slightly more modest size (12 – 15m2). Natural light is plentiful, while queen-size beds and beautiful rugs ensure a comfortable and cosy stay. All suites enjoy plump anti-allergenic bedding, fresh roses, a working fireplace and hot water bottles.

Dining at Hacienda Zuleta is in the local style, consisting of authentic Ecuadorian dishes sourced from the farm and Rosario Plaza’s own garden. Fresh fish, delectable cheeses made on-site and organic vegetables are highlights.

Meals can be taken as picnics and there are several al fresco dining options available. Options for vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free menus are plentiful.

Experience Andean nature first-hand on trails in the midst of flourishing woods, along mountainsides and through charming pastures. Volcanoes border the valley and create a true sense of atmosphere as well as tranquil seclusion. There are chances to spot the wonderful local wildlife including condors, hummingbirds and Andean bears.

The Avenue of Volcanoes was made for exploration on horseback, and guests can do this in style with Zuleta’s very own breed of Zuleteño horses living in the stables. Activities accommodate riders of every level, allowing everyone to experience this enchanting way of travelling and to enjoy the stunning horse trails the valley offers.

Feeling like a slightly more relaxed outing than on your own horse? Watch the environment flow by as you recline in the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage on an adventure through Zuleta. Pass through the Eucalyptus Valley and visit the foundation’s school, or enjoy a tour of the grounds including the farm and where the milking takes place.

Immerse yourself completely in the magical wilderness of the valleys and grasslands that roll through Zuleta as you follow trails and roads by bike. A fantastic way to get your heart pumping, enjoy an early sunrise or simply feel the beautiful landscape around you.

With its own cheese factory and organic gardens, Hacienda Zuleta is the perfect place to learn the ways of Andean cookery using the best ingredients. The local chef will demonstrate how to prepare authentic specialties, giving guests the lasting gift of a slice of culture to take home with them.

There is a long history of both weaving and embroidery at Zuleta, predating the colonial era. The Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation supports a workshop that creates a number of beautiful items, and you can learn how to make your own alongside experienced embroiderers! Enjoy this unique and highly local form of craftsmanship in its home.

Zuleta is home to one of the rarest birds, the Condor, whose conservation it supports. As well as seeing this magnificent species in its natural habitat, you will be able to enjoy a whole host of birds including several varieties of hummingbirds.

There are endless activities for kids at Zuleta, from milking cows and horseriding to treasure hunts. Activities are suitable for children aged between 5 and 12 years, and if parents want some time to themselves, independent itineraries can be arranged for children under the care of a host.

Wind down after a long day in the heart of the Andes sat around a bonfire enjoying local music and culture and sharing stories with your fellow guests. This is the spot to enjoy the clear, star-speckled skies.

The Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation, run by the hacienda, supports several community projects that focus on education, infrastructure, tradition and conservation. This is aided by the generous donations of guests and partners.

Among examples of the foundation’s success are the Condor Huasi endangered species facilities, the Zuleta Embroidery Project and the Zuleta Library, all of which contribute to the wellbeing of Zuleta and its residents.

Set up in 1995, the Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation has three fundamental goals – the first is to protect and care for the environment.

Their flagship environmental project is the Condor Huasi Project, aiming to support the rehabilitation of this critically endangered species. It cares for condors that have been mistreated in captivity and houses a group of condors in an aviary that provides food and shelter. The project aims to create contact between wild and semi-captive birds for reproduction and to reintroduce the species into the wild.

The foundation has also begun a project monitoring the population of Andean (spectacled) bears in the surrounding paramo landscape.

The majority of food served at Hacienda Zuleta comes from the farm and organic gardens themselves, which produce dairy products, wheat, barley, trout, mutton, vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices. This leads to meals that are not only unique and authentic, but don’t cost the earth.