Hacienda Zuleta
Hacienda Zuleta welcomes you to this stunning 17th century hotel and working-farm of former Ecuador President Galo Plaza Lasso and his family. Created with his natural warmth, hospitality and community ties, Hacienda Zuleta is blessed with beautiful antique rooms, delicious home-grown Andean cuisine and a wealth of activities to choose from.
Visit mountain lakes and vistas on the farm's own breed of horses, find hidden trails with centuries of history by foot or bike, see and learn about endangered species at our Condor Huasi facilities or take up a cookery or local embroidery class - all this and more is on offer to you at Hacienda Zuleta.
The core ethos is to welcome you as part of the family during your stay. You live in the rooms family members grew up in and return to, experience the personalized service at the antique dining table and hear the funny (and sometimes hair-raising) stories of the past as you sit by the fireside. You may ride the horses bred here across generations, walk the lanes laid down by Galo Plaza Lasso, eat from the gardens his wife lovingly created, and explore the community they helped forge together with the local people. For as long as you are here, Zuleta is your home and you help us preserve it - house, community, and environment - for generations to come!
The hacienda has 21 unique, beautifully appointed rooms, each with its own fireplace and queen-sized, king-sized, or twin beds. Relax in cozy antique salons, wander through blossoming gardens and plazas, or read one of the hundreds of books in the President’s Library. We have three different types of room: Junior Suite, Deluxe, and Standard. Suites for families and adjoining rooms are also available.
Little touches, like plump anti-allergic bedding, embroidered linen, fresh roses, and hot water bottles, add to the charm. Wifi is available throughout most of the Hacienda along with satellite television, movies, and games in one of the living rooms. Complimentary soft drinks are always on hand along with bar service.
Hacienda Junior Suites
Seven rooms - Size: 30 m2
Features: King-size bed, desk, two chairs, two sofa corner, fireplace, cupboard, two luggage racks.
Hacienda Deluxe Rooms
Eleven rooms - Size: 20 m2
Features: King- or queen-size bed, desk, two chairs, cupboard, fireplace, two luggage racks.
Hacienda Standard Rooms
Three rooms - Size; 12-15 m2
Features: Queen-size bed, desk, two chairs, fireplace, cupboard, luggage rack.
Hiking
Explore different routes through idyllic pastures, aromatic woods, and winding mountain trails, where soaring condors and Andean bears make their home and volcanoes rise on every side.
Horseback riding
An exclusive stable with our own breed of Zuleteño horse gives you the opportunity to discover this magnificent landscape in true style! We have horses for every level and provide you with good quality helmets, half chaps, rain ponchos, and a saddle bag so you can feel like a proper caballero while exploring some of our glorious horse trails.
Carriage
Watch the beautiful scenery go by from the comfort of our pretty horse-drawn carriage.
Cycling
Just you, our mountain bikes and miles of scenic roads through valleys and high grasslands. Let the world open up before you as the horizon fades into the blue yonder…
Cooking Class
Learn to cook Andean specialities together with our local chef, using handpicked produce from our organic gardens.
Embroidery
In every stitch is a piece of my soul…even if I can’t go abroad, my embroidery goes for me. - Teresa Casa, famous local embroiderer. Become part of the famous creative tradition of Zuleta and try your hand at embroidery with the help of our friendly local experts!
Bird watching
From bejeweled hummingbirds to magnificent condors, Zuleta is a haven for bird species of all kinds, and one of the few places you can see the extremely rare condor in the wild. With our Condor Huasi conservation program, we are also insuring that this will be a sight to see for many years to come.
Zuleta for Kids
With horseback riding, milking cows, treasure hunts, straw house building, bonfires, and becoming a proper Zuleta cowboy, the opportunities are endless for children! And with the entire hacienda and its lands as a playground, together with our super friendly dogs, they will not want to leave.
Bonfires
Tired from a long, exciting day hiking or horse-riding? Let the family relax by the fire and experience traditional Andean music and culture. And no bonfire is complete without marshmallows for toasting!|
Zuleta is ideally situated between cultural and scenic hotspots, many within an hour’s drive. Let us take away the pressure as we arrange everything, from expert guides to transport and food. Here are five of the most popular choices:
Otavalo Market, Master Weaver of Agato and Peguche Falls
Test your bartering skills and pick up the perfect gifts at the bustling market, famed for Spanish textiles and handcrafts. Next, visit master-weaver Miguel Andrango, and learn about traditional weaving techniques. This journey concludes at the beautiful Peguche Falls.
Cotacachi and Cuicocha Lake
Cotacachi is famous for it’s finely crafted leatherwork, including jackets, gloves, belts, bags, hats, and shoes. Nearby is the glorious caldera of Cuicocha (Guinea Pig Lake). Hiking or boating across the lake gives you an opportunity to see the guinea pig shaped islet as well as the lake’s immense beauty.
Yaguarcocha Lake, Ibarra, Museo de la Casa de la Cultura, and San Antonio
Start by visiting the gorgeous Yaguarcocha Lake. Nearby is the provincial capital, Ibarra, surrounded by mountains, filled with colonial architecture, churches, and many museums. After lunch, you can explore San Antonio and see the woodwork this region is so well-known for.
Hacienda La Compañía de Jesús
Hacienda La Compañía is the perfect spot for breakfast or lunch if you want to stroll through beautiful gardens and see one of Ecuador’s largest exports, roses! Just thirty minutes away, near the snow-capped Cayambe, you’ll love the gorgeous Neoclassical French-style garden and the Jesuit chapel.
Cayambe Volcano
The third highest mountain in Ecuador, Cayambe stands out in the Avenue of Volcanos making it special for climbers and adventurers alike. A day trek will start with hot chocolate and biscuits and if the weather is good will conclude at 4.650 m (12,556 ft.) above sea level. With a stunning view of the Green Lake and the surrounding mountains and valleys.
A legacy of respect, conservation, and education is being continued today with your help. The Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation was established in 1995, based on the principles of former president Galo Plaza Lasso, one of the foremost representatives of liberalism in Ecuador.
As a non-profit organization, the Foundation is currently run by Hacienda staff and uses the generous donations of our guests and partners to improve the education and infrastructure of the local community, as well as to protect this unique environment and local traditions.
Raw successes include the Condor Huasi facilities, the Zuleta Embroidery Project, and the Zuleta Library, which are now part of daily life and make a significant difference to the wellbeing and future of the area. Education, conservation, and development in partnership with the Zuleta community and guests and agencies is the goal.
