Hacienda Zuleta
Senderos Soul
Zuleta sits at the heart of its community and is a total one-off. Fernando and his family are the perfect hosts who welcome you like a long lost relative. There’s a wonderful range of activities, but the horse rising is outstanding - I’ve never before been greeted with a hand crafted ‘directory’ listing the characteristics of all the horses in the stables! We rode our trusty steeds to the mysterious pre-inca pyramids and took in the untouched beauty of the mountains and lush green valleys that make up the landscape of Zuleta. And if like me you love eating delicious cheese, then visiting Zuleta is like going to cheese heaven! There’s a cheese factory on site which produces 17 different types, all made with local milk. I particularly loved the gouda, danbo & wild herb varieties. In fact all of the food is home cooked and of the highest quality and meals are one of the true delights of staying at Zuleta - shared together on the long table in the dining room or sumptuous picnic style, under canopies by the river bank.
- Naomi, Senderos
Key Facts
No. of rooms: 21, all unique, with antique furniture and their own fireplace
Category of rooms: 2 Standard (12-15m²), 10 Deluxe (20m²), 7 Junior Suites (30m²), 2 Suites (42m²).
Facilities and Amenities: Library with thousands of books and peaceful reading areas; cheese factory with ‘Tasting House’; craft shop showcasing local products; horses to ride; bicycles to borrow; the Relaxation Center has just opened, with 3 massage rooms, an Andean Soaking Tub (4 x2 mts, 80 cm deep, constant 39°C) with glass skyline, a Páramo Pool with water that comes directly from a highland spring. A sauna will be added soon.
Internet: WiFi in all guest rooms and a guest computer with wired internet.
Excursion details: Shared service tours: min. 1, max 15 (except biking and riding, max. 8)
Dates of operation: Open all year
Rates from: 2025: US$505 pppn (Hacienda Deluxe Room). All-inclusive rates are also available. For full rates see links in the Gallery and Resources box below.
Rates include: Full board not including alcoholic drinks, transfers.
Min age: All ages welcome. Regarding activities, the minimum age for children to ride horses is usually 6 years old, though under parental responsibility, we can possibly make exceptions on request.
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Senderos recommends: At least 3 nights, to enjoy some of the wonderful activities on offer.
Affiliations: Pure, Conde Nast Johansens
Sustainability
- The hacienda runs a fantastic non-profit foundation – the Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation – to improve the education and infrastructure of the local community, and protect their unique environment.
- This includes a ground-breaking Condor Release Programme, to conserve and increase the numbers of these endangered birds.
- As well as numerous projects in education and commmunity development through embroidery.
- Delicious Ecuadorian meals at the hacienda are made with organic vegetables, dairy, trout from the farm and meat from the regional suppliers (Ibarra).
- Much of their 4000 acres is protected native primary forest, home to spectacled bear cubs, an endangered species in South America.
Need to know:
- Zuleta is an elegant and authentic hacienda in the Ecuadorian Andes, famed for its warm family welcome.
- The characterful rooms are all adapted from the original manor house – no two rooms are the same.
- Zuleta is located in the Andes mountain range. Rooms all have their own woodburners for heat at night.
- Fantastic activities on offer: guided hikes and horse rides on their own horses; bikes to borrow, embroidery and cookery classes led by locals.
- And a great base for excursions to Otavalo market, Cuicocha Lake, Ibarra and the Cayambe volcano.
Perfect for:
Whoever wants to experience the real rural, andean Ecuador, its history, landscapes and traditions. A wonderful experience for families.
Gallery & Resources
Follow this link to Senderos Resources for Hacienda Zuleta to access
- Images, our selection
- Fact sheets
- Presentations
- Rack rates
- Excursion lists
- And other useful information.
Hacienda Zuleta also has its own image library here.
Getting there
By Road
2 hours 30 minutes drive north of Quito; transfers on request
By Air
Nearest airport: Quito (1 hour 40 minute road transfer).
Weather
Temperatures stay the same all year round (min 8C, max 18C) Rainy Season (Dec-June; generally bright and warm but occasional showers)
Dry Season (June-Sept: dry and warmer)
Shoulder Season (Oct and Nov: crisp, with cold nights)
Links
Senderos Webinar featuring Hacienda Zuleta (also includes Anakonda Amazon Cruises & Integrity, Galapagos), July 2022
Senderos Webinar on Hacienda Zuleta, November 2022