Itinerary

Day 1 - Hike Pesillo to Hacienda Zuleta
In the morning we will drive for one hour until we reach the town of Pesillo, a small
village about an hour’s drive from Guachala, where we’ll have lunch. Afterwards, we’ll
embark on our three-hour hike through the high Andean grasslands (altitude about
9,800’) along an old “hacienda trail” linking Guachala with Zuleta. There are more
than eight old haciendas that lie along the route. We’ll arrive in the afternoon at
Zuleta, a 4,000-acre working hacienda with general agriculture, forestation and dairy
farming operations. The remainder of the day is free to relax or visit the beautiful
grounds of the hacienda. L,D…Hacienda Zuleta

Day 2 - Hacienda Zuleta
We’ll start with a two hour hike to the hacienda’s condor reintroduction project,
stopping along the way to see some pre-Inca mounds. In the afternoon we’ll hike for
an hour back to the hacienda to visit the cheese factory and embroidery workshop
and learn all about the farm’s purebred horses. (Optional horseback riding is
available).
B,L,D…Hacienda Zuleta

Day 3 - Hike Zuleta Cusin
We’ll hike through the pastoral valley from Zuleta to San Pablo Lake where we can
see magnificent views of Volcano Imbabura, if its a clear day we will also be able
to see Volcano Cayambe, towering in the distance. Imbabura gives its name to this
province and has been considered sacred by the people of this area since before the
arrival of the Incas. Much of our morning walk is on a picturesque path, that is lined
by eucalyptus trees and winds through wheat, alfalfa, potato and corn fields. There
is a gradual ascent at the beginning of the walk, then the trail levels before gently
descending into the San Plablo Lake.
We’ll arrive at Cusin for lunch, a luxurious country inn amidst eternally blooming
gardens with nearly 400 years of colonial history. The hacienda is located near
Otavalo in a spectacular natural setting at the foot of the dormant Volcano Imbabura.
B,L,D…Hacienda Cusin

Day 4 - Hike Cusin Pinsaqui
After breakfast we will a hike around the Imbabura foot hills., Imbabura Urcu, with
a great view of the San Pablo lake and valley as well as the the fuya fuya mountain
and Cotacachi. We’ll start by crossing several corn, wheat, chocho (lupinus) and
potato fields. After a few miles we will start our descent to the small villages of
Agato and Peguche, ending up in Pinsaqui another colonial hacienda, which was
originally built as a textile workshop. We’ll take a tour of the house and grounds
Days 5 & 6
(which some have likened to a set from a Fellini movie!) before dinner.B,L,D…
Hacienda Pinsaqui

Day 5 - Laguna de Cuicocha
We’ll drive to the nearby Cotacachi-Cayapas ecological reserve for a three-hour hike
at Laguna de Cuicocha (10,200’), a deep-blue crater lake on the lower southern
flanks of Volcano Cotacachi. We’ll be able to enjoy views of several nearby volcanoes,
including Imbabura, Cayambe, and Cotacachi, and do some more bird-watching
(ruddy ducks, giant hummingbirds, silvery grebes, and more). After the hike we’ll
stop at the picturesque colonial town of Cotacachi, famous for its leatherwork, and
perhaps make some purchases.
B,L,D…Hacienda Pinsaqui

Day 6 - Otavalo
We’ll spend the morning at the famous Indian crafts market at Otavalo, the most
important market in Ecuador, and one of the best in South America. Many items
are for sale: Otavaleños are most famous for their weavings; woollen goods include
sweaters, blankets, gloves, scarves and ponchos. Panama hats are also a good buy
as are jewellery and colourfully embroidered blouses and shirts. We’ll have a chance
to do some good-natured bargaining (it’s expected) for some terrific souvenirs. In
addition to the crafts market, there is also an animal market and produce fair. After
the excitement of the market, we’ll head back to Quito. B,L

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