In the Andean valley of the province of Imbabura, two hours from Quito, a 17th-century colonial hacienda occupying an area of 1,600 hectares awaits you. For its mysterious pre-Inca pyramids, its Spanish colonial roots, and the fact that it was the home of two former presidents of Ecuador, Hacienda Zuleta is the perfect environment to learn about and experience Ecuadorian culture and traditions.
The hacienda's activities include a dairy farm with more than 300 Holstein cows producing around 6,000 liters of milk daily, a trout farm, a cheese factory where a dozen varieties of cheese are produced, and a very interesting condor rehabilitation project.
Its Caranqui pyramids, which are the second-best preserved in Ecuador, were occupied by the Incas and colonized by the Spanish. They are a living reflection of the history of this region that was a refuge from volcanic activity, a ceremonial site with a very special energy for the Caranquis Indians, and a privileged agricultural site for Incas and Spaniards.
In 1898, these hectares were sold to José María Lasso and later came into the hands of Galo Plaza Lasso, diplomat, president of Ecuador, farmer by vocation, and a deep advocate of modern agriculture.
At Hacienda Zuleta, you will enjoy an exclusive vacation in a magical environment of volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, and historic indigenous communities, where you will have the opportunity to discover a very important natural conservation project called Cóndor Huasi. It is a reserve project for the rehabilitation, reproduction, and conservation of condors.
There, biologist Yann Potaufeu will explain the interesting work that he and his team are doing and the importance of the condor for the balance of the ecosystem in the area.
These huge ebony-colored birds are one of the largest birds in the world and are endangered. They can weigh 15 kilos and their wingspan measures up to 3 meters. Their reproductive rate is very low as they lay one egg every two years.
In this reserve, 6 Andean condors are protected in a huge aviary until they are ready to be released. The condor acts as a nature cleanser while feeding on the remains of dead animals. In this way, it helps to prevent the proliferation of diseases in the Andean páramo, which is the source of water for hundreds of communities.
Hacienda Zuleta initiated its condor conservation project in 1996 as a pioneer in this regard. The Andean bear is another of the species in the area whose population is monitored by Hacienda Zuleta's naturalists and biologists.
Gastronomy is another one of Hacienda Zuleta's strong points. You will be able to taste delicious dishes of authentic Ecuadorian cuisine, prepared with ingredients from their garden based on family recipes passed down from generation to generation.
As well, visit the hacienda's cheese factory, where they produce a total of 14 different varieties with the milk they collect every morning from the cows on their farm.
Embroidered fabrics are another feature of Hacienda Zuleta's interior design. The hacienda supports a community of local craftswomen through the organization of embroidery courses for guests and the sale of embroidered objects in their store "El Taller".
