Otavalo & Cayambe

Morning pick up in Quito for your private transfer to the hacienda, stopping along the way to visit the Equator Line, Pululahua volcano crater, and Calderon

Continue north to the special hacienda that invites you to visit a mountain retreat like no other. Part working ranch and part country guest house, this place tastefully combines modern amenities with the charm of a traditional Andean hacienda.

Embraced in a setting of gently sloping farmland, colorful gardens, Eucalyptus tree forests and the majestic Andes mountains, the hacienda offers its guests equal parts adventure, relaxation and spiritual retreat.

It began as a family owned ranch or hacienda dedicated to breeding toros de lidia (fighting bulls) and raising dairy cows (both of which can be seen grazing in the nearby pastures!). Under the watchful eye of the Yerovi family, the hacienda's pre-existing infrastructure was adapted to the growing needs of the guest house.

On certain holiday weekends, bullfighting exhibitions known as tientas are staged in the hosteria's bullring. These are typically bloodless. A traditional banda de pueblo (town brass band) accompanies the tienta.

Today in tabacundo area you have the option of renting a truck to 4 wheel drive to the Cayambe Volcano Refuge or go to the Cochasaqui ruins. The area is beautiful and is well-worth taking a look around before heading to Otavalo in the afternoon. In Otavalo we go to one of the most beautiful old places in Ecuador Hacienda Pinsaqui, rich with centuries of history, invites you to become part of its magic, tradition, romance and legends, just north of the world-famous Otavalo market.

Constructed in 1790, Hacienda Pinsaquí was originally a colonial textile enterprise, employing over one thousand weavers and spinners. Many of Pinsaquí’s fabrics were exported to the United States in the late 1800s where they first received international recognition. To this day, the Hacienda retains the character and authenticity of its earlier incarnation, making for a unique travel experience.
Over the centuries Pinsaquí has hosted numerous illustrious guests. Most famous of all is General Simón Bolívar, the revered liberator of Ecuador, who often spent the night at the hacienda on his trips to and from Bogotá, Colombia. Later in the nineteenth century, hacienda’s walls witnessed the "Treaty of Pinsaquí ," an historic peace agreement between Colombia and Ecuador.

Our unique hacienda makes an ideal base. Whether you are looking for outdoor pursuits, relaxation, antiques, handicrafts, and whether you are single, a couple or a family, we guarantee that a few days in our company will make your stay in Ecuador unforgettable.

Spend all morning visiting the beautiful area of Otavalo and its world famous handicrafts market, the largest in South America. Villagers from the surrounding countryside come here every week to sell handmade goods as well as livestock, fruits and vegetables. Return to Quito for late afternoon.

Otavalo is justly famous both for its friendly people and its Saturday market. The market dates back to pre-Inca times when jungle products were transported from the eastern lowlands and traded for highland goods. Today's market has two different functions: the local market for buying and selling animals, food and other essentials, and the crafts market for the tourists and other interested people.

There are three main market plazas in town, with the overflow spilling out onto the streets linking them. The Plaza de Ponchos is where you will find most handicraft items. You will find colourful woollen goods such as ponchos, gloves, hats, blankets, scarves and sweaters, as well as fine tapestries and a variety of embroidered blouses and shirts, shawls, string bags and rope sandals. This market gets underway at dawn and continues until early afternoon. Remember, bargaining is expected for every purchase! If you're good you should be able to get at least 20% off the starting price. The food market sells produce and household goods for the locals, and there is an animal market beginning in the predawn hours on the outskirts of town. Although these are not designed for visitors, they are cultural experiences to see and are definitely worth a visit.

One of the most obvious signs of the Otavaleños' cultural integrity is their traditional dress. This is not just put on especially for the tourists at the Saturday market, but is worn throughout their daily life.