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Hacienda La Alegria

Charming, family-run hacienda geared towards horse riders, offering personalised excursions in the dramatic environment of the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

Right in the heart of Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes, the family-run working farm Hacienda La Alegria brims with friendly charm. It is primarily geared towards riders, with a stable of well-trained horses, each cared for with obvious love and attention, and a wide range of personalised excursions in the dramatic Andean terrain of the surrounding countryside. Steeped in equestrian tradition, owner Gabriel is an excellent guide for these rewarding trips.

Set amidst atmospheric grounds dotted with fountains, antique ironwork and hydrangea, the house itself is colonial in style. Although parts have been restored, it has retained its former elegance, and the décor has the feel of a traditional South American country cottage. There are just ten individually decorated rooms with exposed wooden beams, cypress floors and en suite bathrooms.

What our clients say

Most memorable experience: "Where to start? Huge evening skies on the Napo river, pulling out of Chimbacalle station on the Tren Crucero in a cacophony of whistling and hooting; the…
DH, Portsmouth Jun 2015
Ecuador is perhaps a most underrated country for a great visitor experience. The people are great and helpful and, for anyone with an interest in the natural world, there is…
IB Mar 2011
Two parts: Seeing cotopaxi and the surrounding area for the first time, and stepping off the boat onto floreana and having to avoid sea lions and iguana, magical.
HT, Conwy Nov 2014
Most memorable experiences: Snorkelling with huge sea turtles and iguanas whilst they were feeding with sea lions, penguins and flightless cormorants also coming to join in the party.
LA, London Oct 2015
Highlights:- “Quito celebrating their anniversary of independence. All the Haciendas we visited were full of history and interesting in different ways .Las Cajas and getting up into the high Andes…
GW, Truro Dec 2010
Highlight?: The Napo Lodge experience. It exceeded our expectations and we were very lucky to have dry weather.
HB, Todmorden Aug 2018

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Our Expert's Opinion

Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

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Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!
Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.
Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.