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Hacienda La Alegria

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. 

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Quito is a fabulous city with residents that seem to be pleased to see you, really helpful if you make just a little effort to address them in Spanish. Ecuador…

    DW, Lingfield Jun 2010
  • It was all amazing to use an overworked word, but (i) the Cotopaxi days (train plus condors plus steaming volcano) was extraordinary, and (ii) encountering the Galapagos Islands and their…

    JL, Winchester Jul 2015
  • The Galapagos was as expected beautiful and interesting but we were pleasantly surprised by the visits to the rose plantation and panama hat factory which turned out far more interesting…

    MW, London Jan 2019
  • We had a wonderful time… we thought the guides we had were among the best we have known anywhere; we went for the Galápagos and would admit to mainland Ecuador…

    PW, Lambeth Jul 2026
  • 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
  • Highlight?: The trek up the Chimborazo with mountaineering legend will live with us forever!!

    TT, Bolton Sep 2017
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Our Expert's Opinion

Hannah
Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Juliet
    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!

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Sallly
    Sally Watkins - 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.

  • Charlotte
    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.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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