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Hostal Mama Hilda

Mama Hilda is a cosy countryside guesthouse suitable for walkers in the Ecuadorian Andes which offers a friendly welcome in a family atmosphere.

Hostal Situated in Chugchilan, which is the oldest settlement in the area and home to only 30 full time residents, Mama Hilda is a modest hostel where walkers and other visitors to this peaceful countryside will be met with an authentic and friendly welcome.

The rooms are basic in terms of décor and amenities but cosy, with some having an open fireplace. Food is home-cooked and served in a communal dining room, with most dishes created on the premises: fresh pasta and desserts are provided by the Italian monastery just down the road.

A separate building on the property has been refurbished with locally crafted furnishings as a spacious bar/lounge with cable TV and a reading room with expansive views of the valley. Part of the hostel’s charm is that it is family-run: only a little English is spoken but the service is warm.

What our clients say

Ecuador was a fantastic adventure: welcoming friendly people, beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife. To fit in two cities, the Andes, the Amazon, the cloud forest and the Galapagos islands into…
GE, Glasgow Feb 2026
Hard to pick one highlight when there were so many superlatives. The scenery in Ecuador was spectacular. The Devil's Nose train ride was great fun. Snorkelling with sea turtles, penguins,…
JB, Newcastle Mar 2019
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
Most memorable experiences: Galapagos snorkeling at Devils Crown and the inland lagoon; walk on Fernandina; mountain bikes and trek at Cotopaxi.
JG, Sevenoaks Aug 2015
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
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 Feb 2026

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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.

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