Classic Galapagos: The Natural Habitat Experience

Hacienda Zuleta

Location
Imbabura Province, Ecuador

Hacienda Zuleta is a colonial-era working farm in the Andean Highlands founded in 1691. Located two hours north of Quito at an altitude of 9,600 feet, the historic property was chosen as one of the world’s “Top Ten Finds” by Outside magazine and named one of the best hotels in Ecuador by National Geographic Traveler.

The hacienda has 17 beautifully appointed bedrooms, all with heavy stucco walls, glossy hardwood floors, fine wooden furniture and a wood-burning fireplace. Guest rooms are located in the original main building, and each has a different shape and character. All are individually decorated with antiques, authentic family photographs and hand-embroidered linens, lending the feel of a gracious private home. While guests are enjoying dinner, the hotel staff lights the fireplace in each room and places hot water bottles inside intricately embroidered cases in every bed. Guest rooms have mountain and garden views, and some provide access to the hacienda's private gardens, terraces or courtyard where hummingbirds feed.

The hacienda's cozy living and reading rooms have entertained an entourage of famous visitors over the years including past presidents and dignitaries.  Today, guests may enjoy satellite television, movies and games, as well as coffee, soft drinks and bar service, in the living rooms. The reading rooms still offer a quiet setting to curl up with a book. Phone calls can be made from the public areas and offices. Wi-Fi is available in some parts of the main farmhouse, and a computer with 24/7 Internet access is also available for guests' use. Fresh Ecuadorian cuisine is prepared daily, incorporating organic vegetables, trout, and dairy products produced at the hacienda. A highlight of a stay at Zuleta is a visit to the cheese factory to learn about the semi-aged handmade cheeses, yogurt and cream produced from the farm’s 300 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows.

Preserving the native flora and fauna surrounding the hacienda has been a priority for its owners, the Plaza family, who operate a foundation to support local conservation efforts. Zuleta has become a preferred sanctuary for spectacled bears, pumas, Andean condors, various owls and other at-risk species. On excursions into the surrounding páramo, a high-elevation tropical tundra ecosystem above the estate, guests may be fortunate to glimpse the rare spectacled bear. The only bear species in South America, this diminutive, shaggy bear—named for the pale rings that encircle its eyes—lives mostly in the lush, isolated cloud forests on the slopes of the Andes. Shy and largely nocturnal, they are sometimes spotted in this more open area overlooking the valley below. At the Condor Huasi project, located near the hacienda in a native forest valley, guests can see rescued Andean condors being rehabilitated in the aviary and learn about the foundation’s conservation efforts—and perhaps spy a wild condor soaring overhead on the thermals. 

Sacha Ji

Location
Otavalo, Ecuador

Located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes near the famous market town of Otavalo, Sacha Ji is a 100-percent sustainable luxury wellness sanctuary. The resort's unique combination of distinctive contemporary architecture, magnificent vistas, personalized service, fresh and healthy organic gastronomy, along with an array of wellness amenities, creates an experience that supersedes more typical accommodations. Sacha Ji's 11 private rooms are scattered throughout the property, each offering stunning views of Imbabura Volcano and Lake San Pablo. Each room incorporates an energy-efficient heating system, duvets, thermal windows and thick blackout curtains to keep guests cozy in the crisp mountain air. Ponchos are also provided to wear when walking the grounds when the air is chilly. All rooms have a private bathroom and have been individually decorated with Andean rugs, hand-embroidered shower curtains made by local community members, contemporary Ecuadorian photography (some of which is for sale), and 18th-century Spanish wooden windows, all providing each room its own distinctive character.

Dining is a special experience at Sacha Ji, focused on mainly organic dishes made from local ingredients, many of which come from the property's own organic fruit and vegetable orchard directly accessible from the dining area. Menus are designed by Sacha Ji's prestigious Ecuadorian chef, Henry Richardson, who has more than 25 years' experience re-creating a great variety of traditional dishes originating in the highlands, coasts and jungles of Ecuador. 

In addition to the dining room, other shared spaces include the bar where wine, natural juices and tea are served; a reading room with big screen TV for evening movies (Wi-Fi is also available in the reading room); yoga room; accessible green roofs with hammocks; an exterior meditation area in the orchard; and a gift shop where guests can purchase Sacha Ji products, including hand-embroidered lavender pillows and shower curtains made by local indigenous women. Use of the hot tub with sweeping views of Lake San Pablo is complimentary to all guests, and massage therapy is also offered for an additional cost.

Hacienda Cusin

Location
Otavalo, Ecuador

In the heart of Ecuador's Sierra at 8,500 feet, Hacienda Cusin welcomes guests seeking a gracious experience of a historic era, amid some of the country's most dramatic Andean scenery. Situated on a lushly landscaped 5-acre estate, the restored colonial hacienda is just over an hour's drive from Quito's new international airport and a short distance from the market town of Otavalo. Built in 1602, Hacienda Cusin was purchased at auction from Philip III, King of Spain, by the prominent Luna family. The estate, which was a sheep farm at the time, comprised 100,000 acres until it was divided during land reforms in the mid-20th century.  

Today the hacienda offers 25 guest rooms in a variety of settings, from garden cottages to suites and salons in the main house. All have mountain or garden views. Most have log-burning fireplaces and beamed ceilings, and each is individually furnished with antiques and regional Andean arts and crafts. All rooms have armchairs, writing desks and en suite bathrooms. The hacienda's dining room features fine international and Ecuadorian cuisine, while drinks are offered at the adjacent coffee bar in front of a roaring fire. 

As warm and inviting as the interiors are, the grounds are an even bigger draw. Perennial gardens, ponds, tropical plants, several hundred stately trees and more than 60 different kinds of flowers beckon guests onto the cobblestone paths that wind among the verdant grounds. A multitude of birds including peacocks, and even llamas on occasion, are found in the gardens. Guided horseback rides from the hacienda stables, mountain biking and nearby hiking are among the available options for guests who choose to arrive early.

Patio Andaluz

Location
Quito, Ecuador

Patio Andaluz is a luxurious boutique hotel located in the heart of historic “Quito Antiguo,” the beautifully preserved colonial section of the city declared a World Heritage Site in 1978. The charming hotel occupies an original 16th-century house near Independence Plaza and the famous gilded La Compañia church. The many museums and monuments of Ecuador's capital are steps away on the centuries-old cobblestone streets. The hotel, which still exudes all the atmosphere of its historic origins, features 32 guest rooms complemented by distinctive balconies, archways and courtyard patios throughout the property. Each room is beautifully appointed with hardwood floors, custom artwork, en suite baths, writing desk, cable TV and wireless Internet. Public spaces include the Cava Bar, library and El Rincón de Cantuña restaurant, which offers fine dining featuring Ecuadorian, Spanish and classic continental cuisine.

M/C Ocean Spray

Location
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Experience the Galapagos from the luxurious M/C Ocean Spray, a 113-foot motor catamaran built in 2011 and designed to cruise the islands in elegance and comfort. This high-performance yacht with a 43-foot beam accommodates a maximum of 16 guests on two decks. The third-floor sundeck offers 360-degree views. While quarters are exceptionally spacious, the ship's small size ensures intimacy and maneuverability. Eight large double staterooms and one smaller single stateroom each have private balconies with chairs and a table for quiet lingering. A sprawling sundeck offers deluxe lounge chairs and ample room for socializing, plus a Jacuzzi—warm up after snorkeling or soak beneath the stars. The Ocean Spray is equipped gear for a range of off-ship adventures, carrying kayaks, snorkel gear and wetsuits.

Cabin interiors feature a crisp blue and white nautical theme with accents of gleaming woodwork and stunning Galapagos wildlife photography. Each stateroom has a comfortable sofa or plush chair, and ample storage space with a closet and drawers. Private en suite bathrooms include a hot-and-cold freshwater shower, toilet and sink, plus robes, fluffy towels and bath products. An additional mirror and vanity area are located outside the bathroom.

In addition to the ship's captain and our two Nat Hab Expedition Leaders, eight crew members are on board to attend to every detail. Enjoy fine meals with a view as you're seated alongside picture windows in the air-conditioned main floor dining room, or dine under the shade canopy on the upper deck. Bright and inviting, the lounge has giant windows, long lengths of couch spaces and shining wood floors.

M/Y Letty

Location
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The optimal way to travel the Galapagos is aboard our first-class, 20-passenger private chartered expedition yacht designed and built exclusively for Galapagos exploration. The M/Y Letty, built in 1990, is 83 feet long with a 24-foot beam. The small ship has just 10 cabins, ensuring the intimacy of small-group discovery—a Natural Habitat Adventures trademark. As we explore the islands, we have the added advantage of venturing out in even smaller groups: our team of two NHA Galapagos-certified naturalist guides leads sub-groups of no more than 10 travelers as we snorkel and explore island trails. In our estimation, this is the only way to truly immerse yourself in the Galapagos and observe wildlife at close range. 

The interior of our ship is furnished in polished teak wood. Picture windows surround the top two decks, offering panoramic views of sea, sky and islands. Enjoy ocean breezes from the topside sun deck lounge chairs, strategically positioned for observation. Snorkeling equipment, wet suits, sea kayaks (two double and one single) and beach towels are provided at no additional charge. Accommodations are located on three decks, each cabin featuring a large private bathroom and hot-and-cold freshwater showers. Cabins have either two twin lower beds or one double bed, a roomy closet, drawers, overhead storage, separate climate controls, intercom system, bottled water, hair dryer, toiletries and fresh towels. The Letty is also one of the few ships in the islands that can accommodate triples for families who wish to stay together.

M/C Xploration

Location
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The sleek, contemporary Xploration is a luxury motor catamaran specifically designed for cruising the Galapagos Islands in style and stable comfort. Offering an intimate, small-yacht atmosphere, the 98-foot Xploration accommodates a maximum of just 16 guests in eight spacious, air-conditioned double staterooms appointed with elegant polished wood decor. The four main-deck staterooms (Category 2) have private balconies, and four additional staterooms without balconies are located on the upper deck (Category 1). All have large picture windows, en-suite bathrooms and offer either queen or two twin bed configurations. The upper deck features a bar and shaded area for relaxation and al fresco dining. The expansive space allows plenty of room for whale and dolphin watching, sunbathing, or relaxing in the Jacuzzi. At night, there’s no better place for stargazing. The dining area is located on the main deck, along with a comfortable lounge. All meals are served buffet-style with all non-alcoholic beverages included.

Natural Habitat's Tortoise Camp

Location
Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands

In our constant quest to offer exclusive immersions in nature, we are pleased to include a unique one-night deluxe camping excursion on all scheduled Galapagos adventures. Ascending from the sea into the highlands of Santa Cruz, we reach Natural Habitat's exclusive Tortoise Camp, perched high on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Here amid lush mountains, scalesia forest and volcanic caves—native habitat for wild tortoises—guests enjoy an intimate encounter with nature found nowhere else in the Galapagos. The environs around our campsite are home to several dozen giant tortoises, seen at the campsite from June through February. During the months of March through June, the giant tortoises generally move to lower elevations, though a handful sometimes stay at the campsite.

All gear is provided, including two-person permanent platform tents or tree houses, real beds, bedding, pillows and towels. The four treehouses have en suite flush toilets as well as a small sink. The six platform tents have en suite showers, flush toilets and a small sink. There are showers available for those staying in treehouses in a shared bathhouse located a short distance away (about 100 yards). Our chef will prepare dinner and breakfast for you at the campsite, and a bus will pick you up in the morning to rejoin the group. If you choose to participate in the camping option, you will not miss any of the activities on your daily itinerary.

Please Note: While there are beds and toilets in all accommodations, there is an element of "roughing it." Some challenges may include uneven terrain and critters (particularly the wonderful variety of insects and arachnids that inhabit the island). Also, should it be rainy, the experience can become even more challenging. Our guests have the choice to participate in this evening in the highlands or to stay on our ship. Camping on Santa Cruz is most certainly an amazing opportunity, though only you can determine if it is an opportunity you will truly enjoy. The camping option is weather permitting.