Lodging
Choose Your Favorite Home Away From Home or Combine Two!Above the Clouds
Above the Clouds Guest House is perfect for friends, family, and intimate group gatherings. It makes a great base for exploring the Choco-Andino Biosphere !
Above the Clouds Guest House
Above the Clouds Guest House, owned and operated by Cheryl Reed, is located in the Choco-Andino Biosphere Reserve just two hours northwest of Quito. The house sits at the end of a country road on a ridge overlooking two river valleys. It is surrounded by the Andes Mountain peaks of Pichincha and Cotacachi. This five-bedroom, four and a half bath home is perfect for small groups, families or friends to gather. In addition to the large dining room and fully equipped kitchen, you have a spacious living area to relax in. Not only does the balcony and terrace overlook a lush garden, labyrinth and coffee plantation, you’ll also have views of the Imbaburra Valley where you can often watch clouds sweeping up from the river below. Here you can let the silence and beauty envelop you!
Not only will you see hummingbirds, toucans and other tropical birds around the house, you can also visit the neighbor’s Cock of the Rock Lek. You will have access to your own secluded waterfall, Tulipe Museum with Ancient Ceremonial pools and Zip-lining at a private Reserve. Of course, you must visit the Mindo Cloud Forest where you will see how chocolate is processed, visit a butterfly and orchid farm and ride in an open cable car over the cloud forest. Or maybe you want to take a day trip to Nangulvi Hotsprings and soak in the warm volcanic waters. The choice is yours!
Hacienda Cusin
Hacienda Cusin is great for large groups looking to explore Otavalo and surrounding area.
Hacienda Cusin, Lago San Pablo
Hacienda Cusin is a restored, 400-year-old Spanish colonial estate at 8,000 feet in the Ecuadorian Sierra. An hour north of Quito’s international airport, the Hacienda is ideally located for exploring the Otavalo markets as well as Imbabura Province’s stunningly-diverse nature and culture. Furnished with fine antiques, select Andean crafts and intriguing curiosities, its delightful perennial gardens and activities for all ages provide the perfect setting for your Andean adventure. The Magic Awaits!
Hacienda Chorlavi
Hacienda Chorlavi is perfect for large group events and exploring Ibarra and surrounds.
Hacienda Chorlavi, Ibarra
Hacienda Chorlavi was founded by Jesuit Priests in 1620 and was then acquired by the Tobar Family over six generations ago and ultimately transformed into a hotel in 1971. Among the vast array of Haciendas in the Northern part of Ecuador, there is no doubt that Chorlavi still holds its tradition and story untouched thanks to its inherent beauty. Where once stood a granary house, with its large halls, chambers, and service rooms of an old estate, you now find spacious barns turned into modern auditoriums and conference rooms, houses for laborers turned into rustic yet charming guest rooms, all surrounded by gardens and orchards sheltered by millennial trees that offer visitors the magic aroma of the past.
Ibarra lies at the foot of the Imbabura Mountain and is known for it’s temperate climate. Sitting at 7,300 feet above sea level yet close to the equator makes for perfect weather. In your free time you can take a walk in the gardens, go for a swim or relax in Jacuzzi. You will enjoy folkloric music and dancing in the courtyard. You can play pool, cards or mini-golf. Or you can just sit and enjoy the views from a hammock.
Things to do in the Otavalo Area
Whether you use Hacienda Chorlavi or Hacienda Cusin as you home base, there is so much to see in this area. Gorgeous waterfalls and Crater lakes abound. You can visit the famous Otavalo Market of handcrafted goods. Wasi Peguche gives weaving demonstrations and talks about the history of Indigenous Rights. Ali and his family can lead you in a musical presentation at his workshop. You can ride a train through the Andes Mountains to a small town inhabited by descendents of slaves. Cotocachi is known for it’s leather goods and you can soak in hot springs at Chachimbiri. So many decisions!
