During the day, you will be able to immerse yourself in a splendid natural setting -- and learn about our thriving indigenous culture. Walk, horseback ride or bike on mountain trails, passing terraced farms, gorges humming with birds, waterfalls and crater lakes.

You will literally be on top of the world when you explore the Mojanda Lakes, the surrounding ‘paramo’ grasslands and high mountain cloud forests. And you won't miss the fascinating Otavalo markets, only ten minutes by vehicle or a lovely hour's walk. You can buy handcrafts directly from families of craftspeople, and even arrange a visit to a Yachac or shamanic healer.

At Casa Mojanda, you can relax in a hammock, read a book or watch a video from their extensive library, or just sit back and watch the clouds float by. When night falls, it's time to soak in the hot tub, or sit by a roaring fire and listen to Andean folk music.

Their home cooked meals are based on traditional Ecuadorian and international recipes featuring their farm-fresh organic products and grains.

The eight guest cottages are built entirely of compacted earth, wood and other natural materials. Each cottage has a garden and a private terrace with spectacular mountain vistas.

We will leave early in the morning from Quito on an unforgettable ninety minute mountain drive on the scenic Pan-American Highway. You will see stark variations in scenery; high mountain deserts, fertile river valleys, and steeply terraced farmland, all surrounded by the two majestic Andean cordilleras separated by only forty miles. These are the Ecuadorian highlands, composed of volcanoes as high as 22,000 feet and fertile scenic inter-mountain valleys, inhabited by warm and friendly people with distinct indigenous customs and traditions.

Casa Mojanda is a mountainside inn, eco-resort and organic farm located near the town of Otavalo in the luscious green foothills of Mount Mojanda. At the lodge, you will be welcomed with tea or cocktails, and will be given a brief talk and tour by our hosts, the owners and resident managers of Casa Mojanda. We will then take a short hike to the lovely Taxospamba waterfall where we will observe and discuss medicinal herbs and plants, local fauna and birds, as well as local conservation issues, subsistence farming and the socio-economic conditions facing local people.

After lunch in the lodge we will hike to the Mojanda Lakes located at 12,000 feet. Our group will have the option of climbing Fuya Fuya (14,200 feet) which is a non-technical but steep climb starting at the lakes. This will take less than three hours up and back. Another option is to take a three hour equally scenic but less strenuous hike around the lakes themselves. Guides will discuss the unique ‘paramo’ ecosystem of the Mojanda lakes and forests while we all scan the skies for Andean condors which can frequently be seen in this area.

At night after dinner, there will be a chance to relax in hot herbal baths in traditional Japanese style wood-fired hot tub, or enjoy a wide selection of films in the video room, including documentaries on local culture, birds, shamanism and folklore, as well as many films by Latin American directors.

Guests will have the option of a deep Hawaiian style massage at a modest additional hourly cost during their stay at Casa Mojanda. (Price information below)

Today we will travel to the famous Otavalo market, starting with an early visit to the traditional livestock trading market. After returning for an 8 -9 am breakfast we will visit the larger general (handicrafts) market and the produce market (either on foot - one hour hike on a back road - or a ten minute drive). As little or as much shopping can be done as suits the interests of the group members. Before the market, you will be given short explanatory talk about the history and current role of the Otavalo market and provided with maps to guide you.

We will meet for lunch in a local indigenous-owned restaurant with live Andean music. After lunch, we will participate in a guided tour of local craft workshops, homes and villages. You will also be offered an afternoon option of walking, hot tubbing, massage, or horseback riding with a guide in the mountains surrounding Casa Mojanda.

After dinner, a local Andean folk music band will play and all will be invited to participate in traditional folk dancing.

Before leaving Casa Mojanda, there will be an optional early bird watching hike. After breakfast, we will leave Casa Mojanda after a short tour of Casa Mojanda´s community projects, including a clinic, kindergarten and library, less than a quarter of a mile down the road. (Price information below)