General Information on Hacienda Hotel Gourmet Umbria:
Location:
Hacienda Umbria is located one hour south of Quito along the Panamerican Highway towards Machachi. At Machachi keep on the main road (don't enter the town of Machachi itself) and turn right at the second set of traffic lights towards the village of Aloasi, from there follow the signs to Hacienda Umbria - it is around 3 - 4 kms from here. The hacienda is found around 100mts from the railway line.
Surroundings:
The home of the Samper family and the wonderful Hacienda Umbria is located on a small hill in the middle of a fantastic setting of evergreen grasslands surrounded by mountains - El Corazón, Rumiñahui, Ilinizas and Cotopaxi.
Hacienda Description:
Umbria is a hacienda in full production. Our 310 hectares are cultivated with vegetable crops and pastures for our cattle, which provide us with milk and other dairy products, and lambs farmed for their meat.
The year-round spring like conditions of the region offer an average temperature of 24º C during the day with clear and sunny mornings. Afternoons have a more autumnal feel often with rains, perfect for curling up in the hacienda with its central and underfloor heating systems and 5 fireplaces creating an extremely cosy atmosphere. The peace and energy of the countryside lead to life’s best moments.
Treat yourself, disconnect from the routine. A balcony with fantastic mountain views, a good book in front of the fireplace, a hot cup of tea, a long siesta, a large glass of good wine and warm company can do work wonders for the body and soul.
This hacienda belonged to the great Ecuadorian philanthropist Maria Augusta Urrutia, a historical figure who on her passing away left the property to the Mariana de Jesús Foundation created by the Jesuits. The Samper family bought the hacienda from this foundation in 1994.
The hacienda is a paradise located in the magnificent setting of the Ecuadorian Andes, a place where you can disconnect from reality and rediscover the authentic pleasures of life. From the break of dawn, the impressive view of the local snow-capped peaks (Corazón, Rumiñahui, Cotopaxi and Ilinizas) invites you to enjoy your natural surroundings in their purest form through activities such as riding on the hacienda’s wonderful Andalucian horses, mountain biking and hiking through the local native forests and trails where a variety of orchids can be spotted. It is my privilege to be able to offer gourmet food and good wine.
“Rediscover yourself, wake up with hummingbirds, enjoy the countryside whilst the cows are milked and fruits are picked before being converted into delicacies, horse ride through the native forests scattered with orchids, fill your soul with the natural surroundings and revitalize your spirit – all great reasons to visit Umbria.”
Activities:
This region, with its great snow capped mountains, provides the perfect setting for a diverse range of outdoor activities, allowing you to take advantage of the fresh air: mountain climbing, horse back riding, mountain biking, hiking. For those who prefer, it is also the perfect setting for contemplation, listening to good music, enjoying the aromas of the flowers, coffee and the freshly baked breads. Renew your inner energy whilst nature deliciously invades your body and soul.
Trekking & Hiking:
We have trails which run through the whole hacienda, through ravines and along ecological paths, appropriate for every level of fitness.
For those who prefer, head out to hike in the local mountains and ravines or visit the indigenous market at Saquisilí with its many curiosities, or why not visit the working section of the hacienda and feed the calves and lambs, at mid morning there will be a small snack provided wherever you are.
There are other guided hiking options around the area with morning snack included.
Mountain Biking:
The hacienda trails are perfect for hiking as well as mountain biking. The trails take you through the hacienda grounds where you can experience the normal day to day activities of an Andean Hacienda. In the ravines there are ecological trails perfect for bird watching and enjoying the native flora in serene surroundings.
Horseback riding:
Thirty eight beautiful horses – pure bred Andalusian, Hispano, Arabic and Criollo horses – are ready and waiting to take you riding through the wonderful trails of the area, including a local wild orchid forest. We have horses for every level of rider from beginners and intermediates to advance.
The tourist package includes horse riding treks with an authentic chagra guide (a true Andean cowboy from the Machachi area). We can offer routes from 1 hour to 4 hours long depending on your preference:
Visit the Corazón Mountain, the local native forests, the hacienda grounds and its agricultural and livestock activities.
Or partake in longer and more adventurous treks which last for around three hours. It is also possible to continue your horse ride on to the Cotopaxi Volcano, which we can coordinate for you in partnership with other local tourist operators.
These tours are available at an extra cost.
Roses Plantation:
Neighbouring the hacienda there is an excellent rose plantation which prides itself on producing the largest roses in the world, it is happy to receive our guests for a tour of the farm.
Train tour:
The train departs from the Chimbacalle Station in Quito. The railway itself is a great tourist attraction passing through a variety of climates, habitats and indigenous regions along the way.
The train takes you along the Avenue of the Volcanoes offering magnificent views, making it difficult to decide where to look next, and finally arrives at the Cotopaxi National Park, the oldest National Park in Ecuador. Here you can experience the most beautiful views found in the high Andean paramos as well as a fantastic biodiversity and richness in flora and fauna.
Later we can visit the area of the National Park known as ‘El Boliche’ where you will find the museum, cabins, can enjoy the fresh air, hike along some of the trails through native vegetation and learn about the natural world.
The railway runs along the edge of the hacienda and we can coordinate it so that our guests are dropped off just 100 meters from the main house.
Honeymoon:
Spending your honeymoon at Hacienda Umbria is close to perfection – someone commented ‘it’s like being in heaven…’ ‘It was the night of my dreams’.
After the wedding celebration, a vehicle from Umbria will pick you up from the desired spot and take you to the Hacienda where everything will be ready and prepared to your highest tastes and requirements.
 A countryside hacienda, a magnificent main house, a bed filled with roses, fruits and sweets, ice cold champagne, romantic music and a thousand delicacies. Breakfast in bed to satisfy all the cravings that the newly weds may have.
Rooms:
The house was reconstructed and restored by the designer Cristain Donoso, who achieved a harmonious synergy between original architecture and modern requirements, allowing you to enjoy the country style of living without dispensing of life’s great comforts. The house offers large social areas which include living rooms, dining rooms and terraces, all have impeccable design details which add to the pleasure of staying at the hacienda. Four magnificent suites guarantee complete rest and privacy in a cosy context. All offer spectacular views of the Andean mountains that surround the Hacienda.
Cotopaxi:
The name is borne from the magnificent view offered of the Cotopaxi Volcano. This Premium Suite is approximately 50 m2, includes a very comfortable sitting area with fireplace, a king size bed and a large Jacuzzi in the bathroom. This suite was used by the owner when the family still lived at the hacienda.
Torero:
One of the son’s of the hacienda owner is a bullfighter, his room is conserved as he left it, adorned with elements used during his successful career, his special saddle, the many trophies won. All of these memories of a life of a torero were used by the interior designer of the suite which also includes a queen sized bed, a large sofa and a comfortable bathroom with shower.
Iliniza:
From the suite’s garden terrace and through all the windows, this room offers a panoramic view of the Ilinizas, the snow capped peaks create a perfect ambience in which to enjoy the fireplace and comfortable queen sized bed. Having been one of the daughter’s rooms, this suites’ warm interior design offers an unforgettable stay.
Corazón:
The word Corazón (Spanish for heart) has a special connotation in all languages and in the case of this precious suite you can feel it in the whole atmosphere of the room. This suite has a very comfortable queen sized bed and offers a great view of the mountain ‘El Corazón’. Here extra beds can be added, the bathroom is spacious offering the modern requirements.
Restaurant:
The food at Umbria not only offers a nutritional feast using freshly harvested produce from the hacienda, but its preparation has transformed into an art that satisfies all the senses of the guests. All in all Umbria offers a great gastronomical experience elaborated from the fruits of the organic gardens and prepared with the detailed supervision of Alvaro Samper. The exotic flavours of native produce such as uvillas, mellocos and tender corn on the cobs only found in Ecuador, are combined with the best culinary styles of the world, generating a unique and wonderful menu, examples are the special lamb dish which includes a whole ritual of preparation, the pata negra ham and other unique delicacies. The well stocked cellar at the hacienda has been achieved through the dedication of Alvaro and his refined wine tastes, being a sommelier in training he has dedicated a lot of time to obtaining excellent examples of the most relevant vineyards of the world.
For Alvaro the concept ‘Gourmet’ is cooking simple dishes with love and art, food which has been cultivated and reared with care and dedication.
Gourmet:
Because we cultivate and rear a great part of the food produce which is consumed here, fruits and vegetables that the hacienda produces itself as well as chickens, rabbits, ducks, countryside eggs which are sourced from the local farmers.
We prepare simple dishes with much love and attention, home made breads fresh from the oven, tender beans served with ham and olive oil, nata (a type of cream) from recently milked cows, salads prepared with fresh vegetables picked less than an hour ago, grilled Argentinean style lamb, beef carpaccio with freshly picked rocket and more. Eating well and drinking well is an everyday thing in Umbria.
At the morning:
Imagine a sunny morning in the fertile countryside, surrounded by snow capped peaks of great beauty, a breakfast filled with exotic fruits, recently baked breads, home made butter and the deep aroma of freshly made coffee, fit to revitalize the most exhausted of mortals. All this whilst country eggs and other delicacies are prepared to your tastes and to the high standards of Alvaro Samper, the hacienda owner who after his early morning rounds on the property returns to ensure that his guests are well attended, his warmth making them feel at home and offering an unforgettable stay.
At the evening:
When the sun goes down it is time to take refuge in our cellar, here there are over 1500 bottles of wine full of flavour, aroma and pleasure waiting to be discovered. The excellent price-quality relationship allows each guest to enjoy many of them. Relax with good music, excellent wine and warm conversation, whilst enjoying canapés including a selection of Chilean and Ecuadorian sea food, foie gras, wild mushrooms and other delicacies – this is exactly what the doctor ordered for a memorable holiday.
The starry skies of the Andes will fill your imagination whilst the sounds of the night fill your dreams.
Cellar:
Inside the main house there is a cellar with over 1500 bottles of wine, wines especially from Chile and Argentina, also examples from the old world and other wine producing countries. The cellar also has a bar area where we can savour a series of delicacies normally before lunchtime.
Price 2008:
Cotopaxi Suite 305.00
Torero Suite 244.00
Ilinizas Suite 244.00
Corazon Suite 244.00
Prices are per person per night in US dollars
Rental of house 1,830.00 per night
Children from 3 to 12 years old - 50 % of price including all meals.
Children under 3 years old - no charge – meals to be paid for separately.
Included in the price:
The price includes three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and all activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, milking the cows and visit to the rose plantation. Hacienda Umbria also offers fresh fruit juices, teas and coffees during the day. Our prices include taxes.
If you need any additional information please write us:
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South America 
Quito Tourist Portal