Ecuador & Galapagos Family Adventure

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel in Guayaquil and driven eastward towards Hacienda Danesa in Bucay. This transfer takes approximately 1.5 hours. Located in the coastal region of Ecuador right before the marvelous Andes, the hacienda prides itself on a mindful approach to living the good life. Lush, green, and discreetly luxurious, Hacienda Danesa models hospitality with enduring expressions of land and family unique to the Olsen Peet family, its long-term owners.

On arrival, your host will greet you and provide a warm welcome and an introduction to the farm. We are then shown to our comfortable rooms. Our first day at the hacienda will be comprised of a number of traditional activities:

Cacao & Chocolate Experience: Chocolate has a rich history in Ecuador. Visit the plantations to learn the history and process of cacao, from visiting the trees through to the final stage where beans are stored. The local chocolatier will then show us how artisan chocolate is produced, covering the tempering and crystallization process up until the packaging. You will have the opportunity to make your own chocolate bar to take home.

Farm to Table Lunch: Enjoy a truly rich gastronomic experience as the chef offers a three-course meal with various main course options. Vegan and vegetarian options are available upon request.

Milking in the Gardens: Hacienda La Danesa is a working milk farm. Take the opportunity to milk one of our beloved cows in the gardens. For a unique experience, you can take your espresso directly to the cow’s udder for fresh, warm Café au Lait!

Additional activities available include lazy river tubing, biking, horseback riding, or enjoying an In-Room Spa service. You may explore the property by bike or float down the lazy rivers surrounded by trees and birds. These activities typically take approximately two hours. The property is yours to enjoy, so make the most of your time!

Meals (L, D)

The La Esperanza Cloud Forest Reserve will astound visitors with its immense beauty, bounty, and rich biodiversity. Wind-sculpted elfin woodlands give way to lush rainforests where towering trees—such as Guayacán, Matapalos, Laurel, Balsa, and Vegetable Ivory (Tagua)—rise high into the sky, festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses.

Morning Activity: Bucay Waterfalls Hike

Depart Hacienda La Danesa after breakfast (or earlier for bird watching enthusiasts) and arrive in Bucay. From there, begin a 40-minute drive up the mountain to reach the starting point of your hike. This trek takes you to three different waterfalls of varying heights, where you are welcome to jump in for an uplifting experience and feel the invigorating power of the water.

Afternoon at Leisure

Welcome back to Hacienda La Danesa. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. This time is a wonderful opportunity for guests to simply relax, go for a peaceful walk around the grounds, or perhaps indulge in a relaxing in-room spa service. The property is yours to enjoy.

Meals (B, L, D)

Option 1-  Beekeeping immersion:

Learn about the intriguing world of honeybees in a way that few get to experience: through the hands­-on exploration of an active, living beehive! This experience is led by a professional local beekeeper, will include suiting up in protective gear, lighting a bee smoker, and getting up close with more than 100,000 bees.

You will walk away with a better understanding of the importance of honey bees and why their survival is so important, and see firsthand why bees aren’t near as scary as many of us think! Watch honey bees at work creating honey, witness as new bees are ‘born’, and learn more about what you can do to help the health and survival of this vital species. This experience includes a tasting of honey fresh from the hive.

Option 2 – Cooking workshop:

Join our Chef for a farmers’ market tour in Naranjito and a hands-on cooking class at Hacienda La Danesa! We will begin at a small town close to the farm,  walking to the indigenous market, where we will meet local farmers and learn how to shop for the best local produce. After strolling the market, we drive back to Hacienda La Danesa for a laid-back + hands-on cooking class, where you’ll hone your knife skills and create a beautiful, seasonal dish inspired by our farmers’ market bounty.

Again, the evening is free to explore the property on your own before dinner is served.

Meals (B, L, D)

AM: After breakfast, at the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel and privately transferred to Guayaquil airport, ready to board your departure flight to your next destination.

Meals: (B)