The Region
From mountainous Ibarra to the deserts of the Chota valley
Allow your eye to wander along the path that unites mountainous Ibarra with the warm valley of El Chota. In the midst of cliffs and ravines you will encounter an unheralded vision, an oasis brimming with great leafy trees that contrast with the ochre and arid surrounding deserts, embracing an antique treasure of the Sierra region: Hacienda Piman. Located in the middle of contrasting and diverse landscapes and cultures, this historic and charming estate is the perfect place to stay for a unique blend of experiences. As a meeting point for the pastuso people of the north, the Afro-Ecuadorians of El Chota valley and the serrano people of the Highlands, the great shifts between ethnicities, cultures, climates and landscapes is a unique thing to behold. In less than half an hour, one can switch from eating fresh beans harvested at altitude to drinking the just-made cane juice typical of warm, humid and low-altitude climates.
A land of opposites
Ibarra is the nearest city to the hacienda and the capital of the province of Imbabura. Also known as “the white city” because of the nicely preserved white colonial buildings and houses at its centre, it still maintains its old, peaceful atmosphere of quiet streets lined with trees in blossom, and horse-drawn carriages bumping along the cobblestones.
To the north, through the protected moorlands, is one of the most fascinating ecosystems in the country: El Ángel Ecological Reserve, with its surreal Polylepis forests and mysterious, giant frailejones plants as far as the eye can see.
To the north, you encounter the Afro-Ecuadorian community of El Chota that injects the Andean region with an unexpected cultural vibrancy. This community mainly lives off its agriculture of cotton, sugarcane, and fruit, among others. They preserve many of their African traditions such as the music and dance called “bomba” and an ancestral, artisanal, mask-making process.
A road worth travelling
Quito to Piman
On the way from Quito to Hacienda Piman, take your time to enjoy the many interesting stops where unexpected experiences await. Take a break in Cayambe, known for its handmade biscuits, string cheese and condensed milk as well as the majestic snow-tipped Cayambe volcano. Next, rent a kayak or a motorboat and explore the magnificent San Pablo lake that lies at the foot of the Imbabura volcano, before stopping in the nearby town of Otavalo to visit its exhilarating market filled with colourful, handcrafted textiles and souvenirs.
You can also stop over at Cotacachi, a village known for its well-crafted and designed leatherwear or even go to the furniture and home decoration fair in San Antonio. You can also combine a stop by the pre-Columbian pyramids of Cochasqui or the Peguche waterfalls near Otavalo located in the protected forests that also harbour centennial thermal pools used by the Incas for their miraculous healing powers.
When you get to Ibarra, only half an hour away from Piman, don’t forget to try two of the most treasured gastronomical dishes of the highlands: the famous “paila” ice creams traditionally made in a bronze pan with dry ice and natural fruit juice, and the renowned “hornado”, a mouth-watering dish of pork, potato tortillas, mote and avocado.