Amidst the Tolkien-esque landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park, Chilcabamba embodies a passion for nature, appreciation for indigenous culture, and the adventurous spirit Ecuador is known for. The entire lodge was built from locally-sourced and recycled materials, its thick adobe walls keeping out the chilly night air and its style is rustic and authentic. In every room, there is a wood-burning stove to keep you toasty after a day spent delving into the rapturous surrounds with Chilcabamba's resident chagra (an Ecuadorian cowboy), Rafael. And there are horseback rides across the grasslands, hikes along trails of petrified lava, and kayaking in a crater lake to get stuck into as well.
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Nestled in a peaceful valley surrounded by astonishing volcanic peaks, Chilcabamba is an idyllic retreat. Lounges are decked out with traditional patterned rugs and bright, funky armchairs - perfect to curl up with a new novel. The dining room has wide, lopsided windows, earthen tiles and a stone bar, and the chef, Eugenia, proudly serves regional favourites, with her signature touch. Her homemade soups are always a hit. Around dusk, gather at the firepit for smores, stargazing and swapping stories from the day.
In thatched villas, there are 10 rooms with giant picture windows to let in the views of snow-hatted Cotopaxi and the pretty Andean páramo. The rooms are simply but tastefully done with wood-burning stoves, alpaca wool ponchos and heavy duvets topped by colourful runners. The en-suite bathrooms have a shower and biodegradable toiletries. The Family Cabins can accommodate up to five people and feature private living rooms with beanbags to recline on.
The area is a hiker's paradise and treks range from climbs to Cotopaxi's Refuge (it's one of the highest active volcanoes in the world) and hikes to the mysterious, lime-green Quilotoa Crater Lake, to bicycle rides across the grasslands, getting to know the unique flora and fauna along the way. For a more sedate day out, visit the Saquisili Indigenous Market (one of the largest in Ecuador) and pick up a few souvenirs, learn to milk a cow at the local farm, or catch a trout for lunch.
Most of the staff grew up in the villages around Chilcambamba, so they have a wealth of knowledge to share.
Order the chef's tasting menu for an introduction into Ecuador's cuisine.
The Cotopaxi volacano appears closer than it is and the journey there takes around 90 minutes.
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Explore the King of the Andes and its surrounding grasslands that thrum with wildlife and adventure.
