By The UNCHARTED® editors · 3 min read
Originating in the 16th-century, these colonial estates played a vital role in the agricultural and economic development of the region.
Our collection of Haciendas are in magnificent condition, some still being used as working haciendas, and others serving the sole purpose of providing incredible experiences for visitors.
Ecuador: Hacienda La Danesa
Experience off-trail horseback riding through historic cacao plantations at Hacienda La Danesa, nestled in the hills of Ecuador’s Andean highlands, just an hour and a half from coastal Guayaquil, the country’s largest city. This charming estate offers an immersive journey into chocolate production from bean to bar, and guests can savor delightful tastings after days spent strolling scenic trails or galloping on beautiful pinto horses. Connect with the local indigenous communities and sample different types of ceviche for lunch.
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Ecuador: Hacienda Zuleta
Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes is a stunning 200-mile corridor flanked by some of the country’s most iconic peaks, including Cotopaxi. Nestled on this path, Hacienda Zuleta has been run by former Ecuadorian President Galo Plaza Lasso’s family for over 100 years. Explore the fertile farmland’s footpaths, enjoy farm-to-table food, and get to know the northern part of the country. Zuleta is also home to Huasi, a sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of Andean condors.
Chile: Estancia Cerro Guido
At the end of the 1800s, this estancia was part of the Tierra del Fuego Exploration Society — the largest cattle network in the history of Chilean Patagonia. Known as one of the best sheep ranches in the region, guests can learn the art of shearing alongside skilled gauchos before enjoying a crackling fire, a canopy of stars, and an authentic pecorino Romano smoked cheese board. In Chilean culture, there are three types of gauchos: El Baqueano (the expert), who has an intimate understanding of the land’s plains, trails, and forests; El Rastreador (the tracker) who can track animals with uncanny accuracy; and El Cantor (the singer) who sings under the twinkling night sky, following his heart with no fixed destination. Estancia Cerro Guido’s spirit encompasses all three of these souls and encapsulates Chilean hospitality.
Argentina: Estancia Cristina
Perfectly positioned off the grid as a place for wild souls to stay, this is the best way to experience Argentine glacier country. Dating back to 1914, our Outpost sits on the shore of Lake Argentino and is accessible only by boat. Cristina embraces isolation with a traditional homestead spirit, offering a warm feeling that only a 100-year-old estancia can: Enjoy a range of hiking and horseback riding from the quiet and picturesque to the challenging and rewarding — all surrounded by magnificent icebergs and jagged peaks cut by dozens of massive glaciers spilling from the Southern Patagonia Ice Field into lazuline lakes.
Argentina: Estancia Rincón Chico
Welcome to one of the most significant marine mammal sanctuaries in the world. Situated along 10 miles of the southeast corner the Atlantic-facing Península Valdés, Estancia Rincón Chico is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & Biosphere Reserve and has a rich population of right whales —- not to mention humpback calves and mothers, orcas in search of sea lion prey, and sleepy, sunbathing elephant seals. A farmstay by the ocean, this is one of few estancias along the windswept coast, with dunes, cliffs and pampas grasslands that drop straight into the sea. The owners are fifth generation pioneer settlers originally from Basque country who migrated from Spain to Buenos Aires to the peninsula with more than 800 sheep.
Argentina: Estancia la Bandada
Estancia La Bandada, just outside Buenos Aires in the Pampas region, is a 19th-century colonial house that was beautifully renovated in 2017. In its heyday, Bandada’s gauchos silhouettes would fade away over the horizon, leaving behind a great cloud of dust; these days poplar trees shade the dirt roads and long verandas decorate the property, creating perfect nooks for afternoon reading or trying your luck at a traditional Argentinian game called El Sapo.
Our Favorite Estancia and Hacienda Hideaways
