is located just south of Quito, the capital of Ecuador), about an hour's drive. We are ideally situated on the lower slopes of Volcan Corazon (4788m) in the heart of the "Viale dei vulcani", a spectacular valley dividing the eastern and western ranges of the Andes. From the garden of the hacienda you can enjoy breathtaking views across the valley to the extinct volcanos of Ruminahui (4712m), Pasochoa (4250m), Atacazo (4463m), and in the distance the mighty cone of Cotopaxi, at 5897m the highest active volvano in the world.

The hacienda is close to the village of Aloag, on the west side of the Panamericana highway 40 km (25 miles) south of Quito. Buses leave Quito on average every ten minues and take approximately one hour to Aloag, where we will be happy to pick you up. If you book in advance we may also be able to pick you up from Quito.

The old narrow-gauge railway which once connected Quito to the coast, but which now only runs as far as Cotopaxi National Park, passes the back of the garden. An alternative way of getting to La Alegria is to "ride the roof" and ask the conductor to stop the train at the farm (km 415)!

La Alegria is just south of the Equator at latitude 0° 29' S.