The Loft: a little slice of heaven

The Loft is a charming 650 square foot (60 square meters) guest house inside The Sumapaz Refuge, a 17 acre farm nested in the skirts of San Jose de Minas, Ecuador. This is an ideal place to get away from it all, relax, unwind, and just be. We are located 80 km or an hour and a half away from the Quito International Airport.
The space
Visitors that are looking for a wholesome life experience where they can connect with nature and themselves find The Sumapaz Refuge (Utter Peace Refuge) the perfect place to wander. The farm’s organic garden and permaculture philosophy is aligned with conservation, ecology and healthy living. Our guests often collect eggs and pick seasonal fruits and vegetables from the garden to cook with. Sumapaz also offers beautiful hikes and adventures to enjoy inside the property and nearby. If your party has more than three people, you can also rent The Nest, a next door space with an independent entrance that consists of a small bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette. The Nest has a full size bed for an individual or couple to stay in. It has an added cost of $35 per night and is available upon request.
Guest access
Sumapaz Refuge is open for guests to roam freely. There is a main house, a guest house and a helper’s house inside the property. However, each house is set fairly distant from the rest and the farm is large enough for all to wonder independently.
Other things to note
Available services and activities upon request:

Airport pick up/drop off $40 USD each way (up to 4 people)

San Jose de Minas/Atahualpa and surrounding areas: a local adventure exploring nearby towns and vicinities. This activity is approximately 4 hours. $65 USD for transportation and guide. If group is larger there will be an added fee for transportation. Does not include lunch.

Papallacta Hotprings: Enjoy the absolute best hot spring experience you could ever wish for. Surrounded by a beautiful forest mountain range, these natural hot springs are well known for their healing and therapeutic properties. The resort has a great restaurant and top-notch spa that offers a variety of massages, facials and therapies. It is located approximately an hour and a half from the farm and can be done as a day trip or spend the night. This is an all day, 10 hour activity. $120 USD for transportation and guide for groups of up to 4 people. If group is larger there will be an added cost for transportation. Does not include resort fees or lunch.

Otavalo/Peguche/ San Pablo Lake: The Sumapaz Refuge is located approximately 45 minutes away from the beautiful native American town of Otavalo. Plan to explore the town, visit its world renown Arts and Crafts Marketplace, find out how these amazing works or art are produced by visiting a local atelier, and have lunch at a local Hacienda or lakeside overlooking San Pablo, taking in the stunning view and native American folklore. This is an all-day adventure approximately 6 hours. $100 for transportation and guide for groups of up to 4 people. If group is larger there will be an added fee for transportation. Does not include lunch.

Cotacachi/ Cuicocha Lake: Sumapaz Refuge is located approximately 1 hours away from the town of Cotacachi. This town is known for its fine leather craftmanship as well as its five-star, top notch resort and spa Le Mirage. Plan to visit the town and its leather markets as well as a local leather confection factory to understand the production process. Lunch at Le Mirage is an amazing opportunity to try out gourmet local concoctions and while enjoying looking into a garden filled with wild plants and peacocks. And finally, a perfect end to the afternoon includes a visit to the Crater in the Lake and a moderate hike. This is an all-day adventure, approximately 6 hours. $100 for transportation and guide for groups of up to 4 people. If group is larger there will be an added fee for transportation. Does not include lunch.

Ibarra: Visit this beautiful historical town filled with character and folklore. Get to know a local atelier where they create wooden sculptures and get to know the family that has been doing this for generations on end. Have lunch at the Chorlavi Hacienda, where, as the legend describes, the Great Inca Hyaynascapac met and fell in love with princess Caranqui Pacha, more than five centuries ago. In 1620 it was the first property that the Jesuits purchased in the region. It’s a stately peasant mansion with design and decoration of the purest European style, but with a taste of adobe, tiles and wood, made by skilled native craftsmen, heir of the majestic Inca tradition of its constructions. The place is filled with charm, magic and great food. This is an all-day adventure, approximately 6 hours. $100 for transportation and guide for groups of up to 4 people. If group is larger there will be an added fee for transportation. Does not include lunch.

Cochasqui Ruins/ Mojanda Lakes: Explore this geographically stunning and archeologically significant region filled with historical treasures. Visit the local museum and enjoy nature trails around the lake. This is an all-day adventure, approximately 6 hours. $100 for transportation and guide for groups of up to 4 people. If group is larger there will be an added fee for transportation. Does not include lunch.

Guayllabamba/Quinche/Cayambe: Visit the local zoo, the beloved Quinche Virgen Sanctuary, explore the inner workings of a local bakery, find out what the Solar Clock is, and experience the tourist attraction known as the “Middle of the World”. This is a fun day trip filled with multiple stops and experiences to immerse yourself in local cultural traditions and folklore. Have lunch at the Café de la Vaca, an iconic local restaurant famous for its yummy food and desserts. This is an all-day adventure, approximately 6 hours. $100 for transportation and guide for groups of up to 4 people. If group is larger there will be an added fee for transportation. Does not include lunch.

Middle of the World/Pululagua: The grounds of the “Middle of the World” contain the Monument to the Equator, which highlights the exact location of the Equator (from which the country takes its name) and commemorates the eighteenth century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission which fixed its approximate location; they also contain the Ethnographic Museum Middle of the Earth, which highlights the rich indigenous peoples and ethnography of Ecuador. For lunch, this adventure takes you to a close-by hidden gem called “The Crater”, which is a Spa and Resort that capitalizes on amazing views of a real -ife crater, which the restaurant is built around. With floor to ceiling windows that display spectacular views, plan to eat an unforgettably delicious local traditional meal. This is an all-day adventure, approximately 6 hours. $100 for transportation and guide for groups of up to 4 people. If group is larger there will be an added fee for transportation. Does not include lunch.

Mindo/Tulipe: This area is one of the most biologically diverse ecoregions of the world, and logically one of the most visited in Ecuador. It is well known for its incredibly diverse landscape, which is a patchwork of cloud forests, secondary forests, agricultural land, and human settlements. Mindo is known for its outdoor adventure activities, such as water rafting and/or ziplining. The local Butterfly World is also a beloved attraction, mainly because visitors really get a chance to interact with them. There are also many nature trails to hike and enjoy birdwatching. Sachatamia Lodge or Mindo Gardens are great places to stop for lunch and enjoy the stunning views of the region.

Quito’s Historical District: Quito’s old-town district is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Centre because of its historical significance and extraordinary beauty. Plan to visit different churches, The Alabado Museum, the Panecillo and Ichimbia in this unforgettable journey. Lunch will be served at The Mosaic Restaurant, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the area. This is an all-day adventure, approximately 8 hours. $100 for transportation and guide for groups of up to 4 people. If group is larger there will be an added fee for transportation. Does not include lunch.