Hosteria La Cienega is one of Ecuador's oldest and most prestigious colonial haciendas. It is situated 74 km south of Quito near the Cotopaxi volcano and national park. It has served as a temporary residence for several distinguished visiting scientists including Alexander von Humbolt, who studied the volcano back in 1802, and the French scientist Charles Marie del la Condamine, who worked on the Geodesic Mission (1736-44) that determined the true shape of the world. We stayed here on the day before and after the Cotopaxi climb.
Back





Andy by the fresh-water pool




A huge Agave Century plant. It must be 30 feet high.





Eva and Peter


Me with part of my gear just before leaving for the volcano