Casa Mojanda

Lodge Details

Number of rooms: 12 Property Size: 4 acres Lodge Style: Inn Ownership Type: Family

Country: Ecuador

Built in the early 1990’s and opened in 1995, Casa Mojanda operates on the basis of a firm and ongoing commitment to the principles and practices of ecological tourism, as well as respect and support of the surrounding community and culture. It was designed to have a minimally intrusive impact on our local ecosystem and culture. We believe that ecotourism operations must at a minimum “do no harm,” and be sustainable socio-economically and environmentally, as well as harmonious with and actively supportive of indigenous traditions and cultures. We utilized natural and earth-friendly construction methods, primarily rammed earth adobe, non-endangered woods, brick and straw. Our organic farm and gardens utilize biodynamic and permaculture principles of farming and land use management. By keeping Casa Mojanda large in vision but small in scale, we are able to to provide our guests with the best personal attention in the region.

Casa Mojanda is located in one of the most beautiful regions in the Valley of Otavalo, just minutes away from its world famous Crafts Market, the Mojanda Lakes region, and other natural and cultural sites of interest in the Ecuadorean Northern Highlands. Our windows look out to the landscapes and volcanoes that surround us.
The Inn has individual traditional ram earth cabins decorated with local crafts and furnishings, fireplaces, private bathroom, heating and terraces with open views.
Casa Mojanda´s recognized cuisine is mainly based on the always fresh products from our organic gardens, and we specialize in catering to any special dietary requirement, being vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, dairy free or allergies. Casa Mojanda has been honored with international excellence awards due to its highly personalized attention to our guests. We speak English, French and Spanish.

How this lodge promotes good stewardship of the environment:

Casa Mojanda has strived to protect the cloud forest and wildlife throughout the Mojanda Lakes region, a unique and spectacular environment, home to many different plants, animals and birds, including the endangered Andean Condor.
Casa Mojanda was instrumental in developing a plan to secure protected status for the lakes and grasslands, which was passed by the two local county governments with jurisdiction over the Mojanda Lakes. This historical ordinance is one of the very first local government ecological initiatives in Ecuador.

What To Do:

- Our library, gardens and grounds, animals, game and social room and video collection, - Hike to the waterfall, only a half hour on moderate grade, and other long and short walks from Casa Mojanda., - Hike down to Otavalo (one hour’s walk) on either of two scenic roads., - Take a guided horse tour, for spectacular mountain views., - Bird watch on any of the nearby paths and trails. Specialized tours, - Visit the Mojanda Lakes, where you can hike Fuya-Fuya, look for condors., - Shop in the world famous Otavalo Crafts Market, visit the food market or look for antiques. Visit the town., - Tour the Indian artisan villages of the region, and see the artisans at work in their homes and workshops., - Visit Lake Cuicocha and its National Park, and eat lunch in a restaurant high above the lake. Take the boat ride around the lake. On the way there or on the way back, pass through the town of Cotacachi which specializes in leather craft., - Visit Ibarra, the lovely and well-preserved provincial capital, - Visit the town of San Antonio de Ibarra, which specializes in woodcarving., - Visit the villages of Esperanza and Zuleta, famous for wonderful and intricate embroidery., - Visit the colonial town of Cayambe, and or a day trip to the refuge at the base of the glacier on the Cayambe volcano, at 15,000 feet., - Visit the hot springs and ecological reserve of Chachimbiro and the Afro-Ecuadorian region of Chota and Salinas, in the high Andean desert., - Take in the pre-Incan Pyramids of Cochasqui archeological site, - Visit to Intag and La Florida Cloud Forest Reserve

What They Have:

- Soak in our traditional Japanese style hot tub or just hang out and chat by the fire., - On occasion, we feature live Andean folk music and dancing., - Or watch a movie or read a good book from our extensive library., - Wi-Fi available in our social room, dining room and main areas., - Horse back riding, - Room Service, - Tour guides, - Airport transport, -