Escape from Quito to experience the countryside

Sierra Alisos is a unique and picturesque hacienda in Tambillo, in the foothills of Mount Atacazo, and only a 50-minute car-ride away from Ecuador’s busy capital Quito. It gets its name from the native Aliso (or Alder) forest that surrounds the secluded area which it’s in. We decided to get away from the hustle and bustle for a weekend, and we were absolutely delighted with our experience.  Alex and I had briefly visited the hacienda a year ago and were so impressed that we vowed to come back … and so a year later, we did!

Sierra Alisos and its beautiful surrounds.

8 amazing days on one of the remotest places on earth!

First up and off the bat, I will refer to Easter Island as Rapa Nui. It is both the original and indigenous name of the island as well as the name preferred and used by the locals. It also honours the original owners of the land.

Where is it?

Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, has a surface area of only 163.6 square kilometres (63.2 square miles) and is part of Polynesia. It was christened by the Dutch who arrived here in 1722 and was annexed by Chile in the late 19th century. More than 3700 kilometres from Santiago on continental Chile and some 4200 kilometres from Tahiti it is one of the remotest inhabited islands on earth.  Along with New Zealand, and Hawaii this island forms part of the triangle in which lie the Polynesian Islands. The first people came to Rapa Nui around 300–400AD.

Ahu Tongariki