Leading trips in Ecuador and the Galápagos has given me the chance to live some of the most unforgettable experiences imaginable—horseback riding through the high Andes, witnessing the rare and powerful Andean condor soaring above volcanic peaks, swimming alongside green sea turtles, Galápagos penguins and giant manta rays and standing just feet from giant tortoises that have lived longer than any of us. But beyond the wild beauty, it’s the human connections that stay with me most—our incredible local hosts who have become dear friends, always welcoming my guests and me with warmth, pride and open arms.
At the heart of my time in Ecuador is the Fundación Galo Plaza Lasso—the nonprofit project arm of one of our accommodations, Hacienda Zuleta, which is devoted to conservation, education and sustainable community development in the town of Zuleta within the Imbabura Province. Backroads has worked with the Foundation for decades, sharing its commitment to protecting Ecuador’s natural and cultural heritage while supporting the people who call this place home.
In 2025, through our Give Back Field Project (GBFP) program, Backroads renewed its commitment to the Foundation with a $10,000 donation to support urgently needed renovations at the Zuleta Interpretation Center, a vital piece of the region’s conservation facilities.
The Interpretation Center is part of the Foundation’s Condor Huasi Project, Ecuador’s first successful captive breeding program for the critically endangered Andean condor. With just 150 wild condors left in the country, and fewer than 50 believed to be thriving, every chick hatched at the aviary in Zuleta represents hope. The Center complements the aviary by educating over 2,600 visitors annually, including local students, national park officials and Ecuadorian families as well as tourists, about the importance of protecting this iconic species.
Our funding will support essential building upgrades like a new roof to replace the original, now deteriorated after ten years of exposure to mountain weather, and reprinted education materials for the center. The next phase of improvements will be a modernized solar energy system to power lights and audiovisual materials while staying true to the Foundation’s sustainability values. These improvements will not only enhance the experience for visitors but will also strengthen the Center’s role as a self-sustaining, community-led model of conservation.
A Legacy Worth Investing In
Founded in 1995 as a continuation of the legacy of former Ecuadorian president Galo Plaza Lasso, the Foundation is now managed by the team at Hacienda Zuleta. Their vision remains deeply personal, shaped by generations of stewardship and a deep belief in the power of grassroots effort.
We’re proud to have played a part in the Zuleta story for so many years. Our 2025 donation ensures that the Interpretation Center will remain a living classroom, empowering the next generation of conservationists, guides, educators and local leaders. When you travel with Backroads in Ecuador, you’re not just passing through. You’re stepping into a long-standing relationship where every visit, every connection and every shared story helps keep this vibrant region alive and thriving.
I love being able to show our guests a unique window into Andean culture and the soul of Ecuador. In addition to the Condor Center, we visit master weavers who carry on centuries-old traditions, hike the rim of an extinct volcano filled with shimmering blue waters and learn about ancestral medicinal plants at a women’s center that we’ve supported for years. In the remote communities of the Amazon, we experience life deep in the rainforest, where language barriers disappear in the face of shared laughter and smiles.
And then there’s the Galápagos—hiking on uninhabited islands where nature reigns untouched, surrounded by species that evolved without fear of humans. Curious sea lions swim beside us, mimicking our every move, and sea turtles glide so close you lose count. The alien beauty of lava fields stretches beneath your feet, reminding you that you’re somewhere truly special.
There’s nothing more rewarding than sharing these moments with guests—moments that spark awe, connection and joy—and creating bonds through shared experiences that last long after the trip ends.
