Termas Papallacta Spa and Resort is located some 40 miles east of Quito in a picturesque Andean valley. The resort covers a large area with thermal pools throughout the grounds. Guests are accommodated either in the en- suite rooms in the hotel, five of which also have a jacuzzi, or in private one and two storey cabins in the grounds. Four of the cabins are suites and so ideal for families or groups of friends. The cabins are warm and cosy, with a fireplace in the main living area.

The spa offers a range of hydrotherapy treatments including hydromassage, while the thermal club has a variety of beauty services, saunas, massages, body wraps and aromatherapy. There are hot and cold thermal pools, which are believed to have curative properties for digestive ailments, allergies, inflammation and rheumatism.

The hotel restaurant caters for all tastes, with national and international dishes. There is also a cafe at the spa and a kiosk selling snacks and drinks.

For more active guests, the Canyon Ranch has extenisve trekking opportunities with some 250 hectares of land and a great range of flora and fauna waiting to be explored. The nearby Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve is made up of moorland, rivers, lagoons and forests, spread over 400,000 hectares and is reputed to have the greatest animal and plant diversity in Ecuador. The reserve can be entered on payment of a small fee. There are walking programmes to enable guests to enjoy this wonderful area. The hotel can also arrange rafting on the Quijos river. Horse riding is also a popular way to explore the valley.