Private Tour

Cacao Farm & Chocolate tasting with a visit to Jubones desert

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

9 hours

Mobile ticket

Experience the contrast between the green highlands, dry desert, and the dense tropical area. Discover the flavors, aromas and taste of the Ecuadorian Cacao know as one of the best in the world. You will experience a chocolate tasting as well.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Departing from Cuenca, after an 85km scenic drive through the high Andes and the Yunguilla Valley, we will reach the Jubones, this is a unique desert with an oasis crossed by a river where locals grow different kinds of crops. We will have the chance to explore this very interesting geological formation which are the deposits of giant volcanic eruptions that occurred 25 million years ago. For those who like biking, it's possible to add this activity for an extra cost. We will ride our bikes on a dirt road with very little traffic and beautiful views. We will cover a distance of 4 km, 75% of the ride will be down the hill but not steep (180 meters of altitude loss). Anybody with very basic riding experience can do it.

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Pasaje

We will continue driving for about 35 km to the Hacienda La Cortadera. We will immerse ourselves in a tropical farm experience. The family will welcome us with a delicious fresh homemade lunch. Ever tasted the pulp of fresh cacao beans? You will learn and experience hands-on cacao harvest and the process of craft chocolate making, from the tree to a delicious cup of hot chocolate all alongside a professional tour guide that will explain and teach you about the history of cacao. We will also have a chocolate tasting experience. Before we head back to Cuenca it's possible to relax in the pool or stroll along the trails of the farm where you will be able to spot some tropical birds and taste a wide variety of the hacienda fruits and products.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Tour Guide/Driver

Home made lunch with local family

All taxes, fees and handling charges

Gratuities

Cocoa Farm

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

Private Tour

This means that tour is only for you and your party
Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Glorious day!
cellokennedy,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was one of the high points of our 3 week trip! Pedro Alvarez Iniguez was a phenomenal guide. We learned much about the area and just about what life is like in Cuenca. The chocolate tour was lovely. The entire family was there celebrating a holiday and all made us feel welcome! “Grandfather” not only shared the cocoa process but shared all the fruit that is also growing. I have never had such juicy sweet citrus fruits. I’m sorry that this review is so late. We loved every minute of the day.
Can’t be topped!
Jim S,,Feb 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A unique experience, complete with visit to a farm owned by a lovely local couple. Our guide Wilson was attentive, personable, and knowledgeable. The dogs greeting us were overly friendly, but they soon settled down. Not to be overlooked was the remarkable scenery through the desert and highlands. This is a must see for anyone who wants to experience rural Ecuador!
Ecuador magical tour
I8343AMcherylb,,Jun 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Cuenca Tours, especially Javier, we're THE BEST at arranging every detail of our Galapagoes tour and Cocoa tour. They also set up a wonderful private tour to Cuenca at a last minute request. 10 stars!!
Great full-day experience
Mark R,,Oct 26, 2019
- Review from Viator
5.00
We lucked out by booking on the last day but ended up getting paired with Javier who was wonderful to spend the day with. He was not only a great English speaker he was very knowledgeable for our random questions along the way (given you are in the car for a bit there was plenty of time for discussion about Ecuador and its culture). The visit to the cocoa was farm was great as we were able to walk through the farm and then see the process of roasting the cocoa and then making our own hot chocolate (which was quite delicious). Finally even though it was already getting later in the day, Javier took us on a quick tour of Cajas National park which at our behest included a small amount of hiking. We would 100% recommend Javier and this tour to anyone looking to visit a cocoa farm to get a full experience.