This exquisite turnkey 1680 sq ft Uzhupud artist's country home is a Sanctuary! It includes a separate Artist Studio, an outdoor covered kitchen plus an amazing fruit orchard and the best of indoor-outdoor living. The 2 bedroom, 2 bath, open concept with high ceilings and skylight, Zen-like home has a gorgeous tiled porch to take in the ever changing natural beauty of the Uzhupud Valley and Andean mountains. At night, the homes on the mountain across the valley are lit up like a jewel box.

This home has been designed intentionally as an integrated part of the landscape with simplicity and elegance in mind, offering a constant connection with nature both inside and outside thanks to four French accordion doors that open to the spacious porch and beckoning garden beyond. This unique 9-year old home was designed to North American standards. It is located 45 minutes from the historic city of Cuenca in the valley of Uzhupud, bisected by the Paute river on its way to the Amazon.

This property sits approximately on a 1/2 acre (1670.39 square meters) and is private and tranquil, yet minutes from Paute, a charming small town that offers everyday necessities including restaurants, cafes, clinic, small hospital, banks, pharmacies and other amenities. The property is nestled in an upscale neighborhood preferred by wealthy Cuencanos. The home is located at the end of a quiet dead-end street directly across from the former, elegant Hosteria Uzhupud that is now called Uzhupud Gardens. This gorgeous hacienda has just been purchased by Ecuagenera. Ecuagenera is Ecuador's largest orchid producer and is world-renowned. It will be a showplace with a first-class restaurant and guest rooms planned for the future.

The home sits on a stone foundation with steel eye-beam girders and 4 x 6 wooden floor joist beams over a crawlspace which includes a storage bodega. Eucalyptus blond floors are throughout the house. The ceiling is tongue and groove pine with exposed rafters and a middle-pitched glass ceiling with 4 specially designed, ingenious movable "wings" to block light on those super sunny days. The home also has all wooden hardwood Seca doors -- which are beautiful to look at but also sturdy and repellent to insects.

As you enter the vine-covered portico and front door, you are immediately struck by the light, bright open-concept-space that includes an inviting living room with a large fireplace for those rare chilly Uzhupud nights (generally Uzhupud and Paute are warmer and sunnier than Cuenca). A large dining room is next to the chef's kitchen which features high-end appliances (included in the purchase price) and an island/bar for guests to enjoy and participate in the making of a great meal and celebrating with friends and family.

The primary bedroom is en-suite with a large bathroom and a soaking bath tub which allows a view of the trees, mountains, sky, clouds, birds and flowering surroundings. Bathing in the large tub, with sunlight streaming in during the day or with a glass of wine in the evening while gazing at the stars, is a wonderful delight and there is no better place to relax and unwind. The bathroom has a shower attachment and is quite large with good storage. The guest room shares a full bath, and has access to a social/guest bathroom with shower.

The beautiful, natural landscaping has been created and preserved by the owners and no chemicals have been used in the gardens. The orchard contains producing fruit trees including lemons, oranges, figs, manderinas, bananas, walnut, guava, avocado, and plum trees. Ornamental orchids and trees such as the flowering Brazilian Red Cloak, African Tulip, and Norfolk Pine complete the beautiful garden scenery, which also has room for vegetable and herb gardens. A flower-covered trellis and arbor, with two delightful park benches, is the perfect place for quiet contemplation or an afternoon cup of tea.

When you enter the property from the driveway one step down into a large patio with long, stone benches on one side and on the other side an impressive Green Ash tree providing ample shade. The patio includes a large gazebo and outdoor kitchen which is the perfect place for guests and entertaining. Additional chairs under a sun umbrella are also located near the cooking Pavillion. The long 200 sq ft porch right off the main house includes a comfortable seating area, as well as a separate dining space and can easily be turned into an al fresco dinner party. The primary bedroom also opens out onto this sumptuous porch.

The 300 sq. ft Artist studio is separate from the main house with completely refinished tongue and groove pine outer walls and a small deck. It can easily be converted into a guest suite, with the addition of a bathroom, and expands the capabilities of entertaining or Airbnbing the property.

The property is completely fenced in including an entrance gate for security. There is plenty of room for pets to roam. There is a driveway that enters into a carport under the main roof of the house and can provide parking space for up to 5/6 cars. The carport has direct access to the kitchen and laundry room is equipped with Samsung Wobble technology washer and LG Turbo dryer.

There are three sources of water: 1) Municipal potable water; 2) Potable water from a 2500-liter reserve tank connected to a water pump and to the house; 3) Irrigation water from the cistern connected to a second pump. The cistern is naturally fed by a water feature source from the Quebrada (creek) next to the property. There is also a security system consisting of sensor lights on the property.

This exquisite turnkey 1680 sq. ft Uzhupud artist's home comes with all of the furniture, appliances, and garden tools and equipment (artwork and personal items will be taken by the owners.)

The asking price is $349,500, so act quickly. This special indoor-outdoor nature-filled Sanctuary won't last long.