On this Riding tour tour, you will explore Ecuador on horseback. You immerse yourself in the history of the country, shaped by the Incas and Spanish conquerors, whose traditions and legacies can still be seen today, be it in the small old mountain villages or the time-honored haciendas. Equally impressive is the surrounding landscape and the diversity of nature: cone-shaped volcanoes, snow-capped mountain peaks, cloud forest, wild plateaus, tropical plants and a rich variety of wildlife are just a few of the highlights you will discover on this tour.
The tour combines the Cotopaxi Adventure Ride with the Colonial Haciendas Ride.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Quito directly to the horses (approx. 1h drive). Your first day's ride takes you along a varied route with some difficult passages, where you will guide your horses through the rocky rivers to lead. You ride over meadow paths and through forests until you reach a Hacienda, where you need to be careful of Spanish fighting bulls. The landscape is stunning: you are surrounded by rolling hills, snow-capped peaks and green plains. Spend the night at Hacienda with a large veranda and magnificent flower gardens. (All rooms have private bathrooms)

Day 2: Ride from Hacienda in a north-westerly direction to an excellently preserved hamlet (6-7 hours). Through another part of the picturesque Zuleta Valley, formed by retreating glaciers at the end of the Ice Age. Then we climb out of the valley , with breathtaking views all around, through pine forests to the slopes of Imbabura. The world's largest finch and the brilliant mountain tanager flutter around depending on the season, the vermilion flycatcher and the giant hummingbird can be seen. Other species of hummingbirds constantly zoom past us, including the migrant bearers. Another delicious picnic along the way - a very varied menu of local fruits and salads - is enjoyed in a stunning location overlooking the valleys below. Along dirt tracks, cobblestones, through forests and past mud houses, we arrive at charming huts and comfortable log cabins for overnight stays. This is an example of a very well run community project; the local people are our hosts and for those who wish, an opportunity to learn about the local culture - shamans, Andean calendars and festivals as well as their cuisine. Delicious traditional food served in the home of a local family who have been involved in tourism for many years.

Day 3: Ride north from Hacienda to an excellently preserved hamlet (6-7 hours). Through another part of the picturesque Zuleta Valley, formed at the end of the Ice Age by the retreat of the glaciers. We then to rear out of the valley , with breathtaking views all around, through pine forests to the slopes of Imbabura. The world's largest finch and the brilliant mountain tanager fly around, and depending on the season, the vermilion flycatcher and the giant hummingbird are spotted. Other species of hummingbirds constantly zoom past us, including migratory carriers. Another delicious picnic along the way - a very varied menu of local fruits and salads - is enjoyed in a stunning location overlooking the valley. On dirt tracks, cobblestones, through forests and past mud houses, we arrive at charming huts and comfortable log cabins for overnight stays. This is an example of a very well run community project, the local people are our hosts and, for those who wish, an opportunity to learn about the local culture - shamans, Andean calendars and festivals and also their cuisine. Delicious traditional food served in the home of a local family who have been involved in tourism for many years.

Day 4: After breakfast, including a local flatbread baked in the oven in front of the house, to ride we head out of the hamlet, along cobblestones and dirt tracks, past small farms and through fields and forests - a fascinating insight into local life (6-7 hours). A varied ride with the option of edging along the paths. Over a mountain ridge and into the San Pablovalley, view of the San Pablolake below us on the way to Otavalo. Guests can discover "exotic" plants, including lupine and quinoa fields, passion fruit, mountain papaya and avocados. The wonderful, hairy pigs are tethered to the sides of the paths, and we pass flocks of sheep - the shepherdess immersed in the embroidery for which the area is famous. Arriving at a small, characterful hotel near Otavalo, we say goodbye to these horses, as tomorrow we will meet fresh horses. Later, a visit to Otavalo's famous market, bursting with vibrant colors and relaxing on the terraces before dinner and overnight. Room with private bathroom. 

Day 5: to ride From the hotel in a north-westerly direction through the valley to meet the local Criollo horses in Cochapata (60 minutes, very dependent on track conditions) and into a remote highlandvillage (7 hours). We leave the farmland far behind us - a breathtaking route into the vast "paramo" with miles of swirling grassland. We usually see condors, caracaras, eagles and giant falcons as well as deer. In the distance, a lake comes into view and then the village along a mountain river .
We to ride up to 3600 meters and then to rear down to the sleepy village at 3300 meters to spend the night. The guests have never had any problems as they are already acclimatized and the horses do the work!
We stay at Lodge, in excellent, spacious dormitories. A total of 3 rooms with very comfortable beds - large, sturdy bunk beds and 1 double bed. 2 rooms (3 bunk beds, 1 double bed) share a bathroom (separate male and female bathrooms). 1 room (2 bunk beds, 1 double bed) has its own bathroom.

Day 6: After a hearty breakfast, often with pancakes and always with lots of delicious fresh fruit, a tour of the beautiful lake in an idyllic location in the rolling hills (4-5 hours). We to ride on narrow paths through the grasslands, past native shrubs and trees draped with vines and filled with bromeliads and orchids. These ancient paths were used at least 600 years ago and recorded by early European explorers - when people came from the coast along these ancient trade routes into the highlands to exchange goods.
A snack break on the wide beach at lake and a return to Lodge for a late lunch. A relaxed afternoon, a visit to the fascinating community that feels like a big step back in time: village was founded centuries ago due to its location on the coastal Sierra trade route and the houses are still traditionally built from adobe bricks. The locals are happy to show us their homes and their way of life, an absolutely unique experience. A second overnight stay at Lodge with great views over the river and down to the community.

Day 7: We to ride out of the Pinan-valley , via a completely different route: down into the cloud forest with a very distinct flora and fauna than the day before - we to ride into an area with more tropical flora and then see montane bamboo, coffee trees, passion fruit and many other tropical trees and fruits. We start with a ride across the open rolling hill of the grassy "paramo" of the Andean highlands with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, then descend through dense bamboo forest. (7 hours).
We leave the horses behind, meet a vehicle and drive fast to the Rio-LindoLodge, which is surrounded by coffee and banana trees. A dip in the waterhole, a coffee tour and the opportunity to roast your own coffee or simply relax in the hammocks and enjoy the sounds and sights of the cloud forest are all on offer. Afterwards, there is a delicious home-cooked dinner with local ingredients, where you can fall asleep to the sound of the river and the sounds of the cloud forest.
Single, twin, double and triple rooms sharing 6 single showers.

Day 8: Pasachoa drive to the Cotopaxi area, Avenue of the Volcanoes. After an early breakfast, departure by vehicle. A fascinating drive out of the cloud forest - past passion fruit plantations and over a pass in the Western Cordillera, before heading south through the Central Valley with a very varied landscape. Mid-morning break and arrival for a light lunch north of Cotopaxi National Park. (5 hours).
We meet fresh horses and to ride up a valley along an avenue of indigenous trees that leads into the plain, with magnificent views of the surrounding volcanoes. We cross pastureland - carefully avoiding the fighting bulls that have made this Hacienda famous, a chance to accelerate at a gallop across the grassland (4 hrs). We look out for the Andean condors often spotted here, cross a river and arrive at a characterful guesthouse built of mud and thatch with stunning views of the Cotopaxi volcano and other Andean peaks surrounding the plain. 2 bedrooms share 1 bathroom, & bedroom with its own en-suite bathroom.

Day 9: Cotopaxi National Park. A faster start today (possibility of a slower ride for those who wish) - lots of long, steady turns across the plains of Cotopaxi National Park, below the snow-capped peak. We are usually joined by the wild horses, an unforgettable experience as these herds - long manes and tails - gallop across the grasslands beside us.
The topography is fascinating as we approach the magnificent moraine of the Cotopaxi volcano - moraines, ancient lava flows and boulders, huge boulders catapulted from the volcano - features created by both glacial and volcanic activity. We to ride up into the Ruminahui foothills, another great place to spot condors, deer and foxes, offering ever more fantastic views.
We to ride to a relatively new Lodge on the countryside, which is run by the family and offers a very personalized service, and spend the night there. A wonderful end to the ride is the incredible location, equidistant between 4 major Andean peaks, including Cotopaxi. Large double rooms with private bathroom and toilet. 

Day 10: Sincholagua Peak. An adventure in the high 'paramo' grasslands on this, our last day of riding. This route is still an absolute favorite and the 7-hour ride 'on top of the world' is a wonderful way to end this tour.
We start with a fast ride through the flatlands near the Cotopaxi volcano, then the pace is stabilized as we climb up to 4000 meters in the Sincholagua foothills to ride (luckily the horses do all the work). The highest gallop in the world is truly exhilarating. We cross the hilly, high grass-covered hill on the narrow paths of the "Chagras" - only a few manage to ride up into this magical area, apart from the local riders.
We leave the vastness and to rear descend into the cultivated areas, say goodbye to the horses and are driven back to Quito for the night. (Dinner not included tonight, you can have dinner at the hotel or we can give you restaurant recommendations).
(Guests can be transferred to a hotel near Quito airport, additional costs may apply).

Day 11: Departure.

Accomodation
On this tour, you will spend the night in various carefully ed estancias and farmhouses. Some of the double rooms have private bathrooms and some have shared bathrooms. Particularly noteworthy is the catering, which consists of international and regional cuisine. Lunch is also freshly cooked for you and your picnic lunch is never just a sandwich.

Saddle & Tack: South American & McClellan style saddles with sheepskins.

Experience: Advanced riders, comfortable in all gaits and have trail experience. Fitness absolutely necessary due to the altitude. Max. Rider weight 85 kg! (otherwise surcharge)

Horses: Criollo mixtures with Arabians, Andalusians, thoroughbreds and Paso Peruanos.