On this ride you will ride through the breathtaking, wild terrain of Cotopaxi Park and circle the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano. You will discover fascinating wildlife such as giant condors, hummingbirds, deer and foxes in the little-known high plateaus of the Andes. The landscape around you alternates between barren, moon-like plains, rolling green hills, carpets of flowers, rustic forests and rocky passes. The pace varies and there are plenty of opportunities for long gallops. You cross old lava fields on which only lichen grows. Scree and small red meltwater streams, discolored by iron deposits, characterize the landscape here. The melting of the glaciers and the subsequent volcanic eruptions have left their mark. On some days you follow the old Inca roads or you ride through farmland past small farmhouses. You will often meet the children of friendly local farmers herding pigs and donkeys. You will spend the night in haciendas and traditional thatched farms made of red clay. Your guides are Chagras, Ecuadorian cowboys who are very familiar with the terrain. You spend an average of 6 hours a day in the saddle.

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 ride your horses through the rocky rivers. 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: After a breakfast of fresh fruit and local flatbread baked in the oven in front of the house, we leave the hamlet, along cobblestones and narrow dirt tracks, past small farms, herds of animals and locals tilling the fields in the traditional clothing way. Through forests and then over a ridge we reach the San Pablo-valley (6-7 hours). The countryside becomes flatter and the riders have the opportunity to cross the slopes and enjoy impressive views of both the snow-capped Cayambe volcano and the rugged peak of Imbabura on the horizon. Guests will see many "exotic" plants, including lupine and quinoa fields, passion fruit, mountain papaya and uvillas. The wonderfully hairy pigs are tethered to the sides of the paths, and we pass flocks of sheep - the shepherdess engrossed in the embroidery for which the area is famous. We arrive at a typical village square and say goodbye to these horses, as we will meet fresh horses tomorrow. A drive takes us to the northern entrance of the 'Avenue of Volcanoes', north of Cotopaxi National Park (2-2.5 hours). We spend the night in a small guesthouse in the foothills of the Pasachoa Mountains. Room with private bathroom. 

Day 4: A complete change of scenery! An exciting day that begins with the opportunity to see the famous Spanish fighting bulls up close as they ride through the pastures. Curiously, the fighting bulls were introduced centuries ago by the Jesuit priests to prevent their cattle from being stolen. Riding into the Cotopaxi National Park, the rider will then find themselves surrounded by important geological features formed by both the Ice Age and volcanic activity (5-6 hours). Fast riding - long swerves, across the flat grassy plains on ideal terrain, and as we speed through the rolling hill , the chance of meeting several herds of the wild horses that roam the park is almost guaranteed - the bold filly often run alongside us, long manes and tails flowing. Sometimes we see deer and increasingly often the Andean condor is spotted overhead. We cross ancient lava flows, then follow an old Inca route and ride to a very comfortable Lodge on a plain surrounded by four mighty, very spacious and beautifully landscaped peaks, centered between four mighty Andean peaks: - Ruminahui, Pasachoa, Sincholagua and Cotopaxi, an unbeatable location. An opportunity to swap stories over a local hot cinnamon drink while watching the sun set on Cotopaxi. Single/twin/double room with private bathroom.

Day 5: You ride through the Paramo to a "tambo" made of Inca stones. Then you follow a river, ride across meadows at the foot of the jagged Quilindana peak, enjoying the view of the crater lakes below. With a bit of luck, you may also see mighty condors, birds of prey, hummingbirds, Andean foxes and deer. Occasionally you will come across a single chagra riding to the herds of cattle together with his dog . They to ride around a hill through the bush and come very close to the Cotopaxi. You can also see another volcano from here, Antisana, which offers a magnificent panorama on the horizon with its glacier. 
Today you will spend the night in a cozy guest house in a unique location: no artificial light disturbs the view of the clear starry sky directly above the equator. You will be accommodated in double rooms with shared bathrooms. 

Day 6: A ride into the 'paramo' vegetation of the Quilindaña mountain (6 hours). A tour, usually in the company of the "chagras" - the local rider who live and work in this area as they go about their daily chores. We may end up looking for cattle that the chagras could not find in the remote areas of the Hacienda , or we may help the chagras bring the cows from the hills to the corral.
Return for a second night's stay at this unique, rarely visited Hacienda , which is literally at the end of a track. Twin bedrooms (partitions dividing each sleeping area with two beds), generator and candle lighting in this house, shared bathrooms. 

Day 7: The rider often wake up to breathtaking views of the nearby Cotopaxi and Quilindana volcanoes and also the glacier of the Antisana volcano on the horizon. The rider have the opportunity to inspect the stone and peat corridors of the Hacienda used for the feisty fighting bulls before we set off through another part of this wilderness. The route is about 40 km (7 hours) long and takes us across a wide, glacier-carved valley close to the foot of the Cotopaxi volcano. The terrain is amazingly varied: over rough "paramo" grassland, through rivers, across scree fields and wetlands; then back to the plains for some long stretches across the vast open spaces of the national park. On the way, we pass a restored Inca fortress at hill . At the park exit, the guests leave the horses and are driven back to Quito for an overnight stay. Single, twin/double/triple rooms with private bathroom.

Day 8: Departure after breakfast.

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: McClellan & english saddles

Experience: average, speed varies greatly, long gallops on the plains depending on the terrain.

Horses: Pasos, Quarter Horses und Throughbreds