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Horse Riding in the Andes
Ecuador is a fantastic country for those who wish to appreciate the stunning Andean landscape from horseback. There are tours available starting with a 1 day excursion from Quito up to 8 days riding through the Cotopaxi National Park. All standards of rider are catered for, from beginner to experienced. Here we highlight a short one day ride and an 8 day itinerary. Other rides are available, please ask.
ANTISANA VOLCANO - One day ride in the foothills of Antisana volcano
| Itinerary | |
| DAY 1: | Guests are met in Quito and taken to the farm at Pintag to meet the horses. From the farm ride out along a trail that winds through tiny hamlets and valleys around Pintag (45 mins from Quito). The trail climbs up to high altitude plains where Andean cowboys herd their cattle. Cross forest and pasture, seeing a range of birds and wild flowers with spectacular views of distant snow capped peaks. After a picnic lunch ride to the paramo where the landscape changes to grassland and rocky mountains. Follow a different route back to the farm passing landscapes of old lava flow. |
| CODE: ECU19 | from £48 |
COLONIAL HACIENDAS - eight day ride:
A journey back in time in a region made for riding: along ancient Inca highways and Spanish colonial routes, between the best preserved 'haciendas' (grand colonial farming estates) of South America, in two stunningly beautiful, yet very distinct areas of the Andean highlands. Breathtaking views as we cross vast plains and valleys in a fascinating region dramatically sculptured by both glacial and volcanic activity. We follow the 'Avenue of Volcanoes', skirting the towering, snow-capped peaks of Cayambe and Cotopaxi. Nights are spent in haciendas - most dating back to the 17th and 18th century where guests can relax in front of open fireplaces and enjoy the fine period detail, atmospheric courtyards and flowering gardens.
| Itinerary | |
| DAY 1: | QUITO: Arrival in Quito. Introductory ride of 2-3 hours along the Imbabura Volcano (extinct). Guests first try their horses in an enclosed area before we ride out and the guides and grooms are always at had to help. Also a visit to the famous Otavalo market. After a welcome drink in the cozy bar accompanied by the music of an excellent Andean band and a delicious, traditional dinner (a la carte) overnight at the hacienda. |
| DAY 2: | SACRED IMBABURA & SAN PABLO LAKE: We ride on to another colonial hacienda built in 1602 (5 hours ride). Magnificent views of the San Pablo lake and the jagged Mojanda summit as we ride across the slopes of the sacred Imbabura Volcano (extinct). A fascinating insight into Andean country life. We visit a family of local weavers who still produce exceptionally fine rugs using the ancient pre-Inca backstrap loom that most weavers have abandoned in favour of more modern looms. The wool is still dyed using plants. PM: wander through the beautiful flowering gardens admiring the avocado trees, bromelias and orchids. Overnight at this early 17th Century (1602) hacienda. |
| DAY 3: | PASTORAL ZULETA VALLEY: A stunning ride into the beautiful pastoral Zuleta Valley (5-6 hours). Along country lanes then through eucalyptus forests, we rise out of San Pablo Valley enjoying wonderful views across the lake and also of Imbabura volcano, riding onto the plains beyond for some fast-pace riding. We descend into the Zuleta valley with dramatic views across to the hanging valleys. With views of the ancient earth pyramids built by the pre-Inca population we ride on to a working farm. PM: Visit to see examples of the hand embroidery that has made the valley famous. Overnight at this small hacienda. |
| DAY 4: | THE SNOWS OF CAYAMBE & THE EQUATOR LINE: A route through two distinct vegetation zones (6-7 hours). We ride along tree-lined trails passing the traditional adobe and thatch cottages. We canter along grassy tracks then take to the steep paths following the gorges and climbing high into the open, wild grasslands. Reaching almost 4000 metres, we cross the gently undulating highlands and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding valleys below. We then descend steeply into the Cayambe Valley dominated by the snow-capped Cayambe Volcano, which straddles the Equator Line arriving at a beautiful old Jesuit hacienda with its own chapel. We leave the horses and travel to a hacienda south of Quito for the second stage of our ride. Guests can relax in the hacienda gardens and enjoy the covered swimming pool. |
| DAY 5: | THE AVENUE OF VOLCANOES & ILINIZA TWIN PEAKS: The day starts with a short drive south through the 'Avenue of Volcanoes'. The views are magnificent, with the twin Iliniza peaks sprinkled with snow and a host of other summits lining the central valley. Riders meet fresh horses and we ride south out of the Machachi valley and into the foothills of the Iliniza peaks - very different scenery to the previous days' rides. Our destination is a very ornate hacienda steeped in history (6 hours). The wide sandy tracks are ideal for some more fast-pace riding. In places we ride over layers of pumice stone and during the ride the horses expertly negotiate two steep gorges. We stay at a magnificent hacienda, the scene of several independence battles and used as a base by explorers and scientists such as Condamine and Humboldt. |
| DAY 6: | SAQUISILI MARKET & AN INCA TAMBO: A morning visit by vehicle to the nearby rural Saquisili Indian market. Guests can amble through the squares and streets buying local crafts or a traditional poncho or simply watching the locals trading. Once back at the hacienda we mount up and head for the hills. There is again, if desired, a chance of some faster pace riding as we ride towards Cotopaxi Volcano. We join the main Inca highway and ride to visit a hacienda built around a very important Inca structure. We leave the horses at a tiny hamlet and head back for a second night at the previous hacienda, with its ornate facade and fountains. |
| DAY 7: | COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK: WILD HORSES & INCA HIGHWAYS: A spectacular ride (6-7 hours). We rejoin the horses and ride up into the National Park to canter across the wide, barren plain at the base of the Cotopaxi Volcano (the highest active volcano in the world). Several herds of wild horses inhabit the park and to ride along side these long-maned horses galloping freely across the rugged terrain is an exhilarating experience. Part of this ride follows the main Inca highway which linked Quito with Cusco, Peru. We ride across a very surprising 'luna landscape' - huge boulders and hard baked ocre-coloured mud, arriving at a charming working hacienda, to sample the local specialty of 'empanadas'. We leave the horses and descend into the Machachi Valley by vehicle and drive back to Quito - over night in hotel. |
| DAY 8: | DEPARTURE: After breakfast, optional transfer to Quito airport. |
| CODE: ECU24 | *Guideline cost: from £1797 |
* Minimum two people. The cost is reduced to £1197 per person for groups of 4 or
more - please call us for details.
Transfers, excursions meals and accommodation are included. Transatlantic flights are not included.
| Notes: | Prices are per person based on double occupancy, in the low season unless otherwise stated. |
| The price shown is a guideline only and may change due to variations in the dollar / pound exchange rate or season. Please contact us for an exact quote based on your requirements. |
Last Updated: Tuesday May 13 2008