Packages and Options

Because of the nature of this ride, guests would benefit from arriving in Quito before the first day of the tour to

2008 Itinerary:

Day 1 
HACIENDA LA CARRIONA
Transfer from airport to the Sangolqui valley in the southern outskirts of Quito. Your stop is in the first highland hacienda of the circuit: Hacienda La Carriona. A forty minute drive, from the busy city to a vast green valley surrounded by mountain peaks from the Andean ranges, will take you to this luxury hotel and home of its host Fernando Becdach. Your suite, decorated comfortably to savour a family environment of the historical haciendas in the highlands also offers a modern bathroom with all necessary utilities. Immaculate garden lined with Jacaranda trees invite the guest to wonder around and discover peace and harmony away from the hustle and bustle of Quito. Its location, on the outskirts of Quito, is ideal for quick access to Quito’s historical centre, birth place of the first and most important colonial art school in South America. You are perfectly well situated at La Carriona to begin your ride in the central highlands through which you will be riding for the remainder of the circuit. Upon your arrival, you will be offered a guided tour in the colonial heart of Quito, or you may choose to spend the rest of the day relaxing by the heated pool, in the sauna, or simply enjoying the beauty of the hacienda and its history.
Day 2:
HACIENDA LA ALEGRIA AND VIUDITA MOUNTAIN
Difficulty level 2 Riding time 4hrs
Early in the morning you will be transferred from Hacienda La Carriona (or your hotel) to Hacienda La Alegria. Gabriel Espinosa, Algeria’s “ patron” will acquaint visitors with his hacienda and then take them to the arena to try out the horses and make sure each rider feels comfortable on his saddle and horse. A 4 hour ride to the Viudita mountain is scheduled in the morning or in the afternoon, depending on the weather. Lunch time will vary.
From its top you will be able to enjoy a spectacular sunset view of the volcano avenue, your riding area for the following days. Native moorland vegetation enriched with the humidity that rises from the coast provides the most unbelievable landscape and view of Quito and its surrounding valleys of Machachi, Pifo, and Puembo. This mountain is a perfect fit for a first day ride on Ecuador’s highlands. In the evening, riders will return to Hacienda La Alegria for dinner served in a cozy environment with a warm fireplace. You may later enjoy our bar and listen to the old farm tales.
Day 3:
PASOCHOA MOUNTAIN AND FARMS
Difficulty level 2 Riding time 5+hrs
Early wake up, take a comforting hot shower followed by a nutritious breakfast in order to get ready for our 5+ hour journey to the Pasochoa mountain which is the mountain you will be able to see from the front garden of Hacienda La Alegria. Riding up to the borders of this volcano allows riders to appreciate all native forest species in the valley of Machachi such as wax palm, podocarpus, Aliso, as well as the Pasochoa Natural Park and peaks up to 4200 mts. Snack at Pasochoa, option to have one hour trekking at the natural reserve and back to Hacienda La Alegria for dinner and over night. Opportunity for canter.
Day 4:
CLOUD FOREST
Difficulty level 3 Riding time 5+hrs
After breakfast you will take a ride at the arena to get sure you feel comfortable with the horse you will be riding. Then we will start our ride to “Monte Oscuro” west side of the hacienda, where you will witness a completely different environment in the Reserve, also be able to observe an exciting change of vegetation in just a short time. After 2 ½ hours of riding up to 3.500 mts on a native tundra vegetation landscape, we will start to descend towards the coast and experience an incredible sub-tropical vegetation from the western mountain chain. We will have a typical Ecuadorian meal at a farm located in the cloud forest; appreciate the exotic ecosystem. We will see a great variety of orchids while we are riding through the primary forest, also giant guneras, natural ferns (the oldest specie of the world), moss and bromeliads covering trees and high altitude bamboo which offers an amazing scenery. Listen to fascinating tales of farmer’s remote life (more than 25 years in the forest); learn about medicinal plants and trees. In the afternoon we will ride to the “Monte Oscuro” where we will spend the night in a tent at 3200 meters high, and have a warm comforting and relaxing dinner. On clear evenings we can see the mountain chain that ends at the coast and some reflection of the coast villages lights..
Day 5:
Corazon volcano
Difficulty level 3 Riding time 6+hrs
Breakfast early in the morning, our ride will be climbing towards the east through a high altitude forest up to the rocks of the Corazon mountain, this majestic mountain overlooks the Aloag valley and its beautiful environment. You will have a wonderful ride exploring the landscape of the haciendas, and the tundra paths up to the base of the mountain (4.300 mts). We will pass by a steep sandy path and continue down hill to the Aloag Valley, on the way we will have snack and continue to Hacienda La Alegria, where we will have a late lunch.
Ride back to Hacienda La Alegria feeling overwhelmed by all the beauty and your personal feat. This is your opportunity to canter back to the relaxing warmth of the hacienda.
Day 6:
MACHACHI VALLEY TO RUMINAHUI AND COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
Difficulty Level 3 riding time 7hrs
We start our ride from Hacienda La Alegria, towards the south of Machachi. Enter the slopes of Ruminahui upwards to Panzaleo through the sandy hills next to the rock, where the magnificent Cotopaxi presents the most imposing scenery. You will also be surrounded by the Corazon,Ilinizas, Sincholagua mountains, and the different valleys providing a perfect spot to take a break for lunch at 4200 mts.
In the afternoon we continue surrounding the Ruminahui rocks and slopes up to Limpiopungo lake, part of the Cotopaxi valley, late afternoon we arrive to a cozy lodge (Tambopaxi) for dinner, hot shower, spend a warm and resting night (3700mts high). Next day early in the morning you would be able to appreciate the incredible view of the Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcano in the world just in front of us.
Day 7:
COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK TO HACIENDA YANAHURCO
Difficulty level 3 Riding time 5+hr
After breakfast we continue the ride on the Cotopaxi valley. This day will be a good opportunity to canter in part of the ride: crossing terrain that resembles the lunar surface, pass the “Pucara” Incas ruins, Santo Domingo Lake; descend to the Vicious Valley, a canyon formed by the Cotopaxi lava flow route; and spot along the ride herds of wild horses, fox, deer and birds of the area. A hardy welcome will be given to the riders by the personnel at Yanahurco Hacienda, the largest hacienda in the Ecuadorian highland with its 72,000 acres. Its spectacular chagra traditions and farm life will enchant you from the moment you reach its premises. After Lunch, we ride towards Sebretana area where the wild horses pasture freely. Then the roundup starts and together with the chagras, we gather the wild horses towards the farm corrals. The wild horses will overnight in the corrals where the next morning the trimming and branding work will begin. Dinner will be served at Hacienda Yanahurco farm house where we will stay overnight.
Day 8:
HORSE RODEO
Difficulty level 3 Riding time 4+hr
The work in the farm corrals starts in the morning after a pleasant breakfast at Hacienda Yanahurco. At the corrals you will witness the spectacular work and skills of the chagras: the lassoing of the horses and trimming of the hoofs. If you have some experience lassoing or trimming hoofs you can venture and help the chagras with their job. If you have never done this before, today will be a good opportunity to learn and practice the basics of the lassoing. After lunch at farmhouse you will have the opportunity to ride around the area or stay at the corrals watching and helping the chagras. In the evening you will savor a delicious barbeque.
Day 9:
HORSE RODEO
Difficulty level 3 Riding time: 4+ hrs
Breakfast at Yanahurco farmhouse. The horses are still in the corrals and adjacent paddocks. Today is your opportunity to get in contact with the horses on a different manner than you did yesterday. We will try to get close to them without lassoing or using force and establish a trusty relation with them. We have experienced that after approaching wild horses in this manner, they have followed us, as if they were broke and not wild horses.
Horses will be released to the wild to Sebretana area. We will have a lunch box lunch at the Sebretana waterfall and go back to Hacienda Yanahurco for dinner. On the ride towards the Sebretana waterfall there is the possibility that you may observe a speckle bear since the Sebretana is next to the beginning of the Amazon jungle.
Dinner and Overnight at Hacienda Yanahurco.
Day 10:
Hacienda Antisana- Hacienda La Carriona
Difficulty level 3 Riding time: 5+hrs
Departure from Yanahurco at 9:00 am after breakfast to Loma Gorda (Fat Hill) in the Antisana Hacienda. This is a 4 hour horseback ride through the spectacular Andean highlands. José Delgado, the owner of the Hacienda Antisana will give you a warm welcome at his centennial house with a highland herbal tea called “sunfo”. Later you will be served in the dinning room a genuine Ecuadorian lunch. Enjoy some leisure time to chat and relax. Before lunch we farewell our horses that have accompanied us for 9 days of wilderness and full of stamina ride. After lunch, guests will go on a short tour to see part of his 8000 head of sheep, birds endemic to the area such a “Bandurria” the Black Faced Ibis and the Ecuadorian Hill Star hummingbird, the Condors and the “chupil” a typical duck found in the Mica Lake. Night at Hacienda La Carriona.
Day 11
Transfer to airport from La Carriona

2009 Itinerary: 

Day 1: Transfer from hotel or airport for dinner and overnight to Hacienda La Alegria.
Optional accommodation: La Carriona

Day 2: Ride in the arena to try horses and get acquainted with the horse and tack that we will be using the next days. Lunch in the Hacienda house and later we ride around the neighboring Haciendas and the Viudita Mountain. Our acclimatization and first contact with the heights starts this first day.
Accommodations: La Alegria
Hours of Riding: 4 hours

Day 3: In the morning we enjoy a demonstration of the Chagras’ skills (the Ecuador Andes’ cowboys). After having lunch at Hacienda La Alegria we ride on what used to be the road to the coast. We ascend by the sides of Corazon to 3,500 meters and descend to the cloud forest. At the cloud forest we can observe a great biodiversity of plants and flowers, including giant gunneras, orchids, and birds such as the pava de monte (guan). In the late afternoon we arrive to Hacienda Bomboli 3,000 m (13,000 ft), and relax by the fireplace enjoying the sunset and watching the lights of the villages near the coast.
Option camping in Monte Oscuro, (Depends on the weather, min 4 pax)
Accommodations: Bomboli
Hours of riding: 4 hours

Day 4: We leave behind the cloud forest and ascend to the Corazon Volcano up to 4,000 meters. From there we can appreciate the green and fertile Machachi Valley and we can also see the routes we will take the next day. Crossing extensive pastures and eucalyptus forests we initiate the descent toward the valley. Snack and continue to the valley. Late afternoon we arrive for a delicious lunch at the Hacienda house.
Accommodations: La Alegria
Hours of riding: 6 hours

Day 5: We ride toward the west mountain range and through the valley toward Machachi. We stop at the Machachi market (on Sundays only), continue toward the Ruminahui skirts and stop at a beautiful Hacienda for lunch. We continue riding until we arrive to the Pedregal valley and stay overnight in a Hacienda at 3,500 meters.
Accommodations: Hacienda in the Pedregal Valley (near Cotopaxi)
Hours of riding: 4 hours

Day six, seven and eight: Horse Round up:
On day six we arrive early afternoon at the Hacienda hosting the roundup. You will be given the chance to ride with real Chagras, and assist them in the round up to bring the horses to the corrals. The next two days we will be working in the corrals and short rides around the area. The work in the farm corrals starts in the morning after a pleasant breakfast. At the corrals you will witness the spectacular work and skills of the Chagras: the lassoing of the horses, de-worming and trimming of the hoofs that grow abnormal due especially to the weather conditions. If you have some experience lassoing or trimming hoofs you can venture and help the Chagras with their job. If you have never done this before, today will be a good opportunity to learn and practice the basics of the lassoing.

After lunch you will have the opportunity to ride around the area or stay at the corrals watching and helping the Chagras. In the evenings you will savor a delicious barbeque. The horses are in the corrals and adjacent paddocks during these two days. You will have the opportunity to get in contact with the horses on a different manner. We will try to get close to them without lassoing or using force and establish a trusty relation with them. We have experienced that after approaching wild horses in this manner, they have followed us, as if they were broke and not wild horses.

Accommodations and hours of ride will vary depending on the Hacienda organizing the roundup.
*Note: Some of these facilities may not have hot water.

Day 9: We start riding toward the west, pass the Muchana rock (kissing rock), and mudadero where we can see hundreds of alpacas grazing. We pass the innumerable Cajas, Sto. Domingo lakes and get closer to the Cotopaxi Volcano. We pass the lava rocks that had descended to the valley and is now static; then we arrive to the only structure that is our very comfortable and warm mountain refuge.
Accommodations: Tambopaxi Refuge
Hours of riding 5+ hours

Day 10: Ride in the Lipiopungo plains (Cotopaxi base), feels like if you were riding on the moon’s surface. Here we do the highest gallop in the world. Pass to the highest point of our ride (4,200 meters) on the edges of the rocks of the Ruminahui Volcano. We continue our ride toward the green Machachi valley as always guarded by the volcanoes avenue. We cross the Machachi plaza where the horsemen are always welcomed; we pass the town of Aloag and arrive to Hacienda La Alegria for a pleasant dinner and rest time.
Accommodations: Hacienda La Alegria
Hours of riding 7+ hours

Day 11: Transfer to airport

Subject to change

In Quito the temperature ranges from 7 degrees C (55 F) at night to 26 C (78 F) at noon, and averages 15 C (64 F). There are two seasons, wet and dry. The wet season is called winter and the dry is considered summer. Quito's summer lasts about 4 months, from the end of June to September. 

The temperatures in the Ecuadorian highlands are in the 70s and 80 all year.

Please note that the evenings can be very cold.

A warm sleeping bag is essential. Long underwear or pantyhose (to prevent chaffing), vests / T-shirts, sweatshirts / long-sleeve shirts, fleece jacket, wind stopper / rain jacket, riding boots or lightweight hiking boots, gloves, scarf, high factor sunscreen, sunglasses. We provide riding helmets, half-length chaps, waterproof full-length chaps and ponchos for wet weather

 

HACIENDA LA ALEGRIA
Hacienda La Alegria is a family-run organic farm and the hospitality of the Espinosa household is remarked upon by visors who return year after year. You will be welcomed with a roaring log fire in the sitting room, and in your bedroom when the nights are cold.

La Alegria can accommodate up to 24 people both in the farmhouse and a recently completed extension. The extension has been tastefully restored with solid cypress floors and beams and modern en-suite bathrooms with plenty of hot water and powerful showers. We have split-level family rooms which sleep five in comfort.

Paty and her staff provide full board if required. All meals are tailored for hungry travellers, riders and hikers, and combine delicious Ecuadorian and international cuisine. Our visitors book contains many compliments to the chef at La Alegria! Vegetarian / other special dietary options on request.

HACIENDA LA CARRIONA 
Hacienda "La Carriona" is located in the beautiful Valley of Los Chillos, a brief drive south down the highway from Quito. Constructed as an hacienda more than two-hundred years ago, "La Carriona" stands as a monument to Ecuador's colonial history. Its stone courtyard and garden hint of the exuberant Spanish Colonial lifestyle, while its name reminds us that it once belonged to the renowned Carrión family.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

At Hacienda La Alegria our horses are very important to us. Most have been bred here on the farm from mixed Criollo (native South American), English Thoroughbred and Arabian stock, resulting in a near perfect combination of toughness, agility, calm temperament and "mountain sense". Beginners and experienced riders alike have found them easy to ride, willing and good mannered. If you have previous riding experience you will be given plenty of opportunity to canter.

We have a range of tack including North American style, English style, Mclellan calvary, Chillean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leather-work and saddle horn.

Tack:		North American style, English style, Mclellan calvary, Chillean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leather-work and saddle horn.
Horses:		mixed Criollo (native South American), English Thoroughbred and Arabian stock
Pace:		4-7 hours of riding daily Moderate with trots and canters. We ride on rough terrain and up and down steep slopes. | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 12	Max 70
Weight:		Max 190
Riders:		Min 3	Max 8

At Hacienda La Alegria our horses are very important to us. Most have been bred here on the farm from mixed Criollo (native South American), English Thoroughbred and Arabian stock, resulting in a near perfect combination of toughness, agility, calm temperament and "mountain sense". Beginners and experienced riders alike have found them easy to ride, willing and good mannered. If you have previous riding experience you will be given plenty of opportunity to canter.

We have a range of tack including North American style, English style, Mclellan calvary, Chillean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leather-work and saddle horn.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
Passports must be carried at all times.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: (a) A measles vaccination certificate is required by all nationals travelling from Germany and Italy and must be shown on arrival. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
Extensions of a further 90 days are available through the local immigration authorities.