Location: Ecuador

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights / 7 riding days

Accommodation: Haciendas

Dates: Set dates

Riding Level: Intermediate to advanced

Group Size: 8 riders

Following trails across verdant valleys of patchwork fields, through forests then onto the open plains to gallop with the wild horses beneath the snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano we ride between fabulous highland haciendas. Varied pace, incredibly diverse scenery, ending each unforgettable day at a unique, idyllic location.  

Local criollo/creole horses mixed with various breeds such as Arab, English, Spanish (PRE). The horse is more responsive (than the criollo/creole) but still with the calm criollo character.

Some have almost no criollo blood, some mainly criollo blood. All are ideally suited to the terrain and altitude.  

During this ride, riders usually stay with two horses over the seven days riding (as long as the rider is happy!). Our intention is that riders can actually build a bond with their horse and enjoy not only the landscape and ride but also the company of their horse – but some riders like the idea of trying as many horses as possible – let us know. As always one or more spare horses will accompany us in case a change is needed.  

Riding Level: Intermediate to advanced

Speed: Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop - pace dictated by terrain and altitude.

Distance: Varies by day

Ride Time: Be prepared to spend long hours in the saddle, with some shorter days.

Terrain: Grassy tracks, steep rocky outcrops, marsh, all at a high altitude.

Tack: McClellen saddle with sheepskins on the top. Saddlebags & ponchos on each saddle.

Also we use a Colombian saddle, similar to the McClellen.

The accommodation provided in this itinerary includes historic haciendas and country hotels, private bathrooms throughout. They are clean, very comfortable, full of character and provide a very good service. You will be able to get good night’s sleep in pleasant surroundings. If you are sharing your room, please let us know in advance if you prefer twin or double beds. 

After a full day riding, as well as an excellent lunch (most days a picnic, but quite a menu, never just a sandwich), a great variety of delicious home cooked dinners that reflect the very diverse Ecuadorian cuisine are served. All menus are prepared with excellent Ecuadorian produce -from the highlands, the coast and the Amazon. The dishes are not spicey but a local hot sauce is never far away! We can easily cater for vegetarians or any other dietary requirements as long as we are warned in advance. 

All meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.

Start & end point: Quito/Quito Airport. We can arrange a host of ‘extensions’ for you, for example Galapagos Islands, Amazon Rain Forest, Cloud Forest, Cuenca, Natural Thermal Springs – for relaxing retreats or more active adventures, many of which involve very little onward travelling.  

Heading northwards from Quito, after a quick stop on the equator line, we meet the horses and, once everyone is comfortable, head out along the grassy lanes. Having admired the magnificent view atop a hill carpeted with wild flowers, we descend to a family run Hacienda in a beautiful pastoral valley. This small working farm with a dairy herd and Andalusian (PRE) horses is the perfect location to leisurely drift into the relaxing Andean atmosphere. Once settled in at the Hacienda, guests can view the collection of Inca and pre-Inca ceramics discovered on site. Overnight at a working Hacienda.

Today, we ride past tiny hamlets of adobe huts, the ladies in their brightly coloured full skirts herding sheep and pigs. We ride through woodlands, and wind our way around the patchwork fields of quinoa, potatoes, maize, lupins and tree tomato orchards. Magnificent views of the jagged Mojanda summit as we cross the slopes of the sacred Imbabura Volcano - the focus of many pre-Inca legends. Nearing the Hacienda, we pass avocadoes, papaya, passion fruit and, riding into the Hacienda courtyard, graced with bougainvillea, the hummingbirds zoom past us en route to the agapanthus. A blast of dazzling Andean colour is provided on a visit to the famous Otavalo market. Overnight at a Hacienda founded in the early 17th century.  

After a fascinating demonstration by local master weavers and a chance to purchase top quality Andean handicrafts, we ride out of the Hacienda. Climbing out the valley onto the plains, we pick up the pace and, following agave-lined sandy tracks, ride through a landscape frequently described by guests as the most picturesque they have ever seen. Dramatic views of the hanging valleys and rocky ridges as we descend to lush meadows below passing ladies in traditional dress embroidering intricate blouses as they watch their flocks. We stop to see the pre-Inca earthworks dotted around this valley -one of the first highland areas settled, also often pausing in awe at the sight of a mighty Andean condor soaring overhead. Afternoon drive to a very comfortable country hotel located at the trail head of the next part of our ride. Jacuzzi & sauna, dinner & overnight at this very comfortable lodge. Dinner & Overnight at hilltop country hotel; jacuzzi & sauna. 

First riding along lanes between the meadows, riders get used to their new horses. Alongside the gurgling river, the abundance of lush vegetation is quite surprising: montane bamboo, ferns and native trees dripping with orchids and bromelias. The birds such as woodpeckers and hummingbirds are wonderful to see, the vultures a little unnerving! As we leave the micro-climate of the river valley, extensive views open up before us. Surrounded by four Andean peaks - part of the Avenue of Volcanoes, we ride towards the iconic Cotopaxi Volcano. Riding onto rough grasslands in the Sincholagua foothills there is a good chance of seeing more Andean Condors as well as eagles, hawks, falcons and harriers. At the northern border of the Cotopaxi National Park we arrive at a modern hacienda, often greeted by the llamas. This idyllic location with remarkable views of the marvelous Andean landscape encircling us dominated by the perfectly conical shape of the snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano will be our base for 2 nights. Dinner & Overnight at a Hacienda. 

We ride into Cotopaxi national park on our adorable sure-footed criollo horses for some exhilarating canters across the wide, arid plains at the base of the Cotopaxi Volcano. The horses enjoy the open spaces but have such a calm temperament that they settle into a rhythm without trying to rush. Several herds of wild horses inhabit the park and to ride alongside these long-maned horses galloping freely across the rugged terrain is an unique experience. Part of this ride follows the main Inca highway which linked Quito with Cusco, Peru, then we turn eastwards to follow the Inca route leading down to the Amazon. We pause to visit the remains of an Inca fort before continuing on through the gently undulating grassy hills, passing drumlins and moraine, crossing lahas and old lava flows before returning to the Hacienda via a canyon. Dinner & 2nd Overnight at the Hacienda.  

We head up the slopes of Rumiñahui Volcano (‘stoneface’) with an excellent chance of close encounters with the Andean condor, fox and deer. We pass polylepis trees (‘paperbark trees’), native shrubs such as chuquiragua and valeriana and a host of colourful wild flowers hugging the hillsides. Rising above 4000 metres (13 123 ft) and experiencing one of the highest canters in the world we then ride on into a hidden valley often seeing wild horses grazing close to the towering cliffs. The views are unforgettable and the picnic spot unmatchable. The trails, marked out by the wild horses, take us back down and on to a once important Jesuit Hacienda recently restored and now a delightful place to stay. Dinner and Overnight at an old Jesuit Hacienda seeped in history. 

The final ride takes us on an exhilarating canter across the flat expanses of Cotopaxi National Park close to the volcano where we traverse old lava, volcanic ash and lahas. We then veer westwards and start a long ascent with outstanding views. Riding up through the native grasslands in order to reach the scree slopes and cross over into the Avenue of the Volcanoes we leave the national park and often meet local horsemen (‘chagras’) checking their cattle – quite a sight, with their colourful ponchos, thick goatskin chaps and intricately plaited bridles. Their stirrups are enclosed – like clogs, and often carved into an animal head. Their lassos seem impossibly long to do anything with – but very necessary when working with their very feisty bulls: they lasso the animal then get as far away as possible! We leave the horses and are driven to a historic hacienda close to Quito Airport for dinner and overnight. Overnight at a historic Hacienda in large gardens, close to Quito Airport.  

After breakfast guests depart or continue on other adventures in Ecuador.