Day 1 : Quito
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, jacuzzi or in the sauna, or simply enjoying the beauty of the hacienda and its garden.

Day 2 : Viudita and adaptation to horses and altitude
Early in the morning you will be transferred from Hacienda La Carriona to the country side. Gabriel Espinosa, the hacienda'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 the hacienda 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 : Farms & Pasochoa Mountain
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 the hacienda. 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.
Riding time : 5 hours

 

Day 4 : Cloudy Rain Forest
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..
Riding time : 5 hours.

 

Day 5 : Corazon volcano
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.
Riding time : 6 hours.

 

Day 6 : Machachi valley to Ruminahui and Cotopaxi National Park
We start our ride from the hacienda, 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.
Riding time : 7 hours

Day 7 : Cotopaxi park to Hacienda Yanahurco
After breakfast we continue the ride on the Cotopaxi valle. 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, explore the surroundings of Yanahurco by foot and admire this vast, widespread region that has preserved various endangered animal habitats, go bird watching or fly fishing in one of its 19 crystalline trout rivers that drain the Yanahurco paramo, or even walk close to deer that pasture on the grounds next to the farm house where dinner will be served.
Ridingtime : 5 hours

 

 

Day 8 : Sebretana waterfall ride and fishing
Breakfast 8:00 am. Departure at 9:00 am from Hacienda Yanahurco.
Depart to the waterfall via Dead Man´s Rock. Approximate time of riding two hours. See deer, curiquinques, cattle and herds of wild horses on the way. Tour the waterfalls and surrounds and try your luck in fishing trout in the river. Prepare your catch on the grill at a rustic campsite that stands next to this solitary and untouched site.
After riding east towards the gateway of the jungle, passing rain forests and land of wild cattle, you reach the spectacular view of cloud forests in the border of the Amazon jungle at the east side of the Andes mountain chain. Overnight accommodations are waiting for you and your team of riders and horses at the rustic campsite. Enjoy your evening next to a warm campfire and a delightful dinner which the chagras (cowboys) will share with you. Sleep tight under a star night sky with the sound of silence in a typical highland grass hut.
Riding time : 4 hours.

 

Day 9 : Cloud forest ride
Breakfast at 8h00 am and depart immediately bordering the Yanahurco River. Climb up to 3,950 m riding through vast plains of the highlands, crossing rivers and creeks where wild life is a normal part of your adventure. Return to Yanahurco hacienda through other terrain including cross primary forests, magnificent cliffs and the Vicous Valley river where Condors nest. Arrive approximately at 3h00 to Haceinda Yanahurco for lunch and dinner.
Riding time : 4 hours.

 

Day 10 : Hacienda Yanahurco - Hacienda Antisana
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. 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 close to Quito.

 

Day 11 : Quito
Transfert to the airport after breakfast.

Our horses are well-trained thoroughbreds of English and criollo stock. Some paso fino and arabian mixes.

 

Argentinian and local saddles, very well padded with sheep skins. Western and English saddles available.

We can't accept riders who weigh more than 95 kg on this itinerary.

The guide is responsible for your safety, therefore he can ask you not to ride if your riding level is not sufficient for this ride.
For your safety, we recommend always to wear a riding helmet while on horseback. They can be provided at the Hacienda.

The pace varies according to the ground, it is very fast in the steppes, and slower in the steep passages. Each day you can canter several times, so it is necessary to feel at ease at the 3 paces and to have a good endurance because of the altitude and the pace of the ride.

The ride is supervised by an experienced local guide who speaks perfect English, at least a local assistant for 3-4 people, and a logistic team.

Accommodation in charming haciendas and 1 night comfortable camping (Possibily to avoid the camping on request).
Single room accomodation possible some days, without guarantee.

Possibility to organize departures on request with a minimum of 2 riders.

- Small group supplement :+ 110 € per person for group of 2 to 4 riders. Cancelled and refund from the 5th rider booked.

- Single room: + 34 € in total (available only for the 2 nights in Quito before and after the ride). If you are traveling alone, this supplement will be automaticly added to the price.

- the riding trail as described on full board and double room basis except in Quito (breakfast only),
- transfers from and to airport in Quito
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval

- flights to Quito
- any other services
- option in Galapagos Islands, Amazonia… (consult us)
- drinks
- meals in Quito
- tips
- personal expenses
- insurrance (cancellation, luggage, repatriation). You can subscribe to these insurrances only if you are an european resident. If you live outside European Union, please check with your local insurrance company.

The climate in the Ecuadorian highlands allows us to ride all year long. During the day, the temperatures can rise to 18C although in the morning the temperatures reach 6-10C and in the night the temperature can drop to 2C.

At night around the crater lakes, the temperature can drop to freezing. This temperature change is most marked from June to November. From December to May the days remain cooler (25C) and the nights not quite as cold.

During the wet season (October to May in most areas) it doesn't rain daily. Late afternoon showers occur but by then the day's ride is usually over.

Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.

Vaccines-Health
The yellow fever vaccine is recommended (see with your doctor).

No treatment against malaria is necessary during the ride, nor in Quito or in the Galapagos Islands. You would need it if you go in Amazonia or in the coasts.
It is necessary to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.

Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.
We remind you that this is high altitude country and you will travel above 2 600m up to 4 200m during the ride.