| Do
I need to be an experienced rider to join one of your tours?
Rides are divided into those for experienced riders and those
for the less experienced (a large number of which are suitable
for beginners.) Guests participating on the rides for experienced
riders are expected to be able to canter comfortably and control
a horse in open terrain at all paces; intermediate level and
above. The rides for less experienced riders are adapted to
allow for a slower pace and less time in the saddle per day.
No riding experience is necessary.
Enjoyment from the rides can be greatly increased if you
are physically fit and your riding muscles are toned. Guests
are welcome to arrive before the start of a set date departure
tour in order to do an extra ride with the guide.
If NON-RIDERS wish to accompany the tour, alternative activities
can be organised for them and on most days everyone can meet
up for mid-day meals. Please ask for further details.
Can I design my own riding tour
with your help?
Private tours can be tailor-made to suit guests' needs (more
days in the saddle, shorter daily rides, days out of the saddle
added to the itinerary for bird watching, hiking, visiting
local markets or craft villages.) For tailor-made tours, departures
can be any day of the week.
Can you arrange other aspects
of my trip to Ecuador?
Ride Andes can arrange all aspects of your trip to Ecuador
and can compliment your riding holiday with other activities
such as trekking, white-water rafting, mountain biking, kayaking
and bird-watching. In addition, we can organise extensions
to the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS and the AMAZON RAIN FOREST as well
as cultural tours of Quito and visits to the mainland's many
sites of interest. Extensions to other countries in South
America, e.g. Peru, are also possible.
What can you tell me about the
horses you use and the type of ride I can expect?
The horses are mainly warm/hot blood lines (English, Arab,
Pasos) crossed with Criollo (descendants of the Spanish Conquistadors'
stock) - ideal for the terrain. They are specially selected,
well trained and good natured. Great attention is paid to
matching horse and rider and on most rides 14.2-15.2hh horses
are available.
Western tack is used, South American style (US cavalry saddles
with sheepskin seats provided). English saddles are normally
available upon request for shorter rides but not advisable
on longer rides due to the length of time in the saddle and
type of terrain.
Riders normally change to fresh horses every 3 to 5 days,
depending on the ride. The pace is very varied due to the
great variety of landscapes. Each day there are opportunities
for fast pace riding. On the last few days of the tours, much
of the ride can be fast-paced, depending on guests' wishes.
All rides of more than 2 hours include regular breaks and
all-day rides normally include a lunch break of approximately
one hour. On the 8-day tours we ride an average of 5-6 hours
per day.
Set date group departures feature no more than 10 guests
per group. Private groups feature 1-14 guests. By special
request, larger groups can be catered for.
Will I be accompanied by a guide?
Guests are always accompanied by a guide (bilingual: English/Spanish)
who has many years experience of riding. In addition, at least
one groom is present. Both guides and grooms have excellent
local knowledge of the highlands of Ecuador and are expert
riders. There is also additional ground staff. Professional
guides speaking other languages are available on prior request.
What can you tell me about the
terrain & climate I'll experience on the ride?
Most of the riding takes place above 2500 metres (on some
rides we go up to 4100m on a high pass but then descend for
the night) and guests sometimes feel slightly affected by
the high altitude - possible breathlessness, mild headaches
etc. The rides are planned so that guests can acclimatise
accordingly. While the horses will be doing most of the work,
guests should check with their doctor beforehand as high altitude
may be inadvisable for certain medical conditions.
The climate in the Ecuadorian highlands allows us to offer
rides all year round. During the day, the temperatures can
rise to 28C although most days start with a crisp 6-10C and
the night-time 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. In the rainy season (October to May in
most areas) the rain does not fall daily and is hardly every
prolonged. Afternoon showers occur but by then the day's ride
is over. The strong possibility of heavy afternoon rains make
camping inadvisable in the months of May and October so alternative
itineraries are offered. Rain ponchos are available for each
guest.
N.B Due to the altitude and terrain, there is a weight restriction
for riders. We are unable to accept riders of over 85KG and
will apply this rule. On a few rides the weight limit is lower.
Please consult the details regarding each ride.
What kind of food can I expect
on the tour?
Whether staying in a hacienda, hostal or country ranch, food
is hearty, filling and not over-spiced. Dishes are international
with the options of choosing a traditional local dish. Delicious
tropical fruit such as papaya, mango and custard apple are
often available. At dinner, the starter is often a hearty
highland soup made with prime local ingredients including
beans, pulses and vegetables.
Picnic lunches are freshly cooked and never consist of just
a sandwich. Guests are offered a mixture of traditional Western
food alongside local dishes (such as empanadas - tasty savoury
turnovers stuffed with meat or chicken.) Delicious local produce
such as cheese from Ecuador's Zuleta Valley are also included
and South American wines.
Please contact us for further details of sample menus.
What do I need to bring with me?
Do I need any special equipment?
Ride Andes provide the following: riding helmets upon request
(but we do recommend that you bring your own), ponchos, saddlebags,
chaps (available on prior request.)
A vehicle brings on guests' belongings to the Hacienda/campsite
(on some tours, pack animals are used.) Luggage storage in
Quito can be organised during the ride, sometimes there is
a small charge.
All bed linen and towels will be provided on the tours except
when camping. On the 'adventurous' tours, guest must provide
a small towel for camp and their own 4-season, mountaineering
sleeping bags as overnights are spent at high altitude and
temperatures are normally just above freezing (given prior
notice we are able to rent sleeping bags and inner cotton
liners for guests.)
Following a confirmed booking, Ride Andes will supply a full
kit list and can provide further information regarding what
you might want to bring with you on your visit to Ecuador.
What additional costs are involved
in the price of the tour?
There are very few expenses not included in the overall price
of the trip. Guests will need to bring money for:
soft drinks & alcohol (juices and water are provided
while riding.) Apart from at the haciendas, where the prices
tend only to be slightly below European/North American prices,
the cost of drink is generally speaking cheaper than at home.
-several meals in Quito (please see itineraries). As a general
guide to prices, lunch costs around $15 and dinner around
$20.
-sundry expenses such as telephone calls and laundry bills.
-discretionary tips
-souvenirs (Panama hats, wool jumpers, rugs and many other
crafts.)
-N.B. credit cards are only accepted in large stores and finer
restaurants and can attract a surcharge.
How do I book a tour with Ride
Andes?
Please go to the contact page and request availability, a
booking form and send us any questions you may have. If you
prefer, you can make the booking via an agent in your own
country – we can give you a list of specialist travel
agents that we work with. You can fax our UK contact point
on (+44) 01780 740220 or telephone Sally directly on +593
99 738 221. A deposit will be required to secure the booking.
Once I'm booked, is there anything
else I need to do before arriving in Ecuador?
You can contact Ride Andes at any time with any questions
you have regarding your trip. We endeavour to give guests
all possible assistance including providing travel notes and
a clothing checklist.
Before departure, it is essential that guests check with
the Ecuadorian embassy/consulate in their home country concerning
visas and up-to-date entry requirements. (Currently, US &
British citizens visiting Ecuador as tourists for less than
90 days do not require an entry visa.) Ride Andes is not responsible
for ensuring guests fulfil entry requirements. Guests must
check that their passports are valid for 6 months after the
date of departure from Ecuador.
Guests are responsible for having an adequate, valid insurance
policy including cover for all the sporting activities that
they are likely to participate in. Appropriate medical insurance
is obligatory.
It is understood by Ride Andes that guests are in a suitable
condition to partake in a riding tour, are not riding against
any medical advice and that guests know of no reason why they
should not be participating in such a tour. Guests will be
required to sign a waiver of liability at the start of the
tour.
It is essential to consult your doctor or an appropriate
vaccination/health centre for up-to-date information. No vaccines
are currently required to enter Ecuador except if you have
visited a country which has yellow fever, in which case a
vaccination and vaccination certificate are required. Guests
travelling to certain parts of the jungle or the coast will
need, for example, malaria pills. |
