URUGUAY
‘I really enjoyed our trip …very entertaining and I hadn't laughed so much for ages. When people here ask what was the best bit of the whole trip I seem to be remembering all our fun beach rides and lunches and the laughter.
And thanks to Sally for finding excellent horses for me - you will have noticed I bonded closely! And also thanks for the organisation that went into the trip. I found everyone I met in Uruguay very friendly and liked the feel of the country, and in particular all the people you are working with are very special. It was a treat to be with people who so willingly shared their knowledge of the history and wildlife. …definitely be planning a return trip - perhaps next year...’ Chris, ‘06.

ECUADOR
‘I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the week riding with you. Your horses and staff were fabulous …I feel very privileged to have seen the wonderful Andean landscape, had a glimpse of local life and stayed in beautiful haciendas. We’re already discussing when and where to book to come and ride with you again!’ Sarah Oct ’06.

ACROSS THE ANDES, CHILE TO ARGENTINA
‘Surely , if at the end of a holiday you feel you could do it all over again without a second though or break, it's because it was just perfect. Riding through the Puela Valley in the South of Chile and into Argentina was just that, perfection.
Everyday brought new adventures and spectacular scenery in this magic and remote area. Our horses, ‘baqueanos’ ( cowboys) and organizers were there to guide us up and down mountains and across rivers, lakes and valleys, I don't think I can exceed the wonders of this ride, but I'm going to try and match with another adventure with Ride Andes.’ GEM, Mar ’06.‘Our week in Ecuador exceeded expectations in every way. The horses were a perfect fit, the terrain was varied, and the sights along the way were striking…’ Robert, July ‘06.

TORRES DEL PAINE, CHILE
‘With regards to the ride, it was everything that I had hoped for. Wonderful organisation, incredibly surefooted horses, which was a relief considering some of the obstacles that we went down and through! Breathtaking scenery, huge landscapes dominated by the mountains and in particular the towers, lakes of all known shades of blue, extraordinary glaciers and beautiful woods and wild flowers; it must be one of the last wildernesses left on earth. We saw not a soul except at the refugio. We all had a thoroughly good time. Look forward to the next ride.’ Pip, Jan ´04

URUGUAY
‘…thank you for the great organisation of the Uruguay trip… I had never enjoyed riding as much as I did during our trip.’ Francisco, ‘06.

ECUADOR, CATTLE ROUNDUP
‘A truly magical experience, wonderfully trained, good looking, strong horses, beautiful Haciendas in stunning locations, plenty of good tasty food, culminating in a once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved in an authentic Ecuadorian experience - the cattle and horse round up. Nothing was too much trouble for Sally, the attention to detail was impeccable, this truly was a fantastic, exhilarating riding holiday.’ Iola ’06.

RIDING LESSONS
in Ecuador, with professional European instructor ‘I would be astonished if there was anything she didn’t know about horses and riding. Anything! Her love of horses and the sport shines through. She was a wonderful teacher, patient and very helpful. She took a person who hardly knew one end of a horse from another and after only one afternoon’s work felt confident enough to go out on an afternoon’s hack.’ CH, Sept ’06.

ECUADOR RIDING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ARRANGED BY RIDE ANDES
‘I had a fantastic vacation thanks in a large part to you well managed, professional but fun-loving outfit.’ LE, Sept ‘06

ECUADOR, CATTLE ROUNDUP
‘Thanks again to ... I had an absolutely amazing time and it really was one of the highlights of my 5 months travelling in South America. The riding around Cotopaxi was amazing enough, but the cattle round-up was just fantastic - the adrenalin rush when hurtling after the cattle and trying to keep the Spanish fighting bulls in check was such a thrill. The horses were all amazing, as were all the guides and all of you 'support' team.’ Adam, Nov ’07.

URUGUAY
‘…Uruguay is an absolute gem. The lure of galloping along deserted sandy beaches caught my imagination and the reality was just as good. As well as glorious beaches, the ride takes in a variety of landscapes and activities, making no two days the same.
Horses are well schooled and adept whatever the terrain. They are expertly matched to each guest and certainly all the horses I rode had character and sparkle, giving a responsive and fun ride. The charming Gauchos that accompanied us were fascinating, steeped in tradition and skilled in their work.
The accommodation and food were superb. It was a special touch to stay at a working estancia as guests of the owners. I have wonderful memories of humorous banter and smooth wine, as we dined with them around the family table. All the local people we met were unfailingly friendly and welcoming.
Clearly this ride has been meticulously planned and was run most efficiently, yet the atmosphere was relaxed and we had lots of fun. It was a great team that looked after us, taking care of every aspect and with nothing being too much trouble.’ Stephanie, ‘05.

ACROSS THE ANDES, CHILE TO ARGENTINA
‘Even by Ride Andes standards this trek was remote. We rode into another world – where the water in the turquoise rivers tasted (almost!) better than the Chilean wine clinking on the pack ponies, where the road had ended three days ride ago and the condors had no competition from planes in the spotless sky.
As always, Sally had found us diverse and unexpected places to stay, from a pioneer’s wooden house overhanging the moonlit river to a deluxe cabin complete with French cuisine on an island in the lake.
The courtesy and charm of the people we met in this pioneering land was only surpassed by the perfect manners of our glossy Criollo horses! We were heartbroken on the last day, as we climbed aboard the boat that would take us into Argentina, to see our wonderful horses and vaqueros cantering homewards across No Man’s Land and into the cloud forest.’ Karen, Mar ‘05

TRIP REPORT – ECUADOR

Hidden Haciendas!
‘I went out to Ecuador for 6 months as a Ride Andes “helper”. Not being entirely sure what this might entail when I left the UK I have been utterly thrilled with how my time here has turned out.
Working with Sally and her fantastic 14 or so horses I have visited beautiful haciendas in gorgeous valleys, devoid of tourists where typical sights are colourfully attired locals, happy clucking chickens, fields of hand-sown potatoes and happy pigs in muck.
Sally’s tours take guests north to the famous market town of Otavalo. Then after enjoying some bartering on the market, which sells just about everything from livestock, local weaving, art, embroidered cotton shirts to corn on the cob and fresh picked beans, we spend the night at a hacienda nearby. There is plenty of choice in accommodation - of all types - for a visitor to Otavalo, however by far and away my personal favourite has to be a hacienda hidden away in a beautiful valley

This hacienda is the property of Andalusian horse enthusiast Oswaldo and his wife Diana. As guests of Oswaldo and Diana, we eat locally produced food, cooked by Diana - incidentally Diana cooks the best ‘tres leches’ dessert I have ever eaten - and look out into the yard of their working dairy farm. Our hosts always join us for drinks, and conversation will range from farming, Spanish stallions, Ecuadorian schooling (Oswaldo and Diana have four beautifully behaved children) to Oswaldo’s prestigious herd of fighting bulls, which many guests like to visit.
After dinner the eucalyptus trees rustle in the evening breeze and the days’ light slowly seeps from the valley to leave a silent midnight blue sky littered with stars.

The hacienda is an old property which has been improved in recent years to provide beautiful bedrooms, a large lounge and separate dining room. Branding irons, traditional tack and fighting bull memorabilia, along with cosy open fires are found throughout the house and in the guests’ bedrooms. My favourite thing, when tired after a long day in the saddle is to sneak back to my room, and with the fire crackling in the corner, snuggle down under the warm wool blankets, my feet searching for the elixir – a hot water bottle!
To the west of the Pan American Highway which bisects Ecuador from north to south is another utterly hidden treasure of a hacienda which can be reached by road – just!

This hacienda is nestled in the western side of the mountain from which it takes its name, and is surrounded by acres of protected natural cloud forest. The owner, another Oswaldo, saw the property for sale as a young man and saved up his 1,000 Sucres to buy the property. However the owner raised the price to 2,000 Sucres, so Oswaldo went back to work to raise more money. Returning a year later the owner again raised the price – this time to 3,000. This could have gone on for some time, but finally a deal was struck and Oswaldo came to own and care for this unique cloud forest which in so many other parts of Ecuador has been all but destroyed by farming.

Oswaldo and Mariana clearly love their home both for its secluded hillside location with views over the folding Andes stretching as far as the coast, but also for the way of life the cloud forest offers them.

The hacienda is unique and a completely undisturbed treasure. Arriving at the hacienda is an utter treat [guests can also ride to the hacienda on a private 2 or more day tour]. Exotic plants trail over the rough road, brightly coloured flowers of intricate shapes, large and small give the green cloud forest splashes of immense colour. Oswaldo proudly took us around is organic garden, from which we picked a lettuce for tea and ate some home grown Chinese gooseberries. Then brushing strands of young bamboo aside Oswaldo, who is after years of observation, a complete expert on the plants, trees, their fruit and the general symbiosis needed to create and maintain his cloud forest – took us on a tour. It is worth noting that this can be enjoyed as much by a horticultural nobody (myself) as by a far more informed person – the beauty in the place and Oswaldo’s enthusiasm for this ancient ecosystem is obvious. Bromeliads, three species of fern trees unique to this area and a mind-boggling array of different orchids grow in the forest. And Oswaldo knows every leaf to turn to show them to you.

The hacienda itself is made from stone and wood, and although has no permanent electricity supply – Oswaldo and Mariana’s personal lifestyle choice – is warm and comfortable. Pre dinner drinks are enjoyed watching the sunset through a huge window in the lounge in front of an open fire, when the light has gone candles are lit. The evening meal is prepared by our hosts and might typically include home made cheeses, local meats and a home-grown organic salad.
The other treasure of a hacienda that I visited is markedly different and really off the beaten track [part of the Around Cotopaxi tour] .. The furthest South of the three, near-ish to Cotopaxi, but miles from anywhere, this hacienda sits in the bottom of a smooth wide valley surrounded by stunning hills and stark mountains. On my first visit, which required a 4WD vehicle, I could hardly believe that we would ever find a hacienda at this mysterious place. Whether you horse-ride in or drive in, the scenery is like the condors which soar overhead - stunning, large and utterly wild.

This working farm is the ultimate in getting away from it all, spotting other people or houses is a game finished in 5 minutes. You can sit 100 yards from the house on a tuft of grass in a patch of sun, and hear nothing but the wind and the faint trickle of the small river which cuts into the banking behind the hacienda. Bring a rod and wire and if you’re lucky perhaps your guide will take you trout fishing.

The hacienda (like several others) is used exclusively by Sally and a mindful eye kept over the property by a local chagra (cowboy) who lives up the far valley side. Inside the hacienda is rustic, with dorm bedrooms and one twin, bathroom and shower, lounge and kitchen area. Although you will spend little time indoors as the outdoors bears down on you from large windows on all sides of the property, compelling you to go outside and drink in the view. Although there is a generator, gaslights and candles my favourite way to spend the evening was to light a bonfire outside the house, enjoy the stars and maybe a little tot of the warming local spirit.’ Shirley, Jan ’07.

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.