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Ride Andes horse riding tours in
South America are highly recommended in all the major guidebooks.
Below are some journalists’ comments.
“The riding is fast paced, with exhilarating gallops
along miles of empty beaches… skilled gauchos…
good food, wine… and a few thousand photos.”
Horse and Hound , Uruguay
July 2007
Read
full article here.
“A dream horse… his
canters felt like I was sitting on a swaying sofa…I
want to thank Sally for another wonderful ride. She is outstanding…”
Today's Horse Trader , Ecuador
July 2007
Read full
article here.
“Horses and guides are top
notch.”
Lonely Planet Guide
“The ride of my life!”
Jennifer Gordon Smith, Horse and
Hound (Europe ’s largest riding magazine)
March 2007
Read article by
Paula Hammerskog
Tara magazine (Swedish)
Ecuador, 2006.
“Sally runs Ride Andes with
staggering enthusiasm and efficiency … “
Gillian O’Connor, Financial
Times
January 2003
“This was one of the most
wonderful trips that I have ever been on.”
Lucy Yeomans, editor, Harpers &
Queen
March 2002
“You have created a unique
and marvellous experience – and you manage it beautifully.”
Sir Max Hastings, former editor
of London ’s Evening Standard & The Daily Telegraph
February 2002
“Unfailing friendliness and
courtesy with which our group was treated by everyone. Thank
you Sally … “
Arnold Garvey, editor, Horse and
Hound.
March 1999
“I felt so honored to be
able to stay at some of the best haciendas in Ecuador .”
Sally Leeson, Harpers & Queen
photographer
March 2002
“The best two days of my
life.”
Rosie Walford, travel writer/photo-journalist
talking about the cattle round-up.
November 1998
Articles about Sally Vergette
“Riding
High with Sally Vergette”
Dorothy E Noe, Today's Horse Trader,
September 2007
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‘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.
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