| A ride for fit riders capable
of riding in a multitude of challenging terrains and spending
long days in the saddle. We strongly advise a few days acclimatisation
prior to the ride and, to this effect, can arrange a few
days riding and a visit to the famous Otavalo market, ‘derust’
riding instruction & many other activities in a very
different area of the Andean highlands.
A circuit of the perfectly conical, snow-capped
Cotopaxi volcano, midst the breathtaking, wild highlands
including Cotopaxi
National Park and seldom-visited open plains high in
the Andes. A chance of seeing a lot of the Andean wildlife
(the mighty Andean condor, eagles & owls, high altitude
hummingbirds, foxes and deer) as we cross a variety of terrain
including rugged passes, barren, luna-like landscapes and
rolling, grassy hills. The pace is varied, including plenty
of chances for long canters across the wilderness mixed
with a steadier pace over more challenging surfaces. Where
there is a break in the sea of high Andean grasslands, the
ground is carpeted with wild flowers and we pass through
primary woodland with native trees and shrubs. We cross
old lava flows dotted with rocks catapulted out from the
erupting volcano, where only lichens grow and traverse rivers
fed by snowmelt. As well as being surrounded by Andean peaks,
the glacial retreat -followed by the volcanic activity,
have helped sculpt the area producing intriguing landscapes.
On some days we ride along old Inca routes,
on others we pass by adobe cottages and patchwork fields
farmed by the charming and very friendly local people. The
children are often out and about herding errant pigs and
donkeys.
Nights are spent in a wonderful mixture of
historic haciendas, inns & isolated farmhouses, built
of a variety of materials: from adobe with thatched roofs
to original Inca stone and even a very comfortable lodge
built of straw bales covered with adobe.
The ride is planned as a complete circuit
around the volcano but, due to the varying weather conditions,
flexibility is needed and the actual route and accommodation
may not be finalised until just before the ride.
ITINERARY
Day 1:
We drive out of Quito and meet the horses (1h). This first
day offers a very varied route including some tricky sections
– where we dismount and let the horses negotiate the
rocky riverbeds on their own, and also some riding along
country lanes, through forests and across grasslands (5-6hrs).
We arrive at a working hacienda (ranch) and have to carefully
negotiate the pastures - this farm is famous for its feisty
Spanish fighting bulls! The scenery is spectacular and very
varied with green valleys and rolling hills and we are surrounded
by jagged rocky summits and snow capped peaks. We leave
the horses to descend down the valley to a beautiful old
Jesuit hacienda in time for tea, then to admire the sunset
in magnificent surroundings. A delicious 4 course dinner
and overnight at this historic hacienda with verandas and
large landscaped gardens. PL, D. Twin/double & triple
rooms. Shared bathrooms (limited number of single rooms
& rooms with private bathroom).
Day 2:
We rejoin the horses. Having followed some tracks and cobbled
roads up the valley to a very large hacienda we take to
huge grassy fields and enjoy some exhilarating canters across
the pastures and ride towards Cotopaxi
National Park through the foothills of Sincholagua volcano,
approaching the perfectly conical shape of the snow-capped
Cotopaxi Volcano (the highest active volcano in the world)
(7hrs).
Sincholagua clearly marks the continental divide –
the precipitation that falls the western side runs down
and ends up on the Ecuadorian coast, in the Pacific Ocean,
while that of the eastern sides eventually joins the Amazon
and goes on to the Atlantic Ocean, via Brazil.
Having avoided more fighting bulls, we turn westwards, cross
a river and arrive at a working farm at the base of Ruminahui
Volcano for a comfortable overnight in this very traditional
adobe and thatch farmhouse. AB, PL, D. Twin rooms with shared
bathrooms (single rooms available & rooms with private
bathroom).
Day 3:
Today we climb up through the high ‘paramo’
(the natural Andean vegetation below the snow line), through
a sea of long grass then areas of low bushes and lichen
covered ground. Hillstars (Andean hummingbirds) flit around
between the native Andean bushes and caracaras and birds
of prey also inhabit these hillsides. Condors have been
sighted soaring overhead. We often meet some of the wild
horses that roam the national park, long manes and tails
flowing as they gallop alongside us, curious to ‘check
us out’. Crossing streams at the head of a valley
and following tracks around the craggy Ruminahui peak we
reach a high pass (4200m). Traversing scree slopes, with
magnificent views of the surrounding Andean peaks and valleys
below we drop down into the Machachi Valley. Riding on we
leave the open grasslands and ride through cultivated lands
– the very fertile black volcanic soils ideal for
wonderful crops of potatoes. We ride on to a charming converted
farmhouse for dinner (usually a barbeque) and overnight.
Twin rooms with private & shared bathrooms
(single rooms available). AB, PL, D.
Day 4:
Today we ride south through the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’.
The views are magnificent, with the rocky Ruminahui peak,
Corazon Volcano, the twin Iliniza peaks sprinkled with snow
and a host of other summits lining the central valley (6hrs).
Our destination, on the Lasso plains, is a ‘puesto’
– a stop over point, where Humboldt, an early explorer
spent some time. The wide sandy tracks and grassy paths
are ideal for some more fast-pace riding as we ride the
length of a valley scraped out by glaciers at the end of
the Ice Age. In places we ride over layers of pumice stone
– deposited by the volcanoes, and during the ride
the horses expertly negotiate two steep gorges. We often
pass the local ladies wearing brightly coloured, pleated
skirts and their traditional hats. The original houses in
this area are built of dried grass laid over a wooden frame
and, from the back, look like haystacks rather than dwellings,
nevertheless happy children come piling out to chase their
llamas, pigs and sheep off to grazing. We leave the horses
in good pastures and take a short drive to a ‘hosteria’.
Another charming location with a cosy bar-dining area. The
original building was a farmhouse and the owners have put
fireplaces in each room and riders enjoy a very comfortable
night. Double/twin rooms with fireplaces and private bathrooms.
AB, PL, D.
Day 5:
We once again leave the thatched huts and patchwork fields
behind and ride across the huge expanses of wild grasslands.
Enjoying views of several of the snow capped peaks of the
‘Avenue of Volcanoes’: with Chimborazo (Ecuador’s
highest peak) and Tungurahua in the distance (actually erupting
at the moment) we cross the beautiful paramo grasslands,
without a house in sight. After another delicious picnic
in the breathtaking scenery, we cross over a ridge and come
even closer to Cotopaxi Volcano. Very few people manage
to visit this stunning area and the wonderful tranquility
and huge expanses of open space, almost uninhabited, is
appreciated by all. Amazing scenery, riding along a river
bed and across the grasslands close to the jagged Quilindana
summit riders appreciate the vastness off this Andean habitat.
A good chance of seeing the mighty Andean condor, deer and
Andean fox. We occasionally meet a lone ‘chagra’
(Andean cowhand) with his trusty dog riding out to check
the cattle. As we round a hill and cross some native scrubland
we often sight Antisana Volcano complete with the massive
glacier. The house we stay at tonight is a ‘tambo’
built out of Inca stone –roaring fires and lovely
staff ensure a warm welcome and once again guests can enjoy
the incredible location. There is no light pollution and
the Equator-line sky is packed with stars, including the
Southern Cross. Twin bedded rooms (partitions dividing the
sleeping areas) in this charming house built of Inca stone,
shared bathrooms. AB, PL, D.
Day 6:
Today we turn west and ride back into Cotopaxi
National Park, through the northern foothills of the
Volcano. Leaving the ‘tambo’ (Inca overnight
stopover point) we have a long ride ahead (7-8 hrs) firstly
following a wide river floodplain we then cross the river
and carefully traverse the marshlands between a series of
small lakes. Andean duck, teal and also Ibis are often seen
here, among the wild iris and other Andean flora. The valley
then opens out and we follow a lava flow with strange conical
hills ‘popping out’ at intervals – these
mounds are formed by volcanic hotspots (now cooled down!)
and create quite a bizarre topography. There is a large
herd of alpaca, bred for their wonderful soft wool –
their long necks and strange way of moving is quite a sight.
We ride onto some wonderful grassy plains allowing for some
long canters – often joined by the wild horses that
roam the area, until we arrive at our accommodation for
the night: a ‘hosteria’ with the tall grasses
growing in the ‘paramo’ used as thatch.
The walls are made of bales of hay covered
with plaster, a very different structure that very successfully
keeps the cold Andean temperatures outside. The hosteria
is a new building and very thoughtfully decorated. Again,
the location is unbelievable, surrounded by Andean peaks
and enjoying a stunning view of the mighty Cotopaxi Volcano.
Twin/double rooms with shared bathrooms (option to pay supplement
for room with private bathroom). AB, PL, D.
Day 7:
We ride out for a final day in the wild Andes (6 hrs). After
some fast paced riding, we climb up along grassy trails
then along rocky paths over outcrops close to the summit
of Sincholagua. As we cross the expanses of grassland and
admire the seemingly endless views -not a fence or even
a hut for miles around, we have an excellent view of the
peculiar geological features such as drumlins, hillocks,
mud and lava flows produced by ice age (glacial) activity
and then various eruptions of the volcanoes. We pass through
some native Andean woodlands and also enjoy the sight of
tiny Andean wildflowers – Indians’ paintbrush,
gentians, deer’s head, lupins, all seemingly too fragile
to survive in the highlands. This is another good spot to
see the Andean condor and also deer.
The ‘chagras’ (local horsemen,
dressed in brightly coloured ponchos) that guide us across
this haunting landscape spend their lives here and carefully
lead us between the muddy wetlands and across the steep
slopes. The skyline is dominated by the magnificent Andean
peaks and -as well as the condor- eagles, falcons, hawks
and caracara are often seen soaring or hovering overhead
while hunting for food. Descending Sincholagua, we meet
a track that takes us back down to civilization. Saying
farewell to our local guides (chagras) and trusty steeds
guests are driven back to Quito for overnight. Twin/double
rooms with private bathroom. AB, PL.
Day 8:
Following breakfast, guests are accompanied to the airport
in time for their outward flights, or are picked up at their
hotel to continue on extensions. CB. End of services.
2009 Dates
(please request date update, new dates often added):
11-18 January, 14-21 February, 26 February-4 March, 11-18
July, 25 July-1 August, 8-15 August, 29 August-5 September,
28 November-December, 5-12 December.
See notes below on accommodation etc.
Fully inclusive package including:
horse (spare horses taken), guide and grooms, 3 meals per
day (see below), snacks and water on rides, 7 nights accommodation,
national park/private reserves etc. entrance fees, transport
to and from Quito, transport of bags between lodgings and
all local taxes. Saddlebags and poncho for each guest.
Transfer to and from Quito international airport also included.
Not included: gratuities
and personal expenditure such as bar bills. Dinner day 7.
Sample of extensions:
Galapagos Island cruises (8 days), Amazon jungle trips (minimum
3 days), famous Otavalo market (1 day), cloud forest visits
(minimum 2 days) white water rafting (1 day), relaxing at
the historic haciendas, city tours (half day) and much more.
Please request our extensions document.
Please request general notes for details about horses, pace,
climate and many other aspects (following a confirmed booking,
detailed travel notes will be sent out).
IMPORTANT NOTES
Cotopaxi Volcano is currently
dormant, closely monitored and showing no signs of activity.
Tour length: 8 days, 7
full days riding.
Tour ‘very dependent’
on weather conditions – if adverse weather
conditions in the isolated part, south-east of Cotopaxi
we have to change the route. We do have some excellent alternatives
to the itinerary published.
Meeting point: Quito,
where the international airport is. We can take care of
all your travel arrangements during your stay – booking
extra tours.
Following a confirmed booking detailed travel advice including
equipment and clothing lists will be available.
Altitude: most of the
ride takes place above 3000 metres and we ride at above
4000 metres (4220m). We advise arriving early in Ecuador
to acclimatize. Guests must seek medical advice as to whether
they are able to be at these altitudes.
Riding ability: intermediate
and above – able to canter in open spaces and also
be prepared to ride on steep slopes and tricky terrain.
Guests need to be riding fit – long days in the saddle
with some tough riding. At various points guests may be
leading their horses (but not normally over long distances).
Please consult with us if you have any doubts.
Horses: local criollo
breed crossed with Andalusian, Arab, thoroughbred, Peruvian
Paso – ideally suited to the terrain.
Equipment/tack: ‘McClennan’
western style saddles with sheepskin seats (easy to ride
English style), horses used to neck reining and English
style ‘2 hands’. Ponchos and saddlebags for
each rider.
NOT provided: towel.
Guides: expert rider leading
the trip, bilingual with much experience. Also a skilled,
local horseman that knows the backcountry accompanies the
group. Grooms: will be present to help guests with the horses.
Guests are not expected to tack and untack their horses.
Accommodation: 7 nights
in double/twin bedded rooms, mixture of rooms with &
without private bathrooms (possible to pay extra charge
for private bathroom throughout). On a few nights possibly
triple rooms necessary (will confirm at time of booking).
Single room possible (limited availability, extra charge
applies). Towel needed.
Food & drinks: hot
breakfast, varied picnic lunches, 3 course hot dinner. Snacks
and also bottled water also provided each day. Guests can
buy soft drinks & alcohol each evening.
Key: AB= cooked breakfast,
CB= continental breakfast PL= picnic lunch (different menus,
not just a sandwich), D=dinner.
Paramo Places/Ride Andes terms and conditions apply.
Guests are strongly advised to bring and use their own riding
helmets.A booking is confirmed only upon receipt of the
corresponding deposit.
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary due to circumstances
beyond our control.
Appropriate medical insurance is mandatory and the responsibility
of each guest/booking agent.
It is the responsibility of the individual guest/booking
agent to ensure that participants have the necessary riding
skills to take part in the tour chosen.
Guests will be required to sign a responsibility release
before starting a tour.
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