| 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. |
