| HORSE RIDING TOURS, ECUADOR SUMMARY
Ride Andes offers a variety of riding trips
of one or more days in several areas of the Ecuadorian Andes.
The set date departures
(group rides) are for riders ‘‘able to
ride comfortably and in control at all paces a reasonably
trained horse in open ground’. Riders are met at Quito
International airport. (Please see below or request the detailed
itineraries.) contact us
The private rides are adapted
in length and pace to suit the riders. (Please request the
8 day itineraries and/or the SHORT TOURS document). contact
us
The luxury ‘five star
hacienda’ is a very special tour between the
most prestigious historic haciendas, for private groups, adapted
in length and content to suit guests wishes. (Please request
the sample itinerary) contact us
Other riding options: lessons
with a very competent instructor, rides on Peruvian Paso horses,
& alternative activities:
Spanish language lessons, salsa dancing lessons. PLUS Galapagos
Island cruises, Amazon rain forest visit & lots more.
(Please request the Quito hotels and activities document and
the EXTENSIONS document for more details. contact
us
Two 8 day itineraries
(see below) are offered as set date departures (and as private
rides): Colonial
Haciendas and Cotopaxi
Adventure. The Cotopaxi Adventure tour involves
more challenging riding and with more basic accommodation
than the Colonial Haciendas tour.
The rides are fully inclusive and details
of dates, tour content and availability can be found on the
appropriate pages or contact us – new dates are
often added.
Options for non riders
accompanying the group are available and the two 8 day tours
are excellent tours for private groups and families
(itineraries adapted for younger children).
Upon booking, Ride Andes
will provide guests with travel notes, including a packing
list and all possible assistance in preparing for their trip.
COLONIAL HACIENDAS
RIDE
Set date departure (intermediate
level or above) or private ride
TOUR SUMMARY:
Varied paced riding – with plenty of opportunities for
long canters, on top quality horses in two stunning yet very
distinct areas of Ecuador in the heart of the Andes. Each
day we ride on to another stunning location. We start the
ride on grassy tracks between the patchwork fields of the
beautiful Andean valleys of the northern highlands and end
the ride with long canters across the arid plains in the national
park just below the magnificent snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano.
The tour now includes the wild Andean ‘‘paramo’
grasslands. Guests stay at and visit a wonderful selection
of different historic haciendas –– some founded
by the early Spanish settlers in the 1600s and one incorporates
Inca walls –– also included is a stay at a working
farm. Other visits along the way include market visits and
visits to a rose plantation and a weaving centre. Meeting
point is in the capital of Ecuador (Quito) -guests are met
at Quito international airport.
Accommodation: very comfortable, character-filled
locations, private bathrooms.
COTOPAXI
ADVENTURE: A COMPLETE CIRCUIT OF THE HIGHEST ACTIVE VOLCANO
IN THE WORLD
Set date departure (intermediate
level or above) or private ride.
A ride for fit riders capable of riding in a
multitude of challenging terrain and spending long days in
the saddle.
A circuit of the perfectly conical, snow-capped
Cotopaxi volcano, through breathtaking, wild open country
including Cotopaxi National Park and seldom - visited open
plains high in the Andes. A chance of seeing the Andean wildlife
(the mighty Andean condor among other raptors, high altitude
hummingbirds, foxes and deer) as we cross a variety of scenery
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 sculpted
into intriguing landscapes by the glacial retreat, followed
by the volcanic activi. 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.
Nights are spent in a wonderful mixture of haciendas and farmhouses,
built of adobe with thatched roofs, original Inca stone and
even a very comfortable lodge built of straw bales covered
with adobe.
Meeting point is in the capital of Ecuador
(Quito) -guests are met at Quito international airport.
Accommodation: stunning locations, mainly
2 per room, (some 3 & 4 bed rooms -depending on size of
group; first to book get the smaller rooms), option private
bathrooms & single room on 4 nights (limited availability).
ADDITIONAL
ACTIVITIES
In this incredibly diverse country, a wide
range of trips to complement the ride are on offer: Galapagos
Islands, Amazon rain forest, Cuenca, hot springs/spa, cloud
forest. Contact us for further
details.
PRIVATE TOURS
Please let us know what interests you:
for how many people, riding abilities, and how many days and
we will send you some options to look at. There is a sample
ride on the Colonial Haciendas
page.
FAMILY TOURS
Horses suitable for all ages and abilities. Children on a
lead rein (‘ponying’) no problem, nannies and
babysitters. Contact us!
CATTLE ROUNDUPS, SPECIAL TOURS
Exciting roundups in the steep hills and open plains of the
mountainous high Andes, not for the faint hearted –More
details on the Andean Adventure page.
RIDING LESSONS & SPANISH LESSONS
Professional riding lessons in an indoor riding school. Very
relaxed but a lot to offer riders of all levels.
Spanish lessons, one to one, in Quito – we work with
two very reputable schools.
‘I never expected to find such a high standard
of riding facilities and teaching in Ecuador. Kira is extremely
modest and omits to tell you that she regularly competes in
classes with Ecuador’s top riders. She has the great
skill of being able to put you at your ease, whilst homing
in on those irritating things you know could be better. Encouraging
on good points and fun to learn with, I had a fantastic day.’
SH, Dec ’06
‘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 a hack.’ CH Sept ‘06
NON RIDING TOURS
We have a large selection of options to combine with your
riding tour –from a Galapagos Island Cruise to an Amazon
lodge stay. Relaxing or ‘sporty’: hidden haciendas,
natural hot springs, mountain biking & white water rafting).
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