A Unique Experience
Ecuador is always a special place for us as we’re based in the country and it was here that we first began offering horseback vacation itineraries. Over the years we’ve noticed how easily guests also fall in love with Ecuador so we thought we’d highlight why we think it is one of the best places in South America for horse riding and touring around.
Ecuador packs in so much variety in a small country
It might be one of the smaller South American countries, but Ecuador sure does punch above its weight when it comes to sheer diversity of landscape, cultural heritage and wildlife. Its compact size provides the South American experience in miniature and is perfect for trail riding.
For instance, few places in South America still have haciendas dating back to the 1500s that you can visit and stay in. It also has a thriving indigenous population which remains proud of its culture, verdant valleys farmed as they were centuries ago and wilderness dotted with snow-capped volcanoes – all this is packed into our Haciendas of the Andes tour.
When you’re not riding, it’s easy to reach pristine Amazon jungle, cloud forest, historic cities such as the UNESCO World Heritage city of Cuenca and, of course, the Galapagos Islands – talk to us if you would like an add-on excursion as we can sort this too.
The mix-breed Creole horses
I never stop appreciating the horses, which have been bred over the centuries from a mix of local creole breeds blended with English, Arab and Spanish horses, to perfectly meet the needs of the terrain. This makes them so sure-footed and sensible and perfect for novices as well as advanced riders whether we’re out for a day or doing one of our long distance horseback riding trips. The horses are even tempered but are still keen to enjoy a good canter when we’re on the open plains of Cotopaxi so advanced riders don’t need to worry that the pace is going to be too sedate.
The ancient Incan ways make great routes for trail riding
While Peru grabs the limelight when it comes to ancient Incan civilisation landmarks, in fact Ecuador is rich with Incan and pre-Incan heritage. Several of our horse riding holidays follow ancient routes that the Incas created and on certain rides we stay at a hacienda built of Incan stone. Suffice to say there’s no shortage of South American history along the way!
The warmth of the Ecuadorians
Whether it’s the traditionally-dressed locals working in the fields cheerily waving and saying ‘hola’ as we ride by, the smiley-faced staff at the haciendas who quietly go about their work, or the chagras (cowboys) who readily share a story or two when we come across them, the Ecuadorian people are some of the friendliest. The country is colourful in so many ways including the blaze of colour you see in the fields or at the traditional markets where the ladies wear brightly coloured pleated skirts and bright white blouses (how they manage to stay so white is beyond me!).
There’s no skimping on comforts even when we’re miles from anywhere
The beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes, where our horseback riding tours are based, is that we can ride from place-to-place without having to skimp on the comforts you want after a long day in the saddle. That means comfy beds, great food and hot showers in rural accommodation (whether it’s luxurious suites in historic haciendas or more basic lodges) in idyllic locations.
Ride Andes has been offering exceptional horse riding adventures in Ecuador since 1996. British owned and operated, supported by Ecuadorian local horsemen & guides.
Contact us now to discuss which itinerary option best suits you – whether it be a place-to-place ride or one centre based, a point to point trail ride for experienced riders or a route for novice riders or a group with mixed abilities.
Options to join a group or hand craft an itinerary for you and your family or group of friends. Chat with us now: WhatsApp +593 999 738 221 / Email: rideandes@rideandes.com
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