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Hacienda Primavera
Haciendas
Ecuador
The Hacienda Primavera Wilderness Ecolodge is located in the El Chaco rain forest reserve of Ecuador. The lush forests surrounding the hacienda provide an incredible flora and fauna experience. The verdant rain forest is abundant in endemic species, epiphytes and orchids. Large varieties of butterflies can be found in and around the hacienda. The most famous is the bright blue butterfly, morpho Eugenia, with a wingspan of 5 inches.
This destination is a great option for travelers looking to combine a trip to the Ecuadorian tropical forests with a hacienda riding experience. The hacienda has been owned by the same family for over 90 years. Here you can participate in the farm life, go riding every day on their resident horses on trails, some of which lead to beautiful hidden waterfalls. On one day you can take a train ride through the ancient forests - a 2 hour trip passing 7 waterfalls, 5 rivers and 5 tunnels. If you book in advance, we can sometimes arrange a half day whitewater rafting trip for you in the local region.
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Guest Ranch
Working Ranch
Short Getaway
Family Vacation
Center-based ride
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Meeting:
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El Choco
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Airport:
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Quito
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Transfer:
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Quito or Otavalo
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
8 riders
(per riding group)
Max Capacity
16
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates include:
One matrimonial suite (1 Queen Bed) or family suite (2 Full Beds).
3 meals per day (lunch, dinner, and breakfast).
Arrival day includes lunch and dinner. Departure day includes breakfast. Late arrivals on arrival day can use lunch on departure day.
Unlimited guided horseback riding.
Guided hiking and birding tours.
Guided mountain biking.
Full use of Hacienda facilities.
| A | 2013 | 7 day trip, AP | 7d / 6n | $590 |
| B | 2013 | 5 day trip, AP | 5d / 4n | $395 |
| C | 2013 | 4 day trip, AP | 4d / 3n | $295 |
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Transfer from Quito per group (max 7) return
This is a "Group Rate"
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$270
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2013
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Transfer from Otavalo per group (max 7) return
This is a "Group Rate"
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$160
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2013
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Extra night
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$100
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2013
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Rafting excursion (min of 4) pp
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$100
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2013
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Train Ride
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$25
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Available any day of the week throughout the year.
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Rates do not include:
Alcoholic beverages and special requests from the bar.
White-water rafting is not included.
Train Ride.
The riding during your stay is unlimited... This is a sample itinerary only!
DAY 1: Arrival at Hacienda Primavera Wilderness Ecolodge
The Hacienda Primavera Private Transportation can pick you up from anywhere in Quito (or Otavalo). The three-hour scenic drive from Quito to the Hacienda passes through the flower plantations of Cayambe, over the Andes Mountains and down to the valleys of the Imbabura province. Stop for some pictures at Cayambe’s own Equator Monument. Take in the beauty of the San Pablo Lake and drive through the city of Ibarra into the sugar cane valley of Salinas. Follow the Mira River and pass over the Guallupe Bridge along the Gualchan River to your destination, Hacienda Primavera Wilderness Ecolodge. Enjoy the surroundings of the beautiful cloud forest with full luxury, and gourmet food. Lunch and dinner will be served. Take a walk around the grounds or relax for the rest of the day.
DAY 2: Horseback Ride
Breakfast is served when you get up (no time constraints here!). Familiarize yourself with the cowboys and guides while they prepare the horses for the day. Horses are available for all types of riders: beginners to experts. There are several trails that follow the Rio Blanco and Gualchan Rivers with a choice of 7 different destinations. On the trails, you will see the typical daily activities of the neighborhood mountaineers, enjoy the lush vegetation along the trail, and spot the beautiful blue Morpho Eugenia butterfly and local birds. The horseback riding trips can take from about two to four hours, depending on the trail and rider capability. After lunch relax or walk around the hacienda visiting the many crops and fruits in production. Pick as many as you like, our staff will make delicious fresh juices or cocktails with them (papayas, pineapples, oranges, lemons, guayavas, guavas, bananas). With your freshly picked juice cocktail in hand, take a dip in our unique freshwater pool.
DAY 3: Hacienda Trail Hike with Magnificent Views of Andes Mountains
Photography opportunities abound! Hike or Horseback the hacienda trail with the cowboys towards the herd and see the west side of the Andes Mountains from the Hacienda fields. Experience a day of work at the Hacienda. Herd and milk the cows, check the pregnant females, and maybe you will have a chance to help deliver a calf; it is a true experience. Visit our new organic cloud forest coffee plantation of 26 acres and learn about the organic farming experience. Trip duration is four hours.
DAY 4: Cloud Forest Expedition Horseback & Waterfall Hike
Ride the horses half way up the trail and then hike on foot from there through the cloud forest, up along the river towards the waterfall (rubber boots can be provided). Keep an eye out for sloths and the giant bromeliad orchids while enjoying the mountain lemons growing along the trail. Take a dip in the crystal waters of the spectacular waterfall. Trip duration is around three hours. In the afternoon, take a walk into town. Meet the friendly local people and visit a local school for some remedial Spanish/English lessons.
DAY 5: Train ride
The Autoferro train leaves Primer Paso every afternoon. A two-hour train ride through the rural areas of Imbabura will take you over bridges and through tunnels to the city of Ibarra. The Hacienda vehicle will pick you up and drive you back to the Hacienda.
DAY 6: White Water Rafting Expedition
Raft with our expert partner company Yacu Amu Rafting. Expert guides give a 30-minute lesson before heading down river. Jackets, helmets and paddles are provided. There are two rivers to choose from, it is a great experience and a lot of action. This expedition lasts five hours. Come back for lunch and rest in our hammocks overlooking the forest or curl up with a good book.
DAY 7: Visit Otavalo Craft Market and Return to Quito
After breakfast, travel back to Quito and stop in San Antonio, the woodcraft artisans’ town. Continue to the town of Otavalo where you can purchase beautiful Ecuadorian handcrafts at the famous Otavalo Indigenous Craft Market. Have lunch near Otavalo or Lake San Pablo, and continue on in the afternoon to Quito.
Note: Scheduling is completely flexible and guests may choose their activity on a day-by-day basis with the guide. However, white-water rafting and the train ride must be reserved prior to arrival.
Meeting:
El Choco
Airport:
Quito
Transfer:
Quito or Otavalo
Distance:
3 hrs
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Tack:
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Western
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Horses:
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Criollos
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Pace:
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Moderate with some trots and canters
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(2.5
to
3
out of 5) Low Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
8 riders
(per riding group)
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Max Capacity
16
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The hacienda is a working cattle ranch with horses for all riding levels.
The riding amount during your stay is unlimited - you can ride as much as you like each day on the five riding days (no riding on arrival & departure days).
The hacienda owns a stable with over 10 riding horses and 2 donkeys. Horseback riding trails are along the lush local valleys, local trails and roads and riverbeds. Instruction is available for beginners.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.Passport NotePassports must be carried at all times. Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart ab. more
The ecolodge is located in the northwestern tropical forests of Ecuador. It lies northwest of Quito in the El Choco national rain forest reserve. Daily low and high temperature readings are 18C / 68F and 24C / 80F. There are no significant seasonal temperature changes.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Hidden Trails Travel Documents and TripVoucher (contains important local tour contact info.) |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!) |
| Riding boots (short) + Minichaps |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Torch/ Flashlight |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and extra film or batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun protection lotion and lip balm |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
The Lodge/Ranch
Located in part primary and secondary jungle with stables full of horses, cattle, llamas, donkeys, goats, and pigs. The surrounding tropical cloud forest is rich in flora and fauna, and bird life is prolific. The hacienda is at an elevation of 1,200 m (approximately 3,500 ft). The cloud forest is extremely lush, with a high biomass and an abundance of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and mosses. The tree canopy can reach between 25 and 30 m high, (75 to 90 ft high).
Dining
Everyday, Hacienda Primavera offers a different menu of gourmet specialties and traditional Ecuadorian favorites prepared from fresh daily produce most often just picked from our own or local organic crops. We pride ourselves on our excellent cuisine and exquisite selection of fine Chilean wines, a pampered delight after an adventure in the tropical Ecuadorian landscape.
Our attentive staff and the creativity of our talented chefs offer personalized meals, accustomed to your needs. Whether it is a quick bite before heading off on an excursion, an elegant dinner with all the trimmings, or a late-night snack, each choice will be a tantalizing offer.
Rooms We offer eight suites to our guests and each has a spectacular view of the luscious landscape. The intimate number of rooms allow us to demonstrate our commitment to quality and personalized care. Only in this way can we fulfill our ultimate goal; as ambitious as it is inspiring: to create for each guest, a perfect Ecuadorian experience. While providing for the comfortable luxuries of a fabulous vacation, we also strive to keep an eco-friendly environment, offering solar-paneled heated water, biodegradable products, and organic recycling.
Each suite has Spanish-colonial decor and its own private bath and balcony. Suites equipped with a single king bed or double queen-sized beds are available for every type of traveler.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
|
|
Western
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Criollos
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate with some trots and canters
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
3
out of 5) Low Intermediate
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
8 riders
(per riding group)
|
Max Capacity
16
|
The hacienda is a working cattle ranch with horses for all riding levels.
The riding amount during your stay is unlimited - you can ride as much as you like each day on the five riding days (no riding on arrival & departure days).
The hacienda owns a stable with over 10 riding horses and 2 donkeys. Horseback riding trails are along the lush local valleys, local trails and roads and riverbeds. Instruction is available for beginners.
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
Passports must be carried at all times.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: (a) A measles vaccination certificate is required by all nationals travelling from Germany and Italy and must be shown on arrival. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
Extensions of a further 90 days are available through the local immigration authorities.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Hacienda Primavera
Tour Code:
IT-ECSR08
7 days /
6 nights
~$590.00
Dates :
Available All Year
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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