Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1  Arrival in the morning. Check in and have lunch. Afternoon 2 hour ride to get to know your horse and guide. Free time for walking or touring around, Otavalo Market, visits to weaving, leather or wood carving studious, or own arrangements. At 5 p.m. tea on the main garden patio in the sunset's often unusual glow, or a fireside cocktail. After a candlelight dinner by log fire, see the night sky or a video film with popcorn. Overnight.

Day 2 After an 8am American Breakfast we depart at 9am.  Today we embark on a 5 hour ride to Condor Park Rescue Center, through Sab Pablo town with indigenous and countryside views and eucalyptus forest.  We ride along San Pablo lake, with views along the foot of Imabura (4630 m). We stop for a picnic lunch, before continuing our ride along an Andean train small track, with partial views of Otavalo. We will eventually come to the Panamerican highway - crossing under it via a small tunnel. Riding by the back of Otavalo the highest point of the journey has great views of South America with Imbabura, Cottachachi, Lago San Pablo and much more glowing in the golden afternoon sunshine. Dinner. Overnight at Las Palmeras Inn.

Day 3  After an 8am American Breakfast we depart at 9am, transferring by car to Hacienda Cusin.
We will then begin a 6 hour ride through pine and eucalyptus forest, and high altitude grasslands, to pre-Inca archaeological sites amid magnificent volcanic views.  We rise out of the San Pablo Valley, enjoying wonderful views across the lake and also of the Imbabura Volcano - riding onto the plains beyond for some fast-paced riding.  Views of Zuleta Valley, the verdant gorges and the 'paramo' (the unique Andean habitat of high grasslands) as we pass ponds and hedges of aloe vera and spikey agave (sisal) atop mud walls.  Following sandy tracks, we then descend into the Zuleta Valley with dramatic views across to the hanging valleys and rocky ridges above.  A chance of seeing hummingbirds and bright scarlet flycatchers. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda Cusin.

Day 4  American Breakfast at 8am, followed by a 9am departure. 5 hours ride to Cusin Mountain and Andean Paramo, we quickly cross the valley with its different farms and then start to climb Cusin Mountain through eucalyptus forest to above the tree line and up to the top. After enjoying the 360 degree view of the beautiful valleys, we descend to our picnic spot and come home in the afternoon. The ride goes up to the above tree line "paramo" - it might be cold and foggy up there.  This one is a steep ride with narrow paths. You will ride having a view of Rose Plantation greenhouses, through Eucalyptus forests, rocks, roots and slippery inclines. After a long climb through the woods you come out onto an overgrown cobblestone road which continues upwards. Here you have a view way down to the lake. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda Cusin.

Day 5  After breakfast you have a free morning and departure.

--Additional full days expeditions can be added if you want to extend your stay by a couple of nights.

Alternate Itinerary:
If you chose the package with less riding -- your days include a short two hour ride on each day - leaving plenty of time for sightseeing, cycling, hiking etc.

Temperature

Most days are moderate (72° F/ 23°C); nights are cool (45°F/13°C). Direct sun is scorching, shadows are cool. Year round visits possible. Some afternoon rain showers from October to January. In July it rains little, in August rarely. The sierra can be cold at night!

Fauna & Flora

Gardens

Melting snows from nearby mountains created torrents of water and a lake that covered all of the nearby valleys. Subsequent erosion created the rich, black lakebed soil of Cusin's present gardens. That rich soil, cool nights of 8,500', and a predictable equatorial sun have conspired with avid gardeners to create several acres of ever-blooming gardens.

Flowers and bushes - (over 60 species)

Belladonna, bougainvillea, agapantha, acanthas, foxgloves, malva, hollyhocks, roses, california poppy, poppy, cosmos, daisies - Aztec lily, cala lilly, kangeroo paws, orchids, hydrangea, gunnera, lantana, fuscia, ferns, lycheness, heliotrope, buddleia , pyrocanthus, a variety of vines including jasmine & thumburgia, many succulents, etc.

Vegetable gardens - including spices and fruit trees, for Cusin's menus.

Animals

Usually to be found in the stables: 8 horses, llamas, pigs, guinea-pigs, rabbits, guinea-hens, turkeys, chickens, dogs, cows, geese, etc.

Birds - endless bird species sightings, to name just a few: Andean Siskin, Blackburnian Warbler, Eared Dove, various Hummingbird species, Greater Peewee, Masked Flowerpiercer, Coscoroba Swan...

Hacienda Cusín - 400 Years of Welcome

Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17th century Andean estate at 8,500 feet, 90 minutes north of Quito and 20 minutes south from the famous market town of Otavalo. The Equatorial line and snowcapped Cayambe Mountain are 30 minutes away. El Monasterio de Cusín, with its high buttressed walls, towers, garden and fountain courtyards is a garden-walk away.

Cusin’s terracotta-tile roofs, winding cobblestone pathways, courtyards and perennial gardens nestle beneath a deep blue sky in a wide, pastoral lake valley. Nearby, the often snowcapped 15,000-foot Cotacachi volcano is reflected in Lago San Pablo.

An ancient lakebed, cool nights and a predictable equatorial sun have conspired with avid gardeners to create several acres of ever-blooming gardens which include belladonna, bougainvillea, agapantha, acanthas, foxgloves, orchids and palms that attract over 50 species of birds . 

MAIN HOUSE
Once in the main house: straight ahead, on a church altar, is San Pablo (Paul). On the stairway is Santa Barbarita (18th century), and a Flemish tapestry, perhaps depicting the 1571 battle of Lepanto. To your right is Salon Bolivar and the dining room and, left, past the bottom of the stairs, is the bar. The 1895 telephone was Cusin’s only shared line in 1990. Before a modern exchange was installed, San Pablo’s autocratic switchboard operator refused to connect foreign calls. After the burning of a New Year’s Eve effigy of her, she moved to Queens, New York City.

Tack:		Ecuadorian
Horses:		Creole, Peruvian
Pace:		Moderate with trots and some short canters. 2 days with 4-6 hrs in the saddle - rest 2 hrs | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 3 out of 5)    Novice+
Age:		Min 12	Max 65
Weight:		Max 195 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 7 riders

Helmets must be worn

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.