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Volcano Avenue and Cotopaxi Ride
Highlands
Ecuador
Thirteen amazing
days in the highlands of Ecuador.
We will be exploring the Volcano Avenue area - riding around the Cotopaxi
Volcano and staying overnight at historic haciendas. Mode of transportation will
be our four-legged friends - the incredibly agile highland Criollo horses of
Ecuador. Only 2 transfers are needed during the trip. We will visit the authentic
indigenous market in
Saquisili, stay at historic working haciendas and enjoy delicious
evening meals around the fireplace or a barbecue over the open fire. Along the way we will enjoy a Chargas (cowboys) demonstration and lasso practice. Our horse will take us through the Cloud Forest, across the the wide open Pampa, through the Machahi Valley, the flat lands of the Mulalo Valley and up the tall mountains of the Cotopaxi - ranging between 3000 and 4000 meters with views over peaks that are over 5000 meters high (15.000 feet). Along the way we may see very few signs of civilization, except some rural villages, but we have a good chance to see herds of wild horses along the way - always a highlight.
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Rates and Dates for 2009 | 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations - 12 overnight stays at highland haciendas with 10 riding days and 1 market day, all meals featuring delicious, gourmet international and Ecuadorian foods and wines, bilingual guide (English, Spanish), support vehicle, all the necessary equipment, as wool ponchos, rain ponchos and chaps, horsebag, helmets
| A | 2009 | 13 day ride, AP | 13d / 12n | $2990 |
Transfer Option:
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2009
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Transfer from Quito included
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Rates do not include:
Airport tax
Day 1: Arrive to Quito, transfer to Hacienda Alegria (2890mts). Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: In the morning after breakfast, you will try the horses and ride in a closed arena until you feel comfortable with your horse and tack. Today’s ride is an acclimatizing ride around the hacienda surroundings. You will observe the green valley of Machachi and the soaring mountains of the Volcano Avenue, where we will be riding in the next days. Time to relax and tour the stable while cows are milked. Overnight at Alegria Riding time 3 hours
Day 3: Visit to the INDIAN MARKET, Saquisili by car Overnight at Alegria
Day 4: Today we get back on our horses and ride towards the west through the dairy farms and up to 3500 mts we continue behind the Viudita mountain (3800 mts) with the opportunity to ascend to the top. We will have a snack and come back to Hacienda La Alegria for a late lunch. At the afternoon visit to rose flower breeding hacienda, by car.Enjoy the evening in the fireplace room listening to local music and a comfortable evening. Overnight at Alegria Riding time 5 hours
Day 5: Chagra demonstration and lasso practice in the morning, Alegria for lunch and ride to Bomboli cloud forest located on the skirts of Corazon. We will arrive at Hacienda Bomboli (3000 mts) and will have time for a short walk and appreciate beautiful orchids, fern trees and guneras before supper. Overnight at Bomboli Riding time +4 hours
Day 6: We leave behind the cloud forest and ascend to the Corazon Volcano up to 4,000 meters. From there we can appreciate the green and fertile Machachi Valley and we can also see the routes we will take the next day. Crossing extensive pastures and eucalyptus forests we initiate the descent toward the valley. Snack and continue to the valley. Late afternoon we arrive for a delicious lunch at the Hacienda house. Overnight at Alegria Riding time 5 hours
Day 7: Chaupi. We ride towards the Machachi valley through secondary roads and dairy farms. BBQ cooked by Argentinean chef and continue our ride to Chaupi village (3200 mts) were we will stay the night. Overnight at El Chaupi village Riding time 6 hours
Day 8: We ride towards the Santa Cruz mountain 3800 mts. and have a last view of the Machachi Valley from the south side. From there we will be able to observe closer the peaks of the two Illinizas (5100mts). Arrive at Hacienda La Cienega built 1570. Overnight at Hacienda La Cienega Riding time 4.5 hours
Day 9: Today we cross the flat lands of the Mulalo valley, we continue towards the east until arrive to Hacienda Pansache (3600mts) located at the skirts of the Cotopaxi Volcano
Overnight at Hacienda Pansache, camping Riding time: 5 hours
Day 10: We continue ascending to Morro 4200mts we leave behind the pine forests and appreciate the change of vegetation from the valley to the Paramo. We have our lunch at hot spring at the mountain and continue towards the east to Volcan Quilindana. In the afternoon we arrive to Hacienda El Tambo (3600mts) Overnight Hacienda El Tambo Riding time 6 hours
Day 11: Today we ride towards the west through the valleys that have been formed in the base of the Cotopaxi volcano by the lava. We ride up to 4200mts and then down towards the valley to the refuge. On our ride we will see the wild horses and the majestic Cotopaxi. Overnight at Refuge Tambopaxi Riding time 5 hours
Day 12: Ride at Lipiopungo plains (Cotopaxi base), feels like if you were riding on the moon’s surface. Here we do the highest gallop in the world. Pass to the highest point of our ride (4,200 meters) on the edges of the rocks of the Ruminahui Volcano. We continue our ride toward the green Machachi valley as always guarded by the volcanoes avenue. We cross the Machachi plaza where the horsemen are always welcomed; we pass the town of Aloag and arrive to Hacienda La Alegria for a pleasant dinner and rest time. Overnight at Alegria Riding time 7.5 hours
Day 13: Transfer to airport after breakfast.
Note: Special Chargas Parade for the July 13 - 27, 2010 trip - 2 extra days/nights:
Saturday July 17th Chagra’s Parade.
Today we will ride to Machachi (the capital of the Chagras) to honor the Chagras and their culture. You will be part of the Parade. Between 1-2 thousand horses will be part of the parade that takes place in the streets of Machachi. The food, the music, the colorful dresses and decoration, makes the environment very festive. There are hundreds of Chagras dressed with their attire and showing off her horses. Overnight Alegria.
Monday July 26 (Day 14) - extra day in Quito
Transfer to Quito after lunch, City tour, handcraft market, old city, churches, lunch, dinner in town.
Overnight at Quito
Meeting:
Quito Airport or Hotel
Airport:
Quito
Transfer:
Quito
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Tack:
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North American style, English style, Mclellan calvary, Chillean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leather-work and saddle horn.
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Horses:
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mixed Criollo (native South American), English Thoroughbred and Arabian stock
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Pace:
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5-7 hours of riding daily
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3
to
4
out of 5) Good Intermediate
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Age:
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Min
12
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Max
70
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Weight:
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Max
190 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
3 riders
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Max
8 riders
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Passport and Visa Requirements:
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. more
The temperatures in the Ecuadorian highlands are in the 70s and 80s Farenheit (20-25 Celsius) all year.
Please note that the evenings can be very cold.
Clothing:
Shirt: Cotton or wool, long sleeved or turtleneck
Sweater: Heavy wool or fleece sweater or vest
Trousers: Full length, wool, blend, or pile or other warm pants
Underwear: Light-weight (polypropylene) thermal underwear, top and bottom
Headwear: Skycap, wool hat or wide brim felt hat, bandana, and sunglasses
Jackets: Insulated or Gore-Tex mountain parka for rain and wind (important)
Gloves: Wool, leather, or polypropylene, recommended water proof
Socks: Wool or polypropylene
Footwear: Tennis shoes, lightweight hiking boots, or runner boots (if
your shoe size is 9.5 US or less, boots are available at Hacienda La
Alegria).
Camping Equipment:
-10 degree C rated sleeping bag
At request we can provide the sleeping bag
Accessories:
Cosmetic kit (reduce to minimum)
Sunglasses
Sunblock +30 and lipstick ointments (important)
Flashlight with extra batteries
Washcloth
Camera extra batteries
Binoculars
There is no set weight limit for your luggage as it will be transferred by car.
Wool ponchos, rain ponchos, chaps, horsebag and helmets are provided.
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… this list is only a guideline for you
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Hidden Trails Travel Documents and TripVoucher (contains important local tour contact info.)
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Flight tickets
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Passport
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Visa (check with your consulate)
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RIDING GEAR
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Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)
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Riding boots (short) + Minichaps
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Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)
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Riding gloves
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Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection
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Lightweight Rain coat
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PERSONAL CLOTHING
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Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
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Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
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Jeans
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Shorts
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Underwear and socks
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Pyjama
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Bag for dirty clothes
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Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes
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Swimsuit
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For Camping trips:
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Sleeping Bag
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Ground Mat (Thermarest or foam mattress)
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Towel and small bar of soap
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ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
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Personal Toiletries
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Insect protection
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Personal medications
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Sore cream (for an emergency)
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Sewing kit
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Torch/ Flashlight
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Adapter for electric appliances
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Camera and extra film or batteries
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Belt pack
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Address book and pen (for postcards!)
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Sun glasses with strap
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Sun protection lotion and lip balm
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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.
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Your ride includes overnights at highland haciendas.
The
base hacienda is nestled amidst lush surroundings in the typical
fertile lush green farmland of the Ecuadorian inter Andean plain at a
fairly high altitude. You will be welcomed with a roaring log fire in
the sitting room, and in your bedroom when the nights are cold. There
is internet access available at La Alegria and in the Cotopaxi Lodge.

The Hacienda was build in 1910 in Franco Italian Style and has been
renovated and restored and is surrounded by beautiful gardens awash
with colorful flowers and native trees, including some species in
danger of extinction such as the wax palm. Most rooms have private
bathroom and fireplaces. There will be plenty of time to relax in front
of the fire place after an incredible day in the saddle.

This
is the family home of the Espinosas. Your host Gabriel comes from a
long tradition of equestrian sports. His grandfather bred racing horses
close to Quito and his father, Renato Espinosa was a keen polo player.
Gabriel followed in the same footsteps as a young man, horse-jumping
and playing competitive polo. The hacienda is full of fascinating
equestrian heirlooms, including antique side-saddles, cattle brands and
traditional "Chagra" (Andean cowboy) tack.
Gabriel and Paty's three
daughters are all keen riders, and the enthusiasm of the whole family
is reflected in the quality of the horses at the farm.

Meals: Gourmet
meals provided by Hacienda La Alegria, lunch only in the Corazon
mountain (day four) a snack, other days' lunch and dinner will be
either chicken, meat, or pasta; vegetables served with rice or
potatoes; always a typical Ecuadorian soup and desert with all meals.
Drinks: water, juices or coke. Breakfast: coffee, tea, cocoa or oat
meal, eggs and/or french toast, natural fruit juice and fruit of the
season.
Dinner will be served
in a cozy dining room with a fire place and the food is freshly
wholesome home cooking cooked from local crops. The Hacienda is made of
adobe and stone its walls are over 80 cm thick!! Lots of character. The
Hacienda also has a large working cattle farm with nearly 250 head of
cattle producing dairy products. So for those who want to give it a try
you can help milking the cows or feeding the calves, or try lassoing a
bull.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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North American style, English style, Mclellan calvary, Chillean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leather-work and saddle horn.
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Horses:
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|
mixed Criollo (native South American), English Thoroughbred and Arabian stock
|
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Pace:
|
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5-7 hours of riding daily
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
4
out of 5) Good Intermediate
|
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Age:
|
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Min
12
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Max
70
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Weight:
|
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Max
190 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
3 riders
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Max
8 riders
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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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Volcano Avenue and Cotopaxi Ride
Tour Code: IT-ECRT07
13 days /
12 nights
~$2,990.00
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
North American style, English style, M...
Horses:
mixed Criollo (native South American),...
Pace:
5-7 hours of riding daily
Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport:
Quito
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