Volcano Avenue Ride

Introduction
Highlands Ecuador

Ride through Volcanoes, valleys, forests, and pre-Inca sites with comfortable overnights in Highland Haciendas.

Experience the beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes on horseback - without any transfer or fences.  Each morning brings new experiences and a chance to contemplate the beauty of the mountains and valleys. Friendly chagras, ecuadorian cowboys (horsemen of the Andes), usually pause from their work to greet you, to exchange news, or even to offer a drink as they wish you luck on your travels. Our ride incorporates visits to the Corazon, Ruminahui, Quilindana, and Chalupas volcanoes. And, of course, you will see the majestic Cotopaxi volcano from nay different angles throughout our journey.

The only form of transportation during your trek will be your horse. It will be your partner throughout this adventure.

Our first three days are devoted to acclimatization. Our itinerary incorporates trips through dozens of working haciendas dedicated to the production of dairy products, potatos, broccoli and flowers.

Around the cozy fireplace of the hacienda we will reminisce about the day's events and discuss local traditions, especially those related to the chagras (the cowboys of the Ecuadorian Andes). Our hacienda enjoys a special relationship with chagras, participating with them in rodeos and festivals and visiting them in their homes each month.

Indeed you will come to appreciate the tradition and customs of the chagras. In their goat skin chaps and woollen ponchos, they welcome tourists to demonstrate their centuries old tradition of herding cattle. The chagras' skill on horseback and knowledge of the Andean paramo are legendary. They are the inspiration for our trek, framed by ancient volcanoes, highland plateaus and rivers that flow down the massive Andes towards the Amazon and the Pacific.

During these first days we shall venture to nearby mountains like Viudita and Corazon. This will be your taste of the paramo, an Andean ecosystem that encompasses approximately 12,500 square kilometres. Rolling hills of high altitude grasses, through little flowers that protect themselves from the cold with furry leaves, ravines that create micro climates that sprout a surprising variety of life; it is a wondrous place for both new and experienced visitors.

On Sunday we will visit the colourful animal and produce market of Machachi and later we will ride through the narrow cloud forest paths, surrounded by literally thousands of plants and animal species. One can't help but be amazed by the sheer biodiversity of this area. Many riders have exhausted their cameras' memory chips and batteries in an attempt to record these sights.

As we delve further into the mountains...

After we have prepared for the main part of the ride, we shall start towards mighty Cotopaxi. The tallest active volcano in the world (5987 m), Cotopaxi's impressively symmetric cone will guide us past its surrounding hills. We will ride past the masive rocks of Ruminahui into the plains near Cotopaxi and then onto the Inca ruins of Salitre and their Pucara fortresses.

The group will then ride towards Quilindana 4300m-14,104ft and the extensive haciendas that surround it. In some haciendas, cattle roam free and are only rounded up and counted once a year at a massive rodeo. These same grasslands are home to Andean deer, spectacled bears, Andean fox and pumas, as well as a variety of birds like the curiquingeu (cara-cara), the kilico (falcon), the guarro (eagle), chugshi (owl), bandurrias (black ibis), urco paloma (sea gull), ducks and the majestic condor.  In warmer ravines you'll also see colorful hummingbirds sipping nectar from a multitude of flowers.

Through these six days you will experience a diversity of geography and weather. Be prepared for a period of intense equatorial sun followed by the chill of the Andes' wind - all within the space of a few hours. The locals say that the highlands experience all four seasons within the same day. As we ride though the paramos, you will see the great alpaca and llama herds that roam at this altitude. The shaggy coats which protect them from the harsh elements of mountain life are also the key indredient to a great sweater or poncho. Seeing these herds gallop together with Cotopaxi in the background is a truly amazing experience.

We cross extensive properties, some with more than 40,000 acres, with out sturdy and well trained horses we climb to altitudes exceeding 12000 feet (4200m) and ride down to hidden valleys like Pedregal, Limpiopungo, Yanachiza, Chalupas, Guagui and Secas where we will be able to experience the exhiliration of full gallops at high altitudes. It is in these valleys of Machachi where men, shaped by the land, together with their horses, have tamed the wild bulls and produced the culture of the paramo, a world apart. Long after our return to the hacienda and the end of our journey, our memories of this rugged but beautiful world will linger as a lifetime ride.

Accomodation

Your ride includes:  8 overnights at six highland haciendas and 1 night at a mountain campsite.
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.

Riding

Note: Riders should have a good fitness level. Your help in cleaning and saddling the horses is required.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from hotel or airport for dinner and overnight to Hacienda La Alegria.
Day 2: Ride in the arena to try horses and get acquainted with the horse and tack that we will be using the next days. Lunch in the Hacienda house and later we ride around the neighboring Haciendas and the Viudita Mountain. Our acclimatization and first contact with the heights starts this first day. Acommodations: La Alegria    Hours of Riding: 4 hours
Day 3: In the morning we enjoy a demonstration of the Chagras’ skills (the Ecuador Andes’ cowboys). After having lunch at Hacienda La Alegria we ride on what used to be the road to the coast. We ascend by the sides of Corazon to 3,500 meters and descend to the cloud forest. At the cloud forest we can observe a great biodiversity of plants and flowers, including giant gunneras, orchids, and birds such as the pava de monte (guan). In the late afternoon we arrive to Hacienda Bomboli 3,000 m (13,000 ft), and relax by the fireplace enjoying the sunset and watching the lights of the villages near the coast.
Option camping in Monte Oscuro, (Depends on the weather, min 4 pax)
Accommodations: Bomboli    Hours of riding: 4 hours
Day 4: 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.
Accommodations: La Alegria    Hours of riding: 6 hours
Day 5: We ride toward the west mountain range and through the valley toward Machachi. We stop at the Machachi market (on Sundays only), continue toward the Ruminahui skirts and stop at a beautiful Hacienda for lunch. We continue riding until we arrive to the Pedregal valley and stay overnight in a Hacienda at 3,500 meters.
Accommodations: Hacienda in the Pedregal Valley (near Cotopaxi)  Hours of riding: 4 hours
Day 6: We get closer to the Cotopaxi Volcano; we enter the Cotopaxi National Park and visit the Inca ruins from Pucara of Salitre (Inca fortress built in the mountains). We continue ascending to the east side of the Cotopaxi, after lunch we continue until we arrive at the skirts of Quilindana. We ride in close proximity to berber breed wild horse herds that live in the park and are descendants of the horses brought by the Spanish in the 16th century. At the hacienda we learn how the chagras live and we may hear some traditional songs specific to the people of the mountains.
Accommodations: Hacienda Tambo    Hours of ridings: 5+ hours
Day 7: Today we prepare our gear to transport it in our pack horses since we will be with no support vehicle for two days. We ride toward the south, and ascend to Morro Mountain 4,200 meters. At this point we have covered ¾ around the Cotopaxi Volcano. From there we can enjoy the view of the Latacunga valley with its roses and pines. It is possible to see a condor guarding its Paramo. We speed up and arrive to Hacienda Chalupas, have lunch and later fish trout for dinner.
Accommodations: Hacienda Chalupas    Hours of riding: 5 hours
Day 8: This day is the most remote and far away from civilization. We ride through the Guagui Valley and Secas until we arrive to the Vicious Valley. We will possibly meet some chagras that are taking care of the cattle, and we might see some deer, wild pigs (they run faster than a horse), and spectacle bears. Today we have completed a circle around the Quillindana Volcano.
Accommodations: Hacienda at Vicious valley or camp site   Hours of riding: 7 hours
Day 9: We start riding toward the west, pass the Muchana rock (kissing rock), and mudadero where we can see hundreds of alpacas grazing. We pass the innumerable Cajas, Sto. Domingo lakes and get closer to the Cotopaxi Volcano. We pass the lava rocks that had descended to the valley and is now static; then we arrive to the only structure that is our very comfortable and warm mountain refuge.
Accommodations: Tambopaxi Refuge    Hours of riding 5+ hours
Day 10: Ride in the 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.
Accommodations: Hacienda La Alegria     Hours of riding 7+ hours
Day 11: Transport to the airport after breakfast.

                Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Volcano Avenue Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Quito Airport or Hotel
Airport: Quito
Transfer: Quito

Climate:

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.