Transfer and Other Options:

We recommend that you to arrive few days earlier for better acclimatization.

Pre-Trip Optional 'Quito Package': This package includes airport pick up on arrival and one overnight at local B&B (with taxes and service charges of 22%) . Additional nights can be reserved in advance. It is situated in a quiet residential neighborhood, but near many places of historical and tourist interest.
After the pick up from the airport you have time to explore Quito on your own or we can arrange a city tour for you (extra). Quito, with it’s beautifully restored colonial center, as the first town worldwide, has been declared cultural patrimony of humanity in 1975. With 7 tons of gold along its walls, roof and altar, “La Compañía” is supposed to be the richest decorated church in the world.

In the evening you can relax in front of a log fire, sipping a glass of good wine or your favorite cocktail from the bar. Borrow a book from the library or chat with your fellow travelers. You can dine in the cozy hotel restaurant looking out onto the garden.

Day 1  9:30 am pick-up from meeting point in Quito. We’ll drive you over the western cordillera in direction of the Pacific cloud forest on the slopes of Pululahua volcano. Scenery and microclimate change around each major road-turn, and you get an impression of what variety awaits you on our ride. Along the way, we have the chance to visit the Equator museum Intiñan 15-km north from Quito with information on the ancient culture that has determined the equator line more than thousand years ago. We’ll learn some interesting facts about geo-physics and the people which once ruled the Center of the Earth. Typical Ecuadorian lunch and drive to the ranch inside Pululahua caldera where our horses await us.
Afternoon ride through the enchanted crater valley, towards the scenic art-style country Inn of Rolando Vera, Ecuador’s fastest Marathon runner. His burning “volcancitos”, hot volcanic drinks, are part of your experience of a lifetime.

Day 2  Circling the lava dome - covered with cloud forest - on horseback, we witness volcanic history and nature, interesting geological formations, mineral avalanches blooming with wild orchids and traditional Andean agriculture. We’ll be passing by deep gorges, carved by lava streams thousands of years ago to enter the narrow Valley of the Rio Blanco with its warm and tropical climate where we shall find coffee trees, fields of sugar cane and a lot of tropical fruits. Legendary historical sites can be observed along the way. When the afternoon light breaks through the clouds over the pre-Inca-fortress Portalanza, this mountain-valley looks most certainly like taken from a fairy tale. "Aguacatal" is the name of the very remote (no electricity!) and beautiful farm that offers us beds for tonight in cozy wooden cabañas (alternatively ancient Jesuit Hacienda Niebli de la Compañia, depending on availability). Welcome drink and great home-made hot meal.

Day 3  Having found this unique place at the end of the world, we will stay here for the day and explore the fascinating surroundings - enjoying some leisure activities and refilling our energies with Mrs. Hilda’s Austrian Kaiserschmarrn in the middle of nowhere.
In the morning we invite you for a 3 hours ride, to take a look at mysterious 1300 years old stone-carvings from the Yumbo-culture. The visit of a nearby Hacienda that was ruled by the Jesuit-community during colonial time and shows interesting historical evidences, is another option. Those, who'd like to change activity for a while, can go for a walk, collecting tropical fruit, head for a shower under a natural waterfall or just hang out for a day, enjoying the enchanted and unique scenery of our rest place. Home-made lunch at Doña Hilda’s place, overnight in cabañas.

Day 4  This is the day of the adventurous! Following the course of the furious and turbulent River Guayllabamba upstream for several hours, we shall enjoy some really breathtaking views. From the back of our horses, we're overlooking the steep and winding gorges, a comprised version of the Grand Canyon. This valley has been settled long before the arrival of the Incas, by cultures who were farming the land, building temples for their gods and knowing the exact position of the equator line. Today’s 7-8 hours ride along the river and up Pululahua´s outer crater walls, combines steep adventurous up- and downhill climbs through dense vegetation with gallop stretches on mountain ridges with wide open views. Towards the end of the day, we’ll be crossing Lulumbamba, one of the oldest Arrayan forests in South America, ruled by elves and hobbits, while winding downhill amongst mystical mossy trees.
Tonight we are invited into Alex’ private home, sitting remote in the mountains, an immigrant from the Check Republic with a great life story to tell and a great cuisine to enjoy.

Day 5   wide open views to expect! Today the trail leads through fields of sugar cane and banana trees along the way, then crosses over a narrow ridge with lush bamboo forests. We will be climbing gently but continually on our ride to the west. On our trail up the mountain, we only come across a few small farmhouses, where the highland farmers scratch a meager income from the steep, infertile land beside the forest. Accommodation in a more than 300 years old beautiful colonial Hacienda and a hot evening meal await us, next to the volcanic springs of El Cachaco. Alternatively, accommodation in the ecological community-tourism project at Yunguilla mountain village. A lot to learn about sustainable development.
Day 6  We'll be riding across the Valley of Nono, along green, hilly pastures, passing several stately farms, where we can observe fighting bulls and flower crop for exportation, getting a good impression about present and past of the country. Some extensive canters along fields and pastures make our way shorter this time. This picturesque valley is also the home and breading place of many beautiful horses. Drawing closer to Pichincha volcano, which towers above us at almost 4800 m, we shall reach the tiny, colonial village of Nono, where we find shelter in a traditional farm-house, still built in colonial time. Next to a hot chimney fire, our host Don Lucho, known as the “Wild West Cowboy of Nono” is always willing to tell some interesting stories about people and lifestyles, while sharing tea and locally burnt brandy with us.

Day 7  Today we leave Nono, climbing up to the edge of the paramo grassland, catching views on the ashy slopes of Pichincha Volcano and the surrounding valleys. After crossing a ridge that divides the Inter-Andean Valley from the Pacific Andean slopes, we start heading downhill into a lush green region of virgin forests studded with waterfalls toward the fishing resort of Tandayapa. Once back on the road, we say goodbye to the horses and shall meet our accompanying vehicle that brings us up the rest of way to Bellavista nature reserve. We'll be welcomed into a unique lodge with hot showers and delicious, wholesome food. The bamboo-built, rounded “dome house”, allows a 360-degree few on the vivid bird- and plant-life around us: The place is surrounded by hundreds of colorful hummingbirds, often Toucans and bright blue shining Jays. From the balcony of our shared room, we can enjoy a breath-taking view far over the cloud forest and listen to the sounds of exotic birds, before the mist races in.

Day 8  After a hearty breakfast, a tour of Bellavista reserve is open to whoever wishes. Self-guided maps help you to design your adventure through this Andean jungle. We have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the variety of plant- and bird-life before lunch. Transport back to Quito in the afternoon and end of main program.
-- or optional "Spa/Otavalo" extension packages or and extra Quito B&B overnight with airport transfer the next day.

Optional Extensions:
Spa Extension (Day 8)
We drive you across the Andean Valley and over the Eastern Andean Cordillera towards the natural volcanic springs of Papallacta. The next morning, about 10 different pools with different water temperature, nestling in an outstandingly beautiful surrounding - paramo highland, lakes, cloud-forests and the snow capped Antizana volcano close by - invite you to recover from the long and straining ride. A Spa next door can be visited by those who wish to receive massages and other wellness joys. Return to Quito in the afternoon. (2 days/ 1 night $180 pp)

Otavalo Extension (Day 9)
We drive to Otavalo where we shall offer you Bed and Breakfast in a nicely decorated hotel within walking distance from all the markets in Otavalo. Many options for the next morning: The “early-ups” might check out the animal market starting by dawn or watch the indigenous people build up the textile market. Others might want to sleep in and visit the lively, colorful indigenous market after breakfast. The small Andean town is world-famous for its handicrafts and wool products, these textiles are successfully sold around the world, and as poor as the mountain housings were we have seen on our ride, it’s here in Otavalo where you can see more Mercedes Benz than anywhere else in Ecuador. After shopping, our program still offers an optional visit to the leather town of Cotacachi, the beautiful crater lake of Cuicocha, encircled by rugged mountain walls, as well as a boat-trip around the islands in its midst. Return drive to Quito in the afternoon.   (2 days/ 1 night $180 pp)

Post-Trip 'Quito Package': This package includes overnight in local B&B, continental breakfast the next morning and transfer to the airport (taxes and service charges of 22% included).... additional nights can be booked in advance.

Altitude - most of the riding takes place between 1400 and 3600 meters, please therefore note that the sun is very strong and on arrival guests may also feel the effects of the altitude. The rides are planned so that guests can acclimatize and the luckily horses will also be doing most of the work!

A medical kit both for horse & rider is carried on all outings however short. Most saddles have saddlebags for a few personal belongings. Pack animals are used and/or support vehicles to carry most of the equipment.

Please, keep your luggage reasonable for the driver, who will transport the bags in the support vehicle.

We will be crossing different climate zones and the temperature on the Equator drops steeply at sundown. Calculate a temperature variation between 5 and 28 degrees Celsius. Both light and warm clothes are therefore a must.

The best equipped wear light, long-sleeved tops during the day (these provide protection from sun and insect bites, too). A sweatshirt, pullover or fleece jacket are required for the cooler parts as well as a jacket (Gore-Tex or similar), rain gear, a hat with a brim, bandanna, swim suit, small towel, flip-flop shoes, sport shoes and riding shoes with a good grip. Wellington boots are available for use, which are better suited to the short marches on foot than proper riding boots. Don't forget your insect repellent, sun cream, sunglasses, camera, water bottle.  Bring a fanny pack/belt pack for storing your camera, water-bottle, sunglasses etc.

Note: If you like to use a hard hat, please bring yours with you.

Accommodations:

We are constantly upgrading the comforts of this remote trip, but we would categorize the accommodations overall as "rustic" and "comfortable" - three nights are a bit more rustic, but the other nights make up for it - and then some! Shared bathrooms in some places. Keep in mind this is still  the real Ecuadorian back country!

Food and Water
There is no concern with the water during your trip, that's why we don't have any special info about it. All drinks are provided with bottled water, whilst tap water is good enough for teeth brushing etc. With the exception of lunch on day 2 and 10 in safe and recommendable restaurants, all food is carefully homemade, raw veggies and salads washed and disinfected.  Diet on the trip tries to be of the greatest variation possible.  Everything from traditional Ecuadorian to Italian, from vegetarian to meat, using the typical ingredients of every climate zone we're going through. Food is part of the adventure and the aim, to make clients know and understand Ecuador's variety - the same as horses, landscapes and hosts.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English and Montura de Vaquería (Western type), also Colombian saddles that are like a mixture between English and Western (deeper English or: flatter Western)
Horses:		Creole, Paso Fino, Polo, American Paint, mix with Anglo-Arab
Pace:		Daily 3-9 hours Mountainous terrain, trip is designed as a trekking with the horse through the Andes, therefore our main pace is walking, but always nice trot-, canter- and gallop-sections as well. | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Age:		Min 14
Weight:		Max 200 lb
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 8 riders

We stress that riders really need to be in very good physical shape for the hiking parts of this trip!! 

Riders will have to lead their horses on steep areas of the trail. Your help in cleaning and saddling the horses is required.
Due to the altitude and terrain, there is a weight restriction. We are unable to accept riders of over 90kg/14.5 stone/ 195 lbs.
Minimum riding age is 14 years!

Horses
The horses are mainly Creole, Paso Fino, Polo, American Paint, mix with Anglo-Arab -  ideal for the terrain. They are specially selected, well trained and have a good nature. Great attention is paid to matching horse and rider and on most rides (terrain permitting) horses 14.2-15.5hh are available.

Most horses are ridden English and Western style (neck reining, one hand).

Riding Ability
We ride through varying terrain; some parts quite steep and open ground.  Enjoyment from these rides can be increased if you are physically fit and your riding muscles toned. Clients always have the choice to take the accompanying vehicle instead of riding, also if they feel sick etc.

Guides/Grooms
Guests are accompanied by a guide that speaks English/Spanish/French and German and one local groom. The guides and grooms have excellent local knowledge of the highlands of Ecuador and are expert riders. The guides have many years of experience guiding on and off horseback. Professional guides speaking other languages are available on prior request.

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.