Rates Note:

Day 1: Arrival day. Pick up from the airport or meeting point in Quito and transfer to a local hotel. Trip briefing. 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. After nightfall, we take a ride in a horse-carriage over the center’s old cobbled stone roads and experience a glimpse of colonial life centuries ago. We recommend you to arrive few days earlier for better acclimatization.
Day 2: From Quito we'll drive you over the western cordillera in direction to the Pacific cloud forest.. Scenery and microclimate change around each major road-turn, and you might get an impression of what variety awaits us on our ride. On the way, we have the chance to visit the Ecuadorian Monument 15-km north from Quito as well as the QUITSA-TO scientific project about the most ancient culture that has determined the equator line more than thousand years ago. We’ll learn some interesting facts about the people which once lived on "the Center of the Earth" and who’s fascinating knowledge has mostly been destroyed. Typical Ecuadorian lunch on the Equator and drive to "Bellavista" nature reserve where we'll be welcomed into a cozy lodge with hot showers and delicious, whole-some food. The bamboo-built, rounded "dome house", that will be our home for tonight, 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 3:  About 40 minutes further down the road we shall meet our horses, choose the right one for each and start riding through a lush green region of virgin forests studded with waterfalls, while steadily climbing uphill, drawing closer to Pichincha volcano, which towers above us at almost 4800 m. If lucky with the weather, we might find us riding close to Guagua Pichincha’s ashy crater slopes and its ridge, often enough steaming with sulfur fumerolas. Just before reaching the tiny, picturesque village of Nono, nestling at the northern face of the volcano, we’ll be crossing over a ridge that divides the Western Cordillera from the Inter Andean Valley where we shall be surprised by the dramatic change of scenery. A friendly local farm will give us shelter for the night. Next to a hot chimney fire, the farmer’s family might tell us some interesting stories about people and lifestyles and spoil us with the chefs cuisine.
Day 4: Today, we'll be riding along green, hilly pastures, wealthy Andean agriculture land, 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. This picturesque valley is also the home and breading place of many beautiful horses. Enjoy some nice canters along the fields and pastures. Crossing the Pucara hot springs around noon, we have the chance to relax our mussels in sulfur mountain water. Accommodation in the 350 years old, up to 1-meter thick colonial walls of a romantic country Inn. This Hacienda was already the home of the "Count of Amboise", one of the members of the french geodesic commission that measured the Equator midst of the 18th century. Measuring instruments bought in Paris 300 years ago and old Luis XIV- furniture can be admired in our fabulous dining room. Bring your bathing dress for the springs or the mineral water Jacuzzi!
Day 5:  After breakfast in the mighty colonial chamber, we ride out crossing the Equator from the southern to the northern part of the globe. While slowly winding downhill through forests of bamboo, we only come across a few small farmhouses along the way, where the highland farmers scratch a meager income from the steep, infertile land beside the forest. We keep approaching the impacting scenery of the ancient volcano "Pululahua", with the biggest crater in the whole Americas and one of only two inhabited volcanoes worldwide! At the bottom of the crater, a mystical and very peaceful place, we can observe farmers plugging their fields with sticks and oxen, like they did 300 years ago. The green corn fields, swaying gently in the breeze, paint the picture you’ll take home from this part of your journey. Accommodation in comfortable country Inn in the mystical surroundings of the crater walls.
Day 6:  After cantering around the central volcanic core, we shall be leaving the volcano through a small breech in its crater walls, passing by deep gorges, carved by lava streams thousands of years ago. Riding along steep mountain slopes covered with mossy cloud-forest, crossing eroded lahar fields blooming with wild orchids, we finally 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.
Day 7: Having gone half our way to Otavalo, we will make a rest day today, - enjoying some leisure activities and refilling our energies with Mrs. Hildas Austrian "Kaiserschmarrn" in the middle of nowhere. In the morning we invite you for a 2-3 hours hike or 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.
-- Riders on the 8-day itinerary will depart back to Quito today for an overnight and departure the next morning.
Day 8: This is the day of the adventurous! After crossing the bridge over the furious and turbulent river Guayllabamba, we'll be trekking along a nerve-wrecking trail above the river for several hours, following its direction upstream, leading us through the most hallucinating and breathtaking landscapes you can possibly imagine. You should not be afraid of heights. We will have to dismount on several sections of this trail and hike in difficult steep terrain. Fitness required! In the late afternoon we'll reach the "wild-west-town" of San José de Minas, which has lost its glory as an important mining place when the new road from Quito to Otavalo was built, leaving San José de Minas out of the way. The view of the town is dominated by a mighty colonial church with stories to tell about. In its stony archways, Marcelo and Janet run a Flintstone-designed fancy little hostel that offers us shelter for tonight. When Marcelo takes out his strange collection of German and American Country music and the Cuba Libres are served, the mood is rising.
Day 9:   Today we’ll be climbing another 4,000 feet in altitude, up to the cool and windy heights of the Paramo. Leaving the fertile valley of Minas behind us, we start riding and climbing along and across the fields and pastures of the authentic, charming Andean Highland, with cattle grazing on over 60 degrees inclined mountain-slopes. As we precede, housing, clothing and features get more and more indigenous: we are entering the land of the Otavalo tribe, one the few indigenous cultures worldwide who have managed to integrate and to succeed in a globalized world without loosing their identity. We’ll reach the beautiful Cuicocha Crater Lake in the afternoon, encircled by rugged mountain walls. Here, we spend our last night in comfortable double room "cabañas" with the best hot showers in Ecuador, while the cold Andean winds are blowing outdoors. (accommodations for tonight may change do to a recent sale of the property, but should be open again soon). A beautiful, picturesque hiking trail winds down from our hotel-yard to the lagoon, for those who still want to do some exercise.
Day 10: After a hearty breakfast in the wooden built cafeteria, and after waving good-bye to our horses, our accompanying vehicle will pick us up and drive us down to Otavalo with a far-reaching view over the valley and the surrounding mountains. In the small Andean town, world-famous for its handicrafts and wool products, we'll have the chance to visit its lively, colorful indigenous market. Nowadays, these textile products are successfully sold around the world, and as poor as the mountain housings were we have seen yesterday, it’s also here in Otavalo where you can see more Mercedes Benz than anywhere else in Ecuador. After lunch in an exquisite local restaurant, our main program has ended and participants will have the choice either to stay in Otavalo on their own (nearby attractions are the lakes of Mojanda and the Peguche waterfall) or to drive back with us to their Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Quito.
Day 11:  Departure after breakfast and transfer to the airport.

Note: the difficult narrow trail to San José the Minas has repeated land slide problems. Most of all for the dates from January to April we risk to have to do the alternative itinerary, driving the last day to Otavalo by car, but will not cut off riding days for the riders, rather offer new fantastic scenery.

The climate in the Ecuadorian highlands allows us to offer rides all year round.

In the "rainy" season (December to March in most areas) the rain does not fall daily and is hardly ever prolonged. Afternoon showers occur, by then the day's ride is over.

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 feel the effects of the altitude. The rides are planned so that guests can acclimatize and the 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 at some places. It is still  the real Ecuadorian backcountry
Bellavista - upgraded private accommodations with private rooms- available upon request with supplement.
Nono - friendly local farm.
Pululahua - charming artsy country hotel with gourmet meals and spectacular views
Aguacatal - the remotest place on earth, now has hot solar showers and three separate rooms - a little bar and pool table
Cuicocha Crater - amazing cabanas with private heaters and the best hot showers in Ecuador, incredible food, fantastic views (to be confirmed, since the property was just sold to new owners)
Amboisy & San Jose de Minas - rustic -- many riders love one of these two places specially, because they have conserved their very special character, and give an authentic insight into Ecuadorian living style, but it is certainly more rustic at these two locations.
Please note there are private rooms available at some places, they are available upon request with a supplement.

For extra nights in Quito before or after your ride- If you wish to stay at the same B&B in Quito which is included in your ride- please let Hidden Trails know and we will check availability and reservations for you.
We recommend friendly and safe places for each category: Hostal El Maple (economic), Tourist Hostal and Hostal Cayman (Tourist class), Casa Sol (upper tourist) and Hoteles Vieja Cuba (first class). All of them in the new town center.


Food and Water
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, 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, same as horses, landscapes and hosts.

During the days/nights in Quito only breakfast is included.

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

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.
The last 2 riding days are REALLY HARD. And this is what some clients REALLY WANT and don't get anywhere else. Less seasoned riders can choose to ride only the first 7 or 8 days and then transfer back to Quito !
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 good natured. 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.

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 galopp-sections as well. | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Age:		Min 14	Max 70
Weight:		Max 195 lb
Riders:		Min 2	Max 8

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.
The last 2 riding days are REALLY HARD. And this is what some clients REALLY WANT and don't get anywhere else. Less seasoned riders can choose to ride only the first 7 or 8 days and then transfer back to Quito !
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 good natured. 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.