Day 2: Hacienda Alegria
Ride in the arena and try horses to get acquainted with the horse, tack that we will be using the next days, we ride around the neighboring Haciendas at the west Andes. Our first contact with the heights starts this first day. Lunch at the Hacienda, visit the milking barn, the aging cheese cave, and at the end of this interesting day enjoy the hot tub and fireplace.
Accommodations: Hacienda la Alegria    
Riding hours: 4 hours

Day 3: Bomboli
Crossing extensive pastures and eucalyptus forests, we will have a nice view of the “Volcanoe Avenue”. From there we can appreciate the green and fertile Machachi Valley and we can also see the routes we will take the next day at the east mountain chain. We will ascend the Corazon volcano up to 4,000 meters and descend through the Cloud forest reserve.
At the cloud forest we can observe a great biodiversity of plants and flowers, including giant guneras, orchids, and birds such as the turkey of the forest. In the afternoon we arrive to Hacienda Bomboli at 3,000 m and relax by the fireplace enjoying the sunset and see the lights of the villages near the coast. We will arrive at tea time, then enjoy a delicious dinner.
Accommodations: Hacienda Bomboli  
Riding hours: 4 hours

Day 4: Hacienda La Alegria
In the morning we will walk at the Hacienda’s gardens and learn and see an incredible variety of the most beautiful orchids and cloud forest plants.
We ride up hill admiring the forest and the hundreds of flowers and plants. We will use the old road that was built in 1873 to connect Quito with the coast.
Arrive to Hacienda la Alegria for lunch, relax and enjoy the hot tub and the fireplace. 
Accommodation: Hacienda la Alegria  
Riding hours: 6 hours

Day 5: Sigchos
Today will be a long journey on the saddle. We will be transferred by car one hour south of Hacienda la Alegria to start our 4 day adventure at the southern Andes. We will ride by the Inca trail and dirt roads and paths that takes us to Sigchos, the village that was known as the “last home” of the Inca general Ruminahui. From this day on we will ride through a dramatic landscape, including steep ravines and narrow passages.
Even though we can visualize where we are heading and it looks near, we will have to cross many mountain chains to get there. This area is a combination of forest, rock peaks and eroded land from the last centuries.
We will arrive at the Hacienda San Jose, a working dairy farm and guest house in time for a good meal, Jacuzzi, sauna, and a comfortable night.
Our horses will  have lush fields of fresh grass. 
Accommodations: Hacienda San Jose
Riding hours: 8 hours

Day 6: Quilotoa
After breakfast we head south to the  Quilotoa crater lake. The trail goes by the highest mountain heading west they call the cloud forest and there is some dairy cattle and a couple of cheese makers. As we descend to the canyon, the environment becomes arid. The soil is composed by pumice from the Quilotoa volcano that erupted 1,280 years ago.
In the afternoon we will arrive to the Quilotoa volcano summit at 3,800 meters above sea level, where our hostel is awaiting. At the edge of the volcano we will enjoy and amazing view of the breathtaking Quilotoa crater lake.
Quilotoa is a crater lake caldera and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The 3 kilometer wide caldera was formed by the collapse of this dacite volcano following a eruption.
Accommodations: Quilotoa hostel, next to the crater lake
Riding hours: 8 hours

Day 7: Insilivi
In the morning, we will take a small walk to take the last photos of the incredible view of the crater lake. We will then start our ride downhill the volcano by a beautiful old path. It will take us half a day to descend the Canyon, crossing a few villages that make us remind old pictures as The Good the Bad and Ugly.
Volcano pumice and dry soil makes hard and poor area for agriculture, thus, only a few people lives in this region.
The ride continues through several hills, arriving to a small village called Insilivi founded in 1857. Here we will find our hostel for the night. which was started by an entrepreneur from the UK 16 years ago, and is now owned by a Dutch couple.
Accommodations: Hostal at Insilivi   
Riding hours: 4 hours

Day 8: Planchaloma
The last day riding in the region is by several narrow old paths ascending to the high Andes paramo. From here, it is possible to admire the nice scenery from one valley to another.
The transition from paramo to eroded land offers a change in mountain scenery and colors. At a distance, we will see the Eastern Mountain Chain. We will make our way back to Hacienda Alegria.
Accommodations: Hacienda la Alegria
Riding hours: 6 hours

Day 9: Departure
Breakfast and finish our services
Transfer to airport


Quitolota Ride

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive to the Hacienda and ride at the paddock to get acquainted with the horses and tack that we will use during the ride. Then we ride around the neighboring Haciendas. Our first experiences at altitude starts this first day. Lunch in the Hacienda house, visit the milking barn and aging cheese cave, and enjoy the hot tub and fireplace.
Accommodations: Hacienda La Alegria 
Riding hours: 4 hours

Day 2: Insilivi
We will start the ride an hour south of Hacienda La Alegria and begin our adventure south of the Ilinizas Volcanoes. We will observe a less agricultural and drier ecosystem always accompanied by friendly locals eager to help travellers. We will observe small farms with a variety of crops and a few dairy cows. The rough conditions of the land have forced small farmers to move to cities for temporary jobs until the time of harvest. We will ascend from the small valley to the ridge with scenery of rock peaks and mountains that make up the Quilotoa volcano.

We will also observe dozens of canyons flowing into a large one that was formed by the Toachi River during the eruption of the Quilotoa volcano. We will ride along ancient mule tracks, which were used for hundreds of years by the Incas, colonists, alcohol smugglers, and merchants. Nowadays its use is almost entirely by the local farmers. We stop on the way for lunch and then continue our ride until we find a tiny town called Insilivi, composed of two main streets and about 50 houses. Here we will find a comfortable hostel to spend our first night at the mountains. After freshening up we will have the option to walk a few blocks and see the valley from a viewpoint that will allow us to observe the arrival points for the next few days. At the hostel we will be able to enjoy a hot tub and steam room, a delicious dinner and rooms with a fireplace.
Accommodations: Inn at Insilivi
Riding time: 4-5 hours

Day 3: Sigchos
Today we will continue ridding down the path to the Toachi River and Canon. It is hard to understand how these paths were built hundreds of years ago. They go up high in the mountain ridge and are used by the small farmers to transport water by mules and donkeys to their farms. We will see a very rural landscape mostly with subsistence agriculture. As we make our way to the canon we will appreciate the geographical barriers that the canon walls create between the small towns forcing locals to travel for hours. People still talk about the old gold mines that were here in times of the Spanish colonization. We will make our way up to the Hacienda San Jose which is located at a higher point and looks like an oasis because of its trees and green pastures, after lunch we continue the ride to Hacienda San Gabriel (part of San Jose), we will have a impressive scenery from the mountain and at the afternoon we will have the opportunity to have a sun set with a nice view to the west, were the sea is at 140 kilometers. We will have a delicious dinner and lead our horses to graze in the pastures at night.
Accommodations: Hacienda San Gabriel
Riding time: 4-5 hours

Day 4: Chugchilan
Today we continue our way toward the western mountain chain. As we ride we will enjoy the view of the eastern chain where the Illinizas volcanos predominate. We will ascend to the edge of the mountain range, which on a clear day allows us to appreciate an endless horizon up until the coastal area. We will pass by ancient observation points called “pucaras” which were built by the Incas in the two ranges of the Ecuadorian Andes to protect the empire. As we descend we will stop by at one of the artisanal cheese factories. Here we will learn about cheese making, the local traditions, culture and their lifestyle. We will then arrive to Chugchilan, a small town with important tourist activity based on the beauty and popularity of the Quilotoa Volcano and its canons. At night we will enjoy a lovely dinner and stay at the Inn, which is recognized as an eco-lodge.  
Accommodations: Inn at Chugchilan (Black Sheep Inn)
Riding time: 4 hours

Day 5: Quilotoa
Today is a special day because our goal will be to reach the great volcano with its unique emerald blue lagoon that was formed at its crater. We will descend to one of the canons and then ascend to the edge of the volcano, which is a part of the ride, which we assure, will leave you speechless for several minutes. We will ride for an hour and a half following the path at the edge of the crater, until we reach hostel along the edge of the crater.  After leaving the horses and freshening up we will have the chance to walk towards the edge of the crater and explore the lake. After dinner we will spend the night at one of the accommodations
Accommodations: Inn at Quilotoa
Riding time: 4 hours

Day 6: Return to La Alegria
After breakfast and a visit to the viewpoint of the lagoon, we will be transferred by car back to Hacienda la Alegria (2.5 hours) where we will have lunch and prepare our way back to your next destination.

OPTIONAL THREE DAY RIDE TO THE CLOUD FOREST, BEFORE THE QUILOTOA RIDE
Day 1
Ride in the arena and get acquainted with the horses and tack that we will use during the ride.  We then ride around the neighboring Haciendas and mountains as Viudita or Corazon. Our first experiences at altitude starts this first day. Lunch in the Hacienda house, visit the milking barn and aging cheese cave, and enjoy the hot tub and fireplace.
Accommodations: Hacienda La Alegria    
Riding hours: 4 hours

Day 2
In the morning we ride west towards the Corazon to 4,000 meters and descend to the cloud forest. At the cloud forest, we can observe a great biodiversity of plants and flowers, including giant guneras, orchids, and birds such as the turkey of the forest (guan). In the afternoon, we arrive for tea at Hacienda Bomboli (3,000 m), relax by the fireplace, enjoying the sunset, and watch the lights of the villages near the coast following a great meal.
Accommodation: Hacienda Bomboli
Riding hours: 6 hours 

Day 3
We leave behind the cloud forest and ride the old road that until1960 connected Quito with the coast. From there we can appreciate the green and fertile Machachi Valley and we can also see the routes we will take the next day along the east mountain chain. Crossing extensive pastures and eucalyptus forests we arrive to the valley at time for a
Delicious late lunch at the Hacienda.
Riding hours: 4 hours

Quilotoa Ride & Chagras Parade

The Cotopaxi and Haciendas Ride + Chagra
Parade Ride is offered once a
year in July when the town of 
Machachi has its annual Parade.
It is a 8 day ride which combines the Cotopaxi Volcano and Haciendas ride program,
 and includes two extra days for the Chagra Parade, lasso contest and bullfight festivity.
This Parade is a commemoration of Cotopaxi`s last eruption and about 2000 Chagras (local cowboy) participate by horse. This ride is specifically designed for those looking for a cultural immersion and adventure. On the first days riders will have the opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude.
 Chagras (local cowboys) come from different provinces just to be part of this parade and spectators come from all over the country. We will be part of the annual Chagra Parade where riders will understand the importance of the Chagra not only in Machachi but in Ecuador as well.
On the following days we will head towards the cloud forest. As we ride through the narrow cloud forest paths we will be surrounded by diverse and unique  of plant and animal species, very different from the ones you will be seeing the next days in the high mountains. One can’t help but be amazed by the sheer new environment.
We will then ride to Cotopaxi volcano and gallop on the plains at 40000 mts. The highest Canter in the word. We arrive to cozy Lodge and next day we will search a great area of the National park and get closer to the active volcano.

Day 1: July 19
Arrive to Quito airport and transfer to Hacienda La Alegria (2890mts) Optional ride, depending on your arrival time.                                                                                           
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria           

Day 2: July 20th
Today we get on our horses and ride towards the west through the dairy farms and up to 3500 m to continue behind the Viudita mountain (3800 m). We will circle to the mountain and head back to Hacienda La Alegria for a late lunch. In the evening, we visit  Machachi where you will find lots of options to buy ponchos, hats and all customs for next day parade.
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria           
Riding time 3 hours

Day 3 July 21th
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 that consists of 1 to 2 thousand horses 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 their horses.
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria            
Riding time 5 hours

Day 4 Sunday July 22nd
After breakfast you will have the opportunity to attend the Machachi Lasso Contest in the morning. In the afternoon you can take a look at the bullfighting festivity, that are more like San Fermin in Pamplona
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria  

Day 5: Monday July 23rd
We will ride to Bomboli cloud forest located on the skirts of Corazon Mountain. We will arrive at Hacienda Bomboli (3000 m) and will have time for a short walk to appreciate beautiful orchids, fern trees, and guneras before supper.
Overnight at Bomboli Cloud forest                       
Riding time +6 hours

Day 6: Tuesday July 24th  
We head on our horses towards the Machachi valley through secondary roads and dairy farms. We ride to Hacienda La Alegria for lunch and in time to visit our breeding herd. We have about 70 horses and we use several breeds as Andalusian, Arab, Criollo, and Belgian cross. At the manor house, a good meal, Jacuzzi, and a comfortable night is waiting for us.
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria                        
Riding time 4 hours

Day 7: Wednesday July 25 COTOPAXI
We ride to the west mountain range and through the valley toward Machachi. We continue to Ruminahui volcano and cross the highest point of our ride (4,250 m) on the edges of the rocks. We stop for lunch on the way and arrive to the Lodge, were we will overnight at 3,750 meters.
Accommodations: Lodge Tambopaxi in front of  Cotopaxi Volcano
Riding time 7 hours

Day 8: Thursday July 26th
Today we enter the Cotopaxi National Park. We ride towards the Sincholagua volcano and make a large loop downhill to the valley. After a snack, we continue crossing the different lava flows, ascending north of Cotopaxi up to 4,100 m to the highest plains where we complete the highest canter in the world. We ride in close proximity to berber wild horse herds that live in the park and are descendants of the horses brought by the Spanish in the 16th century. A nice option to stop on the park and have our box lunch. We finish the ride out of the park, where we will enjoy the scenery of Volcano Avenue during dinner.
Overnight at Hacienda Mortinos   
Riding time:7 hours

Day 9: Friday July 27th
We start our way back to the hacienda La Alegria and ride toward the green Machachi valley guarded by the volcanoes avenue. We cross the Machachi plaza where horsemen are always welcomed; we pass the town of Aloag and arrive to Hacienda La Alegria for a late lunch and enjoy the hot tub and rest with the memories of the long journeys in the mountains.
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria        
Riding time 6 hours

Day 10: Saturday July 28th
Transfer to Airport

--Subject to changes--