Note: Special trip dates marked B will include a day long Horse Round Up and several days of Cattle Round Ups.

Day 1: Transfer from hotel or airport for dinner and overnight to Hacienda La Alegria.

Day 2: Ride in the arena to try the 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 startstoday.

Accommodations: Hacienda 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.

Accommodations: Bomboli    Hours of riding: 4 hours *Option camping in Monte Oscuro - (Depends on the weather, min 4 pax)

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: Hacienda 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 riding: 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

The temperatures in the Ecuadorian highlands are normallu in the 70s and 80s F (20-25 C) all year.
However, please note that mornings and evenings can still become very cold! Dress with layers so you are always prepared!

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)
Glove & Scarf: Wool, leather, or polypropylene, recommended water proof
Socks: Wool or polypropylene
Footwear: Waterproof trekking boots or waterproof riding boots (if your shoe size is 9.5 US or less, rubber 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.
 

The home base hacienda Hacienda La Alegria 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 here and also at 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.

At Hacienda La Alegria, meals will be served in the cozy dining room with a fire place and the food is fresh and wholesome home cooking combined with gourmet touches and cooked from the local crops.
Breakfast - coffee, tea, cocoa or oat meal, eggs and/or French toast, natural fruit juice and fruit of the season.
Lunch and Dinner - will be either a meat dish or pasta dish with vegetables served with rice or potatoes. There is always a typical Ecuadorian soup and desert with all meals.
Drinks - water, juices or cola.
This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

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

Tack:		North American style, English style, Mclellan calvary, Chillean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leather-work and saddle horn.
Horses:		mixed Criollo (native South American), English Thoroughbred and Arabian stock
Pace:		4-7 hours of riding daily | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Age:		Min 12	Max 70
Weight:		Max 190 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 12 riders

At Hacienda La Alegria our horses are very important to us! Most have been bred here on the farm from mixed Criollo (native South American), English Thoroughbred and Arabian stock, resulting in a near perfect combination of toughness, agility, calm temperament and "mountain sense". Beginners and experienced riders alike have found them easy to ride, willing and good mannered.

Rest assured, if you have previous riding experience you will be given plenty of opportunity to canter!

We have a range of tack including North American style, English style, Mclellan calvary, Chillean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leather-work and saddle horn.

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

For all B dates there are 4 days that have 8+ riding hours each - only suitable for good riders!!

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.