Sample Itinerary - subject to changes
Please, note that your package includes about 2-3 hours of riding per riding day (no riding on arrival & departure days). In case you wish to ride longer, it is possible to add more riding hours for an extra fee.
Day 1: Arrival
Possible pick-up in Quito or Otavalo for an extra fee. The scenic drive from to the Hacienda passes through the flower plantations of Cayambe, over the Andes Mountains and down to the valleys of the Imbabura province. Stop for some pictures at Cayambe’s own Equator Monument. Take in the beauty of the San Pablo Lake and drive through the city of Ibarra into the sugar cane valley of Salinas. Follow the Mira River and pass over the Guallupe Bridge along the Gualchan River to your destination. This will be a non-riding day but if you like (and if there is enough time) we could arrange a short afternoon ride or a trip to town before dinner time, for an extra fee.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Primavera
Day 2: Ride to El Carmen
Breakfast is served when you get up (no time constraints here!). Familiarize yourself with the cowboys and guides while they prepare the horses for the day. There are several trails that follow the Rio Blanco and Gualchan Rivers with a choice of 7 different destinations. On the trails, you will see the typical daily activities of the neighborhood mountaineers, enjoy the lush vegetation along the trail, and maybe spot the beautiful blue Morpho Eugenia butterfly and local birds. The horseback riding trips can take from about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the trail and rider capability.
Today, we will ride North from the hacienda towards the Chocó reserve, passing the Town of El Carmen and following the old trail back to the Hacienda. This trip is popular also for bird watching.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Primavera
Day 3: Cowboy Ride
Today, you will ride with the cowboys to check on the herd. You will see beautiful views of the Andes mountains from the fields. Help the cowboys milk the cows and check on pregnant cows.
On your way back, you can visit our new organic cloud forest coffee plantation.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Primavera
Day 4: Ride to Espejo 1
We will travel South from the Hacienda towards the town of Espejo 1 over the bridge and back to the hacienda. This trip has the sense of deep jungle and river views.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Primavera
Day 5: Ride through Cloud Forest
Today we will ride East from the hacienda towards the cloud forest for great views and photography opportunities, visit a cattle ranch and then back to the hacienda.
Ride the horses half way up the trail and then hike on foot from there through the cloud forest, up along the river towards the waterfall (rubber boots can be provided). Keep an eye out for sloths and the giant bromeliad orchids while enjoying the mountain lemons growing along the trail. Take a dip in the crystal waters of the spectacular waterfall.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Primavera
Day 6: Ride to Las Juntas
On the last riding day we will ride South and North from the Hacienda towards the town of Las Juntas. This trip will bring you to the end of civilization -- great relaxation and river views all along.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Primavera
Day 7: Departure
Transfer to Quito after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast
This is a sample itinerary only! Scheduling is completely flexible and guests may choose their activity on a day-by-day basis with the guide.
* However, white-water rafting and the train ride must be reserved prior to arrival. Please advise Hidden Trails or the hacienda if you would like us to book this for you.
Non-Riders
Non-Riding activities can also be arranged for an extra fee (please inquire): guided jungle hikes, mountain biking, white-water rafting, and autoferro train ride.
Local guides lead each trip and indicate notable plant and animal species. Trails are appropriate for all degrees of fitness.
White-Water Rafting
*Minimum of 4 rafters required for white-water rafting reservation.
White-water rafting is contracted and is held on Rio Mira from the town of San Jeronimo to the town of Rocafuerte.
Rafting trips start in the morning and guests return to lunch at the Ecolodge. A 45-minute safety lesson is provided to the rafters as well as helmets, life vests and paddles.
Class III and Class IV rafting trips are offered in Rio Gualchan and Rio Mira.
The trips are suitable for both beginners and experienced rafters and can run from forty minutes to three hours long.
The price of rafting includes transportation to and from the Ecolodge to the river.
At least 1 week of prior notification is needed to arrange the rafting trip.
Train Ride
The Autoferro train leaves Primer Paso every afternoon. This is a 2-hour train ride through the rural areas of Imbabura that will take you over bridges and through tunnels to the city of Ibarra. The Hacienda vehicle will pick you up and drive you back to the Hacienda.