Horseback riding in Highlands Riding Tours, Ecuador

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- Volcano Cotopaxi Adventure
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Volcano Cotopaxi Adventure


Itinerary for Volcano Cotopaxi Adventure




Sample Itinerary: Volcano Cotopaxi Adventure - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive to the Hacienda early morning (around 9:30am) if you would like the option to ride for 2 or 3 hours.
Riding: 2-3 hours
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria


Day 2: Acclimatize
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. 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.
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria   


Day 3: Cloud Forest
Crossing extensive pastures and eucalyptus forests, we will have a nice view of the “Volcano 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 will be able to 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 will arrive to Hacienda Bomboli at 3,000m by teatime. Time to put up your feet and relax by the fireplace as you watch the sunset and the lights of the villages near the coast. We enjoy a great meal by our hosts.
Riding: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Bomboli 


Day 4: Hacienda La Alegria
In the morning, we will walk around Hacienda gardens to learn about orchids and cloud forest plants. We will ride up hill using an old road built in 1873 to connect Quito with the coast, all the while admiring the forest and the hundreds of flowers and plants. Arrive to Hacienda La Alegria for lunch, relax, and enjoy the hot tub and the fireplace. 
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria 


Day 5: Ruminahui Volcano
We ride to the west mountain range and through the valley toward Machachi. We stop at the Machachi market on Sundays. We continue toward the Ruminahui and stop at a beautiful Hacienda for a snack. Afterwards, we keep riding until we arrive to the Pedregal valley and stay overnight in a Hacienda at 3,500 meters.
Riding: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda at Pedregal Valley (near Cotopaxi National Park)


Day 6: The Park
We enter the Cotopaxi National Park and ride towards the Sincholagua volcano, making a large loop downhill to the valley. After a break and a snack, we continue crossing the different lava flows to ascend up to 4,100m to the highest plains of Cotopaxi, where we complete the highest canter in the world. We ride in close proximity to berber wild horse herds that live in the park who are descendants of the horses brought by the Spanish in the 16th century.
Riding: 6+ hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Tambopaxi refuge


Day 7: Ride Back to La Alegria
Today we ride west towards Ruminahui to the highest point of our ride (4,250 m) 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 horsemen are always welcomed. We pass the town of Aloag and arrive to Hacienda La Alegria for a pleasant dinner and to enjoy the hot tub and rest with the memories of the long journeys in the mountains.
Riding: 7+ hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast we finish our services. Transfers to the airport or your hotel in Quito.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Chagra Parade - subject to changes

This ride is offered once a
 year in July when the town of 
Machachi has its annual Parade.
 It is a 9-day ride which combines the Volcano Cotopaxi Adventure ride program,
 and includes two extra days at 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 with their horse. This ride is specifically designed for those looking for a cultural immersion and adventure. 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 unique 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 40000m elevation- The highest canter in the word.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive to the Hacienda early morning (around 9:30am) if you would like the option to ride for 2 or 3 hours.
Riding: 2-3 hours
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria


Day 2: Hacienda La Alegria
Today we ride towards the west through the dairy farms and up to 3500m, working on acclimatizing to the altitude. We continue behind the Viudita mountain (3800m), make a circle to the mountain, and head back to the Hacienda 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.
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria            


Day 3: 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 2 thousand horses in the streets of Machachi. The food, the music,  and the colorful dresses and decoration makes the environment very festive. There are hundreds of Chagras dressed with their attire and showing off their horses.
Riding 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria            

Day 4: Lasso Contest and Bullfight
After breakfast you will have the opportunity to attend the Machachi Lasso Contest in the morning and in the afternoon, as an option, you can take a look at the bullfighting festivity that are more like San Fermin in Pamplona.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria  

Day 5: Cloud Forest
Crossing extensive pastures and eucalyptus forests, we will have a nice view of the “Volcano 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 will be able to 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 will arrive to Hacienda Bomboli at 3,000m by teatime. Time to put up your feet and relax by the fireplace as you watch the sunset and the lights of the villages near the coast. We enjoy a great meal by our hosts.
Riding 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Bomboli 

Day 6: Hacienda La Alegria
In the morning, we will walk around Hacienda gardens to learn about orchids and cloud forest plants. We will ride up hill using an old road built in 1873 to connect Quito with the coast, all the while admiring the forest and the hundreds of flowers and plants. Arrive to Hacienda La Alegria for lunch, relax, and enjoy the hot tub and the fireplace. 
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at 
Hacienda La Alegria 


Day 7: Ruminahui Volcano
We ride to the west mountain range and through the valley toward Machachi. We stop at the Machachi market on Sundays. We continue toward the Ruminahui and stop at a beautiful Hacienda for a snack. Afterwards, we keep riding until we arrive to the Pedregal valley and stay overnight in a Hacienda at 3,500 meters.
Riding: 8 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda at Pedregal Valley (near Cotopaxi National Park)

Day 8: The Park
We enter the Cotopaxi National Park and ride towards the Sincholagua volcano, making a large loop downhill to the valley. After a break and a snack, we continue crossing the different lava flows to ascend up to 4,100m to the highest plains of Cotopaxi, where we complete the highest canter in the world. We ride in close proximity to berber wild horse herds that live in the park who are descendants of the horses brought by the Spanish in the 16th century.
Riding: 6+ hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Tambopaxi refuge


Day 9: Hacienda La Alegria
Today we ride west towards Ruminahui to the highest point of our ride (4,250 m) 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 horsemen are always welcomed. We pass the town of Aloag and arrive to Hacienda La Alegria for a pleasant dinner and to enjoy the hot tub and rest with the memories of the long journeys in the mountains.
Riding: 5+ hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria

Day 10: Transfer Quito
After breakfast we finish our services. Transfers to the airport or your hotel in Quito.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Volcano Cotopaxi Adventure
Tour Code: IT-ECRT12
8 days / 7 nights
Dates : Available all Year

Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Basic
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 02/16 - 02/23 8d / 7n 8 day trip (6 riding days) 4 /12 Expired
A 2024 05/10 - 05/17 8d / 7n 8 day trip (6 riding days) 4 /12 Reserve
A 2024 08/16 - 08/23 8d / 7n 8 day trip (6 riding days) 4 /12 Reserve
A 2024 12/06 - 12/13 8d / 7n 8 day trip (6 riding days) 4 /12 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: North American style, English style, M...
Horses: Mixed Criollo (native South American),...
Pace: Moderate with trots and canters. 4-6 h...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Quito
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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