Horseback riding in Highlands Riding Tours, Ecuador

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- Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Loops
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Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Loops


Itinerary for Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Loops




Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Depending on your arrival time you can have a short ride at the hacienda, dinner included.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Alegria


Day 2: Introductory Ride
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. 
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda la Alegria    


Day 3: Ride to 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.
Riding: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at
Hacienda Bomboli  


Day 4: Back to 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. 
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda la Alegria  


Day 5: Ride to Ruminahui Volcano
We ride to the west mountain range and through the valley toward Machachi. We stop at the Machachi market (on Sundays), continue toward the Ruminahui volcano and stop at a beautiful Hacienda for a snack.
We then continue 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 in Pedregal valley

Day 6: Cotopaxi Volcano Ride
We enter the Cotopaxi National Park, riding towards the Sincholagua volcano. We make a large loop downhill to the valley and after a snack, we continue crossing the different lava flows, ascending north of Cotopaxi up to 4,100 mts to the highest plains, where we complete the Highest Canter in the World.
We ride in close proximity to wild horse herds that live in the park and are descendants of the horses brought by the Spanish in the 16th century.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Tambopaxi refuge

Day 7: Ride back to the plains
We start riding towards Ruminahui volcano, continuing west. On the way, we pass to the highest point of our ride (4,250 m) on the edges of the Ruminahui Volcano. We continue our ride toward the green Machachi valley. We cross the Machachi plaza where horsemen are always welcomed; continuing our ride to the town of Aloag before arriving back at Hacienda La Alegria for a pleasant dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria

Day 8: Ride to Isinlivi
We will start today's ride one hour south of Hacienda La Alegria (transferred by car to this point). We will ride by the Inca trail and dirt trails that will take us to Isinlivi.
From here, it is possible to admire the nice scenery from one valley to another. The colors and the mountains make the changes from “Paramo” to eroded land full of different color patches. In the distance, we will see the Eastern Mountain Chain.
The ride continues through several hills, arriving to a small village called Isinlivi, founded in 1857. Here we will find our Lodge for the night.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Lodge in Isinlivi

Day 9: Quilotoa
In the morning, we will take a small walk to get the horses on a hill. There is a viewpoint of the Canyon formed by several eruptions of Quilotoa volcano. We will then start our ride up hill to reach the Quilotoa crater lake.
Crossing a few villages and paths, we discover an agricultural landscape with fields of lupines, potatoes, quinoa and barley. Volcano pumice and dry soil hinder agriculture thus, just a few people live in this region.
Quilotoa volcano erupted 1,280 years ago, the volcano summit is at 4,000 meters above sea level, where our Lodge is awaiting. At the edge of the volcano we will enjoy and amazing view of the breathtaking Quilotoa Crater Lake. The 3-kilometer-wide caldera was formed by the collapse of this volcano after the last eruption. The water color changes with the light.
Riding: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Quilotoa hostel, next to the crater lake


Day 10: Quilotoa to Sigchos
Today is a long journey on the saddle. We ride to Sigchos, the village that was known as the “last home” of the Inca general Ruminahui.
After breakfast, we head north by the ridge of Quilotoa Crater Lake. The trail goes across the highest mountain heading north-west. There, we will find some small dairy farms and a couple of artisanal cheese makers, we will stop for a short visit and cheese taste. 
This afternoon, we arrive to Hacienda San Jose, a working dairy farm and guesthouse. Our horses will have lush fields of fresh grass. 
Riding: 7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda San Jose


Day 11: Sigchose to Wingopana
We will ride through a dramatic landscape, including steep ravines. We start at 3900 meters and will ascend to 4000 meters high.
Even though we can visualize where we are heading and it seems close, we will have to cross several mountains chains to get there. This area is a combination of forest, rock peaks and eroded land from the past centuries.
We finish the ride on the sacred Wingopana Rock at 4000 meters. We will make our way back to Hacienda La Alegria by car for dinner and overnight.
Riding: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda la Alegria


Day 12: Departure
Breakfast and finish our services. Transfer to airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Loops
Tour Code: IT-ECRT10
12 days / 11 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: Standard
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 06/03 - 06/14 12d / 11n 12 days (10 riding days) 4 /8 Reserve
A 2024 11/05 - 11/16 12d / 11n 12 days (10 riding days) 4 /8 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: North American style, English style, M...
Horses: Mixed Criollo (native South American),...
Pace: 4-7 hours of riding daily, moderate tr...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Quito
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