Horseback riding in Haciendas, Ecuador

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- Cloud Forest Getaway Ride
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Horseback riding vacations in Ecuador, Haciendas

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Equestrian tours in Ecuador, Haciendas
Cloud Forest Getaway Ride


Itinerary for Cloud Forest Getaway Ride


 

The hacienda is located an hour by car or bus from Quito, close enough for you to extend your Ecuador holiday with a few days of riding with an easy transfer from Quito, which we are happy to arrange for you.
You can also combine a few days of riding with the adventure of travelling to the hacienda on the roof of the old narrow-gauge train, which runs past the garden. The train runs at the weekend and it is advisable to make bookings in advance.

Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced rider, a stay at the hacienda will introduce you to a side of Ecuador that few on the "tourist trail" get to see. The hacienda is surrounded by fabulous riding country, with cobbled tracks winding through lush farmland up to the rolling paramo (high grassland) and the rocky summit cones of the many extinct volcanoes that line both sides of the Machachi valley.


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
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 and Atacazo. We get back to the hacienda for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the milking barn and aging cheese cave, and enjoy the hot tub and fireplace.
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Alegria


Day 2: Cloud Forest
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.
Riding: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Bomboli


Day 3: Back to the Hacienda
We leave behind the cloud forest and ride the old road that until 1960 connected Quito with the coast. From there we can appreciate the green and fertile Machachi Valley. Crossing extensive pastures and eucalyptus forests we arrive to the valley in time for a delicious lunch at the Hacienda.
Riding: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch





Cloud Forest

One of the unique features of the environment around the hacienda is the endangered habitat of the Ecuadorian cloud forest. These subtropical mountain rain forests used to cloak much of the steep western slopes of the Andes between 1,000 and 2,500 meters, but are now classified as threatened.
We are extremely fortunate to have an area of unspoilt primary forest close by for our clients to explore. These luxuriant forests rank among some of the most bio-diverse habitats on the planet, with an astonishingly profusion of plant life, including orchids, epiphytes ("air plants"), tree ferns, bamboo, wax palms, podocarpus and aliso. Bird-watching is popular, with hummingbirds, nightjars, and other exotic species present in the forest (Ecuador boasts more bird species than any other country).
We can either drive to the edge of the forest slopes and hike from there, or ride through the forest on horseback (within easy reach for a day ride.



Non-Riding Activities
The farm is also ideally located for a hiking trip into the mountains. The hacienda is situated on the lower slopes of Volcan Corazon in the heart of the "Avenue of the Volcanoes", a spectacular valley dividing the eastern and western ranges of the Andes.

We can arrange accredited mountain guides if required, and can supply maps and directions for local peaks: Viudita (3760m), Corazon (4788m), Ruminahui (4712m) and Pasochoa (4250m). Viudita is a three hour round trip and is ideal for a morning or afternoon acclimatzation hike. Corazon is a long day hike from the farm for fit and acclimatized hikers. Because the physical distances between the mountains are much greater than in the European Alps or the Rockies, you might like to consider the option of combining hiking and riding.

We can also ride to Corazon, Ruminahui and Pasochoa, taking the horses up onto the paramo (high grassland) from where spectacular hiking is possible with the option of returning to the hacienda for a hot shower at the end of the day. Ascents of Illiniza Sur (5263m) and the classic cone of Cotopaxi (at 5897m the highest active volcano in the world) offer the possibility of some adventurous riding combined with more serious mixed terrain climbing. Previous mountaineering experience is not necessary, but acclimatization on the smaller peaks mentioned above is essential (we speak from personal experience!) We work closely with accredited mountain guides for these trips and can arrange a riding / climbing itinerary to tackle these summits.
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Cloud Forest Getaway Ride
Tour Code: IT-ECSRAL
3 days / 2 nights
Dates : Available all Year

Trip Rating :
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.

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Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: North American style, English style, M...
Horses: mixed Criollo (native South American),...
Pace: approx. 4 hours each riding day - pace...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Quito
Location on Google Map
Video
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Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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