Cloud Forest Ride

Introduction
Haciendas Ecuador
Join us for a few days or a whole week on this Ecuadorian hacienda - on a very special riding holiday. It is a family-run organic farm in the heart of Ecuador's "Avenue of the Volcanoes", just one hour south of the historic colonial city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The hacienda offers traditional hospitality and a touch of luxury. Above all, this hacienda specializes in horseback vacations in the beautiful surroundings of the high Andes of Ecuador. Your host Gabriel Espinosa comes from a family steeped in equestrian tradition, and his enthusiasm for riding and horses is at the core of everything they do at the farm. The riding programs can cater to experienced riders and total beginners in separate groups. We offer day rides for those new to riding, travelers with limited time, or those who just want a brief taste of the fresh mountain air! We also run a program of more adventurous multi-day trips travelling on horseback through the mountains, forests and paramo (high grasslands) of the Andes - see our Volcano Avenue rides. For groups of two or more we are also happy to organize itineraries customized to your requirements.

The horses are very important part of the day to day life at the hacienda. Most have been bred 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. If you have previous riding experience you will be given plenty of opportunity to canter.

There is a range of tack including North American style, English style, McClellan Calvary, Chilean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leather-work and saddle horn.

You will be welcomed with a roaring log fire in the sitting room, and in your bedroom when the nights are cold. The ranch can accommodate up to 24 people both in the farmhouse and a recently completed extension.

Paty and her staff provide tasty meals that combine delicious Ecuadorian and international cuisine.  Vegetarian / other special dietary requirements can be catered to on request. Your hosts speak good English making for some very interesting conversations on the trail or around the dinner table.

The hacienda ideally situated on the lower slopes of Volcan Corazon (4788m) in the heart of the "Avenue of the Volcanoes", a spectacular valley dividing the eastern and western ranges of the Andes. From the garden of the hacienda you can enjoy breathtaking views across the valley to the extinct volcanos:  Ruminahui (4712m), Pasochoa (4250m), Atacazo (4463m) and in the distance the mighty cone of Cotopaxi, at 5897m the highest active volcano in the world.

Ecuador is a safe, democratic country and is widely regarded as one of the most hassle-free destinations in South America.

Accomodation



Accommodations
This is a progressive ride where you will sleep at 2 different locations.

Description
You are accommodated n two different haciendas.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hacienda La Alegria
Night 2: Hacienda Bomboli



Hacienda La Alegria
The hacienda is nestled amidst lush surroundings in the typical fertile lush green farmland of the Ecuadorian inter Andean plain at high altitude (2880m). You will be welcomed with a roaring log fire in the sitting room.
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. The Hacienda is made of adobe and stone its walls are over 80 cm thick!! Lots of character. Most rooms have private bathroom and fireplaces. There will be plenty of time to relax in front of the fireplace 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 and 4 grandchildren are all keen riders, and the enthusiasm of the whole family is reflected in the quality of the horses at the farm.
The Hacienda also has a large working cattle farm with nearly 250 head of cattle producing milk. So anyone can help milking the cows or feeding the calves, or try lassoing a bull.
There is fgree Wi-Fi available and guests have access to laundry services for an extra fee.

Hacienda Bomboli
This property offers basic accommodation for up to 16 guests. It is set in a beautiful rainforest and each room has its own bathroom with hot water. Due to its remote location, cell phone service is very limited and there is no electricity. The house is kept warm and lit with fireplaces and candles and your hosts even puts a warm water bottle in your bed before you go to sleep.

Room Occupancy
The single supplement fee is mandatory if we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you.



Meals
All meals are included in this trip from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on the last day.

Meals generally include chicken, meat, or pasta with vegetables served with rice or potatoes. There is always a typical Ecuadorian soup and desert as well.
For breakfast, there is a selection of coffee, tea, cocoa or oatmeal, eggs and/or French toast, natural fruit juice and fruits of the season.
Dinner will be served in a cozy dining room with a fireplace while lunches on the rides will be mostly sandwich (beef, ham, chicken, pasta, turkey), olives, salami, plus chips, and brownie or others sweets.

Alcoholic drinks (usually wine and/or beer) are included with dinner.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

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

Riding


Horses
Our horses are very important to us. We have more than 35 riding-horses as well as about 30 mares and foals. 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.
We are happy to follow the Natural Horsemanship principles when training our horses.

Tack
There is a range of tack including North American style, English style, McClellan cavalry, Chilean and traditional Ecuadorian "Chagra" style with its intricate leatherwork and saddle horn.

Host
Your host Gabriel comes from a family steeped in equestrian tradition. His grandfather bred racing horses close to Quito and his father, was a keen polo player.
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. We are proud to share that Gabriel was recently nominated as MAESTRO GUIA ECUESTRE -- there are currently only 3 in the world with this title.

Test Ride
Before starting our program, riders receive instruction and ride under strict surveillance by the guides and helpers. We start by riding in a circle where riders must demonstrate their confidence and ability to adapt to the horse, saddle, and equipment. After this, they move up to a larger arena (70x70 meters/200x200 feet), where they will be observed and guided before going out. The rider has the option to switch horses, saddle, or equipment upon request.

 

Itinerary
 

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.

Rates and Dates for Cloud Forest Ride

Dates Note: You can arrive and depart any day as long as the dates are available!
Hacienda closed from Dec 21 to Jan 3

Other Info
Meeting: Aloag
Airport: Quito
Transfer: Quito (airport, hotel, or bus stop)

Climate:
                                            Aloag‎‎ area