Rates Note:

Transfer and Other Charges:

**These tours are just a sample of the many options we have. Please remember that pace, distance and destinations depend on you, almost everything is possible for us and our great horses.

Sample-Itinerary:

Day 1: Hacienda Overview
You arrive in the afternoon after a drive through lush pasture lands. With some luck you will have stunning views of the snowcapped volcano, Cayambe, which is just a few miles away. One of our hosts will welcome you personally upon arrival, and assist you with check in to your guest suite. Once settled. The herd will be waiting for you to choose your horse for the first ride and you will get the chance to try it in the ring at all paces. A bilingual riding instructor is available for your questions. After lunch we will ride up to Santa Rosa, through forest and dense vegetation up to a view point from where you have an overview of the whole Zuleta valley. As we will be right above the Condor center and close to a feeding point, we will most likely see a wild condor fly by. Up here you will also have the best bird’s eye view of the ancient pre-Incan Caranqui pyramids that are spread all over the property. The loop continues with beautiful vistas of mountain slopes painted by that special afternoon light, and maybe a family of spectacle bears or foxes will come to say hello. Leaving the forest we will canter over a field with high grass, before we have to focus on our balance when the horse starts to climb down. Upon reaching flat grounds with the barn at a short distance the horses will volunteer a last gallop with some jumps over small ditches, before we collect them to reach the hacienda house and barn. A nice glass of wine in the living room, a roaring fire, comfortable sofas and a chat with your host will entertain you until dinner time.

Day 2-4 or 2-7
Partake in half-day rides, combining two shorter rides or a longer trail. See trail examples below.

Day 5 or 8: Goodbye
After breakfast we invite you to explore our organic garden, where you can learn about permaculture and see where the ingredients for our menu originate. You can explore the farm operation, feed baby calves, count sheep, talk to the vaqueros (local Cowboys), enjoy our embroidery shop, or relax in the garden before leaving for your next destination.

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Half Day Trail Examples

The Condor Project

Our most popular route is to the Condor Huasi Project facilities located in La Rinconada de San Pedro Valley. Here you can learn about Zuleta’s wildlife as well as our efforts to protect and nurture

endangered condors and spectacled bears. We ride past the Hacienda’s pastures, milking sheds, and trout farm via pretty cobblestone roads. You will see many ancient Caranqui tolas – pyramids dating from before the Inca conquest. On the way back, you may choose to climb the highest ceremonial pyramid, which offers great views of the area. You may also see wild condors taking advantage of the high winds on the mountainside. The ride includes an hour-long talk, approximately, at the Condor Huasi facilities.

Estimated Time: 4 hours (including 1 hour talk approx.)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Minimum Age Requirement: 6 years

Suggested Departure Time: 10 AM or 2 PM

Elevation: 2,964-3,018 m / 9,724-9,901 ft

Zuleta Cultural Tour
For a more in-depth look at the history and culture of Zuleta, we take you through the village to an interesting house museum at the community’s highest point. Here you will find many well-preserved examples of Zuleta’s traditional farming, weaving, and cooking implements as well as weapons, fine leatherwork, and other interesting ephemera. If the weather permits, we will see stunning views of snow-capped Mount Cayambe and the surrounding landscape. On the way, we will also stop by the community’s famous embroidery shops where you can learn about this centuries-old art and purchase some lovely gifts later if you wish. The ride incorporates views of the cemetery, town hall, and church as well as some historic adobe-and-tile-roof houses. There is also an opportunity to see a local leather specialist who makes all of the Hacienda’s saddles and leatherwork. To take full advantage of this ride, we recommend taking a bilingual guide for an extra charge.
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: Easy
Minimum Age Requirement: 6-8 years
Suggested Departure Time: 8:30/9 AM or 2 PM
Elevation: 2,964-3,018 m / 9,724-9,901 ft

Uphill Riding
Stand on the shoulders of the mountains as we venture to the pinnacle of Santa Rosa. First, we climb winding paths, glimpsing the Hacienda through eucalyptus trees. We then pass a small reservoir and waterfall as we continue on to the high pastures where the entire valley opens up before us. On a clear day, we can see snowcapped volcanos Cayambe and Cotapaxi to the left in the distance, with Mount Imbabura towering across the vale. Further north, the mountains meander down beyond Angochagua and La Rinconada to the city of Ibarra, while behind us lies the mysterious wilderness of the Andean páramo. We circle round to the Vista Condor to catch magnificent views of La Rinconada de San Pedro Valley, with its condor facilities and Caranqui pyramids, before returning home through fragrant cypress and eucalyptus groves.
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Minimum Age Requirement: 6-8 years
Suggested Departure Time: 8:30/9 AM or 2 PM
Elevation: 2,964-3,239m / 9,724-10,921 ft

Riding to Mount Cunrro
This ride gives us a chance to see a different side of the Zuleta valley. We leave from the main gate, passing through the village, then climb through pastures and fields towards Mount Cunrro, an extinct volcano. If weather permits, we may see behind us the glorious Mount Cayambe, a snowy peak with an elevation of 5,790 masl (almost 19,000 ft!). Cunrro dominates this side of the valley – a vast, conical hill jutting from the foot of Mount Imbabura and surrounded by woodland at its base. We pass through cool eucalyptus groves and, at the summit, enjoy views of Zuleta’s green, furrowed mountains stretching all the way from the Hacienda through to Angochagua and towards Ibarra. After a short rest, we descend back to the village and return to the Hacienda.
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Minimum Age Requirement: 6-8 years
Suggested Departure Time: 8:30/9 AM or 2 PM
Elevation: 2,964-3,300 m/ 9,724-10,826 ft

Angochagua Cultural Ride
We head north of the property, past Rosario’s milking sheds and verdant fields, where we can take a quick detour to the waterfall if you wish. At the Hacienda’s limits, we reach a road leading to the picturesque farming community of Angochagua, nestled in a crook of the mountains. Following a stream, we visit the Andean home of Fernando Colimba, a native of the area, who built the classic adobe and thatched roof property as a house museum to preserve his local culture. Here he demonstrates age-old techniques for grinding corn and spinning wool and shows us old artifacts from the area’s agricultural past. We return, riding up the shoulder of Mount Cunrro and through the community to see these old farming ways in action. Please tell your host in advance if you wish to do this ride so that we can arrange for the museum to be open. An English-speaking guide is advised but not absolutely necessary.
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Minimum Age Required: 6-8 years
Suggested Departure Time: 8:30/9 AM or 2 PM
Elevation: 2,964-3,100 m / 9,724-10,170 ft

Quito area

Seasons
The hacienda is located in the highlands of Ecuador and enjoys a temperate Andean climate with temperatures ranging from the mid 50°F to the low 70°F. Therefore, there is never a bad time to visit, even though the nights can get chilly all year-round.

Generally speaking, the drier months are from June to September, the wettest from January to May, also October. During the rainy season, rain usually comes in the late afternoon while the mornings are dry.  June to September are the hottest, driest months with the clearest skies in the northern part of the Sierra.

Important to Bring: Lightweight fleece jacket or wool jumper, thermals, gloves and hat are useful for high altitudes and colder temperatures. A rain jacket and sturdy boots are also recommended especially if undertaking hiking and trekking.

 
In most parts of the Andes, you can experience all four seasons in one day. Be prepared for cold nights and cold rain if you're caught outside. Warm, fast drying clothes are recommended (synthetics and wool are good, but avoid cotton, especially directly against the skin).

Since you will be riding at elevations between 9.000 and 13.000 feet, light warm clothing worn in layers is highly recommended. Ponchos in case of rain will be provided.

We encourage all riders to wear a helmet and chaps (which we can provide). Ponchos in case of rain will be provided.

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
This beautiful estate is owned by the descendents of former Ecuadorian president, Galo Plaza. Antiques and family photographs give every room its personal flavor. Some have access to a private hidden garden others to a patio where hummingbirds fly around the sun chairs. Cozy living rooms with big fireplaces and comfortable sofas invite to relax at your leisure. It is also a self-sufficient farm, producing its own rainbow trout, organic vegetables, cheese, etc... Though not open to the general public for lodging, the hacienda offers all the comforts of a well-establish hotel. There are 3 standard rooms, 11 deluxe rooms, and 7 junior suites. All rooms have a private bath tub. Here you are a guest of the Plaza family and you are welcomed as such. All guests receive a private room with hand-embroidered linens and beautiful garden views. You will be invited to relax at your leisure in the cozy reading and living rooms, which have entertained their own entourage of famous visitors including past presidents and dignitaries. Wireless internet in all rooms will keep you connected to the outside world, if you wish to.  

Room Features

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory is we cannot find another rider to share.


Meals
All meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day. As your dining experience unfolds; you will be impressed by the Hacienda’s sustainability. Delicious snacks like banana cake, farm made cheeses, fresh juice or anything else you could think of are served in the living rooms all day long. The meals will be typical Ecuadorian "family" cuisine. Virtually everything gracing the table comes fresh from Zuleta’s rich earth and is carefully prepared by hand. Fresh milk and cream from Zuleta’s dairy cows are offered daily. Handmade cheeses are produced from the farm’s fresh milk and carefully crafted in the small factory near the guest house. Rainbow trout are caught moments before melting in your mouth. Freshly churned butter melts over warm bread baked from wheat harvested on the Hacienda. Fresh organic fruit and vegetables are picked from the expansive garden to make unforgettable salads and freshly squeezed juices.
In addition, gourmet picnic lunches with fine wine and cheeses are provided for all-day excursions.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to vegetarians if given prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Zuletenan breed; a mixture between Andalusian, Quarter horse, and Thouroughbred
Pace:		Slow moderate with trots and canters according to riding level. 3 - 4 hours in the saddle | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 3.5 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 6
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 10 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 20

Zuleta is known not only for its prize-winning pure Andalusians including national champions and precious stallions, but especially for its very own breed – the Zuleteño. The Hacienda was the first to bring pure bred horses to Ecuador, starting with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred and changing to Andalusians in the early 60ties. The Zuleteño is a combination of those three breeds and known for its qualities as a very noble, gentle and versatile horse. The horses respond best to light, but clear signals. They are used to being ridden with a soft hand and slack in the reins. They are taught to neck rein.

You can be part of numerous daily activities around the breeding barn: foals are born every month, weanlings cry for their mothers, stallions show off when the herd of mares comes by, the horsemen train young colts and fillies or refine canter aids in the ring. Go visit the different herds in the fields, or encourage the playful foals to canter with you.
Every horse is known for its specialties. Some have advanced training in dressage and Spanish riding, others in taking perfect care of small children, and you will be able to pick your favorite horse of the herd, for your whole stay, or just for the day´s activity.

The South American tack utilized is very similar to western. The saddle has a pommel and a deep seat.

Riders will have numerous opportunities to explore the Andean countryside along high altitude trails (between 9.000 and 13.000 feet) that wind through ‘páramo’ grasslands and cloud forest, along cobblestone trails and through local villages.

All excursions are accompanied by a local guide, although an English speaking guide is also available.  All-day excursions include a luxurious country picnic with 3 course meal, Zuleta cheeses, fruit and wine.

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.

Passport Note

Passports must be carried at all times.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: (a) A measles vaccination certificate is required by all nationals travelling from Germany and Italy and must be shown on arrival. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

Extensions of a further 90 days are available through the local immigration authorities.