Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Loop

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

Overnight: our Hacienda

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 by 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 3,000 m, and relax by the fireplace enjoying the sunset and watching the lights of the villages near the coast, we will arrive at teatime, then enjoy a great meal.

Riding: 6 hours

Overnight: Hacienda Bomboli

In the morning, we will walk at the Hacienda gardens to learn about orchids and cloud forest plants. We will 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 our Hacienda for lunch, relax and enjoy the hot tub and the fireplace.  

Riding: 4 hours

Overnight: our Hacienda

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 and stop at a beautiful Hacienda for a snack. We continue riding until we arrive to the Pedregal valley and stay overnight in a Hacienda at 3,500 meters. 

Riding: 8 hours

Overnight: Hacienda at Pedregal Valley

We enter the Cotopaxi National Park, ride towards the Sincholagua volcano, 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 berber wild horse herds that live in the park and are descendants of the horses brought by the Spanish in the 16th century.

Riding: 6+ hours

Overnight: Tambopaxi refuge

Ride at Ruminahui continuing west; pass 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 our Hacienda for a pleasant dinner and enjoy the hot tub and rest with the memories of the long journeys in the mountains.

Riding: 5+ hours

Overnight: our Hacienda

We will start the ride one hour south of our Hacienda; transferred by car to this point to start our 4-day adventure at the southern Andes. 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. At the distance, we will see the Eastern Mountain Chain.
The ride continues thru several hills, arriving to a small village called Isinlivi founded in 1857. Here we will find our Lodge for the night. 

Riding: 5 hours 

Overnight: Lodge at Isinlivi

In the morning, we will take a small walk to get the horses on a hill 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 Volcano.
Crossing a few villages and paths we discover the same agriculture from hundred years as lupins, potatoes, quinoa and barley. Volcano pumice and dry soil hinder agriculture thus, just a few people live on 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 

Overnight: Quilotoa Lodge

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. We will buy some cheese to mature (ageing) on our cave at the Hacienda.
Arriving at the afternoon to Hacienda San Jose in time for a good meal, Jacuzzi, sauna and a comfortable night. Our horses will have lush fields of fresh grass.  

Riding: 7 hours

Overnight: Hacienda San Jose

We will ride through a dramatic landscape, including steep ravines. We start at 2900 meters and will ascend to 4000 meters high.
Even though we can visualize where we are heading and it looks near, 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.
Tasting blueberry wine at a small operation on the mountain.
We finish the ride on the sacred Wingopana Rock at 4000 meters 
We will make our way back to our Hacienda by car for dinner and overnight at home.

Riding: 6 hours

Overnight: our Hacienda

Breakfast and finish of our services.
Transfer to airport.

Riding: No riding