Horseback Riding in The Paramos of Cotopaxi Volcano
8 Days / 7 Nights

Day 1: Quito - El Porvenir (Ridingtime 5:00hrs)
Very early in the morning we will go to Santa Rita farm at 3'300 meters above sea level. Following a talk about how to handle the horses, and wearing the typical "Chagra" attire, we start our horse vacations through the majestic "paramos" of Pasochoa. Our route will begin through a trail along the native Andean forest and then to the open "paramos" of Pasochoa. Our trail rides will goes through fields of long moorland grass and will enjoy the magnificent view of the neighboring snow-capped mountains. We will take a rest and enjoy a snack in addition to a cup of "zunfo" the famous local tea that will help us to recover our strength and continue with our journey. Reaching the summit at 4'200 meters above sea level will be an easy and very beautiful experience. We drive to el El Porvenir farmhouse in our comfortable 4x4 where we stay overnight.

Day 2: Ruminahui (Ridingtime 6:00hrs)
Today our horseback riding adventure will go through Rumiñahui volcano along many trails where, in a mixture of legend and history, we can admire wild bulls, local birds, the wild fauna, and the marvelous landscape of the Ecuadorian highlands. We will be quite close to the peaks of Rumiñahui volcano and, if we are lucky, we will catch a glimpse of the majestic condor. Then we ride along the lower slopes of Rumiñahui, and after visiting Chusigmachai and the Condormachai, we return to El Porvenir farmhouse.

Day 3: El Porvenir - El Tambo (Ridingtime 6:30hrs)
We will begin our horseback riding adventure from El Porvenir taking the lower route towards El Tambo and going by Pucará de Salitre, to the old Inca fortress. We will be riding in the shade of majestic Cotopaxi - the imposing, snow-capped, highest active volcano in the world - and will reach Cajas lakes from where we will descend towards Tamboyacu river, passing through "La Piedra Muchana", a huge stone that the Incas used to kiss asking the gods for good weather on their way to the jungle, cross the Chigtapamba plains and reach the corrals and refuge of the farm. Our guests will enjoy an excellent barbecue and will sleep in a simple but very comfortable and cosy hut.

Day 4: Quilindaña (Ridingtime 6:00hrs)
Today our trail rides will go through the slopes of Quilindaña known as the Chervino of the Andes. First we will head to San Augustin where we will be quite close to the peak of Quilindaña volcano. The horses will go through the valley of Toruno heading to the "panza", or paper bark forest, where we will rest for a while and then have a small walk in this enchanted forest. From this point we will go back to the house.

Day 5: Chalupas (Ridingtime 5:30hrs)
Today's extraordinary ride will head to "secas" or dry land, a perfect place to take breathtaking pictures of the valley. From this point we take the "Incañan" or Inca road that led to the Amazonian jungle. Passing through El Predicador we will get to Chalupas, a place considered almost impossible to reach but also well known as a paradise for fishing. Here we will set up our campsite.

Day 6: Chalupas - El Tambo (Ridingtime 6:00hrs)
We will ride back from Chalupas to El Tambo, but this time through the Incañan used for going to Latacunga valley. On the way to El Tambo we will have the chance to see the extraordinary Morro or stone hill. Then we ride along the lower slopes of Quilindaña, and after visiting Yuragcocha and Verdecocha lakes, we return to the farmhouse.

Day 7: El Tambo - El Porvenir (Ridingtime 7:00hrs)
Early in the morning we will begin the ride following the Tambo riverbed towards Cotopaxi to take the higher route for our ride to Chirimachay, or cold refuge. We will be riding along the foothills of Yanachiza or Loma Negra where another volcano is hidden: Pailón. The horses will go through Curipugyo (or site of gold) and then enter a ravine where several volcanic layers from past eruptions and the river course cut in stone by floods are clearly evident. We will reach Chirimachai, where several pure and crystalline water springs issue from the rugged rock. This path will take us back to El Porvenir where we finish our horse vacations.

Day 8: El Porvenir - Quito (no riding)
After breakfast we return to Quito

General Information: This programme is for 4-10 experienced riders. The participant must be well acclimatized before the trip. On this ride we use Western Saddles. The personal luggage of the rider is carried in a 4x4 vehicle from one accommodation place to the next. The passenger has to sign a "Liability waiver" before we start the ride.
Horses: Criollo and Paramo Horses.
Difficulty: Level 3 = Narrow paths with some more difficult slopes. Experience riding in the countryside needed.

Included: Transport Quito - El Porvenir - Quito, Meals as indicated in the programme, Accommodation as indicated in the programme, guide, horses, tents, chaps, poncho and Hat. Not Included: Accident and health insurance, sleeping-bag, air-mattress, additional drinks, raincoat.

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CODE: HORECU