|
Horse Riding in Ecuador - Cotopaxi Adventure
Ride a complete circuit of the highest active volcano in the world, staying at working farms and country inns. This is for fit riders capable of riding in challenging terrain and long days in the saddle.
Please note that you will be riding at a high altitude of above 3000m.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Ride a circuit around Cotopaxi Volcano and enter the Cotopaxi National Park
Gallop alongside wild horses
| QUICK FACTS |
| Riding ability |
Intermediate plus |
| Duration |
7 nights/7 days - 7 day's riding |
| 2009 Dates |
28 Nov - 5 Dec, 5 - 12 Dec |
| 2010 Dates |
2 - 9 Jan, 16 - 23 Jan, 30 Jan - 6 Feb, 13 - 20 Feb, 20 -27 Feb, 26 Jun - 3 Jul, 10 - 17 Jul, 17 - 24 Jul, 24 - 31 Jul, 7 -14 Aug, 14 - 21 Aug, 28 Aug - 4 Sept, 11 - 18 Sept, 25 Sept - 2Oct, 2 - 9 Oct, 20 - 27 Nov, 27 Nov - 4 Dec, 11 - 18 Dec, 25 Dec - 1 Jan |
| Accommodation |
Local farms, haciendas, cottages and inns, generally shared bathrooms |
| Group Size |
4 to 10 |
| Weight Limit |
85kg |
| Meeting Place |
Quito Airport |
| Cost |
$1860 USD - single supplement $290 USD subject to availability. Payments can be made in pound sterling at the exchange rate at the time of booking |
| Flight Guide Cost |
£700 - Operators include American airlines, Iberia, LAN, KLM and Delta airlines |
| Includes |
Transfer to and from Quito, English speaking guide, full board accommodation. |
| Excludes |
International flights, insurance, visas (if applicable), gratuities, alcoholic and soft beverages except where stated, personal expenditure |
| Optional |
Accommodation in Quito, city tours, and most tourism requests can be handled by our agent in Quito |
TRIP INFORMATION
Climate
Hot (30C) during the day, it can be cold and windy at night, Rain ponchos are available for guests if required.
Riding
Very varied and sometimes steep and rocky terrain, you may be required to lead your horse at times. Grassy plains for long canters. 5-7 hours per day with regular breaks and lunch stop.
Hosts
Guests will be accompanied by a guide who has excellent knowledge of the area and are expert riders with many years experience guiding on and off horseback. Sally who is English and the owner of the horses has been leading tours in Ecuador since 1996. Tours have been featured in many major publications and are highly recommended in all major guide books.
Horses
The horses are mainly warm/hot bloodlines (English, Arabs, Pasos) crossed with 'Criollo', ideal for the terrain. They are especially selected, well trained and good natured.
Tack
Most horses can be ridden western style or English style. The bits are mainly English, but can be ridden western style (neck reining).
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIDE
A ride for fit riders capable of riding in a multitude of challenging terrain and spending long days in the saddle. A circuit of the perfectly conical, snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano, through breathtaking, wild open country including Cotopaxi National Park and seldom-visited open plains high in the Andes. A chance of seeing the Andean wildlife (the mighty Andean condor among other raptors, high altitude hummingbirds, foxes and deer) as we cross a variety of scenery including rugged passes, barren, luna-like landscapes and rolling, grassy hills. The pace is varied, including plenty of chances for long canters across the wilderness sculpted into intriguing landscapes by the glacial retreat, followed by the volcanic activity. On some days we ride along old Inca routes, on others we pass by adobe cottages and patchwork fields farmed by the charming and very friendly local people. Nights are spent in a wonderful mixture of haciendas and farmhouses, built of adobe with thatched roofs, original Inca stone and even a very comfortable lodge built of straw bales covered with adobe.
|
