This ride is specifically designed for those looking for a cultural immersion and adventure. On the first days riders will have the opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude, weather and new environment. Riders will get to know the horses well and start a relationship with them as you will be a team for the rest of the ride. You have the opportunity to try a variety of horses with different temperaments and traits; together we will choose which group of horses will accompany us.
Chagra at Cotopaxi
ITINERARY
The first days of the ride you will get to know the real Ecuadorian Andes. You will go to surrounding haciendas, volcanos and mountains. Visit an indigenous market where they sell live animals, crops and handicrafts. On the fifth day we will head towards the cloud forest. The Boboli reserve will be visited and you stay there at a beautiful hacienda. As we ride through the narrow cloud forest paths we will be surrounded by literally thousands of plant and animal species, very different from the ones you will be seeing the next days in the high mountains. One can’t help but to be amazed by the sheer biodiversity of this area. Many riders have exhausted their cameras’ memory chips and batteries in an attempt to record these sights.
From the Cloud forest we will head south towards Hacienda La Cienega, passing by many productive haciendas and incredible sceneries of the Andes. La Cienega is a unique and one of the most beautiful haciendas in the country. Built in 1570, this hacienda will not only mesmerize you with its splendor but you will feel the energy of a house full of legends and history. From that day on we will have Cotopaxi as our companion and begin the 360° loop around this colossal volcano.We will ride through the Andean Paramo for the next days and its rolling hills of high altitude grasses, wild flowers, ravines that create micro climate, it is a wondrous place for both new and experienced visitors.
As we ride through the paramos of Cotopaxi we will see many other ancient, dormant volcanoes such as Antizana, Illinizas, Pasochoa, Sincholagua, Morurco and off in the distance Chimborazo and Tungurahua. On our way east we will camp one night at Hacienda Pansache. Although we will be in what can be considered the middle of the Andes, our campsite has a little house where you can enjoy the comfort of a warm fireplace and a delicious dinner. From there we will ride towards the Chalupas Caldera and then north to the National Park. What makes this part of the trip special is that it is a very remote part of the mountains. The lack of roads make it difficult for people to contact this side of Cotopaxi. The Chagras you will meet along the way have very traditional life styles, the paramo is almost untouched and you won’t see signs of urban development. It is almost as if you could go a couple of centuries back and live in the mountains with no signs of modern civilization. A complete adventure! As we ride north towards the end of the trip will reach Cotopaxi National Park, which encompasses more than 33,000 hectares of natural reserve. Here you will enjoy the highest gallop in the world at 4200 meters above sea level! We will spend the night at a comfortable refuge (Tambopaxi) inside the National Park.
On the last part of our journey we will return to the Hacienda crossing the Ruminahui Volcano. We will cross the Machachi Central Plaza, the capital city of the Chagras and continue towards the stables where we will cheer for completing and incredible and adventurous journey, thank mother earth for allowing us do it and riders will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the facilities. To end this beautiful journey, on the last day the riders will visit Colonial Quito where they will be guided through the beautiful city, enjoy great meals and sleep at a beautiful hotel.
INCLUDED
Professional and bilingual guide
Transportation from and to Quito (central meeting point: Magic Bean Mariscal)
Guided horse tour on healthy strong horses for all levels
Use of wellington/rubber boots, helmets, hats, chaps and other equipment
12x breakfasts, 13x lunches, 12x dinners
12 nights of accommodation at a beautiful haciendas and one night of camping
NOT INCLUDED
Tips for guide
Extra food and drinks
PRICE
For the up to date pricing of this tour, please contact us at ecuahorserides@gmail.com
* Since we will ride in the mountains where the trails could be steep and where there is less oxygen lead us to put a maximum on rider weights of 200 pounds.
*It is important that you will have current travel insurance including personal medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
* Important things to bring: warm and waterproof clothing, comfortable shoes (no flipflops or other type of open shoes), water, sun block, sunglasses and your passport.
* The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unpredictable circumstances.
CHAGRA PARADE
The Chagra
(Ecuadorian cowboy) Parade Ride is offered once a
year in July when the town of
Machachi has its annual Parade.
It is a 14 day ride which follows
the Around Cotopaxi program but
includes an extra day for the
Chagra Parade. This Parade is a commemoration of Cotopaxi`s
last eruption and about 2000
Chagras participate by horse. This
ride is specifically designed for
those looking for a cultural immersion and adventure. On the first days riders will have the opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude, weather and importance of the Chagra not only in Machachi but in Ecuador as well. Chagras come from different provinces just to be part of this parade and spectators come from all over the country. At the bagging of the trip we will also visit an indigenous market where riders will have the opportunity to see animals, crops and handicrafts as well as the chance to do some shopping.
PRICE
For the up to date pricing of this tour, please contact us at ecuahorserides@gmail.com
*It is important that you will have current travel insurance including personal medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
Please send us a message for more information and availability:
Ecua Horse Rides 