/ VOLCANO - HORSEBACK RIDDING TREK ( 8 DAYS )/

Santa Rita Farm - Pasochoa - Rumiñahui Volcano - Quilindaña Volcano - El Predicador - El Tambo - El Porvenir

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• Day 1	Very early in the morning we will go to the Santa Rita farm at 3'300 meters above sea level. Following a lecture about how to handle the horses, and wearing the typical "Chagra" attire, the ride will take us 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. We will ride through fields covered with high straw and will enjoy the magnificent view of the neighboring mountains covered with snow. We will take a rest and enjoy a snack in addition to a cup of "zunfo" the famous tea of the region 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 on our comfortable 4x4 where we stay overnight.
  Day 2	Today our ride will go through Rumiñahui volcano along many trails where, in a mixture of legend and history, we can admire brave bulls, local birds, the wild fauna, and the marvelous landscape of the Ecuadorian highlands. We will be quiet close to the peaks of Rumiñahui volcano and, if we are lucky, we will admire the majestic condor. Then we ride along the lower slopes of Rumiñahui, and after visiting Chusigmachai and the Condormachai, we return to the El Porvenir farmhouse.
  Day 3	We will begin our ride 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 under the shade of majesic Cotopaxi - the imposing snow-capped highest active volcano in the world - and will reach Cajas lagoons from where we will descend towards Tamboyacu river, passing trough "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 at the farm. Our guests will enjoy an excellent barbecue and will sleep in a simple but very comfortable and cozy hut.
  Day 4	Today our ride will go trough the slopes of Quilindaña known as the Chervino of the Andes. First we will head to San Augustin where we will be quiet close to the peak of Quilindaña volcano. The horses will go through the valley of Toruno heading to the panza, or paper tree bark forest, where we will rest for a while and then have a small walk in to this enchanted forest. From this point we will go back to the house.
  Day 5	Today 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 jungles. Passing trough 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	We will ride back from Chalupas to el Tambo, but this time trough the incañan used to go 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 slpes of Quilindaña, and after visiting Yuragcocha and verdecocha lagoon, we return to the farmhouse.
  Day 7	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 form past eruptions and the river course cut in stone by loods 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.
  Day 8	After breakfast we return to Quito.

  
  

  Trip type: Adventure Participants: 4-10 passengers Level: difficult Horses: Andean Criole Horses Tack: Western Riding pace: walk / trot / gallop Accompanying Staff: - main guide: experienced rider, multilingual - groom - accompanying vehicle on certain parts of the trail The price includes: · Trip as indicated above · Horse and its equipment · Accommodation as indicated · Full board during the tour (3 meals daily) · Water supply during the tour · Transfer Quito - Santa Rita and El Porvenir - Quito The price NOT includes: · alcoholic drinks · tips · accident and health insurance

  [ reservations ]