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The Hummingbird Trail - 4 Days
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Transport from Quito to the Green Horse Ranch inside the ancient crater and National Reserve Pululahua. On horseback, we enter a tropical climate with a lot of bamboo, sugar cane and banana trees along the way, until we start climbing gently but continually in order to leave the crater to the west. We only come across a few small farmhouses, where the highland farmers scratch a meagre income from the steep, infertile land beside the forest. Accommodation in the 300 years old walls of a Hacienda and a hot evening meal await us, next to the volcanic springs of El Cachaco. Bring your bathing dress for the mineral water Jacuzzi!
Day 2: We'll be riding along green, hilly pastures, passing several stately farms, where we can observe fighting bulls and flower crop for exportation, getting a good impression about present and past of the country. Some extensive canters along fields and pastures make our way shorter this time. This picturesque valley is also the home and breading place of many beautiful horses. Drawing closer to Pichincha volcano, which towers above us at almost 4800 m, we begin our trek along the Northwest side to the tiny, colonial village of Nono, where we set up camp at a farm. Next to a hot chimney fire, the farmer’s family might know to tell us some interesting stories about people and lifestyles and spoil us with Doña Betty’s wonderful trout.
Day 3: Today we leave Nono and after crossing a ridge that divides the Interandean Valley from the western Andean slopes, we start heading downhill into a lush green region of virgin forests studded with waterfalls toward the fishing resort of Tandayapa. From here, it’s a 1-hour trek uphill to the Bellavista nature reserve, where hundreds of hummingbirds have found their home. We'll be welcomed into a comfortable lodge with hot showers and delicious, wholesome food. From the balcony of our shared room, we can enjoy a breath-taking view far over the cloud forest and listen to the sound of exotic birds.
Day 4: After a hearty breakfast, a tour of Bellavista reserve is open to whoever wishes. Self-guided maps help you to design your adventure through this Andean jungle. We have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the variety of plant- and bird-life, before our accompanying vehicle will bring us back to Quito after lunch.
Participants: 3 to 8 persons with at least some riding experience.
Route run against surcharge also with less participants possible.
TOUR OPERATORS OFFERING THIS TOUR: