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From Cloud Forest to the Highlands - 9 Days

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1:

From Quito we'll drive you over the western cordillera in direction to the Pacific cloud forest where our horses await us. Scenery and microclimate change around each major road-turn, and you might get an impression of what variety awaits us on our ride. On our way we have the chance to visit the Ecuadorian Monument 15-km north from Quito as well as the Inca-Ruins of Rumicucho with their famous sun channel, learning about the ancient cultures which once lived on “the Center of the Earth” and who’s fascinating knowledge has mostly been destroyed. Typical Ecuadorian lunch on the Equator and drive to "Bellavista" nature reserve where we'll be welcomed into a cozy lodge with hot showers and delicious, whole-some food. The bamboo-built, rounded “dome house”, that will be our home for tonight, allows a 360-degree few on the vivid bird- and plant-life around us: The place is surrounded by hundreds of colorful hummingbirds, often Toucans and bright blue shining Jays. From the balcony of our shared room, we can enjoy a breath-taking view far over the cloud forest and listen to the sounds of exotic birds, before the mist races in.

Day 2:

On horseback, we'll be heading through a lush green region of virgin forests studded with waterfalls, while steadily climbing uphill, drawing closer to Pichincha volcano, which towers above us at almost 4800 m. If lucky with the weather, we might find us riding close to Guagua Pichincha’s ashy crater slopes and its ridge, often enough steaming with sulfur fumerolas. Just before reaching the tiny, picturesque village of Nono, nestling at the northern face of the volcano, we’ll be crossing over a ridge that divides the Western Cordillera from the Interandean Valley where we shall be surprised by the dramatic change of scenery. We set up tents at a friendly welcoming farm. Next to a hot chimney fire, our host is always eager to tell interesting stories about people and lifestyles, while his wife Betty prepares the loveliest trout you’ve ever eaten, and their three charming girls will capture every visitor’s heart.

Day 3:

Today, we'll be riding along green, hilly pastures, wealthy Andean agriculture land, 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. This picturesque valley is also the home and breading place of many beautiful horses. Enjoy some nice canters along the fields and pastures. Crossing the Pucara hot springs around noon, we have the chance to relax our mussels in sulfur mountain water. Accommodation in the 300 years old, up to 1-meter thick colonial walls of a romantic country hostel. This Hacienda was already the home of the “Count of Amboise”, one of the members of the famous geodesic commission that measured the Equator midst of the 18th century. Measuring instruments bought in Paris in the year 1715 and old Luis XIV- furniture can be admired in our fabulous dining room, while enjoying traditional “Locro de Papa”. Bring your bathing dress for the springs or the mineral water Jacuzzi!

Day 4:

After breakfast in the mighty colonial chamber, we ride out crossing the Equator from the southern to the northern part of the globe. While slowly winding downhill through forests of bamboo, we only come across a few small farmhouses along the way, where the highland farmers scratch a meager income from the steep, infertile land beside the forest. We keep approaching the impacting scenery of the ancient volcano "Pululahua", with the biggest crater in the whole Americas and one of only two inhabited worldwide! At the bottom of the crater, a mystical and very peaceful place, we can observe farmers plugging their fields with sticks and oxen, like they did 300 years ago. The green corn fields, swaying gently in the breeze, paint the picture you’ll take home from this part of your journey. We'll be resting in a cozy little country cottage, until the call of a donkey or cock awakes us the next morning. Larger groups also in tents.

Day 5:

Leaving the volcano through a small opening in its crater walls, we'll be passing by deep gorges, carved by lava streams thousands of years ago. Riding along steep mountain slopes covered with mossy cloud-forest, crossing eroded lahar fields blooming with wild orchids, we finally enter the narrow valley of the Rio Blanco with its warm and tropical climate where we shall find coffee trees, fields of sugar cane and a lot of tropical fruits. Pre-historical ruins can be observed along the way. When the afternoon light breaks through the clouds over the pre-Inca-fortress “Portalanza” , this mountain-valley looks most certainly like taken from a fairy tale. "Aguacatal" is the name of the very remote (no electricity!) and beautiful farm that offers us beds for tonight.

Day 6:

Having gone half our way to Otavalo, we will make a rest day today, - enjoying some leisure activities and refilling our energies with Mrs. Hildas Austrian “Kaiserschmarrn” in the middle of nowhere. In the morning we invite you for a 2-hours ride towards the river, were we shall take a wonderfully refreshing “bubble-bath”. When trail-conditions are difficult, we might take a look at mysterious 1300 years old stone-carvings instead. Those who want to also have the chance to explore the beautiful surroundings by horse on their own. Those, who'd like to change activity for a while, can go for a walk, collecting tropical fruit, head for a shower under a natural waterfall or just hang out for a day, enjoying the enchanted and unique scenery of our rest place.

Day 7:

This is the day of the adventurous! After crossing the bridge over the furious and turbulent river Guayllabamba, we'll be trekking along a nerve-wrecking trail above the river for several hours, following its direction upstream, leading us through the most hallucinating and breathtaking landscapes you can possibly imagine. You should not be afraid of heights. We will have to dismount on several sections of this trail and hike in difficult steep terrain. Fitness required! In the late afternoon we'll reach the “wild-west-town” of San José de Minas, which has lost its glory as an important mining place when the new road from Quito to Otavalo was built, leaving San José de Minas out of the way. The view of the town is dominated by a mighty colonial church with stories to tell about. In its stony archways, Marcelo and Janet run a Flintstone-designed fancy little hostel that offers us shelter for tonight. When Marcelo takes out his strange collection of German and American Country music and the Cuba Libres are served, the mood is rising.

Day 8:

Today we’ll be climbing about 1000m in altitude, up to the cool and windy heights of the Paramo. Leaving the fertile valley of Minas behind us, we start riding and climbing along and across the fields and pastures of the authentic, charming Andean Highland, with cattle grazing on over 45 degrees inclined mountain-slopes. As we precede, housing, clothing and features get more and more indigenous: we are entering the land of the Otavalo tribe, one the few indigenous cultures worldwide who have managed to integrate and to succeed in a globalized world without loosing their identity. We’ll reach the beautiful Cuicocha Crater Lake in the afternoon, encircled by rugged mountain walls. A boat trip around the islands in its midst can be organized. Here, we spend our last night in cottages with a romantic view over the lake and its mystical afternoon mists. You want to know it all? This is your chance to taste the traditional guinea-pig dish, famous and even sacred in the Andes since the time of the Incas.

Day 9:

After breakfast in the sightseeing cafeteria, our accompanying vehicle will pick us up and drive us down to Otavalo with a far-reaching view over the valley and the surrounding mountains. In the small Andean town, world-famous for its handicrafts and wool products, we'll have the chance to visit its lively, colorful indigenous market. Nowadays, these textile products are successfully sold around the world, and as poor as the mountain housings were we have seen yesterday, it’s also here in Otavalo where you can see more Mercedes Benz than anywhere else in Ecuador. After lunch in an exquisite local restaurant, our main program has ended and participants will have the choice either to stay in Otavalo on their own (nearby attractions are the lakes of Mojanda and the Peguche waterfall ) or to drive back with us to Quito, where we will leave you at your hotel.

Participants: 3-8 persons with riding experience. Ask for our open dates. Fitness and adventurous spirit required! Participants should not weigh more than 85 kg /200 pounds

TOUR OPERATORS OFFERING THIS TOUR: