Ecuador - Andean Adventure
The ride begins north of Quito, on the plains beneath Cayambe Volcano. Explore the fields and valleys of the northern highlands and then ride onwards to the eastern slopes of Imbabura and into the San Pablo valley. The ride finishes in the open spaces of Cotopaxi National Park.
This is an exciting and challenging journey which tales you through contrasting parts of Ecuador. Your days are filled with great riding through open country, but there are points where you’ll need to negotiate some tricky terrain.
The pace is mixed, with plenty of long flowing trots and canters where the terrain allows. The horses are keen and fit, but happily settle into a wonderful rhythm. The Andean Adventure route is at altitude and so for the sake of the horses, it is not suitable for riders who wish to gallop flat out for long periods.
Descended from the Spanish Conquistadors' stock, the horses are Criollo crosses. They are fit, sure-footed and ideal for the terrain of the high Andes. They are specially selected, well-trained and good natured.
You should be a competent and confident rider in control of your horse at all paces in open and difficult terrain. There are also some steep slopes to negotiate. Due to the high altitude it is important that you have good overall physical fitness as well as riding fitness for the long hours in the saddle (the longest days involve 7-8 hours of riding).
Western tack is used, South American style US-cavalry saddles with sheepskins provided. If you prefer to ride in English saddles, this may be possible but it must be requested in advance.
The weight limit is 85 kg in riding gear. By prior arrangement it may be possible to accommodate riders up to 95 kg subject to payment of an additional horse supplement. Please enquire for availability.
Accommodation is a mixture of small inns and guesthouses. Each day you ride to a new overnight stop, except near the end of the trip when you have two nights at the remote hacienda of El Tambo. Your final night is spent in hotel accommodation in Quito, or near the airport.
On some evenings the rooms are comfortable with private bathrooms, whilst on other nights the accommodation is much more rustic with shared bathroom facilities.
Below are the set dates. Additional dates may be possible for groups of 4 or more. Please enquire for details.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean Adventure | 28 Dec 2024 - 4 Jan 2025 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,601.21 |
|
Full |
INCLUDES Accommodation; riding; most meals
Riders 85kg and over pay an extra horse supplement of £241.69
SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENTS apply which depend on the total number of people booked:
2 riders in group: £855.12
3 riders in group: £640.06
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT £353.31 (refunded if we find you a sharer)
PAYABLE LOCALLY Tips; drinks; meals in Quito other than breakfast
NEAREST AIRPORT Quito
TRANSFERS Transfers from Quito airport to Quito city are c. £40.96 and from Quito airport to an airport hotel are c. £22.76 each way per vehicle. On Day 1 the transfer to the start of the ride departs early morning so you will need to arrive in Quito at least the day before the start of the ride.
The meeting point is Quito. Collection will be from the Mariscal part of Quito city.
You will need to overnight in Quito for at least one night prior to the start of the ride, because the collection on Day 1 is after breakfast. This will also help you to become accustomed to the altitude.
The precise collection point and time will be confirmed in your final travel documents. From here you are driven to the starting point for the ride.
After finishing riding on Day 7 you are transferred back to Quito, where you overnight at a hacienda within easy reach of the airport. On Day 8 your flight can depart at any time, although check-out is after breakfast.
This ride begins close to Otavalo in the highlands north of Quito and ends in the wilds of Cotopaxi National Park.
As a general rule, the dry season is from June until the end of September. From November until the middle of March you can expect sunny mornings but occasional afternoon rain.
