Visit Cotopaxi National Park in our 8 days 7 nights trip! Explore the works of Mother Nature all on a horse’s back setting off from Hacienda La Alegria.
Located south of Quito in the verdant valley of Machachi, Hacienda La Alegria is surrounded by 11 volcanoes and this region is referred to as “The Volcano Avenue”. Join us on a 8 days 7 nights trip as we bring you to ride through the haciendas as part of our trip to visit the Cloud Forest Ecuador and Cotopaxi National Park.
At the cloud forest, you will enter a completely different environment and see an exciting change in the surrounding vegetation, including ascending up to 4250 meters (13943 feet) above sea level and experiencing a lush native tundra landscape – all on a horse!
What are you waiting for? Come join us now!
Duration: 8 Days 7 Nights
Start/ End Location: Quito, Ecuador
Availability: 18 to 25 January, 22 February to 1 March, 5 to 12 April, 8 to 10 June, 13 to 20 September, 6 to 13 December
Miscellaneous: This tour needs a minimum of 2 travelers and can accommodate a maximum of 12 per group. If your group has less than 2 or more than 12 travelers, please write to us at info@keteka.com and we will try our best to find a group for you.
Day o1: Hacienda La Alegria
On the first day, after arriving at Hacienda La Alegria, you will have dinner and call it a night. If you arrive early, you can ride around for 2 or 3 hours with no extra charge.
Day 02: Hacienda La Alegria
On the second day, you will ride in the arena and get acquainted with the horses and tack that you will use during the trip. Then, you will ride around for 4 hours at the neighboring Haciendas, before having lunch in the Hacienda house. The afternoon will see you visiting the milking barn and aging cheese cave, and enjoying the hot tub and fireplace before calling it a night at the Hacienda.
Day 03: Hacienda La Alegria – Cloud Forest – Hacienda Bomboli
The third day will see you riding for 6 hours west towards the Corazon at 4000 meters (13123 feet) above sea level, and then descending towards the cloud forest, where you will be able observe a great biodiversity of plants and flowers, including giant guneras, orchids, and birds such as guans (also known as the turkeys of the forest). In the afternoon, you will arrive for tea at Hacienda Bomboli – 3000 meters (9842 feet) above sea level – where you can relax by the fireplace, enjoying the sunset, and watch the lights of the villages near the coast following a great meal. The night will be spent at Hacienda Bomboli.
Day 04: Hacienda Bomboli – Hacienda La Alegria
On day 4, you will take a tour of the Hacienda gardens in the morning to learn about orchids and cloud forest plants, before riding for 4 hours uphill into the forest – you will use the old road that was built in 1873 to connect Quito with the coast, and arrive back at Hacienda La Alegria for lunch, before enjoying the hot tub and the fireplace.
Day 05: Hacienda La Alegria – Ruminahui Volcano – Pedregal Valley
On the fifth day, you will ride to the west mountain range and through the valley toward Machachi, and eventually stop at the Machachi market. After that, you will continue towards Ruminahui Volcano until you arrive at the Pedregal Valley – where you will stay overnight in a hacienda at 3500 meters (11482 feet) above sea level, near Cotopaxi National Park. The total riding time for the day would be 8 hours.
Day 06: Pedregal Valley – Cotopaxi National Park – Sincholagua Volcano – Tambopaxi Refuge
On day 6, you will enter the Cotopaxi National Park in the morning and ride towards Sincholagua Volcano, including making a large loop downhill to the valley. You will cross the different lava flows and ascend northwards of Cotopaxi up to 4100 meters (13451 feet) above sea level to the highest plains. After riding the entire day for more than 6 hours, the night will be spent at Tambopaxi Refuge within the park.
Day 07: Tambopaxi Refuge – Hacienda La Alegria
For the second last day of the tour, you will ride westwards and pass the highest point of your journey – 4250 meters (13943 feet) above sea level – on the edges of the rocks of the Ruminahui Volcano. You will then continue your 5-hour ride toward Machachi Valley, crossing the Machachi Plaza and the town of Along before arriving at Hacienda La Alegria for dinner and hot tub.
Day 8: Hacienda La Alegria – Quito
You will be transferred to Quito after breakfast.
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After you book your experience, you will receive a confirmation email from us confirming that your payment went through. You will then be connected directly to the tour operator, in case you have any further questions. We are also happy to answer any questions about the tour, or travel in general in your country of destination.
