Riding is one of the best ways of getting to know the Andes, its culture and wilderness. The rides go throughout the majestic “paramos” or highlands along trails full of legend and history. We can admire wild bulls and wild horses, Andean birds and interesting medicinal plants and endemic plant species, inserted in the marvelous landscape of the Ecuadorian highlands.

A Chagra, or Andean Cowboy, will be the local guide for the rides. They are certified by the OMTE (World Equestrian Organization) and they are very knowledgeable about these region.  The horses we provide are “criollo” or “paramero”. These animals have adapted to the local environment and the weather, therefore they are smaller and have a thicker coat.

We also provide the Chagra riding gear, which consists of a wool poncho and zamarro (local leather chaps)
 

Early in the morning we will head to the Cotopaxi National park just by our hacienda, we will visit Lake Limpiopungo and if the weather permits climb up to the glaciers. 

Lunch on a restaurant at the park and continue exploring the park in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight.
 

The Pasochoa area is a rare reminder of the unique characteristics of the ancient Andean forest ecosystem. Pasochoa's crater has two deep ravines: the Santa Ana, where you will find four hiking trails, and the Sambache, access to which is prohibited for conservation reasons. The steep slopes and irregular topography of the Sambache and Santa Ana ravines makes them difficult to access for the purpose of farming or grazing. This reality has helped to conserve this valuable biological resource, which is now open for you to visit.

The Wildlife Refuge is located on the flanks of the Pasochoa volcano, whose altitude ranges from 2,800 to 4,200 meters. One of the special attractions of Pasochoa is the diversity of birdlife to be found there. There are 24 families and 127 species of birds, 14 of them belonging to the hummingbird family. The most common hummingbird species are the ‘colibri pico de espada’ (sword-peaked hummingbird), ‘la cola larga’ (long-tailed hummingbirds) and ‘el soldadito’ (the little soldier).

The song of the huirac-churos's (a snail-eating bird) is an ever-present sound in the refuge. With a little luck, you will be able to observe ‘semilleros’ (Catamania sp.), turtledoves, ring-doves, wild mountain turkeys (which are in danger of extinction in the Andean forests because of over-hunting). On a clear day and with some luck, you may have the privilege of seeing the majestic condor, another bird threatened with extinction.