Introduction:
We will be crossing different climate zones and the temperature on the Equator drops steeply at sundown. Calculate a temperature variation between 5 and 30 degrees Celsius. Both light and warm clothes are therefore a must.
The best equipped wear light, long-sleeved tops during the day (these provide protection from sun and insect bites, too). A sweatshirt, pullover or fleece jacket are required for the cooler parts.
Furthermore you should bring a jacket (Gore-Tex or similar), rain gear, a hat with brim, swimming suite, small towel, flip-flop shoes and riding/trekking boots with a good grip. Wellington boots are available for use, which are better suited to the short marches on foot than proper riding boots.
Itinerary:
From Pululahua Volcano to Maquipucuna Jungle Resort
Day 1: Transport from Quito to the Green Horse Ranch inside the crater and National Reserve Pululahua. While circling the volcanic cone - covered with cloud forest - on horseback, we witness volcanic history and nature, interesting geological formations, mineral avalanches blooming with wild orchids and traditional Andean agriculture. Accommodation in a cosy, art-style country Inn in the mystical surrounding of the crater walls.
Day 2: Forests of bamboo are marking our way, while we start climbing gently but continually in order to leave the crater to the west. On our way, we'll enjoy a close look on "Cerro Portalanza", a pre-Inca site that has been abandoned 600 years ago. From here, we only come across a few small farmhouses, where the highland farmers scratch a meagre income from the steep, infertile land beside the forest. The higher we climb, the wider the view over the cloud-forest covered mountains and valleys we leave behind. Our cottage camp and a hot evening meal await us in the mountain village of Yungillas.
Day 3: This section of the trip is not suited for horses anymore. In companionship of a local guide explaining about plants and wildlife, we hike along an old smuggler's path, through thick jungle and narrow hollow earth tunnels, down to the Maquipucuna nature reserve. Tonight's accommodation is in comfortable rooms in the reserve's ecological appropriate lodge. We will enjoy a good, hot shower under the stars, and a fine meal made with local ingredients.
Day 4: The 6000-hectare Maquipucuna reserve is one of the ten richest areas of natural variety in the world and is comprised of more than 80% primary forest. You'll have the opportunity to bath in the rivers and waterfalls of this virgin forest or find out more about the wide variety of animals and plants under the guidance of experts. Nature lovers have the chance to buy a 1000 square-meters of virgin forest for about 50,-USD, helping the reserve to grow bigger and protect this important eco-system from being deforested.
Transfer back to Quito after lunch.
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Prices per person: $290 per person (3-10 pax) |
The Price includes:
- transport from and to Quito
- an accompanying provisions vehicle for the whole tour
- transportation of the horses
- full catering
- accommodation in farms, hotels, reserve lodges and tents
- your horse and its equipment
- the tour guide and helpers
- entrance to national parks, pools and other fees
- tours of the natural reserves
- wellington boots
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Doesn't include:
- travel insurance
- breakfast of the first / dinner of the last day
- extra drinks
- tips
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