Expedition to the Unexplored Andes 2021
The beauty of the Andes experienced on horseback is something that lovers of trekking on the saddle can’t miss. these experiences should be in the list of things you have to do at the least oncein our lifetime .once we land at Quito airport we will start our adventure in a run hacienda family, located in the heart of the magnificent Volcani area in Ecuador. To reach it, you drive along a cobblestone road originally built by the Spaniards and the Incas, flanked by tall and majestic cedars, eucalyptus and cypresses, and lush greenery. In addition to breeding, La Hacienda is dedicated to the organic dairy tradition. The Hacienda owns 135 hectares of land, nestled in the fertile Machachi Valley, near the small village of Aloag. Built a century ago, the Hacienda has retained its majestic elegance and original flavor, as well as its exquisite surrounding gardens flooded with colorful roses, native flowers, majestic trees and old stone walls. Full of the charm of a historic home, the spacious rooms of the Hacienda are filled with antiques that belong to the Espinosa family, who have owned the estate for hundreds of years. On horseback we will discover the southwestern Andes, known as the “Indian region”. Here, isolated communities like Quilotoa, Sigchos and Guambaine still live in the middle of the Andes, following the same traditions and lifestyles since colonial times. This riding adventure is specifically designed for those looking for total immersion in nature, in addition to the vastness and incredible scenery. The track we will follow will take us close to the Illinizas, Quilotoa, Chimborazo, Carihuirazo, Igualata and Tungurahua volcanoes, the last of which was active until 16 years ago. We will also have the chance to enjoy two hot springs along the way.Our mission here is to offer you a wonderful sustainable experience riding through one of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The staff at the hacienda and the qualified guides will make you feel at home: a warm and inviting atmosphere in our historic Hacienda, attention to detail and an exceptional on hand, reared on site to give you the best experience in Ecuador.
Guaranteed departure dates with a minimum of 1 person departing from Italy
Additional departure dates are available on request all year round on request for a minimum of 4 participants (except from 21/12 to 03/01/22)
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 4 MAX 6
Pick-up from Quito airport (or from your hotel in the city) in the morning and transfer to Hacienda Alegria in the Machchi Valley. Flight schedules should allow you to arrive in time for a first 3 or 4 hour trek to get to know the horses and the altitude. Lunch once back to the hacienda and afternoon of relaxation at the heated pool and visit to the cheese workshops. Dinner and overnight in the hacienda.
After having breakfast ,we will be on the saddle to get even better acquainted with the horses and with the equipment that we will have to use in the following days. We will ride around the hacienda and in the green Machachi valley. Return to the hacienda for lunch and in the afternoon there will be the opportunity to visit the hacienda and its many activities. Dinner and overnight at the hacienda.
After breakfast ,we will be on the saddle to the west and to Corazon, 4000 meters high and then descend to the rainforest. Here we will be able to observe incredible biodiversity, wonderful plants and flowers such as giant orchids as well as countless species of birds. In the afternoon we will arrive at the Bomboli hacienda, at 3000 meters, where we will spend the night. We will have time for hot tea and relaxation in front of the fireplace. Dinner and overnight at the hacienda.
Today we leave the rainforest behind and we will walk the ancient road that until 1960 connected Quito to the coast. We will be able to admire the green and fertile Machachi Valley and see the slopes to the east that we will cover in the following days. We will cross pastures and eucalyptus forests before returning to Hacienda Alegria for dinner and overnight.
Today will be a long day on the saddle ... we will be transferred by public transport about an hour south of the hacienda where the horses are waiting for us to start the adventure in the southern Andes. We will take the ancient route of the Inca to arrive at the village of Sigchos, through forests, rocky peaks. After an entire day on the saddle we will arrive at Hacienda San Jose, a farm that is also a guest house. We will have time to take a sauna and a jacuzzi before an excellent dinner and a refreshing night.
Breakfast and departure in a southerly direction to the crater of Lake Quilotoa. Descending into the canyon we will notice a different terrain, arid and volcanic, following the eruption of the homonymous volcano 1,280 years ago. We will reach the top of the volcano in the afternoon, at 3,800 meters. Above, our guest awaits us for the night, at Samay Kirutoa Lodge. From this height we will be able to admire the crater of the volcano, 3 km wide, the westernmost of the Ecuatorian Andes. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
we will be on the saddle towards the village of Zumbahua, where about 50 families live and through which we will pass to reach the highest points of our trek. There are no roads that connect this village to civilization, if not a path that takes you on foot in 3 hours to the village of Angamarca. You don't often see tourists in these parts, and we will camp together with the local communities.
of course you don't want to miss the opportunity to admire the sunrise. Descending towards the valley we will meet a myriad of small farms mainly dedicated to the production of milk. We will admire a ravine created by an eruption of the Chimborazo volcano, 6,300 meters, the highest in Ecuador. We will follow a track that follows the ravine, built in 1830 and called "Camino de Flores". In the afternoon we will arrive at a thermal spring where we will camp for the night.
The expedition continues along the slopes of Chimborazo, a long day on the saddle with some more complex and rocky passages. We will ride towards the eastern part of the Andes, with the Carihuairazo volcano on our left which exceeds 5000 meters. We will see the landscape vary, from arid and full of ravines to greener. We will stop for the night on the east flank of the Chimborazo volcano, in Urbina.
Last day of our adventure at the Tungurahua volcano where we will see the affections of an area periodically hit by the ash of the eruptions in the last 14 years. We will then see fertile and cultivated hills in the Igualata volcano area. We will begin our descent through the Chambo canyon to arrive at the side of the Tungurahua volcano. The horses will return to the main hacienda and we will stop in Banos for dinner and overnight.
After having breakfast we will visit the town of Banos, one of a kind, a gateway to the Amazon jungle. In the afternoon, return by public transport to Hacienda La Alegria for dinner and overnight.
After having breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Italy. It is possible to extend your stay at the hacienda or continue on an individual tour (request a personalized quote).
Prezzi per persona, a partire da: | |
Partenze minimo 4 partecipanti in doppia standard |
€ 3.670
|
Supplemento singola a notte ( eccetto Hacianda Alegria) |
€ 180 |
Supplemento a persona partenza base 2 o 3 persone |
€ 180 |
Giorno supplementare con attività a cavallo in FB doppia – a persona |
€ 300 |
Transfer AR da aeroporto Quito (a macchina – max 4 persone) – da pagare in loco |
USD 100 |
Transfer AR da Quito città (a macchina – max 4 persone) – da pagare in loco |
USD 50 |
Eventuali tasse aeroportuali |
Da pagare in loco |
Quota d’iscrizione |
€ 95 |
(B/L/D): B = colazione; L = pranzo; D = Cena
Date di partenza garantite con minimo 1 persona con partenza dall’Italia:
Livello di difficoltà: Da ° a °°°°°
DURATA: 12 GIORNI / 11 NOTTI
DIFFICOLTA’: °°°°( INTERMEDIO-AVANZATO)
SISTEMAZIONE: haciendas e campo tendato
EQUIPAGGIAMENTO: SELLA INGLESE, NORDAMERICANE, “CHAGRA” sella da lavoro tradizionale Ecuatoriana
CAVALLI: misto CRIOLLO incrociato con del sangue di psi e arabo. La perfetta combinazione di agilità, calma e adattabilità alla montagna. 35 soggetti a disposizione, allevati localmente
ANDATURA: da 5 a 8 h al giorno in sella. Velocità moderata, non mancherà comunque la possibilità di trotti e galoppi.
PESO MASSIMO: 90 Kg
ETA’ MINIMA: 12 anni
TIPOLOGIA: itinerante con pernottamenti in haciendas e campo tendato
SISTEMAZIONE:
Notte1 & 2: Hacienda La Alegria
Notte 3: Hacienda Bomboli
Notte 4: Hacienda La Alegria
Notte 5: Hacienda San Jose a Sigchos
Notte 6: Samay Kirutoa Lodge a Quilotoa crater
Notte 7: Campo tendato a Guambaine
Notte 8: Campo tendato alle sorgenti di Salado
Notte 9: Rifugio a Chimborazo
Notte 10: Lodge a Banos
Notte 11: Hacienda La Alegria
Hacienda La Alegria: Costruita nel 1910 in stile franco-italiano, ad un’altitudine di 2880 metri, e stata recentemente rinnovata. Circondata da svariati acri di terreno della tipica campagna fertile delle pianure delle Ande. Struttura a conduzione familiare che può ospitare fino a 24 persone. Camere semplici ma arredate con gusto e bagno privato. Wi-fi disponibile.
Hacienda Bomboli: Questa propietà può ospitare fino a 16 ospiti. Nascosta tra la vegetazione della foresta pluviale ha una scarsa ricezione. Le camere sono scaldate con caminetto.
Hacienda San Gabriel (Hacienda San Jose): Offre semplici camere con alcuni servizi quali wi-fi e piscina interna.
Samay Kirutoa Lodge: 7 confortevoli camere con spettacolare vista sulle montagne. Wi-Fi disponibile.
Rifugio Chimborazo: Questo rifugio a oltre 5000 metri è conosciuto come il più alto dell’Ecuador. Offre ai suoi ospiti poche semplici camere con servizi esterni in comune. Corrente elettrica non disponibile.
Campo tendato:A disposizione tende da 2 o 4 persone fornite di materassino gonfiabile e sacco a pelo. A Guambaine è presente una piccola struttura per consumare i pasti, servizi non disponibili. A Salado ci sono invece doccie e servizi in comune disponibili.
Nota: L’itinerario sopra descritto è da considerarsi indicativo. Potrebbe essere soggetto a variazioni dovute alle condizioni meteo o circostanze indipendenti della nostra volontà.
Tasso di cambio 1 EUR = 1,08 USD
Variazioni dei cambi con oscillazioni maggiori del 3% comporteranno un adeguamento dei costi e verranno comunicati entro i 20 giorni dalla partenza.
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