Our guide in Quito will pick you up, and drive with you to the Hacienda El Porvenir (at 3600 mts - 11,808 ft). The drive takes approximately 1H30. After a welcoming drink, you will meet with one of the chagras. This is how the Andean cowboys are known here in Ecuador. With the local guide and chagra, we start our acclimatization ride through the Hacienda El Porvenir, a vast working ranch that has been in the family for 6 generations. On today’s ride, we will explore the slopes of Rumiñahui Volcano, while we learn about the paramo ecosystem and the Hacienda conservation efforts. As we ride across majestic Andean hills, we will see herds of wild bulls, birds, and wildlife. We will eventually arrive near the rocky peaks of Rumiñahui where one can see 12 more volcanoes on a clear day. Back at the Hacienda, a wholesome lunch will be waiting for us next to a crackling fireplace. During the afternoon you may join the chagra to feed and cater to the horses and learn about the chagra ways: western saddles, handmade reins, fur chaps, wool ponchos ,and more fun local riding gear. Approximate riding time: 3 hours. Overnight stay at Hacienda El Porvenir. (Lunch included. Dinner not included)

We set off from Hacienda El Porvenir towards Hacienda El Tambo on the eastern mountain range. The ride takes 6 to 7 hours and covers roughly 43 km. With the colossal Cotopaxi looming over our trails, we will eventually visit the Pucará del Salitre, an ancient Inca fortress. We will have a packed lunch in the middle of the day. The ride takes us through a wide variety of landscapes such as mountain rivers and small lakes. When we finally reach the farmhouse of El Tambo, we will be rewarded with a traditional dinner and a warm fire. (Breakfast/Packed lunch/Dinner).

After breakfast, we will ride over the foothills of Quilindaña, an old volcano that has been dormant for millions of years. The trek crosses the plains and slopes of this beautiful peak of 4,878m. (15,999 ft). Here there are still pristine woods of native trees such as the pantza or polylepis (paper tree). We will get off our horses for a while and wander through a gorgeous woods full of moss, lichen, and high-altitude bromeliads. Pack lunch is included during the trip. After strolling in the woods and hearing some local legends, we ride back to the farmhouse at Hacienda El Tambo, where a delicious dinner awaits us. (Breakfast/Packed lunch/Dinner).

After breakfast, we start our chagra skill training program. We will learn to handle the lasso, how to handle the cattle, how to tie knots, and the overall skills needed for a small “rodeo” (the local given name to a cattle drive, comes from the verb “rodear” which means surround) that will be held after we learn and practice the skills. Lunch at the hacienda. We will then go trout fishing during the afternoon. The chagras will show us how they catch and prepare trout. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda El Tambo. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).

Hacienda Breakfast. We ride out early in the morning, heading back to civilization. Following the course of the River Tambo towards the base of Cotopaxi, we take the high route used by the locals and ride though the slopes of Sincholagua Volcano. Packed lunch included. On the way back to Hacienda El Porvenir, we once again cross Cotopaxi National Park, taking a spectacular, panoramic route. We will then reach Hacienda El Porvenir and transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Quito. (Breakfast/Packed lunch).