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A great way to enjoy the great scenery that unfolds in the country of Ecuador is from the back of a horse. Several tour companies offer horse-back riding trips for all skill levels and ages. Ecuador offers riding enthusiasts with a wide range of riding opportunities. One can ride in the high Andes through the paramo, grasslands, and plains with snow capped volcanoes in the background.
Colonial Haciendas
One of the most popular horseback riding trips in Ecuador is called the Colonial Hacienda ride. This trip takes riders on an eight-day trip through the grassy fields of the Andean valleys, goes up through the northern highlands and the paramo landscape, and ends in the plains below the Cotopaxi Volcano. While going through this tour, riders get to stay throughout various historical haciendas, which first popped up in Ecuador in the 1600s. Prices vary.
The Cotopaxi Adventure
The Cotopaxi Adventure is suited for more experienced riders, but still can be done by someone with intermediate skills. This ride takes seven days and riders spend their nights in both haciendas and farmhouses built from orginal Inca stone and adobe. The ride goes through the open plains surrounding the Cotopaxi National Park. The journey ventures through barren landscapes and rugged passes. Riders can see glaciers and volcanic activity on this trip. Again, Prices vary.
Ecuador offers riding enthusiasts with a wide range of riding opportunities...
The Pululahua Trip
First time riders can take a one day trip inside of the National Reserve Pululahua. A jeep ride takes visitors 40 miles outside of Quito to this spectacular national reserve. The journey goes into the crater of the dormant volcano, which is one of two inhabited craters in the world. The ride takes about 4 hours. It costs $120 for one person but group deals starting from two people cost $75 each.
The Trefoil Trail
The Trefoil Trail is a three-day adventure and also starts in the Pululahua crater. After seeing the crater on the first day, the second day is used to travel along gorges, a cloud forest and there is a chance to swim in a clear volcanic stream on this day. The third day is full of tropical plants and animals, and also allows riders to see the pre-Inca ruins of Portalanza. This can be done through the Green Horse Ranch and costs $490 for one person and group rates are $315 for each rider.
Hike and Ride
There is also a four-day excursion called the Hike and Ride. It starts in the Pululahua crater. The first two days are spent on horseback and passes by the Cerro Portalanza and the village of Yungillas. The last two days are spent in the Maquipucuna nature reserve. It costs $450 per person and no riding experience is necessary.
