Green (or blue) lakes, forward-going homebred horses, unique inns, hot-water bottles, cloud forests, hot-tubs, long canters, high-elevation shopping

Ride the Quilotoa Loop, Ecuador

Who this ride is for:

Landscape Enthusiasts

No way you will get bored of the views on this ride. Start at the rolling green hills near Hacienda La Alegria, enter the Eucalyptus forests, scale volcanoes, traverse mountain ranges, canter along old dirt roads, worm your way through canyons and pine forest, and finally journey through fields of flowers to the cloud forest.

Intermediate - Advanced Riders

The horses are exceptionally easy-going, smooth, and eager to go, however, there are some long days in the saddle, some steep ups and downs, muddy terrain, and some long stretches of canters and trots.

Quick Stats

Ride Length: 10 days/9 nights, 8 days riding

Location: One hour from Quito, Ecuador

Pricing: $2800 (excluding airport transfers and taxes), 15% discount for children up to 17

Single Supplement: $150

Minimum of 2 riders - Maximum of 10 riders

The Riding Experience

The Quilotoa loop ride is a spectacular odyssey that covers all of the predominant habitat zones of Ecuador (excluding the Amazon and Galapagos). Starting at Hacienda La Alegria, rides are predominantly on low-trafficked roads, connecting neighboring haciendas, towns, mountain vistas, and agricultural fields. These dirt roads make a great track for trying out your horses trot and canter. Journey to Hacienda Bomboli through a eucalpytus forest, canter across agricultural access roads, and finally reach the cloud forest - a misty, high-elevation jungle with a dizzying array of plants. The 4-day trail to the Quilotoa crater begins in an open, desert-like habitat perfect for long canters. You will ascend up old roads to the top of the mountain, picking your way carefully down single-track trails to arrive at your lodge. The following day’s ride traverses several valleys where you can see family homes and wave to friendly locals. Make your way up through a narrow rocky canyon into a pine forest that surrounds the downward slopes of the Quilotoa crater. Formed by a massive volcanic collapse about 800 years ago, the crater sits at an elevation of 12,841 feet and is famous for its breathtaking, shifting turquoise and emerald-green waters. Spend the last part of the day riding a narrow trail high above the crater into town. The next day, descend into more forests and villages along roadways. The final day of the trail involves a long climb to the mountain top, where a rock shaped much like a horse ear (in my opinion) and the horse trailer and car awaits. The horses are untacked and loaded into the trailer and the riders gladly rest for the transfer back to the hacienda.

Many of the horses are bred on the hacienda, from their dapple grey Percheron stallion, Thor, creating an exceptionally stout and strong cross between the draft and the local criollo. The horses are exceptionally well-trained and begin their trail experience by being ponied along or working as the lunch horse on rides (packing the daily lunch alongside riders). Horses are carefully matched to the personality and experience level of each rider, and you are welcome to try different horses throughout your ride. During the 4-day trail, multiple backup horses are brought along to allow for a rest day for each horse. The horse care is the number one priority and you will see that the horses are untacked, checked over, and cared for before any other post-ride activities. This is done for you or you are welcome to pitch in! Tack is the traditional South American style with the ever-present sheepskin pad. Saddlebags are provided to bring along a camera, rain-jacket, snack, and water bottle.

The Plan

Arrive at anytime. Quick one-hour transfer from Quito city center or airport to the Hacienda (can be arranged). If you arrive early enough go out for a short ride. Settle in and relax before meeting the group for dinner.
Today starts with a breakfast buffet before being matched with your horse. Get acquainted in the arena before heading out on a half-day ride around the local haciendas. Return to the hacienda for lunch. Then take a tour of the farm including the milking barn and aging cheese cave.
Riding Time: 4 hours
Get saddled up for another acclimatization ride to the top of a mountain, “the window”, with views of the east, valleys, and coast.
Riding Time: 5 hours
Crossing agricultural fields and eucalyptus forests, enter the cloud forest, before arriving at Hacienda Bomboli, your home for the night. The caretaker and his wife manage the home and will be your guide to the flora of the cloud forest as well as your chef. Hacienda Bomboli is rustic and primitive, with no electricity, but extremely cozy. It is located at 3000 meters and is surrounded by a dizzying array of orchids, giant guneras, and birds. The caretaker’s love for the forest will be obvious. Have a candlelit dinner then crawl in your bed warmed by a hot-water bottle.
Riding Time: 4 hours
Take an alternate route along an old road within lush unique vegetation to arrive back at Hacienda La Alegria for a late lunch. Use the afternoon and evening to relax on the patio, soak in the hot-tub and eat a tasty dinner. Tomorrow is the start of the trail ride!
Riding Time: 5 hours
Transfer by car 1 hour to start the 4-day adventure to the Quilotoa crater, high in the Andes. Ride the Inca trail and old dirt roads high into the mountains where the scenery changes from paramo grasslands to scruby rocky knolls of multiple colors and shapes. Arrive in a small village called Isinlivi where your lodge room will be waiting.
Riding Time: 5 hours
Start the ride up the mountain to reach the Quilotoa crater. Cross villages, agricultural fields, and herds of alpacas and llamas, before stopping for a picnic lunch. Ride through a narrow canyon and a pine forest and arrive at the edge of the crater. Take some time to admire the scenery from a viewpoint then check into the Quilotoa lodge. In the afternoon, do some souvenir shopping in the local markets.
Riding Time: 5 hours
Today is a long one. Pass around the edge of the crater then descend into the valleys and eucalyptus forests. Take a short break at a dairy farm to taste artisanal cheeses. Arrive in the afternoon to Hacienda San Hose in tiem for a Jacuzzi soak, sauna visit, and good, hot meal.
Riding Time: 7+ hours
Ride through steep ravines, forests, eroded valleys, and rocky peaks. Stop for a blueberry wine tasting and a picnic lunch. Ascend to the Wingopana sacred rock where the horse trailer will be waiting to load the horses. Transfer back to Hacienda La Alegria for a final dinner.
Riding Time: 6 hours
After breakfast, transfer to the airport or your next destination (or extend your stay at the hacienda).

Stay

Your base will be Hacienda La Alegria with all the comforts of home. Wood-fired stoves in the rooms with picture windows overlooking the horse pasture and plenty of outdoor lounge space. There’s even a hot-tub for helping those saddle-sore muscles!

Hacienda Bomboli in the cloud forest is rustic, cozy, and primitize. No electricity means candlelit dinners, hot-water bottles before bed, and more atmosphere.

The Lodge at Isinlivi, Quilotoa Lodge, and Hacienda San Jose include comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

Eat

Did you know Ecuadorians love soup? With popcorn on top? Yep, sounds iffy, but I promise this is a trend you’ll bring back home. In addition to a different soup every night, you’ll eat home-cooked family-style meals of meats, potatoes, pastas, rice, vegetables, and always a tasty dessert.

Out-of-the-saddle Activities

Hacienda La Alegria is a working dairy farm. They also boast a cheese cave, organic garden, hot-tub, and library with fireplace. Feel free to observe all of the goings on around the farm or sit back and relax.

Activities along the trail include shopping for souvenirs and ponchos, hot-tubbing, or lounging by the fire.

Practical Information

The hacienda is located only a short 1 hour car ride from Quito city center or the Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport in Ecuador. The hacienda is situated in the foothills of the andes, between towering volcanoes and verdant valleys.
Yes! The chefs will be happy to accommodate vegetarians or food intolerances with sufficient notice.
Free Wi-Fi is provided in and around the hacienda and at each of the hotels with the exception of Hacienda Bomboli. Plan on no cell phone service while riding during the day.
Helmets are always recommended, though not required for adults. Please remember to check your travel insurance to verify if you need to wear a helmet for coverage. Please bring your own helmet as they are difficult to acquire in this region.