Riding in Ecuador   ... a ride with history
One is constantly in contact, with nature. Cows, fine horses and sheep pasture in the green fields. These verdant meadows are surrounded by the imposing Ecuadorian Andes and form a valley where peace, security an pure air are a way of life.

Andean Mountain Ride
The country lies astride the Equator as the name indicates, but the climate is temperate because the ride is on a hacienda at about 9,000 ft. Upon stepping through the gates of the hacienda, one enters into a historical legacy dating back thousands of years. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Andes Mountains, the fertile valley still bountifully supports its inhabitants and is sited as a model for farming and land use in Ecuador and all of the Andes.
The main house was built in the 17th century and is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture. Today it is owned by the Plaza family (Galo Plaza was President of Ecuador from 1948 to 1952).
The food and service are excellent and the owners of this beautiful estate are particularly  proud of their fine Andalusian horses. Every day's ride has its particular beauty and charm, including rides in valleys surrounded by mountains, bathed in green lakes on mountain tops, snowcapped Cayambe, ancient Inca pyramids, waterfalls, dramatic views in or above the clouds. There are also encounters with friendly local Indian people in their colorful clothing.
The hacienda is famous for it horses and riding program. Here you can ride the Zuleteño horse.

IT-ECSR01
Rates include accommodations, gourmet meals, 6  riding days
7 days/ 6 nights  $1,595    Single + $0
... a 3 night package is available at $845
... extra nights are $280
Dates 2008:
any time during the year
Gratuity:   10 to 15% suggested
Meeting:   Zuleta
Airport:      Quito
Transfer:  $260 per car (1-3) return
Level:        Novice+ to Advanced
Horses:   Zuletenan breed it is a mixture between Quarter horse, Spanish (Andalusian) and English
Riding per day: 4-7 Hours
Pace:         All paces according
                  to riding level
Tack:        Western, Spanish, English
Max Riders: 10  (20 guests)

The Country Estate:
This beautiful estate, owned by the descendents of former Ecuadorian president, Galo Plaza, is also a self-sufficient farm, producing its own rainbow trout, organic vegetables, cheese, etc... Though not open to the general public for lodging, the hacienda offers all the comforts of a well-establish hotel. There are 6 rooms with queen size and 3 rooms with two twin beds each. All rooms have a private bath with bath tub. Here you are a guest of the Plaza family and you are welcomed as such. All guests receive a private room with hand-embroidered linens and beautiful garden views. You will be invited to relax at your leisure in the cozy reading and living rooms, which have entertained their own entourage of famous visitors including past presidents and dignitaries.... more info
Cuisine:
As your dining experience unfolds; you will be impressed by the Hacienda’s sustainability. The meals will be typical Ecuadorian "family" cuisine.
Virtually everything gracing the table comes fresh from Zuleta’s rich earth and is carefully prepared by hand.  Fresh milk and cream from Zuleta’s dairy cows are offered daily. Handmade cheeses are produced from the farm’s fresh milk and carefully crafted in the small factory near the guest house. Rainbow trout are caught moments before melting in your mouth.
Freshly churned butter melts over warm bread baked from wheat harvested on the Hacienda. Fresh organic fruit and vegetables are picked from the expansive garden to make unforgettable salads and freshly squeezed juices. In addition, gourmet picnic lunches with fine wine and cheeses are provided for all-day excursions. Vegetarian menus are available upon request.

Sample Itineraries
Depending on your stay, your riding abilities and the weather conditions you can choose between these tour options:
1. Hacienda Ride
Ride inside the hacienda so riders can become accustomed to their horses. We go up to a viewpoint where you can oversee the whole Hacienda and maybe see a spectacle bear.
2. Paramo
This is a full day of riding to the above tree line “paramo” to 11,000 feet. Enjoy the special landscape with spectacular views of grassland, wild bulls & condors. We will have a picnic lunch at a view point. We can just have look into the paramo or we can follow a hidden trail to a place called “Ventanas” with spectacular rock formations. That ride is a very special experience, but can be exhausting due to the altitude and the climate with strong winds. There are parts were emergency pick up by car is not possible.
3. Condor Huasi
A soft ride with many grassy trails for long soft canters within the hacienda. We will see ancient pyramids and mounds constructed by the pre-Incan Caranqui culture and visit our Condor project and aviary.
4. San Pablo
Day Tour to San Pablo village with lunch at famous Hacienda Cusin or Cabañas del Lago on the shore of the lake. On the way back we climb to a high pine forest with beautiful view of San Pablo Lake. This is an easy ride though farm land and villages.
5. Community
Explore Zuleta village and the surrounding communities with views of snow capped volcano Cayambe. From the Cunro hill we will oversee the whole valley and the city of Ibarra at a distance of 13 miles!
6. Peruvian Paso
We drive to a beautiful private Peruvian Paso breeding farm in Tabacundo were we switch to Peruvian Paso horses  with show quality and ride up to Mojanda lakes at 10.500 feet where we have picnic lunch. Drive back to Zuleta. The ride goes up to the above tree line “paramo”, but is not that difficult, although it might be could up there…
This ride´s availability depends on the owner of the Peruvian farm and should be plannen ahead of time. It is also possible to overnight at that farm (max. 4 people)
(Additional cost per person $65, $125 with overnight)
7. Papallacta
We start in the early morning, climb up to the paramo and follow hidden trails through wild and rough grasslands. You will see wild animals, spectacular plants and amazing untouched landscape. In the late afternoon we arrive at the hot springs of Papallacta to relax and stay there for the night. Drive back to Zuleta. This ride is very difficult and exhausting, it goes through wild nature and for hours there is no way to be picked up by a car. (Additional cost per person $180)
8. San Marco
A full day ride to the mystical lagoon of San Marco in the Cayambe national park. We ride through lush pasture land, pass by snow capped Cayambe volcano and enter the national park with its amazing flora and fauna. To cover so much ground (32km one way) we need to jog and canter for quite a while. After picnic lunch we take a different trail home and arrive just before sunset at Zuleta. This is a long trail with special experience due to the natural settings, but not very difficult.
9. Cusin
This is your ride if you want to be on the top of the most ancient volcano in the area. We quickly cross Zuleta valley with its different farms and then start to climb Cusin volcano through eucalyptus forests to the above tree line and up to the top. After enjoying the 360° view including Quito valley & Cotopaxi we descend to our picnic spot and come home in the afternoon. The ride goes up to the above tree line “paramo”, it might be cold and foggy up there and there are parts were emergency pick up by car is not possible.
10. La Rinconada
A day tour with many grassy trails for long soft canters through various indigenous communities and into a remote and quiete agricultural valley. We cross a river, see farm animals, pass by rural schools and see indigenous people working on their land. This is an easy ride, the distance can be adapted to your abilities (4-8 hours in the saddle)

see Slide Show

Outside magazine calls Hacienda Zuleta - one of the world’s
“Top Ten Finds”. 
Here’s what they said about Zuleta:
“Surprising, isn't it, how often you can work the conversation around to the fact that you've slept in a house that belongs to the presidential family? Never mind that this particular president, Ecuador's Galo Plaza Lasso, has been out of office since 1952. His descendants will treat you like a member of the family at Hacienda Zuleta, a historic retreat in the Andean cloud forest about two and a half hours northeast of Quito. The adobe hacienda, built in 1691, is the centerpiece of a 4,000-acre working farm that includes a dairy, cheese factory, organic garden, tree nursery, trout farm, embroidery workshop, and condor-raising project. Most guests saddle up one of 90 horses and ride out through pine and eucalyptus forests and high-altitude grasslands to pre-Inca archaeological sites amid magnificent volcano views. You can also hike, cycle, or take tours to nearby indigenous villages. The nine guest rooms are appointed with Spanish Colonial antique furniture, down comforters, and linens embroidered by local Indian women. And unlike in the U.S., you don't have to make a political donation to sleep at the president's house...”
— Bob Payne