Pululahua Volcano Horseback riding tour

One Day Tour:

Transport from Quito to Pululahua crater, refreshments, a guided 3-hour horseback ride around the central volcanic core Cerro Pondoña, via lahar fields and through mountain cloud forests, lunch, horseback ride to the Green Horse Ranch and transport back to Quito.Sections of this route into and out of the crater can he completed on foot by taking short cuts through the stunning landscape.Participants: A group of 2 to 5 people, with or without riding experience. No particular level of fitness is required.

Two Day Tour:

Day 1:

Transfer to the Equatorial monument Mitad del Mundo, visits to the anthropological museum, the archaeological Inca ruins at Rumicucho, and the Moraspungo geobotanical nature reserve. Traditional Ecuadorian lunch, transport to Pululahua crater followed by your choice of hiking, riding, bird watching, or simply relaxing in the afternoon. Plant and flower taxonomies are available for research purposes. Accommodation as desired in tents, hostel, or rustic country cottage.

Day 2:

Guided 6-hour horseback ride around Cerro Pondoña and through eroded lahar fields to the HQ of the Chaupisacha reserve. Continuing through mountain cloud forests, rich in natural variety, passing by deep gorges, into the narrow valley of the Rio Blanco, stopping for a picnic on the riverbank. Ride back between fields of sugarcane and grazing Zebu via San José de Niebli to Pululahua crater and the Green Horse Ranch. Transport back to Quito. This route contains a great variety of landscapes and crosses three distinct vegetation zones. A certain level of fitness is therefore required of both horse and rider: approximately 30 minutes must be covered on foot. Beginners may like to choose a shorter variation of this route, taking in warm volcanic springs.Participants: A group of 2 to 8 people, with at least some riding experience and a reasonable level of fitness. Your help in cleaning and saddling the horses is optional.

3 Day Tour

Day 1 (5,5 hours):

Transport from Quito to the Green Horse Ranch. Guided horseback ride around Cerro Pondo˜a, and through eroded lahar fields to the HQ of the Chaupisacha reserve. Continuing through mountain cloud forests, rich in natural variety, passing by deep gorges, into the narrow valley of the Rio Blanco, stopping for a picnic on the riverbank. Ride back between fields of sugar cane and grazing Zebu via San José de Niebli where we will set up camp in the grounds of a large farm.

Day 2 (6,0 hours):

Ride from Niebli through mountain forests which gradually open out at the thermal springs of Calacal on the edge of Pululahua, continuing on to Moraspungo nature reseve where our tents will be waiting for us. We will enjoy our evening meal against a magnificent backdrop – a panoramic view of the whole volcano crater – keep your fingers crossed for clear weather.

Day 3 (4,5 hours):

Ride back via Cresta del Gallo to the Pululahua crater and the Green Horse Ranch. Transport back to Quito.