Aankomstdag
You arrive at Zuleta in the afternoon after a drive through lush pasture
lands. With some luck you will have stunning views of the snowcapped
volcano, Cayambe, which is just a few miles away from Zuleta.
One of our hosts will welcome you personally upon arrival, and assist you
with check in to your guest suite. Once settled. The herd will be waiting
for you to choose your horse for the first ride and you will get the chance
to try it in the ring at all paces. A bilingual riding instructor is available
for your questions. After lunch we will ride up to Santa Rosa, through
forest and dense vegetation up to a view point from where you have an
overview of the whole Zuleta valley. As we will be right above the Condor
centre and close to a feeding point, we will most likely see a wild condor
fly by. Up here you will also have the best bird’s eye view of the ancient
pre-Incan Caranqui pyramids that are spread all over the property. The
loop continues with beautiful vistas of mountain slopes painted by that
special afternoon light, and maybe a family of spectacle bears or foxes
will come to say hello. Leaving the forest we will canter over a field with
high grass, before we have to focus on our balance when the horse starts
to climb down. Upon reaching flat grounds with the barn at a sho rt distance
the horses will volunteer a last gallop with some jumps over small
ditches, before we collect them to reach the hacienda house and barn. A
nice glass of wine in the living room, a roaring fire, comfortab le sofas and
a chat with your host will entertain you until dinner time.
Condors and pyramids
Breakfast at Zuleta is great, healthy and abundant so there is no
need to hurry. The herd will be waiting for you to pick your horse
for today´s trail to the Condor Project. We will be riding on Hacienda
grounds through eucalyptus valleys to the far eastern end, passing
by milking sheds and pastures. After crossing a rocky river at a
picturesque bridge and passing by the polo horses and the colts, we
canter over an open field along the steep slopes that rise more than
1000m up to the paramo, make our way to an acacia forest and into
the valley of the Condor. At the aviary you will see majestic birds
from a short distance and we will be waiting for some wild ones to
land at the surrounding rocks of the narrow valley. While the horses
rest and graze we visit the trout farm and glance into primary forest
with its thousands of different leaves, ferns, bushes and running
water everywhere. The way back to the hacienda takes us through
pasture where we have to open one or the other gate and can ride
to the top of one of the 1.000 year old truncated pyramids. These
structures are made of dirt and were used as ceremonial places by
the ancient Caranqui culture. Share pictures during lunch, have a
tasty coffee in the living room, then choose between a riding lesson
in the ring or an exciting trip to our 50 hectare cross country field
where you can explore a great variety of terrain at a fast pace in the
golden afternoon sunlight. The fireplace in your room will be lit and
a hot bath is waiting for you to close the day in the most relaxing
way before dinner.
Route to the Condor Project (2 uur)
This is our most common horseback riding route. Starting from
the lower part of the property, we ride on cobblestone roads that
run along the mountainside until we reach La Rinconada de San
Pedro. Our destination is the Huasi Condor Project facilities,
where you may even see wild condors taking advantage of the
high winds. The journey there and back leds through pastures,
stables and several ancient Caranqui ‘tola’ pyramids. It is possible
to climb to the top of the ceremonial pyramid, which offer great
views of the area. On the slopes of the mountains of La Rinconada
we find fascinating wild plants such as bromeliads and heli -
conias, whose fruits are a Spectacled Bear’s delight. The climate
shifts from temperate to cold, depending on weather conditions.
We will be riding on flat terrain.
Condor Adventure (3-4 uur)
We can also reach La Rinconada de San Pedro taking a longer route
around the lower areas of the estate, through green pastures and
eucalyptus groves. Take the cobblestone road that heads north and
crosses a rocky river over a wooden bridge to rolling grasslands
and acacia woodlands, surrounding Caranqui ‘tolas’ and pyramids
that date back over 1000 years. The route skirts the northern slope
of La Rinconada and we may see wild condors flying about or
perched on the rocky slopes and/or Spectacled Bears looking for
food in the bromeliad-laden brush. We then end up at the Huasi
Condor Project, where besides seeing rescued birds in captivity,
we can learn about the many efforts we try to recover this iconic
bird’s populations in the area. On our way back to the hacienda, we
visit pre-Columbian ceremonial pyramids, an excelent panoramic
vantage point of the region. The terrain is generally flat and the
weather may change from temperate to cold, depending on the time
of day or climate.
Riding to the Community of Zuleta (3-4 uur)
This ride takes place around the town of Zuleta. After crossing the
main gate of the hacienda, we visit embroidery street stores where
you can buy high quality crafts hand made by local members of
the Zuleta community. We then ride up to the Cemetery and reach
the top of the town, where on a clear day you can admire spectacular
Mount Cayambe and small adobe-and-tile-roof houses
in the distance, surrounded by patchwork fields. An interesting
‘house museum’ opens its doors to visitors, offering interactive
experience with villagers, where we will also learn about the past
and customs of the community. We head back through the village,
where, apart from beautiful landscapes, we can see rural men and
women working the land and embroidering traditional dresses. On
the way down the main road we pass the church, community field
and town hall.
Angochagua and La Rinconada Cultural Ride (6-7 uur)
Along the cobblestone road, surrounded by eucalyptus and green
pastures, we head north of the property to a place called La Cocha
(“lake” in Quechua), an area known for its small natural lake
filled with nature and wildlife. At the hacienda’s limits, we reach
a road leading to the community of Angochagua, where we will
visit the home of Fernando Colimba, a native of the area, who
opened the doors of his classic Andean home for the visitors to
walk inside and admire; he demonstrates how to grind corn and
age-old wool spinning techniques. We then continue along, crossing
the quaint community church, heading to the Community
of La Rinconada, which lies on the other side of the hill. At this
magical site with beautiful views, we enjoy our lunch, at the foot
of a waterfall. Heading back to Zuleta, we climb up to Mount
Cunrro and enjoy the beautiful scenery across fields and eucalyptus
groves, then down through the town of Zuleta and back to the
hacienda along the main road.
“Vista Cóndor” on horseback (3-4 uur)
After breakfast or lunch you can ride off towards Santa Rosa Hill,
located behind the hacienda house. The climb opens onto spectacular
views of the hacienda, its surrounding fields and the town. A
small, winding dirt road with native vegetation on the side finally
turns into a large pine forest. Upon reaching the top, you will be
able to admire spectacular views of La Rinconada de San Pedro,
the Huasi Condor Project facilities and the Caranqui pyramids. The
journey will be topped off if we are lucky enough to see wild condors
soaring above.
The charm continues with the beautiful scenery of the mountain’s
slopes against the gorgeous afternoon sky.
A few meters later, the road starts descending through the pine forest.
Depending on the time of year, large herds of sheep may cross
our path. Towards the bottom of this descent, the horses can enjoy a
nice gallop over flat grazing pastures, as they sense the proximity of the stables.
La Rinconada and Saddle Maker
Today’s ride will lead you to the charming parish capital of Angochagua
and into Rinconada valley. Heading out of the hacienda at the
east end, we follow a cobble stone road into this tiny hillside village
where time stands still. We will dismount the horses at the plaza
and visit the church and the community school, before we descend
through the woods into the pastoral Rinconada valley. A sandy road
through hedges of agave and adobe walls leads us into a remote and
independent community, rarely visited by any foreigners. We will
have a little snack at the shores of a roaring river, where cows come
to water and local women wash clothes. With incredible views of the
primary forest on hanging gorges and of waterfalls coming from the
rocky ridges above, we head southwest to the other side of the wide
valley. Some long canters on endless sand tracks lead us to our lunch
spot, where a comfortable tent is already waiting.
The horses rest while you are served a three course cooked picnic
lunch and enjoy the view of the town of Ibarra, lying more than 1.000
meters below. After lunch we still have some ground to cover, so we
say goodbye to our catering and keep following the road to a pass
between Cunru and Cubilche mountain. We will see different plants
like the spikey sisal and aloe vera and cross a desert like area. Once
we crossed the pass beautiful Zuleta valley spreads out in front of
us. The horses get fresh energy by sensing home and with some luck
we will see the snowy slopes of Cayambe, illuminated by the orange
afternoon light in front of us.
The Lake’s View Ride
With new energy we start today with one of the best rides in Zuleta: the
Lake´s View. This ride offers two options, one within the hacienda’s limits,
through grassland and woods, and another towards the town of Zuleta, up
the main road, passing by the villagers’ homes. In both cases, we ride over
cobblestone roads to a hilltop called Pan de Azúcar (Sugar Loaf), which offers
fascinating views of classic Andean landscapes, with patchwork fields,
small towns and breathtaking mountains and glaciers. The road will continue
along a small pine forest at the foot of Mount Cubilche; we will then
reach the other side of the mountain to discover the landscapes of Mount
Imbabura. Taking advantage of a spectacular view of Lake San Pablo, we
will prepare a delicious picnic, and then, depending on the weather, choose
between different options to head back to the hacienda house, through barley
fields or other typical Ecuadorian Andes vistas.
Riding to the Waterfall (3-4 uur)
Along the cobblestone road to the north, we find an area we call La
Cocha (‘lake’ in Quichua). Three kilometers of woods and green
pastures with cows will take you through many beautiful niches
along the hacienda’s lower quarters. Near the end of the road, we
detour towards Rinconada Santa Marta. Crossing an old stone
bridge, we discover a waterfall on Tahuando river amidst native
vegetation. We turn back onto an old wooden bridge to reach more
green pastures, ideal for speeding along at full gallop, or just enjoying
the scenery at your own slower pace. In the area of Rosario,
admire a beautiful Spanish thoroughbred stallion; we are only one
kilometer away from the hacienda house, just in time for a delicious
lunch.
Riding to Volcano Cunrro (3-4 uur)
We leave through the hacienda’s front gate, pass the soccer field,
church and community school (a standard sight in any Ecuadorian
Andean community) and along the main cobblestone road we begin
to climb, past the villagers’ homes. If weather permits, we may see
glorious Mount Cayambe behind us, a snow peak with an elevation
of 5,790 m.a.s.l (almost 19000 ft!). Mount Cunrro is easy to reach.
It is a small hill located at the foot of Mount Imbabura, and blends
perfectly with the Zuleteño landscape. This small volcano is covered
with eucalyptus and pine forests, as well as natural vegetation
and offers a spectacular view of the Andean cordillera, as well as
the city of Ibarra. After a short rest, we descend back to the village
and return to the hacienda.
The Lake’s View Ride (6-7 uur)
This ride offers two options, one within the hacienda’s limits,
through grassland and woods, and another towards the town of Zuleta,
up the main road, passing by the villagers’ homes. In both cases,
we ride over cobblestone roads to a hilltop called Pan de Azúcar
(Sugar Loaf), which offers fascinating views of classic Andean landscapes,
with patchwork fields, small towns and breathtaking mountains
and glaciers. The road will continue along a small pine forest
at the foot of Mount Cubilche; we will then reach the other side of
the mountain to discover the landscapes of Mount Imbabura. Taking
advantage of a spectacular view of Lake San Pablo, we will prepare a
delicious picnic, and then, depending on the weather, choose between
different options to head back to the hacienda house, through barley
fields or other typical Ecuadorian Andes vistas.
Hacienda Zuleta - Hacienda La Compañía de Jesús (6 uur)
After a delicious breakfast, we walk the main street of Zuleta to
Pesillo. We continue to the high páramo of Cusín, where a 360-degree
view of Cayambe, Zuleta, Imbabura, San Pablo Lake, Otavalo
and Fuya Fuya awaits. After a delicious picnic lunch, we begin our
descent.
Upon reaching Hacienda La Compañía de Jesús, we tour the premises,
and marvel at a beautiful historic residence constructed in
1919 surrounded by a Neoclassical French garden; we then visit the
fantastic rose showroom, which displays flowers produced at the
hacienda’s plantation. After tea, we return to Zuleta by car.
Itinerary:
8:30 : Departure from Zuleta.
12:30: Picnic at the highlands of Cusín.
15:00: Arrival at Hacienda La Compañía;
visit of the rose showroom.
16:00: Afternoon tea.
17:40: Return to Zuleta.