These
adventures require a good level of fitness and high altitude acclimatization, but no
previous riding or mountaineering experience.
Trekking
and riding on the slopes of Ecuador’s highest volcano, the Chimborazo, rising to 20,700
feet (6,310 meters) is a fantastic adventure that allows guests to experience the moorland
landscapes, learn about the culture of the ancient Andean highlanders, and explore the
"Reserva de Produccion Faunistica Chimborazo" which was created in October
of 1987 to protect the extensive moors, the flora and the fauna of the region and the
habitat for the Andes camelids, vicuna, llama and alpaca.
QUITO - CUENCA - 5 DAYS-4 NIGHTS:
2009 Mondays and Wednesdays
An
adventure-filled five days combining the exhilarating experience of the CHIVA EXPRESS
rides along the Avenue of the Volcanoes and down the Devil’s Nose, with exploring the
Chimborazo highlands on horseback and on foot amid breathtaking scenery and the natural
protected environment, home to indigenous cultures that have preserved their way of life
through the centuries, and then continue on to visit the Ingapirca Inca Ruins and Cuenca,
Ecuador’s most beautiful city.
DAY 1
The adventure starts at the Station of Chimbacalle in southern Quito, which is
being restored to its old glory, to commemorate the centenary of the arrival of the first
steam train of the Guayaquil & Quito Railway Co. to Quito in 1908, an event that
joined Ecuador’s main cities (Guayaquil and Quito) and became the backbone that would
forever change the politics, economy and the lives of the Ecuadorians. Here awaits
Metropolitan’s unique "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a
bus on tracks, ready to take guests on a trip along the stunning Andean region of Ecuador.
The first leg of the Chiva Express ride goes from Quito to the Machachi Station.
A stop is made along the way at dairy Hacienda La Alegría, where guests are
welcomed by the owner, served a snack and can see the milking process of the cows, plus
horses and llamas. At Machachi Station, guests are transferred to a bus to
continue along the Pan American Highway, up and down the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano,
and into the fertile Valley of Latacunga for a visit to a rose plantation to observe the
beautiful variety of Ecuadorian roses, ready for exportation, and a taste of the products
of the land, specially broccoli and potatoes- harvested that same morning- with lima beans
and fresh cheese. Continue by bus to Urbina Train Station, up high, at the foot of
imposing Chimborazo Volcano, visit a Tagua workshop and warm up with a canelazo and cholas
by the fireplace and, if the Chimborazo is clear, an amazing sunset. Then continue by bus
to Riobamba for dinner and overnight.
DAY 2
Begins with breakfast at the private house of Marco Cruz, a reputed world-class
mountain climber, photographer and author of books on Ecuador’s mountains.
Guests will enjoy the authentic archaeological pieces, photographs, furniture, and
Ecuadorian art that fill up this wonderful house-museum, which reflects the owner’s
passion for Ecuador. Then, get fitted with riding gear: woolen poncho, scarf, hat
and sheepskin chaps, just like the natives! Drive to the foothills of Chimborazo,
where small but strong mountain horses are ready to start a four-hour moderate-to-steep
ride amid breathtaking scenery, on a dirt trail along the unique environment of the Andean
paramo – between 3000 and 4000 meters high (9,120-12,120 feet). At lunchtime
arrive to camp, where a display of excellent local cheeses, bread, cold cuts, fresh fruit
and coffee has been laid out to renew your energies for the second part of the day.
Ride on as the scenario changes to multicolored patchwork fields, swaying
with the winds, until the clouds blow away and the majestic snowcapped Chimborazo is in
full view. Arrive to the mountain inn “Star of the Chimborazo”, and warm
up around the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate followed by dinner. Rooms are
heated; there is plenty of hot water, cozy beds and shared facilities.
DAY 3
After a hearty breakfast begin a 3 1/2-hour hike along the ancient ‘Trail of
the Yungas’ , used for millennia as the pass to link the sierra with the coastal
lowlands –up until the beginning of the 19th Century, when the railroad connecting
the main cities of Guayaquil and Quito was built. Follow the guide up the slopes,
and along the way, find the stone that you will carry up as an offer to the mountain, past
the dry puna ecosystem, to reach a small forest of the ancient polylepis or “paper
tree”, one of the few remnants of this millenary tree, which is now found only in
inaccessible places, since it was extensively cut down for construction and firewood.
Lunch is waiting at a specially prepared tent and from then on it’s a
drive on the flanks of the Chimborazo to observe herds of vicuñas and the spectacular
landscape in the afternoon light on the way back to the “Star of the
Chimborazo”. During dinner share mountain stories, legends and anecdotes
with the hosts.
DAY 4
After breakfast on day four, its downhill by paved road from the “Star of
the Chimborazo” to board another CHIVA EXPRESS and experience the thrill of going
down the Devil’s Nose switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail
engineering in the world, and then on to Alausí for a snack before transferring to a
motorcar to continue south along the Andes to Cuenca. Visit the Inca Ruins of
Ingapirca and lunch en-route. Arrive at dusk. Accommodations and dinner at the
hotel in Cuenca.
DAY 5
On day five guests will have a full day to discover, at a leisurely pace, the
beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very
special. Lunch is served at a cozy restaurant. Late afternoon transfer
to the airport to take the flight to Quito. Air ticket Cuenca/Quito is not included.
DRESS:
A modern flexible winter clothing system should be used. Essential items are several
fleece layers and a complete wind and waterproof shell, also a warm hat and gloves. Hiking
boots or comfortable walking shoes. Sunblock (SPF 40). Camera (wide angle
lens). Binoculars. Flashlight. Sunglasses.
Level
of difficulty: moderate
Altitude:
2800 to 4000 meters (9800 - 12,120 feet)
Average
Temperature Day: 8° to 20° C (46° to 68° F)
Average
Temperature Night: 0° to 6° C (32° to 42° F)
QUITO - RIOBAMBA - 3 DAYS-2 NIGHTS: 2009 Mondays and
Wednesdays
A three-day combination starting with the ride along the Avenue of
the Volcanoes, with a stretch aboard the CHIVA EXPRESS to Riobamba. The next morning
start the adventure with a horseback ride up the flanks of Chimborazo to arrive to the
mountain lodge for overnight; and the last day a trek in the moorlands before heading back
to Quito by motorcoach.
DAY 1
The adventure starts at the Station of Chimbacalle in southern Quito, which is
being restored to its old glory, to commemorate the centenary of the arrival of the first
steam train of the Guayaquil & Quito Railway Co. to Quito in 1908, an event that
joined Ecuador’s main cities (Guayaquil and Quito) and became the backbone that would
forever change the politics, economy and the lives of the Ecuadorians. Here awaits
Metropolitan’s unique "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a
bus on tracks, ready to take guests on a trip along the stunning Andean region of Ecuador.
The first leg of the Chiva Express ride goes from Quito to the Machachi Station.
A stop is made along the way at dairy Hacienda La Alegría, where guests are
welcomed by the owner, served a snack and can see the milking process of the cows, plus
horses and llamas. At Machachi Station, guests are transferred to a bus to
continue along the Pan American Highway, up and down the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano,
and into the fertile Valley of Latacunga for a visit to a rose plantation to observe the
beautiful variety of Ecuadorian roses, ready for exportation, and a taste of the products
of the land, specially broccoli and potatoes- harvested that same morning- with lima beans
and fresh cheese. Continue by bus to Urbina Train Station, up high, at the foot of
imposing Chimborazo Volcano, visit a Tagua workshop and warm up with a canelazo and cholas
by the fireplace and, if the Chimborazo is clear, an amazing sunset. Then continue by bus
to Riobamba for dinner and overnight.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the foothills of Chimborazo and get fitted
with riding gear: woolen poncho, scarf, hat and sheepskin chaps, just like the natives!
Small but strong mountain horses are ready to start a four-hour moderate-to-steep
ride amid breathtaking scenery, on a dirt trail along the unique environment of the Andean
paramo – between 3000 and 4000 meters high (9,120-12,120 feet). At lunchtime
arrive to camp, where a display of excellent local cheeses, bread, cold cuts, fresh fruit
and coffee has been laid out to renew your energies for the second part of the day.
Ride on as the scenario changes to multicolored patchwork fields, swaying
with the winds, until the clouds blow away and the majestic snowcapped Chimborazo is in
full view. Arrive to the mountain inn “Star of the Chimborazo”, and warm
up around the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate followed by dinner. Rooms are
heated; there is plenty of hot water, cozy beds and shared facilities.
DAY 3
After a hearty breakfast begin a 3 1/2-hour hike along the ancient ‘Trail of
the Yungas’ , used for millennia as the pass to link the sierra with the coastal
lowlands –up until the beginning of the 19th Century, when the railroad connecting
the main cities of Guayaquil and Quito was built. Follow the guide up the slopes,
and along the way, find the stone that you will carry up as an offer to the mountain, past
the dry puna ecosystem, to reach a small forest of the ancient polylepis or “paper
tree”, one of the few remnants of this millenary tree, which is now found only in
inaccessible places, since it was extensively cut down for construction and firewood.
Lunch is waiting at a specially prepared tent and from then on it’s a
drive on the flanks of the Chimborazo to observe herds of vicuñas and the spectacular
landscapes on the way back to the “Star of the Chimborazo” and from then
its downhill by paved road to the Pan-American Highway for the ride back to Quito.
DRESS:
A modern flexible winter clothing system should be used. Essential items are several
fleece layers and a complete wind and waterproof shell, also a warm hat and gloves. Hiking
boots or comfortable walking shoes. Sunblock (SPF 40). Camera (wide angle
lens). Binoculars. Flashlight. Sunglasses.
Level
of difficulty: moderate
Altitude:
2800 to 4000 meters (9800 - 12,120 feet)
Average
Temperature Day: 8° to 20° C (46° to 68° F)
Average
Temperature Night: 0° to 6° C (32° to 42° F)
Itineraries updated July 2009 and subject to
change without notice
