ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS BOUTIQUE STORE

GTTV – 90 – HACIENDA PORVENIR
Highland Family Adventure
Four Days / Three Nights

Daily

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: Market Visit / Hacienda traditional life / Cooking Classes

We leave Quito early in the morning and head South to Machachi, a highland town located at the Heart of the Avenue of Volcanoes. This is a 1 hour drive from Quito. On market days in Machachi farmers from the nearby communities and rural areas will gather on a plaza to trade their products and services. This experience reveals the diversity of Andean lifestyles and underscores the importance of tradition in the lives of the Andean families and individuals. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the local people, discover new fruits and vegetables, enjoy colorful images and share some smiles. We continue our trip to Hacienda El Porvenir for a tasty, wholesome lunch. In the afternoon we will learn how to milk a cow by hand and later on we will have our Cooking in the Clouds lessons focused on traditional cooking methods.
Meals: Lunch
Overnight accommodations at Hacienda El Porvenir

DAY 2: Horseback Riding Rumiñahui Volcano and Manto Blanco Hike

In the morning we have a delicious, nutritious farm breakfast, followed by a brief riding lesson from our guides before we set out on our horses. Wearing the typical dress of the chagra (Ecuadorian cowboys), we ride out across the slopes of the dormant volcano, Rumiñahui. A respected chagra from the area will come with us and share some of his deep knowledge of the country life. The ride lasts for approximately 2 hours. Back in the farmhouse, a tasty local lunch will be ready on our arrival. In the afternoon we will do a short walk to the Manto Blanco Waterfall.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight accommodations at Hacienda El Porvenir

DAY 3: Green Trail Trekking and Cotopaxi High Rope Course

After a wholesome country breakfast, we we will hike to the Green trail, a new trail where we learn about the highland ecology and conservation challenges. Hiking time approximate 3H30 min. Return to the hacienda to enjoy lunch. During the afternoon we will go to our High Rope Course in Hacienda El Porvenir. This is a high adventure activity with low environmental impact, letting people with little or no knowledge of climbing techniques have a unique experience. The activity lasts 1H30 depending on the group size.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight accommodations at Hacienda El Porvenir

DAY 4: Cotopaxi National Park Visit

After breakfast we leave the Hacienda and drive to Cotopaxi National Park. This is a very interesting drive through ancient lava flows from Cotopaxi’s past eruptions. The location is the perfect place to learn about Andean Geology. On our visit we reach the car park below the Cotopaxi’s Refuge, where we begin our short hike up to the climbing hut (Refugio José Ribas) at 4,800m. (15,744 ft). It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of the Volcano on this short hike.. Once back in the vehicle, we continue on our way driving down to Limpiopungo Lake, where a wholesome box lunch will be served. This is an interesting site that is ideal for descriptions of the local flora and fauna, as well as details of the history and environmental conservation of the Park. Return to Quito and hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch