Hacienda Porvenir - Active Adventures in Cotopaxi, Ecuador
On the slopes of Rumiñahui Volcano, in a truly privileged position, Hacienda El Porvenir is the ideal spot from which to explore Cotopaxi, get to know the Andean way of life at first hand and have thrilling adventures.It is just one and a half hours by car from Quito and 4 km. from the northern entrance to Cotopaxi National Park. The farmhouse is located in a very scenic spot, at an altitude of 3,600m, surrounded by four volcanoes, one of which is Cotopaxi. It is a working ranch that is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and cattle farming, to conservation and ecotourism. They produce the milk and make cheese and grow some vegetables and a small herb garden for their kitchen.
A broad range of tours and activities are available, from horseback riding while experiencing the culture of the Chagra (the Ecuadorian highland cowboy), dining in traditional straw-roofed farmhouses, camping in hidden between mountain folds, trekking around the premises enjoying the magnificent scenery, climbing impressive peaks immersed in an awe-inspiring landscapes, zip line over hills and valleys, ride a mountain bike trough ancient eruptions of Cotopaxi and much more.
When to visit: Whenever you like! We are open year round. Ecuador is well known for its eternal spring. Being on the Equator line, we have two main seasons: The green season or winter ( October- May), here rain and cloudy skies are expected mainly during the mornings. The dry season or summer ( late June to September) when clear blue skies with fantastic views and wind are expected. The Mountain weather is unpredictable; within the same day you can experience snow, heat, rain and wind.
Connectivity: Internet available in our social areas. Suites and Hacienda Traditional Rooms have WiFi. Limited mobile phone connection. No regular phone available at the Hacienda.
A broad range of tours and activities are available, from horseback riding while experiencing the culture of the Chagra (the Ecuadorian highland cowboy), dining in traditional straw-roofed farmhouses, camping in hidden between mountain folds, trekking around the premises enjoying the magnificent scenery, climbing impressive peaks immersed in an awe-inspiring landscapes, zip line over hills and valleys, ride a mountain bike trough ancient eruptions of Cotopaxi and much more.
When to visit: Whenever you like! We are open year round. Ecuador is well known for its eternal spring. Being on the Equator line, we have two main seasons: The green season or winter ( October- May), here rain and cloudy skies are expected mainly during the mornings. The dry season or summer ( late June to September) when clear blue skies with fantastic views and wind are expected. The Mountain weather is unpredictable; within the same day you can experience snow, heat, rain and wind.
Connectivity: Internet available in our social areas. Suites and Hacienda Traditional Rooms have WiFi. Limited mobile phone connection. No regular phone available at the Hacienda.
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Traditional Rooms
These classic hacienda rooms are the standard room type. They are all comfortable and authentic. Each room is designed for 2 people only. They have heating systems (electric heaters), free WiFi and a private bathroom with a hot shower. 
sample suite
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sample standard room
Suites
These are more exclusive and spacious rooms, where you will definitely feel like home! Suites have spectacular views, they are all very cozy and also offer privacy and comfort. Each Suite has a sitting area, an efficient stove, hairdryer, free WiFi, a private bathroom with a hot shower and the rate includes the entrance to APU Mountain SPA wet area. |
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Cotopaxi Exploration - 4 days
Day 1 - Acclimatization hike in Santa Rita Ecological Reserve We leave Quito early in the morning and reach Hacienda El Porvenir. Here we will make a quick stop to gather our packed lunch and drop off luggage. We will then have a short drive of 45 min on a gravel road to Hacienda Santa Rita, a Private Ecological Reserve, located at 3200 meters (10,500 ft). Condor Machay Waterfall (45 minutes – 1 hour hike): The entire path has wooden stairs and railing where necessary. We will hike down on a dirt trail where we can observe Pita river going on petrified lahars until we get to a beautiful view of the Condor Machay Waterfall. La Letra Trail (2 hours): This hike has different paths between grassland and pastures and also crosses bridges over the river. Throughout the tour you can see birds such as turkeys, ducks, hummingbirds. In addition, there is a great variety of paramo plants and trees lining the trails. We will have nice views of Cotopaxi, Sincholagua and Rumiñahui. Packed lunch at the reserve. Return on our vehicle for a drive back to Hacienda El Porvenir. During this afternoon we can participate on the Cotopaxi High Ropes Course. This is a high adventure activity with a low environmental impact, letting people with little or no knowledge of climbing techniques have a unique experience. Overnight stay. Day 2 - Horseback riding Rumiñahui Volcano and hike through the trails of Hacienda El Porvenir
In the morning we have a delicious 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 legendary chagra from the area will come with us and share some of his deep knowledge of the country life. The ride lasts for approximately 4 hours. Back in the farmhouse, a tasty local lunch will be ready on our arrival. In the afternoon we go on a short walk to Bosque del Tentadero, a polylepis or paper barked tree forest where we can catch superb views of El Pedregal Valley. overnight stay. Day 3 - Trekking Rumiñahui Volcano
We begin our climb of Rumiñahui Volcano very early in the morning, crossing vast highlands swept by the cold breath of the Andes. In one single picture one can take in valleys, mountains and neighboring volcanoes. On a cloudless day, we will even have the opportunity to admire in the distance Ilinizas peaks and Chimborazo, the highest snow-capped mountain of Ecuador. Hiking takes about 5 hours total round trip. Hiking difficulty is middle. We will trek along with a local guide that will share with us his knowledge about the mountains, the páramo and the local culture. We will take a packed lunch and then you will go back to Hacienda El Porvenir, a warm fireplace will be waiting for you. overnight stay. Day 4 - Cotopaxi National Park Visit
Traditional breakfast and then we get ready to visit Cotopaxi National Park. We set off for the Park and eventually reach the car park below the refuge. From there we will 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 this volcano during the hike. Once back in the vehicle, we continue on our way, driving down to Limpiopungo Lake, where a wholesome box lunch will be served. If there is time, we will visit the Park Visitors Centre, which has interesting descriptions of the local flora and fauna as well as details of the various eruptions of Cotopaxi. We will then continue, crossing rocky valleys, until we reach the Pucará del Salitre, an ancient Inca fortress on the way to the Amazon basin. Near this spot there are some natural springs which rise with the icy water from underground rivers that come from the glaciers of Cotopaxi. Our trip ends at El Porvenir, where a delicious hot chocolate will be served up before we finally return to Quito. * Due to Cotopaxi National Park restrictions, this itinerary is subject to change. Ask our travel advisers the alternatives. Return to Quito. 2019-2020 prices per person in US$ (min. 2 people): with 2 people sharing: from $899 in Traditional double room or $1019 in Suite double rooms with 4 or more people in double rooms : from $769 in Traditional double room or $889 in Suite double rooms NOTE: Riders can’t exceed 220 pounds of weight. Tour Includes
Tour does not include
Highland Family Adventure - 4 days
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. Overnight stay 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. Overnight stay at Hacienda El Porvenir. |
Volcano Trek - 6 days
This trek has been recommended by Travel + Leisure, as one of “12 of South America’s Most Epic Hikes You’ve Never Heard of”. It’s a super combination of trekking and comfort on Cotopaxi Volcano area staying in comfortable Haciendas and camping around the region. This itinerary will take us through valleys and Andean communities, private conservation areas, Cotopaxi National Park and archaeological sites through exclusive trails. Day 1 - Pasochoa A private car and bilingual guide will pick you up early in the morning from your Hotel in Quito, we will do a quick stop at El Porvenir for a hot canelazo and then we will drive you from El Porvenir to the Pasochoa Reserve, crossing the páramo plains. Our hike will begin in Hacienda Santa Rita Private Reserve, at an altitude of 3,300 meters, (10,826 ft), from which we will begin climbing Pasochoa Volcano. The route crosses patches of native Andean forest and open “páramos”. We will trek through fields covered with high straw and will enjoy the magnificent view of the neighboring mountains covered with snow such as Antisana, Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Sincholagua watch over us during this climb. We will have a box lunch in the middle of the day. Hiking time is about seven hours total round-trip. Hiking difficulty is low. Overnight stay at Hacienda El Porvenir. Day 2 - Cotopaxi National Park After a delicious breakfast, we start our walk towards Cotopaxi National Park, the entrance which is just four kilometers from the farm house. Today’s walk is quite flat, which helps with our acclimatization process. We visit the Pucará del Salitre, an old Inca fortress. Following the Incañán (Inca path) eastwards, we reach our camp, where we get a fabulous view of Cotopaxi Volcano. The walk takes about 6 hours on flat terrain in an average altitude of 3,700m (12,139 ft.). We will have covered 19.2 km (12 miles) by the end of the day. Overnight Camping (camp tents). Breakfast / Packed Lunch / Dinner. Day 3 - Hacienda El Tambo Today’s walk takes us to Hacienda El Tambo, on the eastern flanks of the Andes. We cross hills and valleys, guarded over by Quilindaña, a peak hard to see from the Central Andean Valley and which looks very much like the Matterhorn seen from the Italian side. The average altitude that we walk at today is 3,800m (12467 ft). Although we get as high as 4,200m (13779 ft) on one of the mountain passes. We reach the farmhouse, an old mountain refuge, built on Inca stones. Our walk lasts approximately seven hours. The terrain is mainly flat but there are a few steep hills. By the end of this day, we will have covered 32km (20 miles). Overnight Hacienda El Tambo (Machai Double Room – twin beds. 3 bathrooms and 3 showers are shared here). Breakfast / Packed Lunch / Dinner. Day 4 - Chirimachai Today our walk will take us on a circuit around Hacienda El Tambo, crossing the Chirimachai Canyon to reach the camp. At Chirimachai the climate from the eastern jungle rises to meet that of the Central Andean Valley. There is a great supply of natural water, straight from the glaciers of Cotopaxi. The scenery is truly unbeatable. On the walk, we will be accompanied by local chagras on their horses since we pass land where there are fighting bulls. This stretch takes about 6 or 7 hours, and is at an average altitude of 3,850m. The camp is located at 4,000m (11482 ft). In the course of the day, we walk a total of 22.4km (14 miles). Overnight Camping (camp tents). Breakfast/Packed Lunch/Dinner. Day 5 - Cotopaxi National Park We start out early in the morning, heading westward. We reach a very accessible, flat path, overlooking glacial valleys and getting some wonderful panoramic views. After a seven hour walk, we reach our camp at 3,800m (12,467 ft). The average altitude of the walk on Day 5 is 3,850m. assuring us that we are now acclimatized for our final challenge, getting up to Cotopaxi Refuge at 4,800m (15,744 ft). This day we will have walked 26.4 km (16.5 miles). Overnight Tambopaxi (with shared rooms and bathrooms with hot water - 1 bathroom for men and 1 for women) . Breakfast / Packed Lunch / Dinner. Day 6 - Refugio José Ribas (Climbing Hut) We get ready early for the final assault: reaching 4,800m (15,744 ft) after five days of physical preparation. The walk takes us five or six hours today, culminating at the climbing hut (Refugio José Ribas), where we can feel the sheer power of the immense volcano at close quarters. A vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Hacienda El Porvenir, where we will be served a well-deserved tasty lunch to round off this great trek before starting our journey to Quito. Today’s walk is basically a long steep climb. The average altitude is 4,200m (13,779 ft), with an ascent of 1,067m from the camp to the refuge. The walk covers 8.48 km (5.3 miles). Breakfast / Lunch. 2019-2020 prices per person in US$ (min. 2 people): with 2 people sharing: from $1339 in Traditional double room or $1519 in Suite double rooms with 4 or more people in double rooms : from $1139 in Traditional double room or $1319 in Suite double rooms Tour Includes
Tour does not include
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Day 3 Green Trail Trekking and Cotopaxi High Rope Course
After a wholesome country breakfast, we we will hike to the Green trail, a new trail where we learn about the highland ecology and conservation challenges. Hiking time approx 3H30 min. Return to the hacienda to enjoy lunch. During the afternoon we will go to our High Rope Course in Hacienda El Porvenir. This is a high adventure activity with low environmental impact, letting people with little or no knowledge of climbing techniques have a unique experience. The activity lasts 1H30 depending on the group size. Overnight stay at Hacienda El Porvenir. Day 4 Cotopaxi National Park Visit
After breakfast we leave the Hacienda and drive to Cotopaxi National Park. This is a very interesting drive through ancient lava flows from Cotopaxi’s past eruptions. The location is the perfect place to learn about Andean Geology. On our visit we reach the car park below the Cotopaxi’s Refuge, where we begin our short hike up to the climbing hut (Refugio José Ribas) at 4,800m. (15,744 ft). It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of the Volcano on this short hike.. Once back in the vehicle, we continue on our way driving down to Limpiopungo Lake, where a wholesome box lunch will be served. This is an interesting site that is ideal for descriptions of the local flora and fauna, as well as details of the history and environmental conservation of the Park. Return to Quito. 2019-2020 prices per person in US$ (min. 2 people): with 2 people sharing: from $899 in Traditional double room or $1019 in Suite double rooms with 4 or more people in double rooms : from $769 in Traditional double room or $889 in Suite double rooms NOTE: Riders can’t exceed 220 pounds of weight. NOTE: Riders can’t exceed 220 pounds of weight.
Tour Includes
Tour does not include
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CHILDREN DISCOUNTS
Discounts and gratuities for kids on all-inclusive tours ● Kids younger than 3 years old FREE (1 kid per adult) ● Kids younger than 12 years have 20% discount on all-inclusive tours (1 kid per adult) CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations are subject to the following fees: 30 days or more - None Between 29 days and 15 days - 50% Total Price Between 15 days - 0 days (and No Show) 100% Total Price Also available:
Volcano Ride 5 Days /4 Nights Horseback riding Chagras Way 5 Days /4 Nights Horseback riding / Cultural Volcano Bike 3 Days /2 Nights Mountain Bike / Cross country Climbing Cotopaxi 3 Days /2 Nights Climbing Lodge to Lodge Trek 4 Days /3 Nights Trekking / Nature 3 Summit Challenge 5 Days /4 Nights Trekking / Climbing ask for itineraries and prices |
