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Travel in Ecuador: Hacienda Yanahurco

Deep in the Andean highlands sits a twelve-room ecological mountain reserve on 25,000 hectares of vast Ecuadorian countryside. Home to the Andean condor, black bear, deer, wolf, black-faced ibis, and tapir, the hacienda serves as a sanctuary for its surrounding wildlife. It is a paradise for sport fishing with 19 rivers, streams, creeks and the lake of Jatunchocha, although the activities available provide guests with more options than there is time for.

Trip Options:

3 Day Trip: Spend the first day acclimating to the 11,000 ft altitude while enjoying the amenities of the lodge and the spectacular scenery. The next two days are spent horseback riding to a waterfall and the adjoining river where you can fish. Later, view condors nesting alongside the magnificent cliffs of Vicious Valley's river, and hike through Cimmarone's rainforest and the last counterforts of the eastern Andes Mountain Range before returning to Quito.

Rodeo: Every year during the last two weeks of November, the largest roundup of the Ecuadorian Highlands takes place, in which 2000 heads of cattle are gathered to be counted, branded, and vaccinated. Guests are welcome to actively participate or can simply enjoy watching the talented horsemen do their work.

Camping: With a minimum of 8 people, travel to the private campground, which is carefully maintained and provides a large hut with a half bathroom, a grill with space for barbeque gatherings, and electricity from 18:00 to 23:00. Guests who do not have camping equipment have the option of staying in the "blue house," which offers three bedrooms each with full bathrooms and hot water.

Hiking/Trekking: Spend five days preparing for the summit of Cotopaxi (19,400) by hiking each day to magnificent and unique locations in the highlands.

DAY 1: Enjoy a 3 hour, 8.7 mile hike along the canyon of Tamboyacu River as you allow yourself to acclimate to the altitude at 12,516 ft while taking in the scenery. Dinner and overnight at the hacienda in rooms or camping.

DAY 2: Embark on a full-day hike to Sebretana Waterfall. 5-6 hours roundtrip. Overnight at the hacienda.

DAY 3: Your second full-day hike takes you to Jatuncocha Lake. 8 hours roundtrip. 13,175 ft elevation.

DAY 4: Stay overnight at Cotopaxi's Jose Rivas Refuge at 15,809 ft elevation and practice your mountaineering skills on nearby glaciers.

DAY 5: Summit Cotopaxi early morning so that you are decending by 8am. Return to Quito in the afternoon.

For more information on any of our Great Expeditions Travel Adventures, contact us today!

Collage header photos courtesy of the Galapagos Aggressor I & II, and the Lammer Law.