Hacienda Primavera
Riding Getaway in Ecuador's Cloud Forest

Hacienda Primavera Wilderness Ecolodge is located in the El Choco rainforest reserve. The lush forests surrounding the hacienda provide an incredible flora and fauna. The tropical forests are abundant in endemic species, epiphytes and orchids. Large varieties of butterflies can be found in and around the hacienda. The most famous bright blue butterfly is the morpho Eugenia, with a wingspan of 5 inches.  This destination is a great option for travelers looking to combine a trip to the Ecuadorian tropical forests with a hacienda experience. The hacienda has been owned by the same family for over 90 years. Here you can participate in the farm life on the hacienda, go riding every day on varied trails that lead to spectacular waterfalls. On one day you can take a train ride through the ancient tropical forests. On a 3 hour trip you  pass 7 waterfalls, 5 rivers and 5 tunnels in a 3 hour round trip. If you book in advance we may even arrange a half day whitewater rafting trip for you.

IT-ECSR08
2008/09 Rates include lodging with private bath and balcony, three meals a days, 6 guided activity days including the half day train ride.
7 days/ 6 nights $  545    
Extra days with meals and riding $85
Dates:       all year upon request 
Meeting:     El Choco
Airport:     Quito
Taxes:        included
Gratuities: included  (except horse guide)
Transfer:   $225 return per car
                  (max of 7 passengers)
Level:         All levels
Tack:          Western
Horses:      Criollos
Pace :         Moderate, some trots
                   and canters
Note:        Whitewater rafting option is
                 $100 per person (min of 4)
Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Hacienda Primavera Wilderness Ecolodge - Pick up anywhere in Quito, a three hour drive passing through the flower plantations of Cayambe, over the Andes Mountains and down to the valleys of the Imbabura province, passing the San Pablo lake and the Otavalo Indigenous Market into the city of Ibarra down by lake Yaguarcocha into the sugar cane valley of Salinas, along the Mira river and over the Guallupe bridge along Gualchan river to the Hacienda Primavera Wilderness Ecolodge. Enjoy the surroundings of the beautiful cloud forest with full luxury and gourmet food for the rest of the day, lunch and dinner will be served.
Day  2: Horseback Ride Breakfast is served starting at 7 am. Familiarize yourself with the cowboys and guides while preparing the horses for the day. Horses available for all types of riders: beginners to experts. The trail follows the Rio Blanco River to the neighboring town of El Carmen. You will see the typical daily activities of the neighborhood mountaineers, enjoy the lush vegetation along the trail, and spot the beautiful blue Morpho Eugenia butterfly and local birds. The trail last for around two hours. After lunch relax or walk around the hacienda visiting the many crops and fruits in production. Pick as many as you like, our staff will make delicious juice with them. (Papayas, pineapples, oranges, lemons, guayavas, guavas, bananas). Meet the friendly local people and visit a local school for some remedial Spanish/English lessons.
Day  3: Cloud Forest Train Ride A short minute car ride takes you to the Lita train station where you embark on a 15 kilometer train ride through the ancient tropical forests. Pass 7 waterfalls, 5 tunnels and 5 rivers in a breathtaking trip. Return to hacienda in the afternoon for a great meal. Walk from the Hacienda down to the river for a swim under the foot bridge. Lie back and let the current hit your back for a true natural massage. IF you like there is an afternoon trail ride available.
Day  4: White Water Rafting Expedition with our expert partner company Yacu Amu Rafting. There are two rivers to chose from, a great experience and a lot of action. This expedition lasts five hours. Come back for lunch and rest in our hammocks overlooking the forest. Afternoon offers an optional trail ride.
Day 5: Cloud Forest Combination Expedition Horseback/Hike
Ride the horses half way up the river trail and then the hike starts at the trout farm and goes along the river towards the water fall (rubber boots recommended). Keep an eye out for the giant bromeliad orchids and enjoy the mountain lemons while walking over the stream to the spectacular waterfall. Trip duration is around three hours. In the afternoon take a swim in our unique fresh water pool.
Day  6: Hacienda Trail with Magnificent Views of Andes Mountains Photography opportunities. Ride the hacienda trail with the cowboys towards the herd and see the west side of the Andes Mountains from the Hacienda. Experience a day of work milking the cows and maybe delivering babies from the female horses, llamas, or cows, it is a true experience. Trip duration is four hours. In the afternoon pay a visit to our cheese factory and taste the flavor of a freshly made cheese
Day 7: Visit Otavalo Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and return to Quito
After breakfast, travel back to Quito and stop in San Antonio, the wood craft town, continue to the town of Otavalo and it's Indigenous craft market.
Lunch in Hacienda Cusin near the lake San Pablo, continue on in the afternoon to Quito.

History
Hacienda Primavera is owned and operated by a husband and wife team. The hacienda has been in our family for over 90 years, and we take great pride in it.The ecolodge is located in the northwestern tropical montane forests of Ecuador. It lies northwest of Quito in El Choco national rainforest reserve. Daily low and high temperature readings are 18C / 68F and 24C / 80F. There are no significant seasonal temperature changes.
The ranch is in part primary and secondary jungle with stables full of horses, cattle, llamas, donkeys, goats, and pigs. The surrounding tropical cloud forest is rich in flora and fauna, and birdlife is prolific. The hacienda is at an elevation of 1,200 m (approximately 3,500 ft). The cloud forest is extremely lush, with a high biomass and an abundance epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and mosses. The tree canopy can reach between 25 and 30 m high, (75 to 90 ft high).
Indigenous tribes living near the ecolodge are historically called the Aguases. Archaeological findings in and around the hacienda date to more than 400 years old. The nearby villages are populated with montaneros, indigenous people with a visible Spanish colonial ancestry. Montaneros are the modern day cowboys, highly experienced in horses, ranching, and farming.

Dining
Everyday, Hacienda Primavera offers a different menu of gourmet specialties and traditional Ecuadorian favorites prepared from fresh daily produce most often just picked from our own or local organic crops. We pride ourselves on our excellent cuisine and exquisite selection of fine Chilean wines, a pampered delight after an adventure in the tropical Ecuadorian landscape.
Our at tentative staff and the creativity of our talented chefs offer personalized meals, accustomed to your needs. Whether it is a quick bite before heading off on an excursion, an elegant dinner with all the trimmings, or a late-night snack, each choice will be a tantalizing offer.

Rooms
We offer eight suites to our guests and each has a spectacular view of the luscious landscape. The intimate number of rooms allow us to demonstrate our commitment to quality and personalized care. Only in this way can we fulfill our ultimate goal; as ambitious as it is inspiring: to create for each guest, a perfect Ecuadorian experience.
While providing for the comfortable luxuries of a fabulous vacation, we also strive to keep an eco-friendly environment, offering solar-paneled heated water, biodegradable products, and organic recycling.
Each suite has Spanish-colonial decor and its own private bath and balcony. Suites equipped with a single king bed or double queen-sized beds are available for every type of traveler.