An Andean Adventure of Horses, Farm Life & Connection
Imagine waking to mountain air, sharing breakfast with your fellow travelers, and saddling up for a day on the trails. Ahead are open highlands, winding paths through farmland, and views that invite you to pause and take it all in. At the end of the day, a nourishing meal and a welcoming mountain lodge—or a campsite near a volcanic lake—await.
Join GOGI Abroad and our longtime Ecuadorian partners at Nahual for a journey that brings together horseback riding, life on a working farm, and time to enjoy the people and places along the way. From our home base at Finca Palugo to the remarkable landscapes surrounding Quilotoa, we’ll explore Ecuador at a pace that leaves room for connection.
GOGI Abroad and Nahual Expediciones invite you to experience Ecuador through adventure, sustainable living, and meaningful cultural connection.
Visit regenerative and permaculture farms, learn alongside local communities, and discover Ecuador’s extraordinary landscapes through adventures on horseback. Along the way, share meals, exchange stories, and participate in hands-on experiences that bring sustainability to life.
Together with our local partners, we create opportunities to contribute to community-led efforts, travel thoughtfully, and build relationships rooted in curiosity, respect, and reciprocity.
Go Outward. Grow Inward.
Begin with Connection
Our adventure starts at Finca Palugo, a fourth-generation family-run farm in Ecuador’s Andean foothills. Here, we’ll settle into farm life, get to know one another, and meet the horses who will accompany us into the mountains.
Before heading out, we’ll spend time working with the horses, learning about our equipment, and building familiarity and trust. An introduction to “join-up,” a practice focused on horse-and-human connection, offers a thoughtful beginning to our time together.
We’ll also participate in daily farm activities, prepare food, and organize supplies for the expedition. These first days give us time to ease into our surroundings and become part of the place that will welcome us back after our ride.
Into the Andes
Leaving Palugo behind, we’ll travel to Corrales Viejos and begin with a warm-up ride beneath the twin peaks of the Ilinizas. From there, our route takes us through the páramo—the expansive high-altitude grasslands of the Andes—and along trails overlooking the fertile Chaupi Valley.
Our days unfold through changing landscapes: mountain slopes, dramatic canyons, cultivated fields, and valleys planted with quinoa. Traveling on horseback gives us time to notice the details, from the changing light on the hills to the rhythms of rural life.
Along the way, we’ll rest at Llullu Llama Mountain Lodge, where optional yoga, massage, or spa experiences may be available. We’ll ride toward Quilotoa’s striking blue-green crater lake and spend a night camping nearby, then continue to Hacienda Tigua, a family-run farm and lodge where we can enjoy homemade foods and a welcoming place to rest.
Time to Rest, Explore & Celebrate
After the expedition, we’ll return to Palugo with time to relax and reflect on our days in the mountains.
We’ll also explore Quito’s historic center, wandering among its plazas, churches, and colonial architecture. A visit to Papallacta Hot Springs offers a chance to soak in warm volcanic waters surrounded by mountainInto the Andes
Leaving Palugo behind, we’ll travel to Corrales Viejos and begin with a warm-up ride beneath the twin peaks of the Ilinizas. From there, our route takes us through the páramo—the expansive high-altitude grasslands of the Andes—and along trails overlooking the fertile Chaupi Valley.
Our days unfold through changing landscapes: mountain slopes, dramatic canyons, cultivated fields, and valleys planted with quinoa. Traveling on horseback gives us time to notice the details, from the changing light on the hills to the rhythms of rural life.
Along the way, we’ll rest at Llullu Llama Mountain Lodge, where optional yoga, massage, or spa experiences may be available. We’ll ride toward Quilotoa’s striking blue-green crater lake and spend a night camping nearby, then continue to Hacienda Tigua, a family-run farm and lodge where we can enjoy homemade foods and a welcoming place to rest.
At GOGI, we believe in the transformative power of authentic travel. Our trips immerse travelers in the language, culture, and people of a new community. Our trips are “soul immersion” experiences, where we connect with and learn from those who are different from us and experience the fundamental ways in which we are all connected.
Who Is This Adventure For?
This journey is designed for beginner to intermediate riders who love animals, enjoy being outdoors, and are excited to take part in an active adventure.
You don’t need to be an expert rider, but you should be prepared for approximately 3–7 hours of riding on expedition days, changing mountain weather, and a mix of farm stays, mountain lodges, and camping. The route travels through high-altitude landscapes, and a willingness to adapt is part of the experience.
If you’re wondering whether the riding or physical demands are right for you, we’d love to talk through the details.
Your Journey at a Glance
Days 1–3: Arrive at Palugo, experience farm life, meet the horses, and prepare for the expedition.
Days 4–7: Ride through the Andes, stay at mountain lodges, camp near Quilotoa, and continue to Hacienda Tigua.
Day 8: Enjoy a relaxed morning at Tigua before returning to Palugo.
Day 9: Rest at the farm and explore historic Quito.
Day 10: Soak at Papallacta Hot Springs and gather for a farewell dinner.
Day 11: Depart Ecuador.
The itinerary may shift with weather, trail conditions, group needs, and local opportunities.
Our trips facilitate spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth by taking the time to connect deeply with the people whose culture we’re visiting. By taking the time to steep in the culture, we see more, feel more, and the culture becomes more alive for us. Small, but far-reaching, shifts begin happening within us.
Come Ride with Us
If you’ve been dreaming of Ecuador—or simply craving time with horses, fresh air, and a new adventure—we’d love to have you join us.
Reach out for the full itinerary, ask questions, or arrange a conversation about the trip.
info@gogiabroad.com | (802) 275-2948
Go Outward. Grow Inward.
“Ecuador feels like a place dreamed up for adventure—horses grazing beneath volcanic peaks, trails winding through patchwork farmland, and a crater lake so blue you have to stop and stare. Exploring it on horseback gives you time to take it all in.”