Our inn, Hacienda El Porvenir, was at 12,500 feet on
the high plains next to the volcano, Cotopaxi.
When we arrived we discovered that we were the only guests.
Tea was served along with a small pitcher of clear liquid that turned
out to be the local alcoholic beverage.
We enjoyed sharing string figures with two of the workers.
Our room was on the second floor and
looked out toward Quilindana a spectacularly rugged mountain at 4877 m
(16000 ft) high.
Cotopaxi, second highest mountain in Ecuador, 5897 m
(19347 ft) is high enough and cold enough to have glaciers here
on the equator.
This signpost helps with the identification of the nearby mountains.
Though I don't recall the name of this one.
Birds I have not yet identified.
1 2 3 4 5 6
The tack room, our ride selection and our guide preparing for the ride
toward the mountains.
We were outfitted with chaps and ponchos.
On the trail, actually there wasn't a trail we just rode across he
fields.
A practice bull fighting ring
We stopped for some tea made from the herbs in the second picture.
They are supposed to help combat the adverse effects of altitude.
It must work, I got off my mount and climbed to above 13,000 ft that is
almost 4000 m.
Do you think you would mistake us for ranch hands?
Some views along the way.
Our inn and some of their livestock.
Llamas manage to deal with a dog they didn't think should be hanging
around.
Ten miles, 16 km, of very rough rock road and traffic jam between us
and the airport for our flight home.