The following post features student writing.

One week ago on Friday, it was a beautiful yet somber final morning in Iltaqui as we said our goodbyes to the cooks, the president, and a few kids. We then boarded the bus and set off to Cotopaxi National Park. After a six-hour car ride we arrived at a beautiful hacienda. Once there we enjoyed a breathtaking view of Cotopaxi, Ecuador’s most famous active volcano. After we adjusted to the change in altitude we explored our home for the next few days. It was golden hour, which made the dozens of horses that reside on the property look even more magical.

The next day we woke up nervous and excited for what lay ahead: a four-hour, mostly uphill hike overlooking the beautiful snowcapped volcano. We boarded our bus once again and after 40 minutes of observing the beautiful park and getting an introduction to the area by our guides we began our hike. The hike started easy around a lake but it got gradually more difficult as the terrain inclined and the altitude increased. It was all worth it for the beautiful views of valleys, mountains, and fields. We returned to the hacienda exhausted and fell straight to sleep. The next day we put on traditional stirrups and ponchos and rode horses up to a wooden statue in the mountains. Everyone loved getting to know their horses (mine was named Vissilico) and some of us even attempted to trot a few times on the way back. When we arrived back home we cleaned off all the dust, packed our bags, and headed for the ropes course. The ropes course was challenging but a very fun way to spend the afternoon. After lunch we boarded our bus once more and headed to Quito for the next part of our trip!

– Kat W.