Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip
4.7
29 Ratings
Experience an unforgettable horseback riding adventure at Cotopaxi National Park. Ride a 'criollo' horse, learn about the 'Chagra' culture, and take on personal challenges at the majestic Cotopaxi volcano.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Cotopaxi - Here you have the opportunity to experience the joy, adrenaline and nostalgia that our Chagras live day by day while they are working in the high mountains of the Andes! Your naturalist guide will pick you up at 7:10 a.m. to go to “El Pedregal”, located 60 km southeast from Quito, in between the Rumiñahui, Pasochoa, Sincholagua and Cotopaxi volcanoes! After an hour and a half driving, you’ll arrive to a traditional hacienda of the region, and getting a “canelazo” as a welcome drink, you have the opportunity to wear typical costumes of the Ecuadorian Chagra, which will be very useful for your great shared adventure on horseback, that will last 2,5 unforgettable hours!
After this great experience you say goodbye to your horse, in order to enter the National Park. Around 2:00 p.m., in the encounter with the Cotopaxi volcano (19,347 ft), you’ll be surrounded by ancient dried lava flows, mountains, lakes, wild horses and ecosystems that surprisingly change while you gain elevation on the course! You will also see the exotic wildlife while you participate of the different activities offered on this exciting adventure! You will be back in your hotel of Quito approximately at 5:00 p.m.
What's Included
- Horseback Riding (Shared)
- Safety equipment provided
- Guidance by a native guide
- Certified naturalist English-speaking guide included
- Private transport arranged
- Box lunch included
What's Not Included
- Extra drinks
Additional Information
This is one of our specialties! Ride a “criollo” horse at the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano, and learn all about the “Chagra” culture, with the best experienced local tour guides and cowboys. Take some personal challenges at Cotopaxi volcano, considered the second highest active volcano of the world, and one of the most beautiful mountains!! Make your stay in Quito an unforgettable experience, and avoid unnecessary crowds…!
- 10 C° - 18 C° / 50 F° - 64,4 F
- It is responsibility of every traveler that he/she is adequately insured against personal accidents and medical expenses during his/her trip to Ecuador, as well as having travel cancellation and baggage insurance to protect him/her.
- Passengers must weight below 190 pounds due to the carrying capacity of the horses.
- Our guides and drivers will follow vehicle cleaning and personal care protocols, with disinfectant products during the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(29 Ratings)
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849gaylea
Jan 19, 2024
A perfect day at Cotopaxi - This was an amazing tour. The horseback riding was an easy two hours roundtrip to a mirador of Cotopaxi. We were blessed with a perfect day: clear blue skies, minimal clouds and striking views of the mountain. Ximena was a wonderful guide; she spoke English well and was very informative and friendly. Miguel, our 'Chagras' guide on horseback, was also great. This was just a perfect day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katherine_a
Sep 12, 2023
Amazing Experience - Our Guide Miriam was so knowledgable and made the whole experience so delightful with history and facts and folklore of the Andes. It was a peaceful and beautiful experience words will not do it justice.
Review provided by Viator
Ajsf
Apr 17, 2023
A fun outdoor adventure day! - Had a really nice day with Luis. The visit to the hacienda was cool, and I loved the horse I was given, what a sweetheart! The horses were very well trained, probably the best I have experienced. The scenery was great, and it was fun to do a little bit of galloping.
I also enjoyed visiting Cotopaxi National Park, saw a lot of wildlife and scenery.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shahanand87
May 2, 2022
5 out of 5! - Beautiful view, gentle horses, overall a 5/5 experience. We were picked up in the morning, there was quite a bit of traffic on the route, but the tour company waited for us to arrive at the hacienda. We selected our horses, jumped on and started riding!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephencu5074zj
Mar 15, 2022
Amazing horseback and Cotopaxi experience. 10 out of 10. - The experience of riding a horse and exploring Cotopaxi was amazing. Everything was so smooth and taken care of that all we had to do was enjoy the experience. I would highly recommend Luis and Raul - these guys were the best in making sure we were enjoying the experience. This was SO fun. I would highly highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Willcj8428ox
Mar 11, 2022
Amazing Cotopaxi touring experience - I wasn't sure what to expect but knew that going to Cotopaxi would be such an amazing experience. The guides (Luis and Raul) picked us up near our airbnb and they were so informative and friendly throughout the whole trip. Luis explained the stories behind all the volcanos we passed along the ride to Cotopaxi. Once we got to horses, we were welcomes with delicious tea and warm empanadas -- great way to kick off the trip! And my goodness the horse ride (my first time riding a horse) was incredible and so gorgeous. I couldn't stop looking around and soaking in the views. We stopped along the way for photos which was nice. After the horseback ride, we drove to the Cotopaxi National Park and walked around a lagoon -- it was such a great way to relax after the horseback ride. The tour was well organized and coordinate from the beginning to the end. I highly recommend going on a trip with Luis and Raul!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patriotsto
Mar 10, 2022
Amazing Day! - We loved our day with Luis and Raul, best day in Quito! The day started out being picked up early in Quito, and then a scenic ride out to the mountains with some pictures along the way. We had traditional drinks, empanadas and outfits ready for our horseback ride. This part was AMAZING! The views were incredible, the horses were well-trained and Luis was knowledgeable and thoughtful in talking to us about the area and its unique history. We were able to catch Cotopaxi while the weather was perfect. We were given wonderful lunches (including a vegetarian friendly option that was great!) that we ate on our way to the walking tour right next to Cotopaxi. On the walk, we learned about the flora and fauna in the area, along with general Cotopaxi details. Luis let us go at a pace appropriate, as we were acclimating. Raul picked us up right at the end and then we headed back and stopped for hot chocolate on the way back (greatest hot chocolate ever).
Spending the day with Luis and Raul felt like hanging out with great friends who knew a ton about the area. They knew a ton about the history and culture of the area, and the nature around us. They’re funny, fun and kind, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about our day. Five stars, highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marissamz4427di
Mar 10, 2022
Amazing experience horseback riding in Cotopaxi! - This was one of the best experiences of my life!
Luis and Raul were amazing guides. They were so friendly and knowledgeable and made sure we had the best time. I hadn’t been on a horse since I was a little kid but they made sure we all felt comfortable no matter our experience level. Wearing the ponchos and chaps helped to keep us warm and safe when traversing through tall grass. It also made for some really great photos, especially with the greatly great Cotopaxi volcano in the background. The walk around the lagoon was also beautiful. I will never forget this experience and would recommend to anyone visiting Ecuador!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cirinan2022
Mar 10, 2022
Great group trip! - An amazing experience with up to the horseback rides and hiking around Cotopaxi. We got lunch, had clean restrooms along the way, and tons of information. Everything felt clean and safe the entire time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cate
Mar 1, 2023
Took my money but didn’t inform me - I was not informed in advance that no one else signed up for this tour.
As a solo traveller, I should have been told the day beforehand so that I could switch tours.
I go on tours to meet and interact with others not be by myself with a stranger (guide). I didn’t feel safe and it was boring to be on my own
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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