5 or 8-Day Andes Mountains Horseback Riding Tour

In the morning set out from Quito and get ready for an exhilarating trip to Hacienda El Porvenir. Once you arrive, you’ll receive a quick but important riding lesson to gear you up for the day’s thrills.

Next, kick-start your exciting horseback ride toward the dormant Rumiñahui volcano. You’ll travel along exclusive trails that weave through the volcano’s slopes, all while taking in the stunning Andean scenery. Eventually, you’ll reach a lookout point near Rumiñahui‘s rocky peaks.

After that, there’s an opportunity to pause at the fascinating Chusigmachai, also called the Owl Refuge. This is where you’ll hear about the important work being done to help the local owl population followed by a tasty packed lunch. Then, you’ll mount up again and steer back to Hacienda El Porvenir.

At the Hacienda, there will be a delicious, locally sourced dinner ready to greet you. It’s the perfect end to an action-packed day. 

• Activity:Horseback riding. Exploring. Sightseeing.
• Transport:Car.
• Meal:Box lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda el Porvenir or similar.

After breakfast at Hacienda El Porvenir, you’ll head out to Hacienda El Tambo, nestled in the eastern mountain range. As you follow the trails, keep your eyes peeled for the awe-inspiring Cotopaxi volcano.

Your next stop? The ancient Inca fortress of Pucará del Salitre. This adds a rich layer of cultural history to your ride. As you continue on this journey, you’ll marvel at a variety of breathtaking landscapes—mountain rivers, tranquil lakes, and incredible panoramas—covering about 27 mi (43 km) over 6 to 7 hours.

Now, when it’s time to refuel, you’ll enjoy a hearty packed lunch. Once you reach Hacienda El Tambo, a warm welcome is in store. Make yourself comfortable in the charming farmhouse, and then get ready for a delicious traditional dinner and gather around a cozy fire, the perfect setting to recount your adventurous day.

• Activity:Horseback riding. Birdwatching.
• Meal:Breakfast. Boxed lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda el Tambo.

Kick off your morning with a scrumptious breakfast at Hacienda El Tambo, gearing up for a thrilling day in the Andes. You’ll venture out on horseback, navigating the undulating terrain around Quilindaña, a dormant volcano that’s been quiet for ages. The towering mountain reaches up to 16,000 ft (4,877 m), offering unique terrain to traverse.

In your travels, you’ll encounter native trees like the pantza or polylepis—commonly known as the paper tree. Here’s a perfect chance to dismount and wander through the magical forest. Afterward, dig into a packed lunch enjoying the landscapes.

As the day draws to a close, hop back on your horse and ride back to the inviting atmosphere of Hacienda El Tambo. Once there, treat yourself to a flavorful dinner that caps off an unforgettable day.

• Activity:Horseback riding. Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast. Boxed lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda el Tambo.

As you wake up early, say goodbye to the peaceful surroundings of Hacienda El Tambo and set off on your horse for the return journey. You’ll ride alongside the picturesque River Tambo, guiding you toward the iconic Cotopaxi volcano.

Opt for the elevated trail frequently used by locals and head toward Chirimachai, soaking in the mesmerizing landscapes that unfurl before you. You’ll get to traverse the Curipugyo Canyon, a spot that bears marks of past volcanic eruptions. Halfway through, enjoy a satisfying packed lunch and soak in the magnificent vistas before you get back to the action.

Your final ride will take you across Cotopaxi National Park, following a route that offers some exceptional scenic spots for reflection. There will be a delicious dinner waiting for you back in the Hacienda.

• Activity:Horseback riding.
• Meal:Breakfast. Boxed lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda el Porvenir.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll trot along roads paved with cobalt stones, taking you through the inviting village of El Pedregal, where you can explore the local culture amid this quaint setting.

Then you’ll head toward the scenic Pita River area. Here, you can pause for a tasty packed lunch, fueling you up for the next exciting phase of your journey: a visit to the northern entrance of Cotopaxi National Park.

As the day comes to an end, you’ll circle back to Hacienda El Porvenir, putting the perfect finishing touch on your 5-Day Andes Mountain Horseback Riding Tour. All that’s left now is to get ready for your trip back to Quito.

• Activity:Horseback riding. Sightseeing.
• Transport:Car.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.

Kick-off is early today, our driver will pick you up from Quito towards Latacunga, where one of Ecuador’s most vibrant festivals awaits! La Mama Negra blends indigenous, African, and Spanish traditions in a dazzling parade of music, dance, and color.
Immerse yourself in the energy—locals offer fruits and drinks, musicians fill the streets, and the iconic Mama Negra rides through, blessing the crowd. This isn’t just a festival; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience! After a day of celebration, the driver will take you to La Cienega for a good night’s sleep.

• Activity:Transfer. Exploring.
• Transport:Car.
• Meal:Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:La Cienaga or similar.

Today marks the spectacular culmination of La Mama Negra! Experience the energy of traditional dances and vibrant troupes as they take over Latacunga’s most iconic streets in a dazzling celebration of culture and heritage.

• Activity:Dancing. Tasting.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:La Cienaga or similar.

After a delicious breakfast, our driver will pick you up. The first stop will be at Tigua, a small region famous for its art. Colorful landscapes and masks reflect history, legends, and traditions that date back to pre-colonial times. Grab your camera and get ready for an endless series of one-of-a-kind natural beauty. From canyons, mountains, and herds of sheep. This route is one of the most beautiful living paintings in the Andes!
You will then arrive at Quilotoa Lagoon, considered one of the most beautiful lagoons of volcanic origin worldwide! Its volcanic minerals give the water a beautiful emerald-green tint. It is possible to hike down into the crater to the lakeshore, which is a 3 Km. trail and about a 1-hour walk going down and up again, on the lake you have the option to rent a kayak. After this short excursion, you will have a delicious packed lunch to then continue your way to Hacienda El Porvenir for a good night’s rest.

• Activity:Hiking.
• Transport:Car.
• Meal:Breakfast. Box Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda el Porvenir or similar.

Grab your chap and ponchos, we will start riding towards the slopes of the extinct volcano of Rumiñahui following exclusive Hacienda paths. As we travel across majestic Andean panoramas, we will see herds of wild bulls, birds, and other wildlife. We will eventually arrive near the rocky peaks of Rumiñahui where one can see 12 more volcanoes on a clear day. Return to the Hacienda. After Lunch, you will join the chagra to feed the horses and you will learn about the chagra ways of the gear you will be provided (western saddles) and get acquainted with the gear provided (wool ponchos, animal skin chaps). Approximate riding time: 3 hours.

• Activity:Horseback Riding.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda El Porvenir.

We set off from Hacienda El Porvenir towards Hacienda El Tambo on the eastern mountain range. The ride takes 6 to 7 hours and covers roughly 43 km. With the colossal Cotopaxi looming over our trails, we will eventually visit the Pucará del Salitre, an ancient Inca fortress. We will have a packed lunch in the middle of the day. The ride takes us through a wide variety of landscapes such as mountain rivers and small lakes. When we finally reach the farmhouse of El Tambo, we will be rewarded with a traditional dinner and a warm fire.

• Activity:Horseback Riding.
• Meal:Breakfast. Box Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda El Tambo.

After breakfast, we will ride over the foothills of Quilindaña, an old volcano that has been dormant for millions of years. The trek crosses the plains and slopes of this beautiful peak of 4,878m. (15,999 ft). Here there are still pristine woods of native trees such as the pantza or polylepis (paper tree). We will get off our horses for a while and wander through gorgeous woods full of moss, lichen, and high-altitude bromeliads. Pack lunch is included during the trip. After strolling in the woods and hearing some local legends, we ride back to the farmhouse at Hacienda El Tambo, where a delicious dinner awaits us.

• Activity:Horseback Riding.
• Meal:Breakfast. Box Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda El Tambo.

After breakfast, we start our chagra skill training program. We will learn to handle the lasso, how to handle the cattle, how to tie knots, and the overall skills needed for a small “rodeo” (the local given name to a cattle drive, comes from the verb “rodear” which means surround) that will be held after we learn and practice the skills. Lunch at the hacienda. We will then go trout fishing during the afternoon. The chagras will show us how they catch and prepare trout, a very important part of their diet. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda El Tambo.

• Activity:Fishing. Workshop.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Hacienda El Tambo.

We ride out early in the morning, heading back to civilization. Following the course of the River Tambo towards the base of Cotopaxi, we take the high route used by the locals and ride through the slopes of Sincholagua Volcano. Packed lunch included. On the way back to Hacienda El Porvenir, we once again cross Cotopaxi National Park, taking a spectacular, panoramic route. We will then reach Hacienda El Porvenir and transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Quito.

• Activity:Horseback Riding. Transfer Out.
• Transport:Car.
• Meal:Breakfast. Box Lunch.