Horseback Riding And Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip

Ximena was my guide and she was 5 minutes early for pick up. The vehicle was comfortable and clean. She is a great guide and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed the horseback riding the most. I felt like I was in a South American version of Game of Thrones, galloping thru the countryside. Highly recommend to anyone.

The experience was absolutely amazing!! The driver was super professional and has lived in Ecuador all his life. He’s fluent in all the culture, nature and history of Ecuador and Cotapaxi. We learned so much and the conversation made the car ride go so fast. He made sure we had the best experience riding horses and translated for us. This is a trip we’ll never forget. Tips: - Be on time when he picks you up. Gives time for pictures and comfortable transition for the horse - Sunglasses are your best friend - sun is on you the whole time - bring money to tip the 2 guides and driver. - wear sunscreen and bring water

From the té de canela , to the refreshing passion fruit under the glory of the Cotopaxi Volcano my day with Luis was simply fantastic. Local cuisine, insights on local flora and its uses, The wild horses, bulls, foxes, and geckos who made a home at that high altitude, made the trek under Cotopaxi, and the Horseride up to the protectors of Cotopaxi under Rumiñahui unforgettable.

Lovely tour, well behaved horses with amazing views and Diana out guide was great. Only disappointjng thing we were told and confirmed on the booking it was a private tour but the horse riding was a mixed ability group and also told we would be able to canter/gallop but we didn't as there were people in our group who had never ridden before

Miriam was a great guide. She navigated the rough terrain up to Cotopaxi confidently. She was very knowledgeable and friendly and had lots of great information. I loved getting the tour from a local guide.

An expensive excursion but so unique that it is worth it! We truly loved the horseback ride and hospitality of the hacienda staff. They provided us with warm drinks, warm clothes, and a great ride to view Cotapaxi. Our drive to the lagoon and hike was refreshing with beautiful views. It’s always nice to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Our tour guide, Ivan was very pleasant, calm, informative, and a pleasure to be around. He was knowledgeable and took great care of us for the day.

Incredible experience for my finance and myself. The guide was excellent and the views exceptional. Would highly recommend.

Beautiful panoramic vistas. So glad my daughter and I did this. The hacienda was so charming. It was built in early 1500s. Even though was cold and windy it was a wonderful tour. This was just the 2 of us on the tour. Tour guide was very knowledgeable about the fauna and birds on easy hike around lagoon at Cotopaxi. Even though it was cloudy and chilly we had a great time.

Pros: we absolutely loved this tour. Diana, our guide was amazing, welcoming, friendly, answered questions, and was accommodating with stops for the bathrooms, coffee, and just to take photos. And of course hiking Cotopaxi was incredible. Plus the lunch was to die for. (And good vegetarian options!) Cons: the agenda listed horseback riding, hiking, and lunch. About 2hrs in we asked when we would be horseback riding and were told actually this tour had none! Not sure if we were put on the wrong tour or if this was just a change of plans, and we were more excited about hiking anyhow, BUT! If you desperately want to horseback ride, triple check. 🤣

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

We had an amzing day! Pickup was on point and our driver Carlos was super symphatic, friendly and we talked a lot. The Hacienda was so wonderful, our riding Guide was Johnny. Thx to you we had an unforgettable day. The view to cotopaxi, The explainations about the environment, the horses… Perfect! :)

We first had a snack and drink before getting the traditional cowboy attire on. Then rode some very remote trails for around 2 hours. The guide was very informative in English and Spanish about the area. At the end of the trail we again had something to drink before heading to Cotopaxi. Our guide Luis was fun and very open to our wants and needs.

We very much enjoyed our tour! We loved the horseback riding and the climb to try refuge on Cotopaxi. Omar was our guide- he was great and super knowledgeable. Would highly recommend!

I had the best day horseback riding in Cotopaxi. I was promptly picked up at my hotel and Quito and drove out to Cotopaxi. I spent the day at horseback riding and hiking in the park. It was so much fun. Wilson, my guide, was awesome. He was friendly and knowledgable. His English was fabulous. I would highly recommend this group and tour.

Horseback riding in the beautiful elevations of the Andes is an event that occurred just in the dreams of my wife and I. Yet, because of Ecuador Best Tours, this we experienced. Escorted by a sturdy guide and Ecuadorian Chagra, we rode high into the elevations, viewing the beautiful volcanic scenery and keeping an eye on the local wildlife and their habitat. Luis, our guide, presented us with an abundance of local knowledge. He was adept in horseback riding and was always there if needed, knowing when to provide gentle encouragement while maneuvering the land. As the ride progressed, you felt as if you were part of a team and everyone involved thoroughly appreciated what the Andes had to offer. The experience of this tour was truly well worth the price. Picked up, next to your hotel, you are presented with a wonderful discussion consisting of: history, cultural and biological information relating to Quito and the Andes, and just fun and/or keen conversation. In the end, after the ride and tour of the countryside, it truly felt like the tour was an impression accomplishment.

I had a fantastic experience that was worth every penny. I hadn't ridden a horse for over a decade, but I was throughly instructed and given a suitably tame horse. The horses appeared well fed and taken care of. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The region itself is absolutely beautiful, pictures don't do it justice. After the horse back ride, we hiked up to cotopaxi base camp. It's optional, and I wouldn't recommend actually hiking that high if you're not in good shape and used to the altitude. But it was a great experience, the guide made sure I paced myself. As for covid, I felt pretty safe. The guides wore masks the entire time, both in the car and while on horseback and while hiking up cotopaxi.

Today’s trip with Luis was happily the most unforgettable part of our trip to Ecuador. His easy-going humor and knowledge of the Quito and the nearby volcanic range made the journey to, around, and up Cotopaxi enjoyable. He offered history lessons, biology lessons, personal anecdotes, and every day culture analyses that filled the travel times between destinations and enhanced each experience. He was keen to make sure we were going to be comfortable during every activity given the ever-changing tropical Andean climate. Here are some of the trip specifics: After being picked up at our hostel at 7am, we quickly got out of the city and made it to a beautiful and well-established hacienda within 2 hours. We were greeted with a delicious house-made cannelazo and some empanadas to prepare us for the journey upwards. Rafael, our horseback guide, fit us into helmets, ponchos, and chaps and gave us a quick lesson on how to spend he next 2.5 hours with our new friends. The horses are cared for very well, and that is obvious when you see their conditions at the hacienda. For having ridden a horse 14 years prior, it was very easy to learn the commands and relax as we climbed up our first volcano of the day. The surrounding area was incredibly beautiful, with a view of 7-8 other volcanoes and other valleys that stretched as far as we could see. At least two Andean Condors flew overhead as we made our trek. These gigantic birds of prey made up 1-2% of their remaining population and it was incredible to watch them ride the winds and the geography of the land. We were given some mint tea with coca to ease any altitude sickness we might be feeling. Which quickly soothed a small headache I had been developing. We descended easily and enjoyed more stunning views on the way down. Next we went to Cotopaxi National Park and are our lunch on the way. It was very close by, and the volcano we just summited with the horses seemed to be at the border or part of the national park. We passed it as we drove in and past wildlife and a landscape teeming with wildflowers. We drove up to a trailhead on Cotopaxi, watching the flora change as we gained elevation. And while we arrived there in thick clouds we were convinced to start hiking upwards with Luis’positive encouragement. Mind you we are young and not very athletic but very eager to hike.We took the walk very slowly and arrived at the refuge that acts as a starting point for the mountaineers that will summit Cotopaxi. And soon after we did the clouds/brief hail cleared and we had an excellent view of the trail above and the glacier. It was breathtaking luck. By the time we descended the mountain you could see the top of Cotopaxi in her perfect ice capped cone shape. The waiting/working for the view was well worth it. A must do for nature seekers and backpackers alike.

My girlfriend and I had the best time with Luis Albuja Salgado on our private tour. The price was more than we would ordinarily spend on a tour, but it was worth so much more. Luis picked us up promptly in a private car, and was very friendly, spoke perfect English, and knows so much about Quito and the surrounding cities. We talked for the entire two-hour trip to the countryside. The hacienda near Cotopaxi is absolutely beautiful, and the horseback ride lasted about two hours with an additional 30-minute break at the overlook destination. We were greeted with canelazo and empanadas to help with the altitude, and were then dressed like true Andean vaqueros with chaps and a poncho. We were joined by one other guest from the hacienda, so it was still a small group of three tourists and our vaquero guide. When we returned from the ride, Luis was there with a simple packed lunch for us to eat in the car on the way to the base of Cotopaxi. Luis was, again, extremely informative and fun in explaining the terrain and history of Ecuador and its volcanoes. While we approached the base by car, the weather was pretty intense with hail and rain and snow, but Luis was so encouraging about getting us to the base camp refuge for a picture that we persevered. As soon as we reached the refuge, the weather became shining sunlight and it was truly a spectacular sight to behold. 16,000ft elevation really is breathtaking. After returning to the base, Luis brought us back to Quito, still a wonderful conversationalist, and even gave us dining suggestions for the night. Touring with Luis is the best way to see Cotopaxi and the Ecuadorian countryside.

Me and a friend booked this tour expecting not much besides a great view from a horse, but we got so much more. Luis was amazing and made the whole day so fun. The horses was calm and very kind. They were easy to control. The views was amazing and we got some great pictures. I don't know how, but we somehow didn't read, that we continue to Cotopaxi, so that was a nice "surprise", and that really made the whole day better. Really good service and just in general a very professional tour. Would definitely recommend.

We had a great day at Cotopaxi! We started the day horseback riding at a hacienda near Cotopaxi. We then continued on to the Cotopaxi National Park, driving up to 15,000 feet and seeing the top of the volcano. After that, we took a short hike around a lagoon in the park. Luis was an excellent guide, very accommodating and knowledgeable. He also speaks excellent English, so that was very helpful for us. This has been the highlight of our trip to Ecuador.

While we had zero experience on horseback riding; Luis helped to make us feel more comfortable. He also photographed my son (19) and I - so we had such great photos of the fabulous day. The horses are very well cared for; the views were breathtaking all day. The ponchos and chaps made the crisp weather disappear. Best day ever!!! Would totally do this again!

Incredibly low price when booked from The Secret Garden. The guide gave minimal instruction on how to ride, but the horses were well behaved and seemed well cared for. Awesome views of the Cotapaxi valley and mountain.

This was a wonderful day for my teen-age son and I, with horseback riding in the rugged terrain of the high Andes in the morning and a hike up the side of Cotopaxi in the afternoon, from the parking at 15,000 ft. to the edge of the glacier at 16,000 ft. -- plus informative conversation while being driven to and from Quito!

I booked this tour, as SuviaTour is almost the only one who provides tours for solo traveling tourists in Ecuador. The first stop was at the range, where I got a local beverage and local snack. After all preparations were done, we were going for the horse ride. This is really an experience you don't want to miss. With healthy and strong horses we went for a ride with an outstanding 360° view. Total riding time 2-2,5 hours. After that we proceeded to Cotopaxi and climbed till the base camp (15953 ft) My guide was Luis and he did an amazing job. Flawless English and extremely friendly. You can ask him anything. He has a lot of knowledge. So besides having the best views, you will definitely learn a lot too. I would say that this is probably the most Ecuadorian day for an adventurer you are going to get!

Boring and unsuitable for experienced riders. In addition, the ride is very short with 1-2 hours.

Super fun, memorable day, good memories, guide with good attitude. We had an excellent time, delicious food. Recommended!

Excellent experience, a beautiful unforgettable trip. Very friendly service and wonderful places. Definitely the best Service, highly recommended!