Cotopaxi Horseback Ride: El Pedregal Valley Day Tour from Quito

5.0 (2 reviews) Quito, Ecuador
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Duration9h - 11h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

This Cotopaxi horseback ride takes you to El Pedregal, a wide valley on the northern side of the volcano, to ride with local chagras. Golden páramo grasslands, old lava fields, and glacial streams lead toward Cotopaxi, with Rumiñahui and Sincholagua framing the skyline.

The day starts at a local hacienda with a warm canelazo and a safety briefing, and ends with an Andean lunch at a nearby restaurant. Along the trail, watch for wild horses, grazing cattle, and the Andean condor. It is a full day in the high Andes that fits into any of our Ecuador adventure tours.

What's included

  • Meals as described in the itinerary.
  • Tours and transfers as described in the itinerary.
  • 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
  • Professional English-speaking guide during tours.
  • Entrance fees as described.
  • Optional tips for the guides.
  • Extra food and drinks.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Medical insurance.

What to expect

  1. Quito
    2h
    Around 08:00 am, your guide and driver meet you in your hotel lobby. You head south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, leaving the paved roads behind as you climb into the vast, open valley of El Pedregal.
  2. Machachi
    2h
    Around 09:30 am, at the hacienda, you’re welcomed with a warm canelazo, the traditional highland drink of hot cinnamon and naranjilla (with or without a splash of local sugarcane spirit), and a light snack to fuel up for the ride. You’ll meet your horse, get fitted with a helmet and gear, and receive a safety briefing from the local chagras, the Andean cowboys.
  3. Cotopaxi National Park
    3h · Admission ticket included
    Around 11:30 am, saddle up for a ride through one of Ecuador’s most spectacular landscapes. Follow the trails of the chagras across golden páramo grasslands, volcanic plains, and streams, with wild horses, grazing cattle, and, if you’re lucky, an Andean condor overhead. On clear days, the snow-capped cone of Cotopaxi rises right in front of you.
  4. Machachi
    2h
    After the ride, at around 02:30 pm, enjoy a hearty lunch of Andean dishes at a local restaurant in the area, a perfect moment to warm up and share stories of the day.
  5. Quito
    2h
    At around 04:00 pm, say goodbye to Cotopaxi and enjoy the scenic drive back to your hotel in Quito.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Foch Plaza is the meeting point before heading south to the Cotopaxi National Park.

End point

Foch Plaza is the meeting point before heading south to the Cotopaxi National Park.

Pickup details

Travelers will meet with the driver and guide on the Foch Plaza before heading south to the Cotopaxi Volcano National Park.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • This tour operates only from Monday to Friday.
  • To enter Ecuador, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended departure from the country.
  • Prices are subject to seasonal surcharges during Christmas, New Year’s, and Holy Week.
  • Important things to bring: warm and waterproof clothing, gloves, water, energy snacks, sunblock, sunglasses, and your passport.
  • Keep in mind that the weather at 13,000 ft (4,000 m) can change suddenly from sunny to cold with stormy winds and wet snow.
  • Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat street food, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
  • It is mandatory to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

5.0 (2)
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Operated by Rebecca Adventure Travel · Booked through Viator
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