Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way
Description
Why Choose This Experience? • Our tour have an exceptional success rate reaching Cotopaxi Base Camp thanks to our experienced guides, flexible pace, and personalized support. • Enjoy a scenic horseback ride through the less-visited side of Cotopaxi National Park, away from the crowds. • Meet the Chagras, Ecuador's legendary Andean cowboys • Your booking directly supports a local community development project. • Led by experienced local guides with extensive knowledge of the area. • No previous hiking or horseback riding experience is required. • Experienced riders can have fun. • Discover Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in S. America • Maximize your time inside the National Park by enjoying lunch at Base Camp instead of hurrying up to leave the N.Park. Please Note: This adventure is designed for travelers who enjoy outdoor challenges. Expect uneven roads, rapidly changing mountain weather, and high altitude. It is not recommended for guests with serious heart conditions.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will drive by the real Avenue of the Volcanoes noted on Gps as Avenida de los Volcanes. On the way we will stop by a gas station for using restrooms and buying something for lunch as well as enough water and any snacks needed for the day. We will drive in the Middle of the following volcanoes (Pasochoa/ Rumiñahui and Sincholagua)until arriving to Cotopaxi Volcano.
Once we arrive to this entrance gate, you will have the opportunity for buying coca leaf bags or coca candies to help with the altitude problems, also convenient spot to buy gloves, hats, ponchos made by a local. By entering on this less touristy side we also avoid missing time by making line to check in with the park rangers gate.
Once inside the National Park, we will start with the horseback ride experience. Getting ready with the provided equipment as helmet and poncho. And then we take off along this less visited side of the national park with amazing views and opportunities to connect with the mother nature. During the horseback you can leave all the not needed items or belongings at the transportation we use that day. After coming back from the horseback ride, we will head to parking lot located on 15000 feet or (4600 mts) from where we start the hike to Refugio José Rivas (Basecamp).
We will drive for about 30 minutes after the horseback ride from 12000 feet to 15000 feet where we will park and start out 1.5 mile hike to Basecamp. Amazing experience and views. Like being in another planet.
We will leave by the touristy side back to Quito.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up time between 7:00 to 7:30 am depending on your location inside Quito's main city. This info will be confirmed by 7 pm the day before once we know the final number of participants locations. If you were located out of the pick up areas like: Cumbaya, Pifo, Tumbaco, Puembo, Sangolquí or Tababela (airport areas) we can arrange pick up and drop off for extra charge or we can arrange an spot for you to meet us by Uber.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Personas con prótesis
- No es recomendable para personas con problemas respiratorios
- No recomendable para personas que odias salir su zona de confort
Reviews(499)
This was an exceptional experience -the horse riding and volcano hiking were both so enjoyable and extremely well organized by this operator. Adrian my guide was simply the best. On time pick up, courteous, great driver and good conversation with interesting facts about Ecuador. He delivered me to the horses and helped me get ready, and then paced me up Cotopaxi to basecamp. He then went above and beyond and made a stop at the Laguna so I could see the birds and other wildlife. He never missed a great photo op and his shots were magnificent…so grateful. 100% recommend this tour and the brilliant Adrian.
Really appreciate your time committed to deliver a review about your experience with our local guide Adrian. Safe travels amigo.
My guide was Alba and she was absolutely wonderful, kind, patient, and incredibly helpful. I highly recommend going on this tour this was my favorite part of my trip to Ecuador and honestly one of the best experiences of my life.
Really appreciate your support to our small community business project by booking with us. Happy to hear from you about your experience with Alba. Safe travels.
We had an awesome experience with Jorge. We were so excited to ride horses around Cotopaxi. The horse are well taken care of and they were easy to ride. The trek was very peaceful and beautiful. After we went on a hike around the lagoon limpiopungo lagoon at 12000 feet lower part of the volcano. And we are happy we chose that option so we know what to expect when we come back to trek up to the base. Jorge was very knowledgeable, friendly. We would be reaching out again for a future tour.
Really appreciate your review about your experience with us Vicky. It was a pleasure to spend this day with you guys. Hope to see you again back to your home land Ecuador. Hugs for my amigo grande Ryan alias el 'RompeCaballos'. Safe travels amigos.
Our experience at Cotopaxi with Jorge exceeded all expectations. Cotopaxi is an absolute must do when visiting Ecuador!! The scenery is breathtaking, and the whole experience is unforgettable. From pick-up to drop-off, everything was well organised, communication was excellent, and we felt like we were in great hands throughout the day. The horseback ride was a real highlight, with well cared for horses and patient, helpful guides who made everyone feel comfortable, regardless of experience. We would highly recommend this company and wouldn't hesitate to book with them again!
Hey chicas! Was a pleasure to spend this adventure with you guys! You were awesome hikers too! We had so much fun up there on the highest active Volcano in South America. Safe travels girls!
The drive out isn't so long, so that's great. The horseback ride was fun. It was beautiful although very cloudy so we couldn't see much. The hike to base camp was difficult but if you slow it's okay. Again, so cloudy but still amazing. You can eat some soup and have tea at base camp if you don't want to haul lunch with you. Expect to pay $.50 every time you have to use the bathroom 😂. The guide, Dario, was nice and attentive.
Thanks for your review Justin. Really appreciate your support to our small community business project as well as your time to deliver a review. Happy to hear from you about your experience with us. Safe travels amigo.
Great way to experience Cotopaxi! The horseback ride was amazing. When we went to hike, there was freezing rain and fierce winds. We wished we had known beforehand to bring appropriate layers of trekking gear. Also, hand sanitizer and coins to use the toilet come in handy. Some braved the cold wet weather and hiked, while many stayed on the bus. Despite the weather, this is a very good tour to see the natural beauty of the national park.
Thanks for the review. We will add the notes you mentioned about bring small change for bathrooms stop and hands sanitizer. Regarding gear..we recommend on the automatic message the extra layers or rain jacket and stuff. Safe travels.
Going the less common way into and up Cotopaxi was well worth the trip. Just make sure you are ready for the sudden season change!
Thanks for your review Paul. We had quite an adventure. You did great and thanks for your support to our small business.
What an amazing day! I would 100% recommend this tour — from start to finish it was extremely well organized. I felt looked after, and everyone was so friendly and welcoming! I have very little experience with horses, but I felt very comfortable. The tour up the mountain was beautiful, and I was able to set the pace (I never felt rushed in the slightest). 10/10 day! I would absolutely do it again!
Thanks for booking this experience with our small business Mica. Really appreciate your support by doing it. Happy to hear from you about your experience with us. You were a machine at the hiking portion! Congratulations! Keep having a great time in Ecuador.
Wow. What an experience. Our driver and guide gracefully led us through a very challenging adventure to the base camp of Cotopaxi. We rode beautiful horses, bounced our way up to the clouds, fought the wind and learned so much during our day trip. Thank you for the extra gloves and encouragement along the way!
Really appreciate your review Elizabeth. Happy to hear from you about your experience with Dario. We work with locals who don't care about hiking to Cotopaxi or taking longer time along the way while come city guides from Quito prefer to return at first opportunity. That's why our high percentage rate of success to reach Basecamp.
Great experience! Dario was very informative and helpful. Definitely recommend! Did this as a solo traveler and never felt out of place. 10/10
Really appreciate your review Andrea. Happy to hear from you about your experience with Dario. We try to do our best during every single new departure. Safe travels and thanks for booking this experience with us.
