Horseback Riding in Cafayate: Los Colorados Adventure

Ride the Calchaquí Valley on horseback, stopping at natural viewpoints and geological formations.

Los Colorados horseback riding in Cafayate takes you across the Calchaquí Valley on meek horses, guided by a local expert through red rock formations and grasslands to natural viewpoints with panoramic views of the valley and pre-cordilleran hills. The ride lasts four hours with three hours in the saddle. A guide, water and snacks are included, and pickup from Cafayate is arranged. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horseback riding and scenic viewpoints

• Meet horses at Paraje Corralito
• Ride through Los Colorados rock formations
• Follow Calchaquí Valley natural trails
• Stop at natural viewpoints for photos

The experience

You start at Paraje Corralito, where you meet the horses and your guide before heading into the Los Colorados landscape. The ride takes you across reddish rock formations and characteristic terrain of the Calchaquí Valleys, following natural paths with panoramic views of mountains, ravines and native vegetation. The horses are meek and the difficulty is low, so the focus stays on the terrain itself: the geological formations, the valley floor, the way the light hits the rock.

The route includes stops at natural viewpoints where you can take in the scenery and photograph the Devil's Ear formation and the surrounding hills. A hike to one of these viewpoints breaks up the riding and gives you a different angle on the valley. Water and a cheeseboard are provided during the ride, and your guide speaks Spanish and knows the landscape firsthand.

Departures run at 10am or 4pm from Cafayate, with pickup included if you're staying in town. The full experience takes four hours, with three hours spent riding. Bring a camera and wear layers. The valley can shift between sun and shade as you move through the terrain.

What’s included

• A local Spanish-speaking guide.
• pickup from Cafayate.
• bottled water and cheeseboard.
• access to natural viewpoints and the Los Colorados formations.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 15:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 to 68 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7 · max 4 per booking

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by ADONAY

Is this one for you?Pickup from Cafayate means you don't need a car or need to arrange separate transport to reach the starting point. The ride is built for travelers staying in town without their own vehicle.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Devil's Ear formation, and will I see it on the ride?

The Devil's Ear is a unique geological formation in the Los Colorados landscape that you'll encounter during the ride. It's one of the distinctive rock shapes the Calchaquí Valley is known for, and the route includes stops at natural viewpoints where you can see and photograph it.

How much time will I actually spend in the saddle?

Three hours of the four-hour experience is spent riding. The rest covers the meeting point, the hike to the viewpoint and breaks at scenic stops.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the starting point?

No. Pickup from Cafayate is included, so you don't need a car or need to arrange separate transportation to reach Paraje Corralito.

What's included in the snacks provided during the ride?

The cheeseboard and bottled water are provided during the ride to keep you hydrated and fueled through the four hours.

Can I do this ride if I've never ridden a horse before?

Yes. The horses are meek, the difficulty is low, and the experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The ride is designed for riders of any experience, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health.