ATV riding at Fundación Loros near Cartagena with horseback ride

Ride through a working wildlife sanctuary where your morning feeds rescued birds

ATV riding and horseback riding at Fundación Loros, a private 1,300-acre tropical dry forest reserve near Cartagena, where you start with breakfast and help biologists feed rescued parrots and macaws, then explore trails on horseback and by 4x4 vehicle spotting monkeys, macaws, toucans and sloths. The day runs six hours with a live guide in English or Spanish, pickup from Cartagena included, and minimum age 12.

The experience

Fundación Loros sits an hour from Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, a private sanctuary built around rehabilitating parrots and macaws rescued from illegal trafficking. The morning starts with breakfast by the lake, followed by an educational talk from the foundation's biologists about how the birds are prepared for release back into the wild. You help prepare and deliver food to the birds themselves: a direct connection to the work happening here, not a passive viewing.

After the birds, you saddle up for a horseback ride through trails that wind through mountains and past working cassava, yam and maize crops where you meet the local farmers. The reserve holds three monkey species (Red Howlers, Capuchins and the endemic titi monkey) along with toucans, sloths and macaws, and the ride is built to move through their habitat. A local snack breaks the ride before you shift to the 4x4 exploration, where trained guides drive while you scan for wildlife across the reserve's hidden corners. All activities happen under supervision of foundation staff, and direct contact with animals is not permitted: the focus stays on observation and the conservation work itself.

Private transportation from Cartagena is included. Breakfast and snacks are provided. The day demands at least moderate fitness, and the ride and vehicle work are not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or pregnancy. Guides speak English and Spanish.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Cartagena.
• breakfast by the lake.
• snacks during the day.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• horseback ride through the reserve trails.
• 4x4 exploration of the sanctuary.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 12:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 60 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Fundación Loros

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want hands-on involvement in conservation work (feeding the rescued birds connects you directly to the sanctuary's mission) combined with wildlife spotting on horseback and by vehicle. The six-hour format fits a half-day from Cartagena without eating into a full day of city exploration.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 happens during the horseback ride at Fundación Loros?

The ride follows trails through the reserve's mountains and past working crops, where you meet farmers and move through habitat where Red Howlers, Capuchins, titi monkeys, toucans, macaws and sloths live. The route is designed for wildlife spotting without direct contact with the animals.

Can I touch or feed the animals at the sanctuary?

No. Direct feeding and touching are not permitted at Fundación Loros because it is a rehabilitation center, not a zoo. All activities take place under supervision of trained foundation staff to protect the animals in their care.

How long is the full day and what's included in the price?

The experience runs six hours and includes private transportation from Cartagena, breakfast by the lake, snacks, and the guide for both the horseback ride and the 4x4 tour. A live guide speaks English or Spanish.

What is the minimum age to join this activity?

Participants must be at least 12 years old. The activity requires moderate physical fitness and is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.

Who drives the 4x4 vehicle during the UTV portion?

Trained guides drive the 4x4 vehicles so you can focus on spotting wildlife and exploring the reserve without managing the vehicle yourself.