Horseback Riding in La Calera: Andes Mountain Trails

Ride into the Andes forest and taste homemade sugarcane tea at a mountain waterfall

Horseback riding in La Calera takes you on mountain trails around the San Rafael dam through Andean forest, with a local guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French. The ride lasts 1.5 to 3 hours depending on your experience level. Beginners get a 2-hour ride while experienced riders can gallop on open fields. Pickup from the city is included, a helmet is provided and mandatory, and you'll taste warm sugarcane tea during the ride. Children are welcome from age 6.

The experience

La Calera sits in the high Andes about 1.5 hours' drive from the city. You'll meet your local guide there and get fitted for a helmet before mounting. The trail winds through dirt roads and cobblestone pathways, past farmland and lush forest, with a small waterfall as a stopping point along the way. If you're an experienced rider, you can gallop across open fields. Beginners stick to a steadier pace on the scenic routes.

The ride itself runs 1.5 to 3 hours depending on which option you book: a 2-hour beginner ride or a 3-hour experienced ride. Partway through, you'll stop for warm homemade sugarcane tea. The whole outing, including the drive up and back to the city, takes about 5 hours. You'll need to wear long pants, thick socks and closed-toe shoes. The helmet stays on the entire time and is non-negotiable.

This is a group activity, so you may ride with other travelers. The guide speaks your language (English, Spanish, Italian or French), and knows the local trails and the forest. Weather doesn't stop the rides, so dress for sun, rain or wind depending on the day.

What’s included

• Pickup from the city and return.
• local guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• horse and helmet (mandatory).
• warm sugarcane tea during the ride.

Options for this experience

3 options

Beginner horseback ride, 2 hoursGuide in Spanish · No fixed timeGuided tour in Spanish. Duration: 5 hours, including a 2-hour beginner horseback ride. Sandwich and a warm drink made with sugar cane. Travel in a private vehicle: we do not use public transport! Pickup is included.

Two-hour bilingual beginner rideGuide in 4 languages · No fixed timeBilingual guiding in English, French or Italian (depending on availability). Duration: 5 hours, including up to 2 hours of beginner riding, a picnic sandwich and a warm drink. Travel in a private vehicle; we never use public transport. Pickup is included.

Three-hour ride for experienced ridersGuide in 4 languages · No fixed timeBilingual guiding in Spanish, English, French or Italian (depending on availability). Duration: 6 hours, including a 3-hour horseback ride at walking pace with plenty of opportunity to gallop, a picnic sandwich and a warm drink. For experienced riders only. Travel in a private vehicle: we do not use public transport! Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 to 74 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 17 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Andes EcoTours

Is this one for you?Pick this ride if you're starting out with horses or prefer walking pace through forest. Choose the galloping version if you can already trot and want open terrain in the high mountains.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

How long is the actual horseback riding part of the day?

The ride itself lasts 1.5 to 3 hours depending on whether you book the beginner 2-hour option or the experienced 3-hour option. The full outing, including the drive to La Calera and back to the city, takes about 5 hours total.

Can I gallop, or is it only walking and trotting?

Experienced riders can gallop on open fields during the 3-hour ride. Beginners stick to a steadier pace on the scenic mountain trails, which is still a full ride through the forest and farmland.

What's included in the price?

The ride includes pickup from the city, a local guide, a helmet, and warm sugarcane tea during the ride. You provide your own long pants, thick socks and closed-toe shoes.

What happens if it rains?

The rides operate in all weather: sun, rain or wind. Dress appropriately for the conditions on the day you ride. The helmet and long pants protect you in wet weather.