Cotopaxi: Horseback Ride & Hike Day Trip, Non-Touristy Route

Horseback riding Cotopaxi then hiking to base camp from Quito

You’ll ride horses inside Cotopaxi itself (not just outside), cross silent volcanic plains with a local guide, then hike up to base camp at 4,900 meters. Expect cold wind on your face, stories from locals along the way, and a route that skips crowded entrances for something quieter. It sticks with you long after.

Options for this experience

3 options

From US$ 90 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Hike only, shared, without horseback 07:00 Guide in English or Spanish Up to 7 people Hike only, no horseback ride: you will wait at a lodge with a nice view of Cotopaxi volcano while the others finish a one-hour horseback ride, and then you hike. Pickup and drop-off from central Quito; airport areas cost extra. Pickup is included.

Shared horseback and hike 07:00 Guide in English or Spanish Up to 10 people Horseback ride and basecamp hike. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel in central Quito; airport areas cost extra. Pickup is included.

Private horseback and hike 07:30 Guide in English or Spanish Up to 6 people Horseback ride and hike: the horseback section may be shared with other riders, depending on the CHAGRAS cowboys (guides), and the hike can be customized. Pickup and drop-off are included, going to and from your hotel in central Quito; airport areas cost extra. Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Cotopaxi horseback ride and hike

• Depart Quito at 7 am
• Drive along Avenue of the Volcanoes
• Quick stop for water, food and groceries
• Arrive at Cotopaxi National Park entrance
• Enter the park through the North Gate
• Prepare for horseback ride with equipment
• Horseback ride inside less visited park area
• Drive up to the hiking parking lot
• Hike up to Basecamp at Refugio José Rivas
• Return to Quito via touristy park exit

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from Quito with hotel pickup, a driver guide and all the horseback riding equipment, plus entry into Cotopaxi via a quiet local route before hiking up to base camp together.

Times

• Every day 07:00 07:30

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 12 6 private ›

Live guide English and Spanish Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 70 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

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

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

Operated by Footprint-Journeys Ecuador

Prices and times updated today

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Traveler reviews

4.97 ★★★★★ Exceptional 567 verified traveler reviews 98% rated it 5 stars

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The experience

I’ll admit it: Cotopaxi was never on my “must do” list. But something about the idea of actually riding horses inside the park (not just outside like most tours) made me curious. We left Quito early, still half asleep, and our guide was already joking about how we’d need coca candies for the altitude. The drive out was all fog and volcano silhouettes, and I kept losing track of which peak was which: our guide pointed them out but honestly I was just staring at the clouds changing shapes around them.

We made a quick stop for water, food and groceries to take into the park. The air started to feel thinner as we got closer to Cotopaxi. Entering through this back way felt almost sneaky: no crowds or lines, just us and some sheep wandering near the road. The horses waited quietly under a bunch of scraggly trees. Mine had this stubborn streak that made me laugh every time he stopped to eat grass. We got our riding gear (the wind bites up there), then we set off across these wide empty plains. It’s weirdly silent except for hooves in the grass and sometimes you catch this sharp mineral smell from the earth. I kept thinking how different it felt from anywhere else I’ve been, not dramatic, just real.

After the ride (my legs were already wobbly), we drove higher up. You really feel the altitude up there. The hike to base camp is short but brutal if you’re not used to altitude. I had to stop more than once to catch my breath while our guide told stories about the area. There’s this moment when you look back down over the plains and everything feels impossibly far away. I still think about that view when I’m stuck in city traffic now. We left by the regular entrance with all the other cars heading back to Quito, but for most of the day it felt like Cotopaxi belonged only to us.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

Is previous horseback riding experience needed?

No, beginners are welcome. No prior experience is required for this horseback ride.

How high do we hike during the day trip?

The hike starts at about 4,550 meters (15,000 feet) and climbs to Cotopaxi base camp at 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).

Do we enter Cotopaxi park through a tourist entrance?

No, you enter via a less-visited local route and leave by the regular gate.

Is this tour suitable for people with heart or respiratory problems?

No, it's not recommended due to high altitude and physical activity involved.

What equipment is provided for horseback riding?

All the horseback riding equipment you need for the ride is included.