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

Summary

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 past 4,700 meters to base camp. 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.

What’s the experience like?

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 Marco 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 — Pasochoa, Rumiñahui, Sincholagua — Marco pointed them out but honestly I was just staring at the clouds changing shapes around them.

We stopped at this little gas station where locals were selling gloves and ponchos (I caved and bought a ridiculously bright hat). 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 was named Canelo and he had this stubborn streak that made me laugh every time he stopped to eat grass. Marco handed out helmets and ponchos (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 those 4,700 meters. 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 Marco told stories about his childhood here. 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.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cotopaxi horseback ride and hike

• Depart Quito at 7 am
• Drive along Avenue of the Volcanoes
• Stop at gas station for rest and supplies
• Arrive at Cotopaxi National Park entrance
• Buy coca leaves and local items
• Prepare for horseback ride with equipment
• Horseback ride inside less visited park area
• Drive 30 minutes to hiking parking lot
• Hike 1.5 miles to Basecamp
• Return to Quito via touristy park exit

Top questions

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 14,800 feet (4,700 meters) above sea level up to Cotopaxi base camp.

What time does the tour start from Quito?

The tour begins at 7 am with pickup in Quito.

Do we enter Cotopaxi park through a tourist entrance?

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

Are snacks or lunch included?

No lunch is provided; there's a stop at a gas station where you can buy snacks or lunch items.

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

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, private transportation with pickup from Quito is included.

What equipment is provided for horseback riding?

You get helmets and ponchos for protection during the ride.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from Quito with hotel pickup, all horseback riding equipment like helmet and poncho provided by your guide Marco (or whoever’s guiding), plus entry into Cotopaxi via a quiet local route before hiking up to base camp together. You’ll have stops for snacks or supplies along the way before returning by evening.