Cotopaxi: Horseback Riding & Limpiopungo Lagoon Day Trip

Summary

Horseback ride Cotopaxi volcano trails with chagra guide and lagoon walk

You’ll ride horseback across Cotopaxi’s windswept trails with a local chagra guide, spot wild horses beneath the volcano’s snowy peak, share a traditional lunch in good company, and walk along Limpiopungo Lagoon’s peaceful edge. It’s less about sightseeing — more about feeling part of these mountains for a day.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left Quito when the city faded and the Andes just took over — huge, open, kind of humbling. Our guide, Mateo, picked us up right at our hotel (he was early, actually) and had this way of making you feel like you’d known him for ages. The drive out to Cotopaxi felt quick because he kept pointing out little villages and telling stories about the “Avenue of Volcanoes.” I tried to snap a photo of Cotopaxi itself as it showed up through the clouds — failed miserably, but it’s one of those things you have to see in person anyway.

At the park entrance, we met Luis, a real chagra from Machachi — his hands looked like they’d spent decades with horses. He helped me onto my horse (who was way calmer than I expected), and honestly, I was nervous at first. But after a few minutes on those highland trails, with wild horses grazing off in the distance and that cold wind that smells like earth and grass, I sort of forgot about everything else. Luis laughed when I tried to pronounce “Limpiopungo” right (I didn’t), and then he showed us how to spot condors if you’re patient enough to look up instead of down at your boots.

The ride can be two hours or four — we went for longer because nobody wanted to get off. There’s something about seeing Cotopaxi volcano looming above you while your horse picks its way through volcanic soil that makes time feel weirdly slow and fast at once. Lunch was simple but warm — soup, rice, some kind of local cheese — eaten with hands still smelling faintly like leather reins. Afterward we walked around Limpiopungo Lagoon; it was quiet except for birds skimming the water and our boots crunching on gravel. I still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cotopaxi horseback riding and trekking

• Travel to Cotopaxi National Park
• Receive horseback riding instructions and equipment
• Horseback ride through Cotopaxi landscapes
• Trek around Limpiopungo Lagoon
• Lunch in Cotopaxi
• Return to Quito accommodation

Top questions

How long is the Cotopaxi horseback riding tour from Quito?

You can choose between a 2-hour or up to 4-hour horseback ride within Cotopaxi Park.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, private transportation with pickup from your accommodation in Quito is included.

Who are the guides on this tour?

You’ll have an English-speaking guide from Quito plus a traditional chagra horseman from Machachi.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, lunch is included after your horseback ride in Cotopaxi.

Do I need prior horseback riding experience?

No experience needed; guides help beginners and provide safety equipment.

What else is included besides horseback riding?

The tour includes a visit to Limpiopungo Lagoon for trekking after lunch.

Are there any health restrictions?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiovascular issues.

How high do we go during the tour?

You’ll reach up to 14,763 feet (4,500 meters) near the volcano parking lot.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup in Quito, all transportation into Cotopaxi Park, safety gear for horseback riding with both an English-speaking guide and a local chagra horseman leading you along the trails, a traditional Ecuadorian lunch after your ride, plus time trekking around Limpiopungo Lagoon before heading back in the afternoon.