Cotopaxi Horseback Riding Tour from Quito & Volcano

The horse stumbled on loose rock, then the view opened up

You ride horseback through Cotopaxi National Park with two guides (one English-speaking, one a traditional chagra) choosing between 2 and 4 hours in the saddle. The route takes you past wild horses and up to the volcano viewpoint, with a stop at Limpiopungo Lagoon and lunch included. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Quito bookend the day, so transport and park logistics are already arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cotopaxi Volcano20m · entry included
2. Limpiopungo Lagoon1h · entry included

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
• Have lunch in Cotopaxi
• Return to hotel in Quito

The experience

The drive out of Quito takes you south along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, and the landscape shifts fast. Within an hour you're at the entrance to Cotopaxi National Park, where your English-speaking guide meets you and a traditional chagra, a local horseman from Machachi, hands you the reins. The horses are calm, used to riders of all levels, and the guides know exactly how to pace the ride to match what you want that day. You can do two hours if you're testing the waters, or push into four hours if you want to really get into the high country.

The trails wind through highland grassland with Cotopaxi Volcano sitting there the whole time, massive and snow-capped, getting closer as you climb. The chagra points out wild horses grazing in the distance and knows the terrain like he's lived it, because he has. Your guide handles the logistics and translation, so you're free to focus on the rhythm of the ride and the air getting thinner. At around 14,700 feet, you reach the parking lot viewpoint, and the lagoon comes into view below: Limpiopungo Lagoon, ringed by mountains and still enough to mirror the sky.

Lunch happens in the park itself, which is something most tours don't arrange. You eat without having to leave, without losing the light or the moment. After you ride back down, the drive back to Quito takes the afternoon. The whole day is structured so you're not managing transport or timing or worrying whether the guides know the park. That's already handled. You just show up at your hotel in the morning and ride.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Quito, private transportation to and from Cotopaxi National Park, a professional English-speaking guide for the full day, a traditional chagra instructor, horseback riding safety equipment, park entry, lunch, and a visit to Limpiopungo Lagoon. You choose whether to ride for 2 hours or extend to 4 hours depending on your pace and interest.

Options for this experience

2 options

Two hours of horseback ridingGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Includes pickup

Three hours of horseback ridingGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Trek to Limpiopungo Lagoon, lasting 8 hours, with lunch and tourist 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 dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Under 10: 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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Real Dreams Tour

Is this one for you?Pick this tour if you want to ride in Cotopaxi National Park without arranging your own transport, guides, or timing: the pickup from Quito and the inclusion of both an English speaker and a local chagra means you're set up to ride rather than manage logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How long is the horseback riding part?

You choose: 2 hours for a scenic ride, or up to 4 hours if you want deeper exploration of the park.

What's included in the tour?

Private transportation from Quito, safety equipment, both guides, entry to Cotopaxi National Park, lunch, and a visit to Limpiopungo Lagoon.

Do I need horseback riding experience?

No. The guides work with all fitness levels and the horses are accustomed to riders of varying experience.

What's the highest elevation reached?

Around 14,763 feet at the volcano parking lot viewpoint.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup happens in the morning from Quito. The exact time is confirmed when you book.

Will I see Cotopaxi Volcano?

Yes. The volcano is visible throughout the ride and dominates the view from the parking lot viewpoint.

Is lunch provided?

Yes, lunch is included and eaten within the park.