Cotopaxi horseback riding tour 8 days camping from Quito

Camp on a volcano, ride the Andes, soak in thermal springs

An 8-day guided adventure from Quito that combines camping in Cotopaxi National Park, horseback riding through high-altitude terrain, mountain biking on Inca trails, cloud forest hikes and time at Papallacta hot springs. The trip includes a certified English-speaking guide, all transport from Quito, accommodation ranging from a five-star hotel to camping with full gear, and activities suited to all fitness levels. Airport pickup is available, and the itinerary mixes structured days with optional downtime: like an afternoon at Zuleta hacienda where you can ride horses or simply rest by the fire.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Quito exploration

• Arrive in Quito
• Explore Quito old town
• Meet trip leader for briefing

Day 2: Visit Otavalo and Peguche

• Drive to Guayllabamba valley
• Taste local fruits
• Visit Mira Lago lookout
• Explore Otavalo Indigenous market
• Enjoy traditional lunch
• Visit Peguche village

Day 3: Zuleta Hacienda exploration

• Tour cheese factory
• Walk to spot condors
• Optional horse riding or relax

Day 4: Equator and hot springs

• Visit Equator line outdoor museum
• Relax at Papallacta hot springs

Day 5: Cotopaxi National Park hike

• Visit cloud forest reserve
• Hike Limpiopungo lagoon
• Spot wildlife and condors
• Evening bonfire stories

Day 6: Mountain biking and hacienda stay

• Breakfast with Cotopaxi view
• Mountain bike 15 km trail
• Stay overnight at hacienda

Day 7: Cloud forest hike and zip line

• Drive to Santa Rita Cloud Forest
• Hike canopy line
• Enjoy zip line adventure

Day 8: Departure day

• Breakfast
• International departures

The experience

You arrive in Quito and spend your first day acclimating to the city: a UNESCO World Heritage site and the cultural capital of South America. That evening your trip leader meets you at your hotel to brief you on what's ahead. The next morning you drive north into the dry valley of Guayllabamba, stopping at indigenous markets in Otavalo and the village of Peguche to watch artisans make tapestries and embroideries by hand. You reach Zuleta hacienda by afternoon, where you'll stay two nights.

At Zuleta, a local guide takes you to the cheese factory and leads a short walk hunting for Andean condors: one of the largest birds on earth and Ecuador's national symbol, which the hacienda has protected for years. The afternoon is yours: ride horses around the property or read by the fireplace. The next morning you drive an hour to the Equator line, where you stand on both hemispheres at once, then soak in the volcanic waters of Papallacta hot springs with the option of a spa massage.

Day five brings you to Cotopaxi National Park. You visit a nearby cloud forest reserve to watch hummingbirds over hot chocolate, then hike for two hours around Limpiopungo lagoon spotting wild horses, bulls and condors. That night you camp on the volcano slopes with stories around a bonfire. The next morning, after breakfast with views of Cotopaxi (at over 19,000 feet the world's highest active volcano). You ride mountain bikes about 15 kilometers on flat terrain and single track through Andes landscape, ending at a hacienda. Your final full day takes you to Santa Rita Cloud Forest reserve for a canopy hike and zip line adventure before returning to Quito.

The trip includes a certified English-speaking guide and local specialists; comfortable land transport throughout; camping gear (Eureka tents, air mattresses, dry bags, trekking sticks); accommodation split between two nights in a five-star Quito hotel, one night camping and one night at the thermal spa; and all activities: short hikes, easy biking, two hours of horseback riding and the zip line. Meals beyond those described in the itinerary, international flights and travel insurance are not included.

What’s included

• Certified English-speaking trip leader and local guides.
• comfortable land transport throughout the 8 days.
• accommodation for 2 nights in a five-star Quito hotel, 1 night camping with full gear (Eureka tents, air mattresses, dry bags, trekking sticks, bathroom tent), and 1 night at Papallacta thermal spa.
• all activities including short hikes, mountain biking (about 15 km), two hours of horseback riding, cloud forest canopy walk and zip line adventure.
• meals as described in the daily itinerary.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Adventure Journeys

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you're arriving in Quito without a rental car and want a full week of varied terrain (volcano camping, hacienda riding, cloud forest and hot springs) all arranged with one guide and one vehicle. The itinerary leaves from your Quito hotel, so you don't need to organize transport between activities or figure out which sites to visit. The certified guide handles the route, timing and local knowledge.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the camping like on Cotopaxi volcano?

You camp one night on the slopes of Cotopaxi National Park with Eureka tents, air mattresses and a bathroom tent provided. The site sits high enough to see the volcano at sunrise, and the evening includes storytelling around a bonfire.

How much horseback riding is there, and do I need experience?

You ride horses for about two hours total: one optional afternoon at Zuleta hacienda and part of the mountain biking day. The trip suits all fitness levels, and the hacienda staff can advise on your comfort before you mount.

What happens on the first day when I arrive in Quito?

Your first day is for arrival and acclimation. Depending when you land, you can explore Quito's old town on your own. In the evening your trip leader meets you at your hotel for a welcome briefing and to answer questions about the week ahead.

Does the price include airport pickup from Quito?

Airport transfers to and from Quito airport are available as an option at checkout. Confirm when you book whether you want them included.

What's included in the camping night besides the tent?

The camping night includes a Eureka tent, air mattress, dry bags for your gear, trekking sticks, a bathroom tent and all meals that day. You also get a bonfire with your guide in the evening.

Will I see Andean condors?

Spotting condors is part of the itinerary at Zuleta hacienda and during the two-hour hike around Limpiopungo lagoon in Cotopaxi National Park, though sightings depend on the day and conditions. The hacienda has worked for years to protect this endangered species and knows where they're most likely to appear.