Horseback Riding near Quito: Rose Farm & Highland Trails

Ride past volcanoes and learn how Ecuador grows the world's roses

A private horseback riding activity near Quito in the Pifo area combines a working rose farm visit with 1 to 2 hours of riding through highland terrain with views of Pichincha, Cotopaxi and other volcanoes. The day includes an English-speaking local guide, private transport from Quito, entrance to the farm, a local lunch at a family garden, and a bottle of water. Small groups keep the experience personalized.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rose farm visit and horseback riding

• Depart from Quito to Pifo area
• Visit local rose farm
• Horseback ride with volcano views
• Stop at viewpoint to admire scenery
• Ride through small town to lunch
• Enjoy local lunch at Colibrí Garden
• Observe hummingbirds at garden
• Return to Quito or airport

The experience

The day starts 50 minutes outside Quito at a rose farm built in the highlands where Ecuadorian roses grow year-round. The combination of high altitude, twelve hours of daily sunshine, cold nights and organic soil creates the strong, tall flowers the country exports worldwide. You'll learn how the farm operates before moving to the riding portion of the day.

Once on horseback, you'll follow secondary routes through the highlands with views of volcanoes including Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Illinizas and Cotacachi. A short stop at a viewpoint lets you take in the surrounding landscape. The ride continues through a small town to Colibrí Garden, a family home where hosts grow vegetables in their own organic garden and prepare the local lunch you'll eat there. The garden attracts several hummingbird species (Sparkling Violetear, Black-Tailed Trainbearer, Tyrian Metaltail and others), so there's wildlife to watch while you eat.

Your guide speaks English and travels with the group throughout. The afternoon return to Quito is flexible: you can head back to the city, or ask to be dropped at Papallacta or the airport if you have a flight to catch. The full day runs 6 to 7 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Private transport from Quito to Pifo and back.
• entrance to the rose farm.
• horseback riding through the highlands.
• an English-speaking local guide for the full day.
• a local lunch at Colibrí Garden.
• a bottle of water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

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.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ecuador Local Guide

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a few hours between flights or want a half-day escape from Quito: the private format and flexible drop-off (city, airport or Papallacta) fit a tight schedule, and the combination of farm and riding means you're not spending the whole day in the saddle.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

How long do I actually spend on horseback?

Horseback riding takes 1 to 2 hours during the day, with the rest of the time split between the rose farm visit, the viewpoint stop, lunch and travel.

What's the rose farm actually like to visit?

The farm sits in the Ecuadorian highlands and grows roses commercially year-round using organic methods. You'll see how the altitude, sunlight and soil create the flowers Ecuador exports, and learn about the growing process before moving on to ride.

Is this suitable if I haven't ridden a horse before?

The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The guide is local and experienced, and the pace is set for the group riding together.

Can I be dropped at the airport instead of returning to Quito?

Yes. Let the operator know in advance if you want to be dropped at Papallacta or Quito's airport to catch a flight, and the afternoon return will be arranged accordingly.