Andes Mountains Horseback Riding – Half Day

Bogotá has a quiet side. This half-day ride takes you from the city’s Parque de la 93 area into the Eastern Mountains, where farm trails, open fields, and broad views replace traffic and tall buildings. I like the easy private transportation and the chance to see rural Colombia without arranging a full-day trip.

I also like that the ride welcomes first-timers, while experienced riders may get a chance to gallop. Guides such as Diego, Andres, Gabriela, and Camilo have earned praise for their patience and clear instructions. The main drawback is the long drive: with about three hours on the road, the actual ride can feel short if your outing lasts closer to five hours overall.

Key points to know before booking

• The drive to La Calera takes about 1.5 hours each way, so plan on a full half-day rather than a quick ride near Bogotá.
• The trail ride lasts from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the group and conditions, with mountain paths, farms, open fields, and a small waterfall.
• Beginners are welcome, and the horses are described as calm and easy to handle, but the route includes inclines, narrow sections, rocks, and possible mud.
• Experienced riders may gallop on open ground, but the pace depends on the guide, terrain, horses, and group.
• A helmet is mandatory for the entire activity, with no refund if you refuse to wear it.
• The $90 price includes private transport, a horse guide, helmet, warm sugarcane tea, and a picnic sandwich, but the sandwich is not vegetarian.

Leaving Bogotá for the Eastern Mountains

The day begins at Parque de la 93, at Cra. 11a #93A-22, or with pickup arrangements connected to your hotel. The information for this experience emphasizes hotel pickup, yet the stated meeting point is Parque de la 93, so I would confirm the exact pickup plan when booking.

Once you leave Bogotá, the road climbs toward La Calera. The drive takes about 1.5 hours each way. That is a lot of road time for a half-day activity, but it is also part of the change in mood. You go from city streets to high mountain scenery, farms, cooler air, and views back toward Bogotá.

Several guides use the drive well. Diego has explained local plants, birds, the area around La Calera, and parts of Bogotá. Andres has provided helpful information and advice during the journey. A good guide can turn the transfer into part of the experience rather than dead time in a vehicle.

Traffic and road construction can stretch the drive. One family found that the full day felt closer to five hours in the car and on the activity, with construction slowing the trip from central Bogotá. Build in extra patience, especially if you have an evening reservation or a flight.

Transportation is one of the stronger parts of this outing. You do not need to work out public buses or find a rural stable on your own. Private transport is included, and drivers such as Hector and Gustavo have been praised for prompt, safe driving. One driver even waited for a late pickup, though you should not count on delays being harmless.

La Calera and the start of the ride

La Calera is the base for the riding portion. Here you meet the local horse guide, receive your helmet, and get set up with a horse. The horses are described as friendly, calm, and well behaved, though they are working trail horses rather than polished competition animals.

That distinction matters. If you ride regularly and expect a purpose-trained sport horse, this may feel basic. The horses are smaller than many American trail horses, and their movement may feel different if you are used to large riding-school mounts. For casual riders and first-timers, that smaller size can feel less intimidating.

The staff caters to mixed ability levels. Beginners receive instructions and a slower pace, while experienced riders may have a chance to gallop in open fields. You should be clear about your experience at the start. A group with first-time riders will naturally move differently from a group of confident riders.

The horses know the routes, which helps on uneven ground. Still, you remain responsible for following the guide’s instructions. The ride includes steep sections going up and down, narrow paths, rocky ground, and possibly mud after rain. This is not a flat, fenced riding ring.

Riding farm trails, mountain paths, and open fields

The route passes through mountain trails, farmland, and small rural properties. The best part is the changing view. One moment you are moving along a wooded or rocky path, and the next you may reach an open point with wide views across the Andes and toward Bogotá.

You may also visit a small waterfall. The waterfall is not presented as a major destination with a long walk or a formal viewing platform. It is one feature along the route, and the charm comes from reaching it on horseback rather than checking it off as a separate attraction.

The ride can last from 1.5 to 3 hours. That range is important. A shorter ride may suit families and new riders who want a gentle introduction. A longer ride gives experienced riders more time in the saddle and more chances to enjoy open views, but it also means more exposure to a hard saddle and uneven ground.

Most of the praise goes to the scenery. The mountain setting gives you a different view of Bogotá, far from the city center. You may see pasture, small farms, mountain vegetation, and rural roads. Some outings have included local fruit picked along the trail, and guides have pointed out plants and birds.

Conditions can shift quickly. The mountains may be chilly, windy, sunny, or wet. One June outing included light rain and cool weather. The tour operates in all weather, so bring layers and accept that the trail can become muddy.

What the ride feels like for beginners

You do not need previous riding experience. Several outings have worked well for people who had ridden only a few times, and some first-time riders found the horses easy to handle with help from the guides.

The first few minutes are likely the most important. Listen closely to how to hold the reins, how to signal the horse, and how to respond on an incline. A patient guide can make the difference between feeling tense and settling into the ride. Gabriela has been praised for explaining directions clearly, while Diego has been described as calm and helpful with less experienced riders.

For children, the activity can work well. A family with a 12-year-old enjoyed the ride, and another family with children aged 10 and 13 found the horses fairly well behaved. The route is not entirely flat, though, so parents should prepare children for slow climbs, descents, rocks, and narrow stretches.

You may spend part of the ride at a walking pace. That is not a flaw. On mountain paths, slow riding gives you better control and lets you enjoy the views. It also makes the activity more suitable for a mixed group.

Galloping for confident riders

Experienced riders may gallop on open fields, which adds a welcome burst of speed after slower mountain sections. The opportunity is not guaranteed. It depends on the group, the horse, the ground, and the guide’s judgment.

Do not book this as a dedicated galloping session. It is a scenic trail ride first. If you are confident in the saddle, tell the guide what you hope to do, but follow the safety instructions without pushing for speed.

One rider with substantial experience reported discomfort from a rough horse and saddle. The operator responded that the saddles meet regulations for adventure tours and that the horses are standard trail horses. That exchange points to a practical issue: a two or three-hour ride can be hard on your seat, even if you ride often.

Wear long pants, thick socks, and narrow, closed-toe shoes. Choose footwear that can handle dirt or mud. Shorts, sandals, and wide shoes are poor choices here. You must also keep the provided helmet on for the entire activity. Refusing to wear it cancels the tour without a refund.

Warm sugarcane tea and the picnic stop

The food and drink are simple, local touches rather than a full meal. You receive warm sugarcane tea, described as a homemade traditional drink, along with coffee and/or tea. Depending on the outing, you might also taste local fruit along the trail.

A picnic sandwich is included. It is not vegetarian, so this tour is not a good fit if you need a meat-free meal. The meal should be treated as a light snack or basic lunch, not a restaurant stop.

The sugarcane tea is one of the more distinctive details. It gives you a taste of something connected to the local countryside, and it is especially welcome if the mountain air turns cold. Bring additional water and any food you need beyond the included sandwich, since the supplied details do not promise a larger meal.

Is $90 a fair price?

At $90 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sit on a horse in Colombia. The price makes more sense when you count the private transportation, the long round-trip drive, the local horse guide, helmet, drink, and sandwich.

You are paying to avoid the hassle of finding transport into the mountains and arranging a stable visit on your own. For a short trip to Bogotá, that convenience has real value. You can see rural scenery without renting a car or spending time comparing remote operators.

The value is weaker if you want a long, technical riding session. Because the full outing includes roughly three hours of driving, the ride may last only 1.5 hours. If riding time is your only priority, a dedicated stable excursion may suit you better, though that option is not described here.

The maximum group size is nine. That keeps the outing fairly small, but the activity is still a group ride and other participants may join at any point. A private vehicle does not mean a private horseback ride.

Who should book this half-day ride?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A simple escape from Bogotá without planning rural transport
• Mountain views and farm scenery rather than an urban attraction
• A first horseback ride with patient instruction
• A family-friendly outdoor activity with a flexible pace
• A chance to ride at faster speeds if you already have experience
• A small group setting with no more than nine participants

Think twice if you dislike long road transfers, need a vegetarian meal, or expect a polished equestrian facility. You should also reconsider if you want guaranteed sunshine. This outing runs in rain, wind, and sun, and the trail may be muddy or slippery.

The ride is physically manageable for most people, but sitting in a saddle for up to three hours can be tiring. Long pants and sensible shoes matter more here than stylish clothes. You should also be comfortable with uneven ground and a helmet that remains on throughout.

Booking details and useful timing

The experience lasts about five hours. The stated start and end point is Parque de la 93, though hotel pickup is also advertised, so confirm where your vehicle will meet you.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded. The tour operates in all weather, so check the forecast mainly to choose suitable clothing, not to assume the activity will be called off.

The experience is often booked about 12 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue if your dates are fixed. The operator receives a 97 percent recommendation rate and a 4.9 rating from 63 reviews, with repeated praise for scenery, horses, drivers, and guides. The occasional complaint about saddle comfort is worth taking seriously, especially for experienced riders used to better-fitting equipment.

Final verdict: a strong mountain escape with a long transfer

I would book this tour if I wanted a straightforward way to trade Bogotá’s traffic for Andean air, farm trails, and open mountain views. The strongest reasons are the easy transport, friendly horses, flexible riding level, and guides such as Diego and Andres, who add useful local detail rather than simply leading the line.

I would not choose it for a short ride close to town or a guaranteed gallop. The drive takes time, the ride may be muddy and uneven, and the picnic is basic and not vegetarian. For most first-time riders, families, and visitors seeking a memorable half-day outside Bogotá, the scenery and rural setting justify the $90 cost.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The riding takes place around La Calera in the Eastern Mountains outside Bogotá.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts about five hours. The drive takes about 1.5 hours each way, and the horseback ride lasts approximately 1.5 to 3 hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, and no public transport is used. The activity information lists Parque de la 93 as the meeting point and also describes hotel pickup, so confirm your exact pickup arrangement.

Can beginners ride?

Yes. The activity is suitable for all experience levels, including people who have ridden only a few times or are riding for the first time.

Can experienced riders gallop?

Experienced riders may be able to gallop on open fields. This depends on the guide, the horses, the terrain, and the group.

What should I wear?

Wear long pants, thick socks, and narrow, closed-toe shoes. Dress for sun, rain, or wind, and choose shoes that can get muddy or dirty.

Is a helmet required?

Yes. A helmet is provided and must remain on throughout the activity. Refusing to wear it results in cancellation without a refund.