Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
* ONLY HORSEBACK RIDE experience inside this National park. Others do it from outside the park.
* Perfect balance between horseback ride and hike TWO different landscapes.
*Forget about painful lines to enter to the NP by entering by a NO TOURISTY WAY and leaving by the regular way.
* No need horseback riding previous experience
We start at 7 am from Quito and will take a different way to enter to the National park and will leave by the regular national park entrance gate.
Driving through 3 volcanoes PASOCHOA, RUMIÑAHUI and SINCHOLAGUA going through the real AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES.
1st activity: HORSEBACK RIDE.
After this horseback ride experience, we will drive for about half hour until the parking lot located on the 14800 feet or 4700 mts above sea level from where the hike to the BASE CAMP will start.
If you are not an adventurous person, don't like bumpy roads, get bothered for changing weather or heart problems. DO NOT JOIN this experience.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Personas con prótesis
No es recomendable para personas con problemas respiratorios
No recomendable para personas que odias salir su zona de confort
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Avenida De Los Volcanes
We will drive by the real Avenue of the Volcanoes noted on Gps as Avenida de los Volcanes. On the way we will stop by a gas station for using restrooms and buying something for lunch as well as enough water and any snacks needed for the day. We will drive in the Middle of the following volcanoes (Pasochoa/ Rumiñahui and Sincholagua)until arriving to Cotopaxi Volcano.
Once we arrive to this entrance gate, you will have the opportunity for buying coca leaf bags ir candies to help with the altitude problems, also convenient spot to buy gloves, hats, ponchos made by a local.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Driver guide
Horseback equipment
Horseback riding equipment
We will stop on the way for the participants to buy something packed for lunch to avoid loosing time or rushing to look for a place where to eat outside and enjoy more time inside the national park.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Shared Option
Pick up from main city
Pickup included
Private Option
Pick up from Main city
Pickup included
Reviews
388 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommended excursion
W7587HKalejandrab,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This Cotopaxi hike was truly a special experience. Dario and Fátima were exceptional guides kind, attentive, and incredibly accommodating to everyone in the group. They constantly checked in to make sure we were feeling well with the altitude and adjusted the pace so everyone could enjoy the hike comfortably. Their positive energy, knowledge, and care made the entire experience feel safe and personal, not rushed. You can tell they genuinely care about the people they guide. The views were unforgettable, and the experience exceeded expectations. I would absolutely recommend this hike to anyone visiting Ecuador. A memorable and well-run adventure from start to finish.
Amazing day of adventures! I highly recommend it.
Jordan H,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such a great trip! The guide picked us up from our Airbnb and was very friendly and knowledgeable. He shared with us a lot of info about the city and history. He told us a lot of interesting facts about the volcanoes in Ecuador too. I loved that. We felt very comfortable with our guide. The horseback riding experience was so much fun! And it didn’t feel like a very strict experience. There were a few moments where we were able to let the our horses get up to a full gallop speed, which I enjoyed a lot. The hike up to base camp was very beautiful, although I recommend taking the zig-zag way up, not the shorter but more difficult way that we took. With the elevation, we kept having to take breaks to catch our breath. 😂 The base camp was really cool to see, and the hot chocolate and soup available there was a perfect treat after the climb. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an adventurous day in Quito.
Great Day Trip
Kostas C,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great day trip for the family. We were picked up on time and actually returned by 3:30 in the afternoon which was our preference. The horseback ride for 1 hour was entertaining and we had perfect weather so great views and photos of Cotopaxi. Relatively smooth ride. The hike was also amazing but more taxing than expected since base camp is almost at 16000 feet. Definitely worth the views. Bring good hiking shoes. Also, the lunch option at a gas station as others have said was mediocre at best. Definitely try to bring your own lunch/snacks. The tour guide easy to work with. We did change our date last minute and they accomodated nicely. I do think last minute we ended up with an older vehicle that was not that comfortable. I assume the regular tour has a better option. Also, the drive there and back is about 2 hours and can be rough.
Worth every penny
M8351JKpaulac,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A really great experience! Challenging, rewarding, and beautiful. My whole group left feeling like it was the highlight of our trip. Definitely a good way to experience the Cotopaxi without summiting!
Dive into the Other World
fabianog794,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour very well organized, everyone was very friendly, the driver was super careful, as for the roads, as explaining about the country and the local culture. The Kelvin horse guide was very patient, willing (like taking pictures of us) and friendly. Although the day was a little cloudy, the tour was excellent. The lunch restaurant was great. Thank you for everything.
Beautiful trip
connorbG3339XT,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a fun trip! The horseback riding was beautiful. The hike was challenging but our guide was supportive and encouraging! We will definitely be booking with them for other trips when we return to Ecuador.
A memorable adventure
Meanderermike,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00"A very nice, memorable and beautiful day. We really enjoyed this excursion/adventure! Dario is a good man, very helpful, kind, answered our questions, and a great guide! The drive was a little long but scenic and quite nice. Horseback riding was really fun, we had a beautiful day, the horses were pretty chill and it was just a great ride. The hike was a little harder than I thought only 300 m but at that elevation you notice! The people at the base camp were very nice. The hot chocolate at the top was a simple treat, hot and delicious! Overall, I highly recommend.
Awesome Cotopaxi outing
Albena K,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Jorge was a wonderful guide for our Cotopaxi excursion. He was punctual, informative, and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort throughout the day. He provided thoughtful logistical conveniences, including prompt bathroom stops, and maintained a climbing pace that was perfectly appropriate for us. Jorge took photos and videos of us during all of our activities, which we greatly appreciated. He was well-prepared and set clear expectations for what we would experience. He shared fascinating cultural background about Ecuador and the program he participates in, enriching our understanding of the country. Beyond his extensive knowledge, Jorge was polite and an excellent driver, which made us feel safe and relaxed. We had a wonderful day and were very lucky with the weather. I would highly recommend using his agency for anyone visiting Quito.
Cotopaxi Ride.
395carloseduardoq,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience, everything was very good, we also accompanied the weather so we could enjoy each experience to the fullest.
Amazing tour of Cotopaxi
YuliaM84,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing experience! Our tour guide made sure we got to Cotopaxi in time to see the volcano before late morning clouds arrived. The best part was a horse riding experience. We were a mixed age group from 10 to 71 and had amazing time. My husband said it was one of his favorite travel experiences we had done. It was just 5 of us and a guide and we were surrounded by amazing views of volcanoes, mountains, and beautiful nature. Highly recommend and especially if you are looking for an experience that is different and not what everyone else does in Cotopaxi!
From US$130.00
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Operated by Footprint-Journeys Ecuador