Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip in Quito
Quito, Ecuador

Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip

Outty Ranking 69 4.8 · 37 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $99
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Outty Ranking

69/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 37 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip worth booking?

Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip is a 8-hour experience in Quito, Ecuador, from $99 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 37 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
69 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (37)
Duration
8 hours
From
$99 per person

This is one of our specialties! Ride a "criollo" horse at the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano, and learn all about the "Chagra" culture, with the best experienced local tour guides and cowboys. Take some personal chal

What you get

  • Horseback Riding (Shared)
  • Safety equipment
  • Native guide
  • Certified naturalist English speaking guide
  • Private transport
  • Box lunch

About this experience

This is one of our specialties! Ride a "criollo" horse at the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano, and learn all about the "Chagra" culture, with the best experienced local tour guides and cowboys. Take some personal challenges at Cotopaxi volcano, considered the second highest active volcano of the world, and one of the most beautiful mountains on this planet!! Make your stay in Quito an unforgettable experience, and avoid unnecessary crowds...!

What's included

Included

  • Horseback Riding (Shared)
  • Safety equipment
  • Native guide
  • Certified naturalist English speaking guide
  • Private transport
  • Box lunch

Not included

  • Extra drinks

Where it starts and ends

Hotel pickup

Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 30 travelers per booking
Operated by
Ecuador Best Tours

Know before you go

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • 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
  • 10 C° - 18 C° / 50 F° - 64,4 F
  • It is responsibility of every traveler that he/she is adequately insured against personal accidents and medical expenses during his/her trip to Ecuador, as well as having travel cancellation and baggage insurance to protect him/her.
  • Passengers must weight below 200 pounds or 96 Kilos because of the carrying capacity of the horses.
  • Our guides and drivers will follow vehicle cleaning and personal care protocols, with disinfectant products during the tour.

Photos

Choose this Incredible Tour!CaracaraFive stars tour!Having lots of fun!!A little break.Great hikes!

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 37 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

9 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Photo opportunities

8 mentions

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Knowledge and storytelling

6 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Physical effort

3 mentions

Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

Food and drink

2 mentions

The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

Traveler reviews

37 verified traveler reviews for Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
33
4 star
2
3 star
0
2 star
1
1 star
1
Sort
John R · March 2026

Stunning views and great horseback riding

Ximena was my guide and she was 5 minutes early for pick up. The vehicle was comfortable and clean. She is a great guide and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed the horseback riding the most. I felt like I was in a South American version of Game of Thrones, galloping thru the countryside. Highly recommend to anyone.

Response from the operator: Dear friend thank you very much again for your confidence, and especialy for ltting us know that you felt comfortable with our tour guide!! It was an honor...

via Tripadvisor

J2537AOdannyv · December 2025

AWESOME EXPERIENCE HORSERIDING

The experience was absolutely amazing!! The driver was super professional and has lived in Ecuador all his life. He’s fluent in all the culture, nature and history of Ecuador and Cotapaxi. We learned so much and the conversation made the car ride go so fast. He made sure we had the best experience riding horses and translated for us. This is a trip we’ll never forget. Tips: - Be on time when he picks you up. Gives time for pictures and comfortable transition for the horse - Sunglasses are your best friend - sun is on you the whole time - bring money to tip the 2 guides and driver. - wear sunscreen and bring water

Response from the operator: Thank you very very much for your wonderful feedback!! We appreciate the time you took to give this important tips to future travelers.

via Tripadvisor

xaviertZ6928UP · December 2025

Un día de muchas primicias!!

From the té de canela , to the refreshing passion fruit under the glory of the Cotopaxi Volcano my day with Luis was simply fantastic. Local cuisine, insights on local flora and its uses, The wild horses, bulls, foxes, and geckos who made a home at that high altitude, made the trek under Cotopaxi, and the Horseride up to the protectors of Cotopaxi under Rumiñahui unforgettable.

Response from the operator: Thank you very very much for sharing your incredible experience at Cotopaxi National Park!! We are glad to know that you loved it!!! It was a pleasure...

via Tripadvisor

Louise_S · January 2025

Good but some information inaccurate

Lovely tour, well behaved horses with amazing views and Diana out guide was great. Only disappointjng thing we were told and confirmed on the booking it was a private tour but the horse riding was a mixed ability group and also told we would be able to canter/gallop but we didn't as there were people in our group who had never ridden before

Response from the operator: Dear guests, Thank you very much for your nice review!! We are very happy to know you loved your tour with Diana! And what you said is very true, this tour offers private transportation, private bilingual tour guide, so most of the day you are enjoying privacy and flexibility, but but only on the horseback riding if there are other guests you have to share the experience with them, as you understand we have to take advantage of the best weather everyday for all the adventurous people that wish a fabulous experience. Thank you very much again!! Kind regards, Your Ecuadorian friends,

via Viator

Glenn_G · November 2024

Wonderful day with horses and Cotopaxi views

Miriam was a great guide. She navigated the rough terrain up to Cotopaxi confidently. She was very knowledgeable and friendly and had lots of great information. I loved getting the tour from a local guide.

Response from the operator: Dear guests, Thank you very much for choosing this fabulous day trip to Cotopaxi National Park!! We are glad to know you felt very comfortable with our local guide! Kind regards, EBT,

via Viator

Good to know

Duration
8 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
4+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$99 to $339
Hotel pickup
Included for all travelers
Booked in 30 days
13
Verdict
Solid Choice

Who runs this experience

Operated by Ecuador Best Tours, who run 17 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.6 and 1 in the 90+ Club.

See everything Ecuador Best Tours runs

Why this scores 69

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)88
Review evidence (18% weight)55
Booking momentum (14% weight)48
Value for money (12% weight)46
Listing quality (10% weight)86
Local standing (8% weight)44
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Quito.

How much does Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip cost?

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Prices start at $99 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Quito usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip take?

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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Quito is not rushed.

Is Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 37 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Quito, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 4. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 8-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip?

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Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Quito can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Quito and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Horseback Riding and Cotopaxi National Park Day Trip start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Quito within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Quito?

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On Outty we rank every Quito experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotopaxi tour from Quito -horseback ride and hike-NO TOURISTY way, Baños Full Day Tour from Quito Including Entrances and Activities, Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Quito?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Quito?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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