Our horse riding tours in Ecuador will take you to stunning landscapes where you’ll be able to see the country and have the experience of a lifetime. With mountain trails, volcanoes, lakes, and much more, you’ll be able to reconnect with nature on your adventure.
Equestrian History in Ecuador
As with many countries in South America, horses were brought to Ecuador by the Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s. Though the pastureland was previously occupied by llamas and alpacas, horses took over.
Today horses are still used for travel, tours, and sports. Many haciendas—large homesteads or ranches—still rely on the animals.
Ecuadorian Horse Breeds
Many horse breeds in Ecuador have adapted to the environment. The wild horses of Cotopaxi have bred in almost total isolation for more than 200 generations, adjusting to the high altitude of the Andes. They were originally a mix of Andalusian, Jennet, and Berber breeds.
You can also find many of the Zuleteno or Zuleta breed, a cross between the Spanish Andalusian, American Quarter Horse, and Thoroughbred. The Zuleta has a robust yet noble nature, and they make for great trail riding horses.
The Criollo is another common breed in Ecuador that’s native to South America. This breed is known for its strength and stamina, with an easy-going, yet intelligent and independent temperament.
Your Ecuador Horseback Riding Adventure
Your horseback riding tour will take you all over the Ecuadorian Andes and the Avenue of Volcanos with an expert guide to show you all the best stops and most stunning views. Your multi-day tour will allow you to truly escape to nature, leaving behind all your worries for a few days on horseback.
With its location on the equator, Ecuador is warm year-round, though its rainy season stretches from December to May. The temperature in the mountains is cooler, however, especially the higher you go.
On your tour, you can visit Corazón, an eroded, inactive stratovolcano on the western slopes of the Andes. Its last eruption occurred thousands of years ago in the Pleistocene epoch. The volcano has three summits, the highest of which is the South Summit at about 15,750 feet (4,800 meters). On your tour, you’ll ascend the Corazón Volcano up to about 13,100 feet (4,000 meters) and descend through the Cloud Forest Reserve. In the Cloud Forest Reserve, you’ll be able to see amazing varieties of flowers and plants, including giant guneras and orchids, along with birds like the turkey of the forest.
Relax at Hacienda Bomboli while you sit by the fireplace and watch the sunset, seeing the lights of villages near the coast. When you wake in the morning, you can walk through the hacienda’s gardens, learning about the many plants that grow there before riding to the next hacienda where you can wind down in the hot tub.
Ride the Inca trail through valleys and colorful mountains to Isinlivi, a small village in the highlands of Ecuador founded in 1857. Take in the view of the Quilotoa Volcano before you start your ride up to the gorgeous Quilotoa Crater Lake, where you can enjoy the display of the water’s changing colors as the light changes and spend the night in the Quilotoa Lodge.
Trot through Cotopaxi National Park, home to the highest active volcano in the world at a jaw-dropping 19,347 feet (5,987 meters). Ride among the famous Avenue of Volcanoes, crossing lava flows and ascending north of Cotopaxi up to 13,450 feet (4,100 meters) to the highest plains. Here you can complete the highest canter in the world and ride close to the wild horse herds that live in the park.
There are endless adventures to be had in Ecuador. You won’t regret a horse riding trip in the Andes. Horse Tours Club provides global horse riding tours, guaranteeing quality and safety for our customers. Book your Ecuadorian horseback riding tour through Horse Tours Club today!
