Colombia: coffee plantations and great plains on horseback

By: Maribel Estefanell Posted: 31/12/2021

Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in South America. When you explore it on horseback, you can discover its scenic beauty without any environmental impact.

Its natural gems are world famous and are very well preserved by the Colombian government.

In this article, we will talk about three of the best riding holiday outfitters in Colombia and the rides they offer.

The best horseback routes in Colombia

In Colombia, we can enjoy very different riding experiences, depending on our level of ability and preferences.

In the Andes Mountains, which run through the country from north to south, you can admire the views of their snow-capped peaks and spectacular trails.

In the eastern plains of Colombia, the mild climate is perfect for an equestrian expedition. In this part of the country, there are several possibilities, such as participating in cattle drives and other daily ranch activities.

But perhaps the most popular ride in Colombia is the one that takes us around the coffee growing regions.

Colombia is the third largest coffee producer and the biggest producer of soft Arabica coffee in the world.

More than half a million families work in the coffee industry. Thanks to their efforts and the specific soil and climatic conditions, Colombia is among the world’s top coffee-producing countries.

That is why we recommend the “Coffee Route” an option that some Colombian equestrian outfitters offer.

Let's see now what Entre Orejas, Wild Llanos and Valle verde Horse Riding proposes.

Entre Orejas

This riding holiday operator offers rides in several Latin American countries. They are based in Brazil, where the company was founded in 2010.

In this article, we will describe two of their three equestrian programs.

The origins of Entre Orejas

Paul rode horses in 53 different countries and he is perhaps one of the most experienced trail riders in the world.

Loving the great horse culture and hospitality in Latin America Paul decided to move to Brazil in 2010, in the southern state of Santa Catarina, home of the South American gaucho (cowboy).

It was in Brazil where he founded Entre Orejas, adding new riding destinations in South American countries, such as Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.

Their horseback rides

Entre Orejas has two riding options, one is the Coffee Trail ride and the other is the Central Colombia Trail ride.

On both rides, you will travel on a Colombian Criollo horse with comfortable Colombian saddles.

Accommodation includes typical colonial haciendas and hotels.

What is required on their rides:

• Riding level: for intermediate to experienced riders. You should be confident on a horse at all paces. The pace is varied to include walk, trot and canter.
• Weight: riders weight limit: 120 kg.
• Age: minimum age is 12 years, only allowed if accompanied by an adult.
• Group size: groups comprise a minimum of 6 riders and maximum of 16 riders.

The Coffee Trail Ride

Ride to the heart of Colombia’s coffee triangle, where you will be received with open arms by a team of Colombian horse guides, hosts and by your trip leader Paul. You will also learn all about coffee growing and coffee drinking.

The whole route is 8 days and 7 nights, including 6 days on horseback. On average, you will be about six hours a day in the saddle.

discover the stunning landscapes of the nature reserve Valley del Cócora and the colonial villages like Salento and Filandía.

The ride starts at Hacienda Pilarica, at about 40 km from the city of Armenia.

On the first day, your guide will help you choose the right horse.

From the first day on horseback, you will visit the green coffee plantations. In the village of Buena Vista, you will see the coffee production process and have the opportunity to enjoy a cup of excellent coffee.

The Central Colombia Trail Ride

The length of this ride is 8 days and 7 nights, with 6 days in the saddle, and you will visit the most authentic horse trails in Colombia.

This equestrian adventure begins in the eastern highlands of Colombia, in the colonial town of Cucunúba, located 75 km north of Bogotá.

Your way along centuries old rolling horse trails, riding through the mountain landscapes of the Cordillera Oriental, crossing the desert of La Candelaria and pulling through the province Cundinamarca to the tropical province of Santander.

you will also have the chance to ride a pure bred Paso Fino Colombiano at a renowned breeding stable and experience the smoothness of the gaited Colombian criollo horse.

Participants come from all corners of the world. This makes the experience more interesting and multicultural, and it has no extra charge.

Entre Orejas bets you will fall in love with Colombia, where the only risk is that you want to stay!

More information about them on their website: https://www.entreorejas.org/

Wild Llanos

Wild Llanos is based in Yopal, Casanare, in the Llanos of Colombia. This travel agency specializes in responsible equestrian tourism.

We specialize in private wildlife observation safaris, birdwatching tours and horseback riding adventures in the plains of Casanare.

It all started in 2015 as a pilot project, created and directed by Andrés González from Colombia and his wife, Julia Buschmann, from Germany.

Having evolved as an equestrian tourism route supplying company from a farm at the foot of the Andes overlooking the Llanos plains, organized varied activities to explore Yopal's surroundings.

Whether it's your first time in Los Llanos or even in Colombia, or whether you think you have seen it all, you will be surprized by the passion they and their staff have for their work and for the great eastern plains.

Their equestrian guides

The Wild Llanos guides know the terrain like the back of their hands, they are locals in this land and they guide riders with ability and responsibility in the most rugged and biodiverse places of the Colombian department of Casanare.

You travel with their extended and qualified team of knowledgeable guides, professional drivers, warm hosts and locals.

They say: "The best stories happen off the beaten path, involve local people, and mesmerizing moments in the wild".

Ride with them to some of the most beautiful places in Colombia, across natural reserves, farms and to wildlife-hotspots - far away from the crowds and close to nature and local people.

Their horseback rides

The Llanos are Colombia's cowboy region.

You'll enjoy the vast, open grasslands, diverse ecosystems, and spectacular wildlife of Colombia from the saddle.

They offer three different programs:

• Safari & Prairie Adventure: ride with a local Llanero among capybaras, wild horses and deer on extensive haciendas on a 3-day riding safari across wetlands and prairies.
• Cowboys & Wildlife: on this 2-day tour, explore hectares of diverse sceneries and abundant wildlife on traditional ranches.
• Tailor-made Ride: they can organize a 4 or 5-day tour according to your specific needs and preferences.

Cowboys & Wildlife

During this two-day tour, you will ride among gallery forests, rivers and lush meadows. You can participate in cattle drives and other daily ranch activities, and discover local wildlife.

On the first day, after a ride through the forest and a delicious meal at the farmhouse, you will help them round up cattle.

You will visit a colony of burrowing owls and keep an eye out for deer or anteaters, which can be seen around these parts.

On the second day, we will drive up to a ranch and nature reserve, where we’ll set out for an extensive horseback ride along the river and into the savannah. You'll ride among groups of capybaras and see howler monkeys, colourful birds, and alligators.

In the afternoon, you can either opt for a ride into the savanna to enjoy the golden hour or for a paddle canoe tour across the water to watch the sunset.

The accommodation on this ride is in a comfortable lodge with all the comforts and home-cooked meals.

More information about them on their website: http://www.wildllanos.com/

Valle Verde Horse Riding

Pioneer in equestrian tourism in Colombia, this group of Colombians seek to revive their culture through their horse riding holidays on the back of a Colombian Paso Fino horse.

They put the emphasis on the quality of their products and defend the equestrian traditions of each place.

Apart from Colombia, they organize equestrian expeditions in Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Spain.

Their equestrian routes in Colombia

They have 4 different rides and the possibility of customizing your own tour, according to your personal interests.

Depending on the type of ride, you will travel on a different horse breed. Of course, all their horses stand out for their stamina and responsiveness.

These are some of the rides they offer.

Haciendas Antiguas

An 8 day / 7 night tour with 6 days in the saddle.

Horses used on our journey are Colombian Criollo working horses.

Forget everything you know about horseback riding, trails and routes, and imagine yourself in a journey through time. That’s exactly what you will feel on this ride – you are travelling hundreds of years back in time.

They will take you to a time when man and horse shared the beauty of the road and the love for nature, working and enjoying themselves together.

Colombia has a unique and rich cultural and geographical variety, an ideal setting for magnificent horseback tours.

On this route, you visit all the different establishments that have been part of Ancient Colombia’s agricultural activity for hundreds of years.

From a saddlery to a farm with different types of crops, cattle ranches, stud farms that breed criollo horses and the famous Colombian paso fino, and period stores.

At the end of this program, you will have seen Ancient Colombia in all its splendour, understanding the way local farmers lived hundreds of years ago, a time when men and horses were one.

Coffee Trail Ride

An 8 day / 7 night trip with 6 days on horseback, which will take you to the Colombian coffee plantation, production and processing region.

Horses used on our journey are Crucetos working horses.

One of the most ancient and proud horse riding cultures in Colombia is the arriero” culture. The arriero is the local cowboy and merchant in the coffee region. He is a hardworking and passionate horseman.

The country’s domestic market development was possible thanks to the adventurous and hardworking spirit of these brave men, who used packs of mules and horses to colonize the most inhabitable corners of the complex Colombian topography.

The geography is suitable for crops but inhospitable for people. Horses helped discover this land at first and then, they worked together with the arriero to colonize it.

Men and horses together opened roads, cultivated the land and made it possible to grow and produce coffee along this world famous "Coffee Trail".

Accommodations will be primary in old Coffee Haciendas.

This Haciendas are mainly coffee plantations and some are ranching places. ll Haciendas have a coffee sent and the love from the “Arrieros”, their owners open the doors and welcome our group to their homes.

The Gualivá Trail

LaThe Gualivá Trail is a 7 day / 7 night riding challenge with 6 days in the saddle, touring the region of Gualivá, located in the Cordillera Central.

It is a historical route that was part of an ancient merchant trail that communicated Honda and Bogotá through stunning bridle paths, at a high altitude, along trails that can only be traversed by horseback.

Horses used on our journey are Colombian Criollo working horses.

A place where you can feel the climate change every step of the way. During this ride in the mountains, you will pass from 700 m to 3,000 m above sea level in a few days.

Accommodations will be in Farms and Eco hotels. This farms are mainly agriculture and ranching places.

More information about them on their website: http://www.valleverdehorseriding.com/

/ Photos: www.entreorejas.org, www.wildllanos.com and www.valleverdehorseriding.com /

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling South America on horseback?

South American countries offer a wide variety of landscapes, so the riding possibilities here are endless. Download our eBook “South America: its rainforests, mountains and valleys on horseback” and see all the options you have.

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