Horseback Riding Vacations in Colombia

Colombia, the country of coffee

Colombia is located in the extreme north of South America. Its landscape features tropical forests, the Andes Mountains and several coffee plantations.

The capital of Colombia, Bogotá, is the third highest capital city in the world. Is located at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level, in the Andes Mountain Range.

Ancient civilizations left a number of fascinating archaeological and cultural sites throughout Colombia.

It has 3 archaeological parks that you must visit: La Ciudad Perdida (the lost city) in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, San Agustin with its more than 500 life-sized statues and Tierradentro.

In Colombia, you can visit some cities and towns where time stands still and where you will discover the history of the country just walking around their cobbled streets. Cartagena de Indias is the perfect example of an impressively preserved colonial city.

Geography of Colombia

Colombia is the only country in South America that borders both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Is located in an intertropical area crossed by the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Plain.

The Andes Mountains occupies central and western Colombia, stretching from north to south, throughout the country.

This mountain range consists of 3 distinct ranges, parallel to each other: the Cordillera Oriental, the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera Occidental.

Located in northern Colombia, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a coastal mountain range bounded by the Caribbean Sea. It includes the highest peak in the country, the Cristóbal Colón, at 5,775 metres above sea level.

The Sierra de la Macarena, one of the oldest geological formations in Colombia, is an isolated mountain lying east of the Eastern Andean range. It is famous for Caño Cristales, which is often called "the river of seven colours” or “liquid rainbow” due to the combination of plant life with the sun's rays.

The Amazon Region keeps a great natural and cultural heritage, and it’s home to a rich biodiversity. It covers 41% of the country’s territory and is considered the lung of the planet.

Finally, the flat lands are located east of the Cordillera Oriental, west of the Cordillera Occidental, to the north of the country, and in the inter-Andean valleys and highlands.

Fauna and flora

The native flora and fauna of Colombia are as varied as its geography.

The variety of ecosystems, with the paramos (moors), rainforest, grasslands and the Caribbean coast, makes it impossible to name all its plant life in a few words.

It is home to more than 40,000 plant species, among which we can mention the drosera, a type of carnivorous plant, and a wide variety of orchids - the national flower.

Mangroves and coconut trees can be found along the Caribbean coast.

Its wildlife includes the largest mammals in South America: jaguar, cougar, tapir, peccary, anteater, sloth, armadillo and many monkey and deer species.

In Colombia, there are more than 1,700 species of birds. One of them is the Andean Condor, one of the largest birds in the world that are able to fly.

Colombia's coffee regions

There are quite a few differences in the habits, traditions, beliefs and ways of life depending on the region you visit. However, one thing all Colombians have in common is that they are crazy about coffee.

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

Coffee grows best above 1300 m and below 2000 m, that’s why Colombia is ideal for its cultivation.

There are more than 563,000 coffee producing families in Colombia. Most Colombian coffee growers live on small farms of not more than 2 hectares on average. Only a little more than 5% of Colombian coffee producers have coffee plantations of more than 5 hectares.

The small size of the coffee plantations has allowed maintaining an essentially family-oriented activity in the Colombian coffee industry.

Therefore, coffee growers in Colombia believe that the family is their top priority and are very interested in protecting and maintaining a solid set of family values and traditions.

Salento is located near the Andes, west of Bogotá. It is famous for its coffee plantations and for its lush landscape. A great opportunity to visit a coffee farm and enjoy some Colombian Coffee.

Equestrian tourism in Colombia

With this varied geography, it is not surprising that riders from all over the world come to Colombia to explore these vast lands on horseback.

You can ride along ancient routes where cattle used to be transported, and discover the old cattle road in Almeidas. You can explore the royal roads and drive the cattle the old-fashioned way through tropical forests and the eastern plains of Colombia, both full of wildlife.

Another option is to join in the Coffee Route. Riding among coffee plantations and taking a break to pick some coffee beans is one of the most beautiful experiences you can enjoy along the coffee trails of Colombia.

Discover the beautiful Colombian coast, the Andes Mountains and the legendary Tatacoa Desert on horseback.

Choose an operator in Colombia

Ampascachi Horse Riding Holidays has selected some suppliers of Equestrian Tourism that should be taken into consideration to know the best of Colombia on horseback.

Entre Orejas

Founded by Paul Coudenys, this Equestrian Tourism company organizes riding holidays and Equestrian Expeditions in different Latin American countries.

With a luggage full of travel and riding experiences, Paul Coudenys settled in Brazil in 2010 and founded “Entre Orejas”.

After years of experience in organizing and guiding equestrian holidays and expeditions in Brazil, he decided to expand his business and offer new rides in other countries such as Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.

Their riding programs

They currently offer 3 equestrian holidays in Colombia:

• The Coffee Trail Ride: An 8-day horseback adventure in the Colombian Coffee Triangle.Discover the stunning landscapes of the nature reserve Valley del Cócora.
• The Central Colombia Trail Ride: The ultimate trail ride for riders looking for a truly Latin American equestrian experience, along centuries old rolling horse trails.
• Carriage-Driving Holiday in Rural Colombia: for avid carriage drivers looking for an off-the-beaten-track vacation, traversing the milk region of Colombia, where cows are still milked in the pasture and where horse and cart take the large milk jugs.

Characteristics of their rides:

In the two horse riding holidays, we must take into account a series of aspects:

• Horses: Colombian criollo.
• Riding level: for intermediate to experienced riders. You should be confident on a horse at all paces.
• 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.
• Saddles: comfortable Colombian saddles.

If you want to know more about them, visit their website: www.entreorejas.org.

A Caballo por Colombia

A Caballo por Colombia has more than 25 years of experience and offers the best routes and the deepest equestrian experience in nature.

It all began with the initiative of its founder, who decided to venture into his country on horseback and travel the “trochas” (trails) that once connected Colombia with Ecuador and Venezuela. In 2010, he began to publish his riding stories under the name "A Caballo por Colombia".

Are as its main purpose to share with riders from the world, the unique experience that has meant traveling the bridle paths of Colombia for years, in rides with family and friends along routes practically unknown to tourism.

Their horses

Our horses are the result of a careful selection for more than 25 years, and all of them have some Colombian Criollo in their blood, even the angloarabs used in 80 and 120 km endurance rides.

Anglo-Arab crosses with Colombian criollos are especially suited for intermediate riders.

Their horseback tours

We’d like to highlight three of their rides:

• Horse ride to Villa de Leyva: this program lasts 7 days (4 in the saddle) and goes from Sisga Dam to Villa de Leyva. You will visit beautiful natural ponds, centuries-old oak forests and the Candelaria desert.
• Horse ride to Barichara: this program lasts 10 days (5 in the saddle) and takes you from Oiba to Barichara. You will ride along royal roads, forests, rivers and waterfalls. You will discover the astonishing colonial architecture of Barichara.
• Horse ride to Casanare: this 8-day (4 on horseback) program goes from El Sisga to Casanare, along the old cattle road of Almeida, crossing the llanos of Casanare. In Monterrey, you can be part of the daily activities of a working cattle ranch.

In these routes you will have the opportunity to fully enjoy nature and clean air.

These routes allow the visitor to appreciate not only some of the most beautiful landscape in the Colombian Andes, but also the kindness of its people and the beauty of many small villages which remain frozen in time, with their beautiful churches and buildings made of stone, adobe and clay roof tiles.

On horseback, you reach all these corners and get to the heart of Colombia in a unique way, accessing remote places, discovering their tradition and the true lifestyle on the countryside.

Find more information on their website: www.acaballoporcolombia.co.

Valle Verde Horse Riding

They were the first Colombian company offering horseback riding in Colombia and other parts of the world, that stand out for the quality of their programs and for maintaining the equestrian traditions of each place they visit.

Their main task, according to their own statement, is to inspire the riders of the world to be part of their riding tours embedded in the native culture of each place that they visit mounted on beautiful Colombian Paso Fino horses.

Their horseback tours

They offer 4 different equestrian holidays, where you will spend 6 days in the saddle:

• Haciendas Antiguas: in this 8-day program, you will visit some old Colombian farms and ranches.
• Ruta del Café: in this 8-day program, you will meet the “Arriero”, a local cowboy and coffee merchant, and learn about the coffee production process.
• Gualivá: in this 7-day program, you will ride around the mountains, rivers and streams of the Gualivá region, located in the central part of the Andes Mountains.
• Ruta Ganadera: in this 8-day program, you will ride along the historic cattle road, and you will be able to relive the traditions of the ancient “llanero”, the true Colombian cowboy.

Depending on the ride, accommodation will be in Ranching Haciendas, in working farms or in typical llanero hotels.

In addition to these 4 rides, you can personalize your riding experience and choose a family ride or a short trek (1 to 3 days).

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

For more information, go to their website: www.valleverdehorseriding.com.

Colombia is a country of contrasts. Explore its vast plains and lush mountains on horseback, and feel the warm or cold wind on your skin. Immerse yourself in impressive jungles brimming with thousands of animal and plant species, where trees seem to touch the sky. And also enjoy the views of the oceans that surround this wonderful land.

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

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.