Colombia is named after Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America. The pristine, beautiful landscapes combined with the vibrant and historical culture make the country an incredibly interesting holiday destination.
Colombia is especially known for its excellent coffee and pure gemstones. But it also holds another treasure: the Paso Fino! These fine horses with their soft gaits are among the most popular breeds in Colombia. On his second trip to America, Christopher Columbus took horses with him that can be traced back to Andalusians, Berbers and a former Spanish gaited horse breed, the Jennet. They are the ancestors of today´s horses in South America. After centuries of breeding, the Paso Fino (German: Feiner Schritt) was created especially in Colombia and Puerto Rico. You will have the chance to ride a pure Paso Fino in one afternoon. Colombians love horses! Festivals, parades and folk festivals are widespread in the country.
As in many other countries in South America, horseback riding and horses are strongly ed in Colombia´s culture. In addition, the mountainous region is much easier to access by horse than by vehicle - the best conditions for a horseback riding trip! This riding tour starts in the eastern highlands of Colombia at an altitude of about 2,500 m above sea level, where your host will welcome you with open arms at his hacienda. Together with his partners Luis and Paul, he will accompany you on this unique horseback riding tour through authentic Colombia as your guide. Your route takes you through the Cordillera Oriental of the Colombian Andes. You will cross the desert of La Candelaria with its unusual rock formations, the province of Cundinamara and finally arrive in the tropical province of Santander. The riding tour takes you to the authentic Colombia away from the big cities. You will pass small picturesque villages, stop for a beer or local liquor and meet locals who are proud to welcome you to their country. Surely you will understand the Colombian saying: the only risk is that you want to stay soon.
During the tour you will be accommodated in haciendas as well as small, charming inns and hotels.

Itinerary

Day 1: Bogotá - Cucunúba
Meeting at 9.00 am at the Hotel Retiro84 in Bogota, arrival the day before recommended. Transfer to Cucunuba and on the way stop at a traditional Colombian saddlery. For lunch, visit a local restaurant en route before reaching La Montesa, a breeding farm of the Colombian Paso Fino. Here you will have the opportunity to ride this noble horse breed with its soft gaits! Afterwards you will be taken to your accommodation, the Posada de Don Pedro in Cucunuba, where you will also have dinner.
Day 2: Cucunúba - Hacienda la Casona
After breakfast we finally go to the horses. After the horses have been divided up, they are saddled and at about 9.00 am the first adventure begins. Your sure-footed partners will easily climb the slopes of the Juaitoque Nature Reserve, up to an altitude of 3,200 m. On old bridle paths you will discover the moorland of the Andes region. In the afternoon you will ride downhill again until you can see the breathtaking Palacio Lagoon. You continue your ride until you reach the Hacienda la Casona. Here you can relax while a Colombian BBQ is prepared for you. Riding time approx. 6 hours and 34 Km.
Day 3: Hacienda la Cabana
Your day starts again today at about 9.00 am on horseback. This time you will ride through hilly, forested terrain until you reach the typical Colombian village of Sutatausa. Here you will visit the cathedral and learn about the Spanish colonial period. You continue your ride to the Rocky Mountains of Hato Dam, where a traditional lunch awaits you. You will continue your ride through the challenging terrain and arrive back at Hacienda la Cabana in the late afternoon, where you will spend another night. Riding time approx. 5 hours and 30 km.
Day 4: Hacienda Potosi
After breakfast, saddle your horses and set off across the green meadows of Cundinamarca, the region with the largest cattle farming in Colombia. Your destination is one of the oldest colonial farms in Colombia, Punta de Vega, where you will have lunch. After a long siesta, you will continue your ride towards Hacienda Potosi, the home of award-winning draught horses. Riding time about 6 hours and 34 km.
Day 5: Raquira Silvestre
We´re starting extra early today. You saddle your horses and start riding around 8.00 am, inviting them to gallop through lush meadows. Around noon you arrive at the Hacienda Ticha, where you have lunch together. In the afternoon you continue your ride through oak forests in the province of Boyacá. Recently the landscape has changed a lot and now looks more like a barren steppe. Here you will also find your destination for today, the farm Raquirq Silvestre, where you will spend a cheerful evening listening to local folk music. Riding time about 8 hours and 38 km.
Day 6: Monasterio de la Candelaria
You may sleep a little longer tonight, but you don´t get off until around 10:00. Your way leads you down through the barren mountains, the colorful city of Raquira always visible on the horizon, famous for handicraft and pottery. There you will have a break for lunch and then have time to explore the city. In the afternoon you continue your ride to the Candelaria Monastery. This holy place dates back to 1604 and offers you a comfortable accommodation for tonight including dinner. Riding time about 5 hours and 25 km.
Day 7: Villa de Leyva
After an early breakfast you will saddle your horses and leave at around 8.00 am. After a short time the landscape changes drastically, you will finally dive into the rocky desert of la Candelaria. In the middle of the desert you will find the Patio de Brujas, which is haunted by witches. In the afternoon, the merciless wasteland spits out another oasis, the town of Villa de Leyva. It was founded in 1572 and is considered a national monument. You say goodbye to your horses and move into your accommodation in the city centre. The afternoon is at your leisure before you meet for a last dinner together at around 20.00 hrs. Riding time about 7 hours and 35 km.
Day 8: Breakfast and transfer to Bogotá (approx. 4 hours). Departure or extension.

Please note that the course of the tour may change due to weather or terrain conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.

Coffee Trail itinerary:
The Coffee Trail is the so-called coffee triangle of Colombia. The ride takes you through the world-famous coffee-growing area and through the Cócora Valley with its striking giant wax palms. Colombia is a country of contrasts both geographically and climatically, as well as culturally and scenically depending on the region where you are staying. But all Colombians have one thing in common: the love of coffee and horses! Coffee is cultivated with dedication in this country, which is reflected in its taste. Horse and mule are also involved in the transport - so the beans come from the trees to your cup. These families who grow the tasty beans are also your hosts on this ride! Enjoy this trail in beautiful Colombia, which leads up to 2000 m and has average temperatures of about 25 degrees - perfect for riding.
Day 1: Arrival and pick-up at Armenia airport. Transfer to the colonial Hacienda Pilarica (approx. 40 km) and welcome around 9:00 am. Arrival the day before recommended. You will be welcomed with open arms and you will get to know the horses and the guides. After choosing the horses and preparing the equipment you will visit a local vaquero show in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda Pilarica.
Day 2: The next day your trail starts at around 9:00 am. You will sit in the saddle for about 6 hours during the riding days and start today with green coffee plantations. At a gallop you will cross breathtaking valleys and again and again rivers. In the afternoon you reach the coffee village Buena Vista, where you can follow the process of coffee production and of course taste the result directly. Dinner and overnight at the Hacienda El Balcon.
Day 3: After a rich breakfast you will visit the plantation of the farm. After a good morning coffee you will saddle your horses and start on old bridle paths through the picturesque and partly mountainous landscape. Your destination today is the Hacienda Combia, the ideal place to relax at the pool after a long day of riding. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda.
Day 4: You will have breakfast and then start higher and higher through the hilly tropical landscape. You will be rewarded with a view of snow-capped mountain peaks and the unique flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. On the back of your horse you become one with nature and perceive your environment much more consciously. In the late afternoon you will reach Posada el Edén, where you will enjoy your dinner and stay overnight.
Day 5: Today´s ride takes you along old paths through small mountain villages and past countless small coffee plantations. The smell of coffee will follow you through lush green valleys until you reach your destination today, the beautiful colonial city of Salento. Here you can stroll through the romantic streets and enjoy the atmosphere. After you have taken the horses to the accommodation you return to the city for a drink. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda La Cabana.
Day 6: Today you will ride to the unique Cocóra Valley National Park. Here you will find the highest palm trees in the world, the Palma de Cera, which is also the emblem of Colombia. You will ride over fairytale green hills, always with the snow-covered Andes in the background. After about 20 km of riding you return to Salento, where you can enjoy the regional cuisine and end the day with a refreshing drink. Overnight stay at the Hacienda La Cabana.
Day 7: After breakfast you will leave Salento and set off on horseback to breathe the mountain air and enjoy the beautiful landscape. In the afternoon you reach Filandia, another village where everything revolves around coffee. You say goodbye to your horses and move into your current accommodation, a colonial hotel in the middle of the town centre. For the farewell dinner you meet at the hotel or you try a regional restaurant.
Day 8: Breakfast and transfer to Armenia and departure.

Please note that the tour itinerary may change due to weather or terrain conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

Accomodation
For an extra charge we will gladly book an extra night before your tour at the Hotel Retiro84 in Bogota - thereby your arrival will be more comfortable. During the tour you will stay in various haciendas or posadas and once in an accommodation on the grounds of a monastery.

Saddle & Tack: Colombian trail saddles and curb bit (western style).

Experience: You should be comfortable in all gaits and have sufficient experience in varied terrain. Riding time is on average about 6 hours per day.

Horses: Colombian Criollos & Cruzados. In one afternoon you also have the opportunity to ride a purebred Paso Fino.

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