Central and South America > Colombia

From the Mountains to the Llanos

Set off on horseback in Colombia and discover a fascinating country with both cultural and natural wonders. On this riding adventure you'll travel from the Colombian Andes to the tropical plains of Casanare, giving riders a chance to see the contrasting landscapes of the country. In Casanare, you'll stay among the llaneros, the region's cattle herders, and assist them with cattle work. This trail is designed for proven adventurers who love to explore and who are looking for a new challenge. Experience the true essence of Latin America on this authentic journey.
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Trail Riding
10 days, 7 riding
From £3,643

Itinerary

Highlights

- Discover the diverse landscapes and natural wonders of Colombia.
- Travel from the cold mountains to the sun-drenched 'Llanos' -- vast tropical plains known for their breathtaking biodiversity.
- Enjoy four days in the Llanos: with three days spent cattle gathering and sorting on a hato (traditional ranch).
- Experience a challenging horseback trail, with some rides between 20 and 30 km (up to 8 hours in the saddle).
- Take part in an exciting adventure, designed for riders who are not deterred by the uncertainties of an expedition.
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  • Day 1 1: ARRIVAL IN BOGOTÁ - No riding

    Arrival in Bogotá. (Please note that international flights are not included in the price, but can be booked upon request). A member of the local team will collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel. Dinner is to your own account this evening.

  • Day 2 2: BOGOTÁ - MACHETÁ - No riding

    Today you can enjoy a relaxing morning by the pool before being transferred to Machetá (approx a 2.5 hour drive) at around 2:00 pm. The journey follows the historic Camino Real (royal road), a cobblestone route built by Indigenous peoples and enslaved workers during the Spanish colonial period. This road was used for centuries to connect the highlands to the Casanare Llanos. Lunch is not included today.

  • Day 3 3: MACHETÁ - CHIVOR - 5-7 hours riding

    After a brief visit to a coffee plantation near the hotel, you will begin your descent into the Tenza Valley on horseback, following the Camino Real. This route offers spectacular views of the mountains and the towns of Guateque, Somondoco, Guayatá, and Almeida, a region renowned for its emerald mines. Lunch will be hosted by locals in the countryside, and will be traditional home-made cuisine. In the afternoon, after walking the horses in the Somondoco River, you will arrive at a beautiful hotel near the Chivor Dam, where you can relax and enjoy the swimming pool.

  • Day 4 4: CHIVOR - SABANALARGA - 7-9 hours riding

    Today, you'll cross the 15 tunnels of the Chivor Dam by car (the horses are transported by truck), enjoying stunning views of the dam and its surroundings. The ride begins on an old trail through tropical forest, once used by guerrillas and paramilitary groups to avoid the main roads. Lunch will be served at a local household, where the host will share fascinating stories of the region's turbulent past. In the afternoon, you’ll cross the Upía River on horseback and arrive at a farm / hato. There, you’ll enjoy a delicious local meal (ternera a la llanera, slow-cooked beef) while listening to live music performed by local musicians. Tonight you sleep either in a 'chinchorro' (traditional hammock) or in dormitory-style room.

  • Day 5 5: SABANALARGA - MONTERREY - 7-9 hours riding

    You’ll ride towards Monterrey today, crossing a picturesque valley and stopping for lunch by a river with a natural swimming pool. In the afternoon, you’ll cross hills that separate you from the vast eastern plains that stretch all the way to Venezuela (approx. 400,000 km²). These hills offer one of the most breathtaking views of the entire trip. By the evening, you’ll arrive at a comfortable hotel with a beautiful pool.

  • Day 6 6: MONTERREY - TAURAMENA - 7-9 hours riding

    Today, you’ll ride across the Casanare savannas, leaving behind the mountains of the previous days. The pace will quicken as you enter the plains, where you’ll begin to spot wildlife and vegetation typical of the Llanos. Tonight you will stay at the hato.

  • Day 7 7: TAURAMENA - WILDLIFE OBSERVATION - Riding and cattle work

    Rise early to witness a magnificent sunrise over 'Los Llanos' (Spanish for 'the plains'). After breakfast, you’ll head out on a ride and have the chance to observe various species of wildlife, including forest bears, deer, wild boars, capybaras, caimans and a variety of birds. You'll also meet the llaneros, or cowboys of the Colombian plains, and assist them with cattle work. The day concludes with another night at the hato. You'll sleep either in a hammock or in a dormitory room with others.

  • Day 8 8: TAURAMENA - Riding and cattle work

    You’ll join the llaneros again today and help with their daily cattle herding routine. Sleep again in a hammock or in a dormitory with others.

  • Day 9 9: TAURAMENA - Riding and cattle work

    Another day with the llaneros, continuing to discover their unique lifestyle and the surrounding wildlife. Sleep again in a hammock or in a dormitory with others.

  • Day 10 10: TAURAMENA - YOPAL - BOGOTA - DEPARTURE - No riding

    In the morning, you’ll head to Yopal to visit local saddle-making workshops and chinchorro crafting studios. Lunch and dinner are not included today. Please note: As Yopal is a small city, morning activities may vary depending on flight schedules and availability.

    After lunch, you'll say your goodbyes and fly directly from Yopal to Bogotá, where you can choose stay in a bed-and-breakfast for the night before flying home (not included in the price) or you can take a connecting flight this evening to Europe.

Dates & prices

Price details

- Flights or transportation to your destination (international/domestic) are not included but can be booked on request - please contact us for rates.

- Rates are per person, based on two riders sharing a twin or double room in hotels. For the rest of the ride, guests will share dormitory-style accommodation.

- Groups are composed of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 international riders, plus guides.
The ride will also confirm for 2-3 riders on payment of a small group supplement of US$600 / €515 / £450.

- To guarantee your own room in hotels, there is a single supplement of US$50 per night, payable locally and subject to availability. There is no single supplement if you are willing to share a hotel room with another guest of the same sex.

- Riders should arrive by 2:00 pm on day 1. If you wish to arrive a day earlier or depart a day later, we can book a hotel room for you in Bogotá for an additional $65 / €60 / £50 per person.

- Airport transfers (from Bogotá airport on Day 1 and to Yopal airport on Day 10) are included. The domestic flight from Yopal to Bogotá on Day 10 is also included.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

Price includes

Support Team

2 English/Spanish-speaking horse guides

Logistics

1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider

Inland transport

Support vehicle and driver
Airport transfers
All ground transportation according to the itinerary
Domestic flight from Yopal to Bogotá

Accommodation

6 nights in dormitories or hammocks
3 nights in hotels (in a shared double or twin room)

Meals

Full board from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 10 (excludes meals on Day 1, lunch on Day 2, and lunch and dinner on Day 10)
Non-alcoholic beverages with meals

Price doesn't include

Meals

Alcoholic beverages and personal extras
All meals on Day 1, lunch on Day 2, and lunch and dinner on Day 10

Transport

International flights, taxes and passenger fees

Extras

Tips to the local team

Insurance

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the above listed price. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked to cover you in case of cancellation
Visa

Optional

Accommodation

Single room supplement - to be paid locally
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    29/11/2026 08/12/2026 £3,643 €4,153 $4,700
    Guaranteed departure
    		Book now

Equestrian info

Horses

The stable has 35 horses, 20 of which are used for trail rides. They include Anglo-Arab horses, and Anglo-Arabs crossed with Colombian Criollos. They are energetic and hardy, and range in size from 1.40 to 1.60m, with some suitable for less confident riders. In the second part of the trip, you will switch to working Criollo horses.

Guide & local team

Two equestrian guides will accompany you during the ride. They speak Spanish and English, and some have basic knowledge of French or German.

Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

You need to be an experienced rider who is physically fit and used to riding outdoors across varied and tough terrain for many hours. You must be comfortable and competent in all three paces: walk, trot and canter.

The weight limit for this ride is 80 kgs / 12.5 st / 176 lbs.

Pace

This ride is mostly at a walk (especially during steep climbs and descents) but there will be some trots and canters when the terrain permits.

Tacking ability and participation

Your horse will be tacked up for you by the guides, but you are welcome to assist.

Trip conditions and Requested experience

You should be very physically fit for this ride, as well as mentally prepared to enjoy and cope with the challenges of the trail:
Days in the saddle are long, sometimes 8-9 hours. You should be prepared to ride in very hot conditions and to experience some thunderstorms. Mosquitoes are present in the region and you may encounter poisonous snakes and spiders. The terrain varies, but you should expect stretches of paved road as well as some difficult river crossings. Other challenges include basic food in certain areas and limited comfort at some lodges, as well as the feeling of isolation when riding in a remote area, sometimes as night falls. We normally require guests to have previous experience of a trail ride before signing up for this trip.

Your luggage will be transported by a support vehicle during the trail.

Visiting a new country offers the opportunity to meet other cultures with different mentalities, therefore it is important to accept these differences and respect the local way of life.

Equestrian equipment

English or McLellan saddles. Saddlebags and a sheepskin seat saver can be provided on request. Equus Journeys strongly recommends that you wear a riding helmet. Please bring your own to ensure a correct fit.

Travel info

Comfort

3 nights in hotels.
6 nights in hatos (traditional ranches), sleeping in dormitory-style rooms or in chinchorros (local hammocks with mosquito protection).
Accommodation is rustic and Columbian in style. Showers are available daily, though hot water may not always be provided. Air conditioning is available in some rooms but not in others.
Single rooms are available in hotels only, and are subject to availability. See dates and prices.

Meals

Breakfast is served at hotels or eaten with locals. Lunch is either a picnic carried in saddlebags or a home-cooked meal with locals. Dinner is enjoyed at a restaurant or with locals, depending on the day's accommodation. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Climate

The average temperature is 20°C (68°F) during the day, and cooler at night. Colombia has no distinct seasons, but tropical downpours are frequent year-round. The rainiest months are April, May, October, and November. In the llanos region, the dryer months are normally from December to March. However, the weather can be unpredictable, and it is recommended that travellers bring a raincoat.

The weather in Columbia also depends on the altitude. Typically, the higher the region, the cooler the weather. The ride will be mostly in 'Los Llanos Orientales' (the Eastern Plains) region -- starting at around 2000 metres above sea level on day 1, and descending to around 300 / 400 metres above sea level after day 2, with an average temperature of around 25-35 °C.

Tips

Tips are welcomed. We would recommend around US$50 to US$100 per rider, to be shared between local guides and drivers.

Packing list

Please pack carefully and sensibly: the following guide is here to give you an idea of what to bring. Your luggage will be carried by a support vehicle during the ride. Please use a soft sided bag which can easily be transported. You can also bring a small backpack.

Head
- Riding helmet -- we recommend that you take your own to ensure a correct fit
- Sunhat for when not riding (essential)
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana

Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and are an extra layer
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Waterproof jacket

Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Casual trousers for the evenings, such as jeans or tracksuit bottoms

Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged.
- Waterproof shoes/boots can be useful if it’s muddy but are optional
- Trainers or equivalent light shoes for moving around in the evenings
- Several pairs of socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the elements whilst riding

Nightwear
- Pyjamas

Other useful items
- Swimsuit
- Towel - camping ones will both dry and pack more easily
- Small backpack for accessing items required during the day (carried by support crew)
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch
- Water bottle
- Small plastic bags for rubbish
- Ear plugs and eye mask (highly recommended for light sleepers)
- Power bank
- Cosmetics

Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel

Other recommendations:
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes / any essentials and valuables in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- Please print copies of your passport and insurance documents and take them with you.
- Backpacks should not be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- Please take your rubbish home with you and try to leave excess packaging material at home before travelling.

Sustainable tourism

  1. Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
  2. Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
  3. Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
  4. Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
  5. Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
  6. Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.

For more information please see this page.

Did you know?

Did you know?

For his inauguration, the new king of the Chicha Indians would throw gold statues into a sacred lake, then bathe in it covered in gold dust. He became "El Dorado," giving birth to the myth that attracted the conquistadors.