Horseback riding in the Eastern Hill

Mountain riding starts close to the city. This four-hour outing takes you from Chapinero to the hills above La Calera, where you ride for about two hours past Andean vegetation, remote homes, and views toward the San Rafael Reservoir. I like the mix of easy city pickup and open country, plus the fact that the ride can suit both beginners and experienced riders. The small group limit of 10 also gives the outing a more personal feel.

I especially like that transport, helmets, a medical assistance card, a professional guide, and a regional canelazo are included in the $97 price. Guides such as Andrés and Sofía have earned praise for being punctual and clear, while Andrés has also been noted for explaining the mountain terrain well. The main caution is weather: this is an outdoor ride at high elevation, so poor conditions can cancel the trip, and you should be comfortable spending two hours on horseback.

Key points before you book

• Ride above La Calera: The route offers views toward the town, the Andes, and the San Rafael Reservoir.
• Two hours in the saddle: The horseback portion is long enough to feel like a real country outing, not a brief photo stop.
• Suitable from age 12: Children younger than 12 cannot join, and anyone intoxicated or unfit to ride will be refused.
• Different paces are possible: Experienced riders may be allowed to gallop, while beginners can keep to a gentler trot.
• Transport begins in Chapinero: Meet at Avenida Chile Centro Comercial y Financiero, then ride in a private vehicle for groups of up to four or use public transport for larger groups.
• Canelazo finishes the ride: The warm regional drink is included, with beer or soda available instead if you prefer.

From Avenida Chile to the hills above Bogotá

Your meeting point is the main entrance of Avenida Chile Centro Comercial y Financiero at Calle 72 #10-34 in Chapinero. This is a practical starting point in Bogotá, near public transport and easy to identify, but you should arrive with enough time to find the entrance rather than rushing in at the last minute.

A guide meets you there and handles the trip uphill. For a group of four or fewer, the plan calls for a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Larger groups may use public transport for the transfer. The ride to the horse area takes about 40 minutes, so the outing begins with a useful change of scenery: city streets give way to the eastern hills and the open country around La Calera.

That transfer matters because it removes the need to arrange your own route into the mountains. You do not need to hire a separate taxi, work out a rural meeting point, or wonder how to get back to central Bogotá after riding. The tradeoff is that larger groups may not have a private vehicle, so ask about the transport arrangement if that detail is important to you.

The total tour lasts about four hours, but timing can vary with traffic, group size, and conditions. I would keep the rest of your morning or afternoon fairly open. This is not a ride to squeeze between two tightly timed museum visits.

Preparing for the horses in La Calera

Once you reach La Calera, you leave the vehicle and receive a certified helmet. The guide also activates your medical assistance card before the ride begins. From there, you walk about five minutes to the horses.

That short walk is useful to know in advance. You are not mounting directly beside the vehicle, so wear closed shoes with a secure sole and clothing you can move in. The supplied information does not list riding gear beyond the helmet, so do not assume that boots, gloves, or rainwear are provided.

The horses are described as Colombian criollo horses, known in the supplied comments as sure-footed, obedient, and easy to ride. That is important in mountain country, where the quality and temperament of the horse can shape the whole experience. A calm horse lets a beginner focus on balance and scenery instead of worrying about every step.

Still, horseback riding is physical. You should be comfortable sitting in a saddle for roughly two hours and following the guide’s instructions. The minimum age is 12. People who are drunk or in a condition that could put their health at risk will not be allowed to ride, a sensible rule for a mountain activity.

Two hours through Andean country

The main ride lasts about two hours. From the hills around La Calera, you can see the town below, the San Rafael Reservoir, and native Andean vegetation. The setting gives you a very different view of Bogotá. Instead of looking at the city from a rooftop or cable car, you are moving through the high country that surrounds it.

The route reaches about 3,001 meters in elevation according to the experience details shared by one rider. That height helps explain the broad views and cool mountain conditions. It also means you should bring a layer, even if Bogotá feels mild when you leave Chapinero.

The scenery is the strongest reason to book this outing. You may see remote homes set into the hills, open slopes, and the reservoir that supplies Bogotá. The ride gives you time to watch the terrain change rather than passing it through a vehicle window. At a steady pace, you can take in the hills, ask questions, and get a sense of how people live outside the capital.

The riding pace depends on your ability and the guide’s judgment. Beginners can remain at a leisurely pace or trot, while experienced riders may be able to gallop. That flexibility is a real plus, but it does not mean everyone will gallop on every departure. Mountain conditions, the group’s ability, and the horses’ welfare come first.

If you are an experienced rider, tell the guide about your level before setting out. One rider particularly enjoyed having the freedom to gallop, while another praised the horses for being easy to handle. If you are new to riding, do not feel pressured to match a more confident member of the group. The stated format allows you to keep things calm.

Guides who shape the day

The guides are an important part of this experience. Andrés has been praised for easy communication and for explaining the Andes terrain, the reservoir, and the remote homes along the route. Andrés and Sofía have also been praised for being punctual and precise at the meeting point.

Those details may sound small, but they matter. A clear guide makes the transfer easier, explains how to handle the horse, and helps you understand what you are seeing. On a rural ride, good communication also helps the group move at a pace that works for different riding abilities.

The experience is offered in English, which makes it a practical choice for English-speaking visitors. The group maximum is 10 people. That is large enough to share the outing with others but small enough that the guide should be able to keep track of the group more easily than on a big coach-style excursion.

The provider is Cabalgatas Montana Ecological Tourism. The available information does not specify the exact route, horse names, or riding school facilities, so you should treat the scenery described here as the expected setting rather than a fixed list of guaranteed viewpoints.

Returning for a canelazo and a casual meal

After the ride, you return to the restaurant area in La Calera. The included drink is a canelazo, a traditional regional beverage usually served warm. It is a fitting finish after time in the cooler hills and gives the outing a local touch rather than ending as soon as you dismount.

If you do not want a canelazo, you can choose a beer or soda instead. Some experiences connected with this ride have also included food such as barbecue meat, and one account praised the lunch. However, the formal inclusions specifically name the canelazo, not a full meal, so you should not book this assuming lunch is guaranteed.

This is one point where I would ask the provider for the current food arrangement if a meal matters to you. The restaurant stop appears to be part of the return, but the exact menu and cost of food are not specified. Bring enough money for any meal or extra drink you may want.

The return transfer then takes you back to Avenida Chile. The final stop is the same shopping center where you began. The listed timing gives about 50 minutes for the restaurant portion and transport, followed by a final drop-off period of about 30 minutes. In practice, traffic and the group’s pace can affect the exact arrival time.

Is $97 a fair price?

At $97 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend half a day near Bogotá. But the price includes several useful pieces: an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional guide, a certified helmet, a two-hour ride, medical assistance coverage, and a canelazo.

The value comes from combining transport and a proper mountain ride. If you arranged each part alone, you would need to find a reputable horse provider, reach La Calera, handle safety equipment, and arrange your return. The organized format saves that work and gives you a guide who can manage the route.

The price is easier to justify if you want time in the hills rather than a quick horse photo. Two hours on horseback is the heart of the outing, and the views toward the reservoir and Andes add something you cannot get from central Bogotá.

The value is less clear if you already have private transport, riding equipment, and local contacts. In that case, you may prefer to arrange a shorter or more specialized ride. Group discounts are available, so ask about them if you are booking with family or friends.

Tips are not included. The plan does not specify other extra costs, so confirm any meal, additional drinks, or optional expenses before you go.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would recommend this outing to adults and children aged 12 or older who want a country experience close to Bogotá. It works particularly well for a mixed group, since experienced riders may be able to gallop while beginners can use a slower pace.

It also suits anyone who values scenery over a packed schedule. You will spend much of the main portion outside, with views of hills, vegetation, the reservoir, and rural homes. If you want a structured introduction to the area without planning rural transport yourself, this is a strong option.

You should think twice if you dislike horses, have difficulty sitting for two hours, or want a fully predictable schedule. Weather can stop the activity, and the mountain setting means conditions may feel different from those in the city. You should also avoid the ride if you are intoxicated or have a health condition that makes horseback riding unsafe.

For clothing, choose practical layers and closed shoes. A helmet is supplied, but other personal equipment is not specified. Since the route reaches high elevation, a jacket is sensible even when the day begins warm.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is usually reserved about 11 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date will sell out, but it suggests you should reserve in advance if the ride is important to your schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time in Bogotá.

Good weather is required. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. I would avoid booking this on the only open morning of a tightly planned trip, since a weather change could affect your plans.

Should you book Horseback Riding in the Eastern Hills?

Book it if you want two genuine hours in the hills, enjoy horses, and like the idea of seeing Bogotá’s surrounding country at a slower pace. The best parts are the sure-footed criollo horses, the views near La Calera and San Rafael Reservoir, and the chance to choose a gentle pace or, for experienced riders, possibly gallop.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed private vehicle, a guaranteed meal, or a fixed finish time. Ask about transport for groups over four and confirm the food arrangement before paying.

For most suitable participants, the $97 cost is reasonable because it covers the ride, transport, guide, safety equipment, medical assistance card, and regional drink. It is a good pick for a half-day away from Bogotá’s streets, provided you are ready for mountain weather and a real two-hour ride.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding experience begin?

It begins at the main entrance of Avenida Chile Centro Comercial y Financiero, Calle 72 #10-34, Chapinero, Bogotá.

Where does the experience end?

The guide returns you to Avenida Chile Centro Comercial y Financiero, the same general meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The total experience lasts approximately four hours. The horseback riding itself lasts about two hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, certified helmet, two-hour horseback ride, medical assistance card, professional guide, and a canelazo.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can children participate?

Only children aged 12 and older can take part.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund.