Colombia
6 and 8 night rides exploring Colombia's coffee region, staying in local guesthouses and hotels
Where In the tropical coffee growing provinces of Risaralda & Quindio, to the west of Bogota.
What is it like Full of lush vegetation, fruits of every shape and size, colourful birdlife and charming brightly painted towns. Famous for its wax palms, some of which are 60 meters high, and enchanting colonial towns such as Marsella you will be saturated by culture, scenic landscapes, flora and fauna. The ride base is a farm in highlands close to the town of Marsella and most itineraries include a night or two here (or in a hotel close by), with routes taking you off the beaten track, over challenging terrain into the Andes, stopping to spend the night at remote coffee farms, in village hotels, guesthouses and occasionally in 'glamping' resorts.
Who does it suit If you are after an adventure, keen to explore a buzzing, culturally rich and diverse South American country, try this! Rides are for confident, well-balanced riders - although the pace is not particularly fast, you need to be secure in the saddle over a variety of terrain, happy to take what comes and fairly fit.
Why we love it Colombia is full of vibrant colour and tradition, best enjoyed by horse which has long been integral to it. This is a way to not only see a part of it, but to be a part of it.
SUMMARY
Riding: 5-8 hours a day
Horses: Colombian criollos, Appaloosa, Paso Fino and Percheron crosses
Pace: moderate, slow in places due to terrain
Riding ability: intermediate to experienced riders only
Weight limit: 90 kg (14st 2lbs)
Accommodation: comfortable guesthouses, glamping resorts, 2-3* hotels
Group size: max 6
Season: year round
Price: 6 night ride from USD 3300 (approx £2895) per person
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: Mostly local Colombian criollos, with some Appaloosa, Paso Fino and Percheron crosses. They are between about 14.2hh and 15.2hh, sure footed, sensible and well suited to the terrain. Your guide is English and the horses are carefully schooled to respond to both western and English aids.
Hours: There is usually between 3 and 6 hours in the saddle each riding day, although hours vary with the route.
Pace and experience required: The pace varies with the terrain and altitude but overall is moderate to slow, with occasional places where you dismount to lead. There will be some good chances to canter along wide dirt tracks but there are some steep climbs and you are often riding on narrow winding paths or where the vegetation is thick and the pace must be slow. The horses are sensible, calm and responsive but you are expected to be a competant rider, secure and well balanced in the saddle at a walk, trot and canter, and with experience riding over different types of terrain. You should also be comfortable getting on and off and handling a horse from the ground.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation varies from day to day. Some nights are in comfortable guesthouses, some in coffee farms, you may stay in a luxury yurt at a 'glamping' resort depending on the route. Most rooms have their own bathroom with shower and loo - although you may be asked to share bathrooms on one or two nights. There is a swimming pool at Rancho Saman, the base for the rides and where the first and (sometimes) last night is spent and also at some of the other accommodation used.
RATES & DATES
|
Rates 2026 |
Jewel of Risaralda (8 nights) - USD 3320 |
|
Dates 2026 |
Jewel of Risaralda (8 nights) |
ITINERARY
Itinerary in Brief - Jewel of Risaralda - please enquire for other itineraries
| Day 1 | [Fly to Bogota, internal flight to Pereira] You will be met on arrival at Pereira airport and driven about 50 minutes to the ranch base near the town of Marsella. Time to relax and meet the horses before briefing over dinner. Night at the ranch, or a comfortable hotel nearby. |
| Day 2 |
Breakfast and a relxing morning, perhaps with lunch at the ranch, then saddle up for a first afternoon ride into the picturesque town of Marsella - your first taste of riding in Colombia. Stop for a coffee or drink then continue to your next accommodation, a couple of miles from town. Dinner in Marsella. |
| Day 3 |
A full day ride with a picnic lunch carried in saddlebags. You destination is a traditional 200 year old coffee farm where the night is spent. |
| Day 4 |
Breakfast and a full day ride, taking you to the northern tip of Risaralda. The day ends at a coffee farm high in the green hills, with infinty pool and views of jungle clad hills. |
| Day 5 |
A long morning ride to a small resort close to the hot springs of Santa Rosa. The afternoon to soak in therapeutic waters. Dinner and night at the resort. |
| Day 6 |
Another lovely half day ride with spectacular views, passing waterfalls and crossing rivers as you head to the next nights stop, Casa Bourbon. Soak in the hot tub before dinner at a nearby restaurant and the night. |
| Day 7 |
Breakfast and set off riding back toowards Marsella. The area, once home to the Quimbaya people, is steeped in history. The night is back at the coffee farm you visited earlier in the week, where there will be time for a tour and coffee making demo. |
| Day 8 | Breakfast then a short ride back to the ranch on the outskirts of Marsella, stopping for a last coffee with your horse in the town square. The afternoon to visit local artisan stores, final dinner at the ranch. |
| Day 9 | Breakfast and transfer to Pereira airport for onward travel. |
| Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions |
TRAVEL
The meeting point for the rides is Pereira. Avianca have direct flights from various European destinations (including London, Paris, Madrid) to Bogota, with onward connections to Pereira. Airfares vary depending on the airline and season but expect to pay between £750 to £1050 for an economy return, including internal sectors.
