Adventure in the Andes Mountains

Ride the Andes above Bogotá. In about five hours, you get a smooth trip from Avenida Chile up to La Calera, a guided ride with excellent Andes viewpoints like Alto de la Cruz and Embalse San Rafael, and then a satisfying barbecue lunch. I love the way the operation runs with calm, well-trained horses, and I also like the added touch of sightseeing stops and farms along the trail. One thing to plan for is the cool mountain air, so if you show up underdressed, you’ll feel it.

What really makes this tour work is the pacing and the guide support. You’ll meet at Avenida Chile, then head up by vehicle or public transportation depending on the group size, and before you ride you’ll stop at a restaurant where insurance gets activated, plus there’s a quick moment for helmets if you need one. If you’re lucky, your guide may be Andrés, and the reviews consistently highlight how friendly, attentive, and guiding he can be.

Just keep expectations realistic. This is a horseback activity with a couple of hours in the saddle, and while it’s often described as great for first timers, it still involves trail riding and occasional horse changes in speed. It’s also not recommended for people who’ve had surgeries in the last three months, and it’s not suitable for people in a state of embriagez (intoxication) or who are pregnant.

Key things to know before you go

• Meet at Avenida Chile in Chapinero and return there at the end.
• Small groups (max 15) help keep the experience organized and personal.
• Insurance gets activated at a restaurant before riding.
• About 2 hours horseback riding with scenic viewpoints around La Calera.
• Barbecue lunch is part of the day and comes after the ride.
• Dress for cold mountain weather, even if Bogotá feels mild.

From Avenida Chile to La Calera: how the half-day flows

This is one of those Bogotá half-day tours that feels efficient without feeling rushed. You start at Avenida Chile (Cl 72 #10-34, Chapinero), and from there you travel to the mountains of La Calera. The exact transport method can vary based on group size, with the day running by vehicle for larger groups and public transportation for smaller ones.

That matters more than it sounds. If you’re coming from central Bogotá, you’ll appreciate meeting in a specific, easy-to-find shopping area instead of guessing your way through random pickup points. And once you get out toward La Calera, the vibe shifts fast from city noise to a cooler, quieter setting where the Andes actually feel close.

The tour is listed at roughly five hours total, and that time includes the trip up, the setup moment, the ride, lunch, and the return. In other words, you’re getting a full “mountain day” feel without committing an entire day.

Safety first: insurance activation and the quick helmet check

Before the ride, there’s a stop at a restaurant. This is where the day becomes more than a casual stroll on a trail. You’ll activate insurance there, which is a practical, reassuring step when you’re dealing with horses and uneven ground.

If you need helmets, this is also where that gets handled, and then you’ll walk about five minutes to start the horseback riding activity. That short walk is usually the easiest part of the day, but it’s worth knowing about so you can wear shoes you’re comfortable in and avoid anything too slippery.

I like this setup because it keeps the ride itself focused. You’re not scrambling mid-activity for basics like fit, safety steps, or the last instructions. You show up, you get sorted, then you ride.

Two hours on horseback: Alto de la Cruz and Embalse San Rafael

The heart of the experience is about two hours horseback riding. Once you’re mounted, the horses handle the hard work. Based on the feedback, the animals are generally described as well-trained and calm, which is exactly what you want if you’re new or a little nervous.

During the ride, you’ll see big Andes views and pass through areas that feel rural, including farms. You also hit viewpoints, including Alto de la Cruz and Embalse San Rafael. Those names aren’t just decoration. They signal the kind of elevation-and-water scenery that makes this ride feel like sightseeing, not just transportation on an animal.

The trail experience also has a realistic rhythm. You’ll likely spend stretches moving at a steady pace, and then you may get moments where the horse picks up speed. One review specifically notes that riders should be ready for a little speed change. You don’t need to panic about this, but you should listen to your guide and keep a relaxed posture so the horse can do its thing.

The guide experience: why a friendly Andrés matters

A good guide changes everything in a horseback ride. You’re not just moving through space, you’re balancing on an animal and trusting the route. In the reviews, Andrés shows up as a standout guide, with people praising him for being attentive, friendly, and informative.

That’s not a “nice to have.” It affects how safe and comfortable the ride feels. If you’re a first timer, you want someone who can calmly correct hand position, remind you how to hold steady, and explain what to expect before the horse shifts pace. The feedback here matches that kind of support.

You’ll also benefit from the guide taking you to viewpoints. Two of the most praised moments in the ride are the vista stops along the way, with the guide guiding riders through where to look and when. It’s the difference between “I rode a horse” and “I got views and understood what I was seeing.”

After the ride: barbecue lunch that actually satisfies

Once the horseback riding activity ends, you head back to the restaurant. This is where the day earns its keep as a real outing, not just a short activity with no payoff.

You’ll enjoy a barbecue meal after the ride. Reviews repeatedly describe the lunch as delicious and satisfying, which makes sense. Two hours in cool mountain air builds an appetite fast, and horseback riding works your core in a way that makes a hearty meal feel earned.

One practical note, plan your expectations around timing and warmth. You’ll likely appreciate having a jacket on the ride so you can still enjoy lunch comfortably afterward. When you arrive at the restaurant, you’ll probably feel ready to eat rather than just surviving on snack bars.

Price and value: what you get for $105

At $105 per person for about five hours, this tour is priced in the midrange for a guided horseback experience from Bogotá. The value comes from what’s included, not just the fact that you’re paying for a horse.

You’re getting:

• transport to the La Calera mountains (vehicle or public transport depending on group size)
• insurance activation before riding
• about two hours horseback riding with a guide
• viewpoints along the route, including Alto de la Cruz and Embalse San Rafael
• barbecue lunch afterward
• return to the starting point at Avenida Chile

If you’ve ever looked at horseback activities that charge extra for basic safety steps or food, this structure is part of why the experience gets strong ratings. You don’t have to build the day yourself. You show up, get sorted, ride, eat, and go home.

Also, small group size (up to 15) matters for value. More people can mean more waiting, more noise, and less personalized guidance. Here, the group limit is set so the ride stays manageable.

Who should book (and who should skip)

This tour says most travelers can participate, but the rules are there for a reason.

Consider booking if:

• you’re a beginner or first timer and want a guided intro to horseback riding
• you enjoy countryside scenery and want Andes viewpoints outside the city
• you want a day plan that includes lunch, not just a ride and a quick departure
• you like small groups and appreciate guides who stay attentive

Skip or rethink it if:

• you’ve had surgeries in the last three months (it’s not recommended)
• you’re pregnant (it’s not suitable)
• you’re in a state of embriagez (intoxication)

Also, if you’re extremely afraid of horses, don’t ignore that risk. One review mentions a friend who was frightened. That doesn’t mean the operation is unsafe, but it does mean your comfort level matters.

Practical tips that make the ride better

The most repeated practical advice is simple: dress for cold. Even if Bogotá feels comfortable, the mountains cool things down quickly, and a jacket plus jeans help you stay warm and ride comfortably. One review calls out that it’s colder than you think, and another mentions jeans and a jacket specifically.

A few other common-sense tips, based on how these rides typically work and what the day emphasizes:

• Wear clothing you can move in while staying warm.
• Expect a few moments where your horse may pick up speed, so hold steady and listen to instructions.
• Wear shoes with grip for the short walk to the riding start point.
• Keep your pace relaxed. This isn’t a race, it’s a guided tour where the horses follow the route.

If you’re the type who hates waiting, you’ll still want a bit of patience at the restaurant stop for insurance activation and any helmet prep. The payoff is that once you’re on the trail, the ride stays organized.

Should you book this Andes horseback ride from Bogotá?

If you want a straightforward, scenic horseback outing that includes transport, insurance activation, a guided ride, and a real barbecue lunch, this is a solid pick. The best part is the overall “flow”: you’re not left guessing what happens next, and the guide support, plus calm trained horses, makes it friendlier for first timers.

Book it if you value views from Alto de la Cruz and Embalse San Rafael, and you don’t mind spending two hours in the saddle in cool mountain weather. I’d especially recommend it if you like small groups and want your guide to help you enjoy the ride instead of just getting you from point A to point B.

Skip it if recent surgery, pregnancy, or intense fear of horses is in the picture. If that’s your situation, you’ll be happier with a different type of Andes day trip that keeps your body and comfort in your control.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour from Bogotá?

The experience lasts about 5 hours, including travel to La Calera, the horseback riding time (approximately 2 hours), and the barbecue meal afterward.

Where do I meet, and where does it end?

You meet at Avenida Chile (Cl 72 #10-34, Chapinero, Bogotá). The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How does transportation work to the mountains of La Calera?

You’ll travel by vehicle or by public transportation, depending on the group size.

What happens before the horseback riding starts?

You’ll meet at a restaurant where insurance gets activated. If you need helmets, you’ll handle that there before walking about 5 minutes to begin the horseback riding activity.

What is included besides the horseback riding?

After the horseback riding (about 2 hours), you go back to the restaurant for a barbecue. The tour also includes the return trip to the meeting point.

Who can participate, and are there any restrictions?

Most travelers can participate, but it is not recommended for people who have had surgeries in the last three months, it is not suitable for people who are pregnant, and it is not suitable for people in a state of embriagez (intoxication).

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, but if you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.