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 Salento and Marsella you will be saturated by culture, scenic landscapes, flora and fauna. The ride base is a typical 150 year old colonial hacienda and most itineraries include a night or two here, 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 5 and 8 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 2024 |
Jewel of Risaralda (8 nights) - USD 3320 |
|
Dates 2024 / 2025 |
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 40 minutes to Rancho Saman. Time to relax and meet the horses before briefing over dinner. Night Rancho Saman. |
| Day 2 |
Breakfast and set off by vehicle to the hills of Risaralda province, meeting the horses close to the town of Marsella. Lunch and saddle up for a first afternoon ride into the picturesque town - your first taste of riding in Colombia. |
| Day 3 |
A full day ride with a picnic lunch carried in saddllbags. The night is spent at a traditional coffee farm high in the green hills of Risaralda. |
| Day 4 |
Breakfast and set off on a stunning ride along the 'manzanillo' trail, with amazing views from the ridge tops, to reach the town of Santa Rosa. Night at a boutique hotel on the edge of town. |
| Day 5 |
After tacking up, a long morning ride takes you to a guest ranch a short distance from natural hot springs of Santa Rosa. The afternoon to soak in therapeutic waters, then dinner & night around the camp fire. |
| Day 6 |
Breakfast and a full day ride, through forests and past waterfalls, ending at a very comfortable coffee farm where the night is spent. Enjoy a swim in the infinity pool before dinner. |
| Day 7 |
Breakfast and set off riding back to Marsella to complete the circuit. The area, once home to the Quimbaya people, is steeped in history. Reaching your accommodation at the end of the day you stable the horses and head to town for dinner. |
| Day 8 | Breakfast then transfer back to Rancho Saman with a chance to visit the local saddlery shop in the nearby town. Then relax by the pool before a farewell dinner. Night Rancho Saman. |
| 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.
