Horseback Riding Through the Andes

Horses? Check.  Mountains? Check. Adrenaline-pumping blood in your veins as the wind whips across your face?  Check!

Horseback riding through the foothills of the Andes Mountains in scenic Ecuadorian countryside is not only a descriptive mouthful, but a fantastic way to spend a Saturday.  Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, or Cotopaxi National Park, occupies over 82,000 acres in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador and sits roughly 30 miles south of the capital city of Quito.  Gaining its name after the Cotopaxi volcano that sits within its borders, the park also features two other volcanoes.  Cotopaxi volcano is the second highest summit in Ecuador at 19,347 feet and one of the most active volcanoes in the region.  Cotopaxi can be seen from Quito on a clear day and is one of the most commonly depicted landmarks in Ecuadorian art and culture.

Now- back to the horses!  If you have never been horseback riding before- this experience is for you.  If you are a seasoned pro- this experience is for you!  No matter what you experience or comfort level when it comes to horses is, this is guaranteed to become a memory you will never forget.

Upon arrival, you will likely have a bit of waiting to do as the guides saddle up your horses.  During this time you can shop the small market for any urgent goodies- in my case, I ended up buying socks, a hat, and gloves, as it was quite frigid, and I knew it would only get colder as we sped along on our mighty beasts.  Remember, the elevation is high and the air is thinner- it gets cold!

Once the horses are geared up and ready to go, things start to move pretty quickly.  You will be paired with a horse and assisted in getting on and getting situated.  And then you're off!  This was such a fantastic way to see the park because you will cover substantially more ground than if you were to hike or bike.  At the halfway point, we stopped for snacks and tea, and then mounted back up and headed back out.  

We were lucky and got to see a small herd of wild horses on our return journey.  Wild horses are found throughout the park and being able to watch them run through such untouched beauty was a truly majestic sight.

If you're lucky, you may even get to do a little running of your own- well, gallopping that is.  Just be sure you hold on tight!

By the time you get back, you might feel like you don't want the experience to end, but trust me, your body will be ready.  You might experience a sore back or brusied bottom because saddles are not the most luxurious seating options out there, but believe me when I say that the pain is worth it.  Gliding through the landscape, it almost feels like you've been placed on another planet.  It truly is unlike anything I've ever seen before.

If have visited Cotopaxi or ridden horses through some beautiful landscapes, let me know in the comments!