Horseback Riding from Guadalupe to Monserrate Private Day-Tour

Bogotá’s best views come with a saddle.

This six-hour private outing takes you from Guadalupe Hill to Monserrate on horseback, using mountain trails that show you a quieter side of the capital. I like the unusual route and the chance to connect Colombia’s pre-Columbian, rural, and colonial past with the hills themselves. I also like that guides such as Luis Vásquez, Diego, Francisco, and Marcela Tamayo have been praised for patience and personal attention, especially with first-time riders.

The main caution is the food information. The tour details say breakfast and lunch are not included, despite the highlights mentioning typical Colombian fare. One past booking also expected a snack that never arrived. Bring money for food and ask your guide at the start exactly what is planned.

Key points to know before you book

• You ride between Bogotá’s two famous religious hills, Guadalupe and Monserrate, rather than simply visiting them by car.
• The horseback portion lasts about 2.5 hours, with steep, rocky, wet, and sometimes rough trails.
• No previous riding experience is required, but this is not a gentle pony ride. You need to feel reasonably comfortable with uneven mountain terrain.
• The tour is private, so your group can receive more direct help and a slower introduction to the horses.
• Luis Vásquez is a strong guide request, based on his patient instruction, good English, and attention to altitude concerns.
• The $116 price includes private transport, riding, insurance, and a horse handler, but food and extra purchases are not included.

Why this route is different from a regular Monserrate visit

Monserrate is one of Bogotá’s signature sights. Most people reach it by cable car, funicular, or on foot. This trip adds a long approach through the Eastern Hills, beginning at Guadalupe and crossing toward Monserrate on horseback.

That change matters. Instead of treating Monserrate as a single viewpoint and church, you get a sense of how the hills connect to farming, forest, rural life, and religious traditions. The city remains below you, but the route can feel surprisingly remote.

I like that the experience is not built around a polished riding arena. The horses take you along country roads, farmland, pastures, forest, and rocky downhill sections. One experienced rider described steep dry river beds and rugged paths. Another person with very little riding experience said the careful introduction made the trip enjoyable.

That contrast tells you something useful. You do not need years in the saddle, but you should not book this expecting a flat, slow ride. The terrain is part of the attraction, and also the chief physical challenge.

Starting at Guadalupe Hill above Bogotá

Your guide and driver pick you up at your hotel and take you south through the mountains toward Guadalupe. The first stop is the Santuario de la Virgen de Guadalupe, a religious site with early views across Bogotá.

This is a good place to get your bearings before riding. You can look over the capital and see how quickly the dense urban area gives way to the hills. The stop is relatively short, about an hour, so it works as an introduction rather than a full church tour.

Guadalupe and Monserrate are often treated as sister hills. Beginning at the less commonly used horseback starting point gives the day a sense of movement. You are not simply going up one attraction and returning. You are crossing from one mountaintop area to another.

Altitude can affect you here. One family found that a member of the group needed time to adjust, and Luis waited patiently before continuing. That is an important advantage of a private tour. You can tell the guide if you need a pause without feeling that a large group is waiting.

Getting acquainted with the horses and the route

The riding section begins after transport toward the horse meeting point. The available information describes about 2.5 hours on horseback, although the itinerary gives the Monserrate portion as three hours. Allow flexibility. Mountain routes, weather, riding speed, and stops can change the exact timing.

A horse handler is included, along with all-risk insurance. Guides have also been praised for letting less experienced riders become comfortable before moving onto harder ground.

The first part may use country roads near farmland. This gives you time to settle into the saddle, learn how your horse responds, and watch the city views change. From there, the route becomes more demanding, moving onto forest paths and rough slopes.

Listen closely to the guide’s instructions. One rider found the downhill sections intimidating at first, then became more confident by following Luis Vásquez’s advice and trusting the horse. You can also walk for a portion if you are not comfortable riding a difficult section.

That option makes the tour more approachable, but it does not remove the need for basic fitness and balance. You should be ready for time in the saddle, changing elevation, and a trail that can become slippery or muddy.

The Eastern Hills on horseback

The Cerros Orientales are Bogotá’s natural backdrop and a popular area for walking, religious visits, and mountain views. From horseback, you see the hills at a slower pace than from a vehicle, but with more ground covered than on a standard walking visit.

The strongest part of the ride is the shift from rural roads to mountain trail. You may pass farmland and pastures before entering forest. The route then becomes steeper and rockier as it heads toward Monserrate.

Expect the horse to choose its footing carefully. The animals are described as sure-footed and confident, which matters on wet or uneven ground. Your job is to stay calm, follow the handler’s directions, and avoid trying to force the pace.

Clothing can take a beating. Wear clothes that can get dirty and waterproof boots or sturdy shoes. This is especially important because the trail may be wet, and the ride includes rugged sections rather than a groomed path.

You should also consider the weather. Bogotá’s mountain weather can change, and the tour requires good conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Stories of Colombia’s hills, faith, and rural life

The guide is not only there to manage the ride. The planned commentary connects the route with indigenous traditions, rural customs, and the history of colonial religion in Colombia.

As you ride toward Monserrate, the hills become a useful setting for understanding how different traditions overlap. Indigenous communities had long-standing relationships with the mountains before Spanish colonial religion reshaped the region. The churches and religious monuments you see today are part of that later history.

The guides also point out plants and fauna along the route. Luis was specifically praised for explaining local nature and for offering a detailed tour at Monserrate. The quality of this part will depend on your guide, but the private format gives you a better chance to ask questions.

This is one reason I prefer the experience to simply taking a cable car up and back. The cable car is quicker and easier. The horseback route gives you time to connect the scenery with the human history of the hills.

Food: plan carefully before leaving

Food is the clearest weakness in the tour description. The highlights refer to typical Colombian fare, breakfast, and lunch, while the included and not-included sections state that breakfast and lunch are not included.

Do not assume that a meal or snack comes with the $116 price. Bring Colombian pesos or another accepted form of payment for food and drinks. One completed tour included a light roadside breakfast of empanadas and hot sugarcane tea, but another group received no promised snack and had to buy food from vendors near the top of the mountain.

That difference may reflect the guide, the day, or an updated arrangement. Still, it is too important to ignore on a six-hour mountain trip. Eat before pickup if you can, and confirm the food plan with your guide when they contact you the day before.

The food stops can be part of the charm. Roadside empanadas and sugarcane tea sound more connected to the setting than a standard packaged snack. But because meals are not reliably included, treat any food stop as a possibility rather than part of the guaranteed value.

Arriving at Monserrate

The trail eventually brings you to Monserrate, where the setting changes again. You leave the quieter horse route and reach the famous viewpoint, cathedral, and visitor area above Bogotá.

The final arrival can feel earned. You have crossed a mountain route rather than simply stepped out of a vehicle. The views over the capital are the reward, especially if the sky clears after a cloudy start.

Monserrate can be lively, particularly on Sunday, when local religious visits and weekend activity make the site busier. That can add energy, but it may also mean more people around the cathedral and viewpoints. If you prefer a quiet mountaintop, ask about the expected timing.

The itinerary also refers to a walk through important city sites, including Casa Museo Quinta de Bolívar. The exact order and length of this stop may vary, so confirm with the guide if this museum or the city walk is a priority for you.

At the end of the day, you descend by cable car or funicular. This is a practical finish. After several hours on horseback and mountain paths, you do not need another strenuous descent.

What the $116 price gets you

At $116 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Monserrate. A basic visit using public transport and the cable car costs less. But the comparison is not quite even.

Your price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private driver, a horse handler, about 2.5 hours of riding, and all-risk insurance. You also receive guiding through the hills and the Monserrate area. The private format is especially valuable for a family or small group with mixed riding ability.

The price makes the most sense if you want an active day and would otherwise book separate transport, a riding excursion, and a guided visit. It is less attractive if your main goal is only the cathedral and city view.

Food is not included, and extra purchases are your responsibility. Budget for those separately. Also note that the tour information is inconsistent about breakfast, lunch, and snacks, so ask before departure rather than counting on them.

Who should book this horseback tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want something more adventurous than Bogotá’s usual city circuit. It suits people who enjoy horses, mountain scenery, local history, and a day that combines several kinds of travel.

It also works for beginners, provided you are comfortable with a rugged route. Guides have helped first-time riders become confident, and walking a difficult section is possible. Request Luis Vásquez if available, especially if you want patient coaching or English-language explanations.

This is not the best choice for you if you dislike steep paths, wet trails, dirt, or being in the saddle for several hours. It may also be a poor fit if you want a predictable food schedule or a relaxed sightseeing day with little physical effort.

The minimum age is 12. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, but the private pickup makes the day easier. If Bogotá is a layover stop, you can select the airport as your pickup point for the layover version.

You receive confirmation when booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

My verdict on the Guadalupe to Monserrate ride

Book this tour if you want Monserrate to be the climax of a real mountain outing, not just a quick stop above Bogotá. The horseback crossing, strong views, rural trails, and thoughtful guides make it far more memorable than a standard uphill visit.

Go in with the right expectations: this is a rugged trail ride, not a pony circuit. Wear waterproof footwear, bring food money, allow for altitude and weather, and confirm the meal arrangements. At $116, the value is strongest for people who want private transport, attentive guiding, and an unusual route through the Eastern Hills.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. The horseback portion is listed as about 2.5 hours, while the Monserrate section of the itinerary is described as three hours, so the exact schedule may vary.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $116 per person.

Is previous horseback riding experience required?

No. Previous experience is not required, and the guides can help beginners become comfortable with the horses.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12 years.

Is food included?

The included section says breakfast and lunch are not included. The tour information also mentions typical Colombian fare, and one completed outing included empanadas and sugarcane tea, but food should not be assumed. Confirm the arrangement with your guide and bring money for meals or snacks.

What does the price include?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, about 2.5 hours of horseback riding, all-risk insurance, and a horse handler.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.