Ride Quito’s Teleférico to Cruz Loma, then follow horseback tracks up Pichincha for high Andean panoramas. This half-day pairing offers dramatic volcanic views with minimal technical demand—altitude is the main factor to plan for.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The gondola lifts you above the city, Quito shrinking into a quilt of streets while the Andean air grows thinner and sharper. At Cruz Loma the slopes open: volcanic rock, scrub grasses and terraces that point toward a ring of summits. Riders mount calm hacienda horses for a three-hour climb that edges higher into puna at roughly 4,600 meters, where views of Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antisana can appear on a clear day.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness; able to sit in a saddle for several hours and handle short uphill walking; prepare for high altitude.
Wildlife
History
Pichincha’s slopes have shaped Quito’s expansion; the Teleférico (opened 2005) transformed access to upper ridgelines traditionally reached only on foot or mule.
Conservation
Stick to marked trails and avoid feeding wildlife; the páramo is a fragile water source for Quito, so minimize waste and respect grazing areas.
Reserve your spot on the Private Half-Day Cable Car and Horseback Tour Above Quito today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize First
Spend a day or two in Quito (2,850 m) before ascending to 4,050–4,600 m to reduce altitude effects.
Shoes and stirrups
Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes that work in stirrups; the ride has sections of loose gravel and narrow tracks.
Sun and wind protection
High-altitude UV is intense—bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a windproof layer even on cool mornings.
Hydrate and eat
Carry water and a light snack; the combination of exertion and altitude increases dehydration risk.
Layered clothing
Quick-dry base, insulating mid-layer and windproof shell for rapid temperature shifts at high elevation.
Sunglasses & sunscreen
Protects against strong UV at altitude and reflective cloud/snow glare.
summer
Sturdy closed-toe shoes
Provides grip in stirrups and stability on gravel approaches to/from the horses.
Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
Keeps you hydrated; guides provide bottled water but having your own helps manage intake at altitude.