THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Ride the Teleférico to Cruz Loma, swap city streets for volcanic trails, and spend a day linking Quito’s colonial heart with high-altitude Andean vistas on horseback. Practical, private, and panoramic.
Ride the Teleférico to Cruz Loma, swap city streets for volcanic trails, and spend a day linking Quito’s colonial heart with high-altitude Andean vistas on horseback. Practical, private, and panoramic.
The cable car hums and lifts you out of the city’s grid; within minutes Quito shrinks into rooftops and plazas, the valley opening beneath a ring of volcanic shoulders. At Cruz Loma the air sharpens—thin, cold, and bright—while horses stamp and breathe, ready to carry you along volcanic slopes with sweeping views back to the colonial center.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Latin Adventures Cía Ltda · Quito, Pichincha
The cable car hums and lifts you out of the city’s grid; within minutes Quito shrinks into rooftops and plazas, the valley opening beneath a ring of volcanic shoulders. At Cruz Loma the air sharpens—thin, cold, and bright—while horses stamp and breathe, ready to carry you along volcanic slopes with sweeping views back to the colonial center.
This full-day private tour pairs Quito’s UNESCO-listed historic core—baroque churches, Plaza Grande and the cathedral—with high-altitude Andes terrain on Pichincha. Geologically Pichincha is a stratovolcano whose eruptions and lahars have sculpted the western flanks of the city; the Teleférico gains nearly 1,200 meters in elevation to a lookout where fumarolic rocks crowd the trailheads. Culturally the day balances colonial Quito’s silver-gilt interiors and narrow streets with the rural highland life visible on the volcanic slopes: grazing horses, páramo grasses, and roadside fruit vendors.
Expect about eight hours including transfers, cable car ascent and descent, roughly 3 miles (5 km) riding on mostly firm, uneven volcanic paths, and short urban walks between sights. Altitude is the variable here—Quito sits around 2,850 m (9,350 ft); the Teleférico climbs above 3,900–4,000 m (12,800–13,100 ft). Practical notes: dress in layers for wind and sun, bring water and sunscreen, and factor a gentle acclimatization buffer if you’ve just arrived. The operator provides private transport, admission for the cable car, certified bilingual guide and horses; it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with serious back problems. With clear skies the reward is immediate: cityscape, volcano rims and the Andes pushing the horizon forward like a living map.
moderate.
8 hours.
Moderate fitness—comfortable walking, short urban strolls, and a 3-mile horseback ride at altitude. Able-bodied and steady on a horse recommended.
The ride covers almost 3 miles (≈5 km) over mostly gentle volcanic slopes; basic riding ability is sufficient—guides provide brief instruction and matched horses for different skill levels.
Yes—parts of the tour reach around 3,900–4,000 m. Take it easy, hydrate, avoid alcohol beforehand, and notify the operator of any cardiac or respiratory issues; allow a day in Quito to acclimate if arriving from sea level.
Yes—private hotel pickup and drop-off are included for central Quito hotels; you’ll select a pickup point when booking and should check for any restrictions on remote locations.
This is a private tour but requires a minimum of two paying guests per booking; cancellation for full refund is allowed 24 hours before departure.
Quito’s historic center dates to Spanish colonial layout from the 16th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site; Pichincha’s eruptions have repeatedly reshaped urban and rural borders.
High-altitude páramo ecosystems are fragile—stay on designated trails, avoid feeding wildlife, and pack out waste; operators often support local guides and limit trail impacts.
Latin Adventures Cía Ltda operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The cable car hums and lifts you out of the city’s grid; within minutes Quito shrinks into rooftops and plazas, the valley opening beneath a ring of volcanic shoulders. At Cruz Loma the air sharpens—thin, cold, and bright—while horses stamp and breathe, ready to carry you along volcanic slopes with sweeping views back to the colonial center.
The cable car hums and lifts you out of the city’s grid; within minutes Quito shrinks into rooftops and plazas, the valley opening beneath a ring of volcanic shoulders. At Cruz Loma the air sharpens—thin, cold, and bright—while horses stamp and breathe, ready to carry you along volcanic slopes with sweeping views back to the colonial center.
This full-day private tour pairs Quito’s UNESCO-listed historic core—baroque churches, Plaza Grande and the cathedral—with high-altitude Andes terrain on Pichincha. Geologically Pichincha is a stratovolcano whose eruptions and lahars have sculpted the western flanks of the city; the Teleférico gains nearly 1,200 meters in elevation to a lookout where fumarolic rocks crowd the trailheads. Culturally the day balances colonial Quito’s silver-gilt interiors and narrow streets with the rural highland life visible on the volcanic slopes: grazing horses, páramo grasses, and roadside fruit vendors.
Expect about eight hours including transfers, cable car ascent and descent, roughly 3 miles (5 km) riding on mostly firm, uneven volcanic paths, and short urban walks between sights. Altitude is the variable here—Quito sits around 2,850 m (9,350 ft); the Teleférico climbs above 3,900–4,000 m (12,800–13,100 ft). Practical notes: dress in layers for wind and sun, bring water and sunscreen, and factor a gentle acclimatization buffer if you’ve just arrived. The operator provides private transport, admission for the cable car, certified bilingual guide and horses; it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with serious back problems. With clear skies the reward is immediate: cityscape, volcano rims and the Andes pushing the horizon forward like a living map.