Panoramic horseback ride in a tropical dry forest reserve · near Cartagena
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At a glance
Duration
6 hours
Morning shift 7 AM – 1 PM · Afternoon shift 12 PM – 6 PM
Price
USD $150 per person
Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. All inclusive.
Group
Max. 5 people per guide
Small groups, bilingual guide Spanish/English.
Minimum age
16 years
Minimum age to ride a horse on mountain terrain
What's included
Everything, no extras
Private door-to-door transport + breakfast + lunch + bilingual guide + activity + native tree planting.
Tree planting included
A native tree
Each visitor plants their own tree in the tropical dry forest restoration area.
Location
Villanueva, Bolívar
35 km from Cartagena · view on Google Maps →
Languages
English and Spanish
Horseback ride through the tropical dry forest: a pace the forest welcomes.
There are speeds at which the forest doesn't respond, and others at which it does. The horseback ride is one that works: the horse's rhythm syncs with the forest's, wildlife doesn't startle, details come into focus. You move through a 1,300-acre reserve where the foundation rehabilitates and releases parrots, macaws, and other tropical dry forest species — the same territory where, in a few months, those animals will fly free.
The day starts with a traditional breakfast by the lake and a short talk about the foundation's work. Then we ride out with a guide — healthy horses, attention to your experience level — and climb to the panoramic viewpoint over the mountain range. Before the end of the day, you feed some of the animals in rehabilitation and plant a native tree in the restoration zone.
Tropical dry forest reserve, near Cartagena.
You are in Villanueva, Bolívar — one of the few remaining tropical dry forest patches in the Colombian Caribbean, home to Amazonian parrots, macaws, toucans, howler monkeys, and the cotton-top tamarin. The reserve protects the habitat to which the foundation returns animals rescued from illegal trade.
Every peso from your experience is reinvested directly into the foundation's mission: caring for individual animals, restoring the ecosystem, and sustaining the partnerships with rural farmers who protect the territory.
"The view is beautiful and the horseback ride is rejuvenating." — Maps51, Tripadvisor (June 2025)
Itinerary
What your day looks like
Choose the shift that works best for you. Both cover all Stations of El Sendero hacia la Libertad — only the start time changes.
7:00
12:00
60 min
Pickup at your hotel
We pick you up in Cartagena with private door-to-door transport. Approximately 1 hour to Villanueva, Bolívar.
8:00
13:00
30 min
Arrival and breakfast by the lake
Welcome breakfast made with ingredients from our farm.
8:30
13:30
30 min
Conservation talk
How the Foundation works: rehabilitation, reintegration, and restoration of the tropical dry forest.
9:00
14:00
150 min
Panoramic horseback ride
Healthy horses, riding at your level. Climb to the panoramic overlook on the mountain range. A slow pace that respects the wildlife.
11:30
16:30
30 min
Farm lunch
Lunch made with local ingredients and produce from our own farm.
12:00
17:00
30 min
Plant your native tree
You plant your own native tree in the tropical dry forest restoration zone. It's your physical legacy — the same tree that tomorrow will give food and shelter to the released parrots.
12:30
17:30
30 min
Farewell and return
We return to Cartagena by private transport. Estimated arrival at 13:00 (morning shift) or 18:00 (afternoon shift).
The Trail to Freedom
Your place on the trail
Each experience covers some of the 11 stations in the real rehabilitation and reintegration process. The ones you'll live are highlighted.
Breakfast at the Lake
Fruit Kitchen
Feeding the birds
Aversion training
Trail of the tití monkeys
Nursery · tree selection
Horseback ride along the trail
Release point
Agroecological point
Commemorative tree planting
Toast and certificate
Station 7 · Horseback Ride
To move forward in freedom, you first have to quiet the mind.
Alejandro Rigatuso · Founder, Fundación Loros
The impact behind your visit
Real numbers from the foundation's work
Every experience you book funds this measurable, verifiable work. These are the numbers behind the only specialized psittacine center in Colombia.
60+
Birds released and site-faithful
Parrots and macaws that flew back to the forest
200+
Birds in active rehabilitation
Rescued from illegal trade and in the process of reintegration
500 ha
Protected tropical dry forest
One of the most threatened ecosystems in the Caribbean
20.000+
Trees planted in the reserve
Nursery on-site · native and fruit-bearing species
80
Years of longevity
What a parrot or macaw can go through
1.000+
Parrots seized per year in Colombia
The reason the Foundation exists
Voices That Rode
What the horseback ride left inside them
The most unforgettable part for me — real food for the soul — was riding a horse through the forest, up the hill, at sunset. That moment was incredibly peaceful and emotional, and I know I will remember it for the rest of my life.
Ieva M.· Letonia
Viator · Diciembre 2025
El panorama es muy lindo y la montada a caballo es rejuvenecedora.
Maps51
Tripadvisor · Junio 2025
Great experience where you will meet great people who are preserving the nature of a beautiful country by caring of animals and freeing them to maintain the circle of life.
ESTEFANY· Estados Unidos
GetYourGuide · Febrero 2025
What a wonderful day we had. The guides were amazing and the horse ride was super fun. I loved learning about the refuge and it felt good knowing that the cost of this activity goes towards supporting the project. Highly recommend.
Saul· Reino Unido
GetYourGuide · Enero 2026
Amazing experience (with a great variety of activities) and very well organized. The guides were great and tailored the riding to our level. Our highlight was riding to see the monkeys and trail riding up the mountain. Would recommend for all levels!
Nic· Canadá
GetYourGuide · Febrero 2025
These testimonials are real customer reviews. They can be verified on:
Frequently asked questions
What's included in the price?+
Round-trip transport from Cartagena, breakfast and lunch made with ingredients from our farm, bilingual guide Spanish/English, all program activities, and the conservation contribution.
Are there discounts for children or groups?+
Children up to 16 years old pay 50%. For groups of more than 6 people or special inquiries, write to us using the inquiry button and we'll send you a personalized quote.
What is the minimum and maximum age?+
The minimum age is 7. There is no maximum age — the experience suits people in good general physical condition. If you have questions about the physical demands for your group, contact us.
How large are the groups?+
We work with small groups: a maximum of 5 people per bilingual guide. This lets us offer a personalized experience, respect the wildlife, and keep a comfortable pace for everyone.
What should I bring?+
Comfortable, breathable clothing, closed-toe shoes with good grip (no sandals), a cap or hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera, and water (we provide reusable bottles). For birdwatching and hiking, long pants are best.
Where do you pick us up and at what time?+
We pick you up at your hotel, accommodation, or an agreed meeting point in Cartagena, in private door-to-door transport. Two shifts are available: morning (pickup 7:00 AM, return ~1:00 PM) and afternoon (pickup 12:00 PM, return ~6:00 PM). The exact location and time are confirmed 24 hours in advance via WhatsApp.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Cancellations more than 72 hours in advance: full refund. Between 72 and 24 hours: 50% refund. Less than 24 hours or no-show: no refund. If we cancel due to weather or safety reasons: full refund or reschedule.
Is it suitable for people with limited mobility?+
Some experiences involve walking on uneven terrain. For guests with limited mobility, we have adapted options (UTV rides, on-farm observation). Tell us your situation through the inquiry option and we'll put something together for you.
What languages is the experience offered in?+
All our guides are bilingual in Spanish and English. If your group needs another language, write to us in advance and we'll see what we can coordinate.
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