VITERBO: Morning Horseride Through a River and a Belalcazar Afternoon

Just 10 minutes out of Viterbo you'll meet your new 4-legged best friend that will accompany you on the next 3 hours of your journey through this lush landscape.

Already saddled and ready to go you'll be introduced to your horse and given instructions (if needed) on how to mount and ride this beautiful animal.

Beginning your ride along these gravel roads you'll enjoy the passing landscapes filled with mountains of forests, and plantations of coffee, plantain, avocados, and so much more. Your path will lead you past traditional fincas and across small creeks that sometimes flood the road during the heavy rains. 

Turning off this road you'll travel along the side of a river before entering into a forest of giant Guadua (bamboo). You'll immediately feel the temperature cooldown by 2-3 degrees, as you ride into this beautiful and surreal location. You'll dismount and enjoy the Guaduales (forest of Guadua) on the banks of the river by foot for a short time, before mounting your horse again and continuing your journey into the river, and passing through the other side of the Guadua forest. You'll continue your ride up the river for a while before coming out onto the banks and into a plantation of sugar cane. Following a path through this sweet plantation, you'll enjoy new landscapes as you slowly begin your journey back to Viterbo in time for some "me-time" and a spot of lunch before you're afternoon adventure to Belalcazar.

Recommendations: 

• Long pants and long sleeve top
• Sunhat or cap
• Change of socks and shoes (unless you have waterproof boots)

To enjoy the spectacular view of Belalcázar, you will need to travel up through a winding road between plantations of coffee and platano (like bananas) to the peak of Cerro del Alto del Oso. You’ll encounter fantastic views along the way, but nothing that will compare to the spectacular view from the peak of the mountain.

Here you will find a giant 45.5 m tall (148 ft) statue of Christ the King, that was constructed over a 7-year period from 1947-1954, with the hope of ending political bloodshed, and restoring peace upon Colombia.

The view from the base of the statue is quite amazing, as on a clear day you can enjoy views for hundreds of miles in every direction of 4 states of Colombia: Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca.  You’ll have the opportunity to climb right up into the head of this giant statue as well. Enjoying even more wonderful sites from windows all the way up into the head of Jesus himself. But a word of warning, if you’re claustrophobic you may not enjoy the narrow stairs or the limited space, that gets smaller and smaller the higher you go.

You'll have time for plenty of photos here as well as a coffee or two before making your way back down into Viterbo with yet more magical memories to share with others.

What's included?

• Pickup and Drop-off from Viterbo
• Transport in private vehicle
• Guided Horseback ride
• Guided tour to Belalcazar
• All entrance fees
• Bilingual Tour Guide – Spanish, English.

• Experiences and Transportation not mentioned in the plan
• Personal expenses and tips