Private Guided Tour of Colombia’s Paso Fino Horse

The main attraction here is not a short horseback ride. It is a close look at Colombia’s Paso Fino tradition, presented by the people who breed and raise these horses. At Criadero Lusitania in El Rosal, you’ll see the facilities, meet some of the farm’s notable horses, and watch the Colombian Criollo horse work through its different gaits.

I like the private format, since the ranch owners can explain the horses at your pace and answer your questions without a large group getting in the way. I also like the simple rhythm of the day: coffee and conversation, a ranch tour, lunch, then horses on the track.

The main consideration is the schedule. You spend much of the day traveling from Bogotá and visiting the property, and the posted times do not line up perfectly. The tour is described as roughly five to six hours, with departures listed around 9:00, 10:30, or 11:00 a.m., so confirm your pickup time before you go. Also, riding is not specifically promised. This is primarily a breeding, viewing, and demonstration experience.

Key points to know before booking

• A private visit to Criadero Lusitania: Your group has the ranch owners’ attention rather than joining a large shared outing.
• The horses are shown on a track: You can see the Colombian Criollo horse’s different gaits up close, along with examples of the ranch’s breeding work.
• Coffee begins the visit: The welcome includes Colombian coffee and a conversation about the owners’ history and work with horses.
• Lunch is included in the day: You’ll have a traditional Colombian meal at the ranch.
• The drive takes time: El Rosal is about one to one and a half hours from Bogotá by car, each way.
• Cancellation is flexible: You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Why the Paso Fino matters in Colombia

Colombia’s horse culture is easy to miss if you spend all your time in Bogotá’s museums, plazas, and restaurants. This outing gives you a window into a rural tradition built around breeding, gait, bloodlines, and patient training.

The Colombian Criollo horse is known for its distinctive ways of moving. At Criadero Lusitania, the focus is not only on seeing attractive horses in a field. You’ll learn about the breeding process and watch several horses perform on the track, where their movement is easier to see.

That makes this a good choice if you want context rather than a quick photo stop. The owners explain their own history and trajectory over coffee, then show you the facility and the stations used in their work. I like that order. You hear the story first, then see the place where the story happens.

The experience also gives you a closer look at the difference between simply owning horses and breeding horses. Genetics, selected bloodlines, daily care, and the presentation of a horse’s gait all matter here. The exact technical detail will depend on the questions you ask, but the private setting gives you room to ask them.

The drive from Bogotá to El Rosal

The outing begins with a car journey from Bogotá to El Rosal in Cundinamarca. The drive is listed as roughly one to one and a half hours, so you should treat this as a countryside excursion, not a quick activity in the city.

That road time affects the value of the tour in two ways. First, it lets you reach a working horse facility outside Bogotá rather than seeing a staged attraction in the city. Second, transportation takes a meaningful part of your day. If you have only a short stay in Bogotá, compare this with the city’s museums, food tours, and historic center before committing.

The supplied schedule includes a 9:00 a.m. start time, while the detailed plan says departure from Bogotá at 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. as agreed. The return is listed for about 6:30 p.m. The experience itself is described both as five hours and approximately six hours. I would confirm the exact pickup and return plan when booking, especially if you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another timed activity.

Coffee, conversation, and the ranch story

The visit opens with a cup of Colombian coffee. This is a small detail, but it sets the tone well. You are not rushed straight to a horse presentation. Instead, you begin with an informal talk about the ranch’s history and the owners’ path as Colombian horse breeders.

I find this opening useful because horse breeding can seem technical if you do not know what to look for. A short explanation gives you a frame for the rest of the visit. You can listen for references to genetics, breeding choices, gait, and the work involved in raising horses for the track.

The coffee also gives you a natural chance to ask questions. If you are curious about how the ranch began, how the owners choose horses, or what makes one gait different from another, this is the moment to raise it. The private format matters here. You are not trying to catch a guide’s attention while a group moves on.

The tone is likely to feel personal rather than formal. That can be a strength if you enjoy direct conversation with the people who run a place. It can be less appealing if you want a tightly scripted tour with set facts and a fast pace.

Touring Criadero Lusitania’s working facilities

After the welcome, you tour the facility and its different stations. The purpose is to show you how Criadero Lusitania operates as a horse-breeding property and to introduce you to some of its emblematic horses.

This part gives the day its strongest sense of place. You are seeing the working side of the operation, not just a performance area. The exact stations are not specified, so I would not expect a fixed checklist of barns, training areas, or medical facilities. Instead, think of this as an introduction to the ranch’s own process.

You may find that the owners spend more time on some horses than others. That is one advantage of a private visit. The itinerary says you can see several famous or notable horses, but it does not identify them by name or promise a particular animal. If you have a horse you especially want to see, ask in advance.

This is also where the experience can be most useful for families or first-time horse enthusiasts. You do not need a technical background to follow the basic story. The ranch setting, the owners’ explanations, and the chance to see the horses in person help turn an unfamiliar subject into something concrete.

Still, keep your expectations in check. This is not advertised as a veterinary lesson, a professional training course, or a hands-on grooming session. The focus is on seeing the facility, understanding the breeding work, and meeting the horses.

A traditional Colombian lunch at the ranch

A traditional Colombian lunch is part of the day. The meal breaks up the visit and keeps you from having to arrange food during a rural excursion.

The description does not specify the menu, so I would not plan around a particular dish or assume that every dietary request can be met. If you have food restrictions, ask before the tour. The provided information confirms the meal, but not the ingredients, serving style, or choice of dishes.

Lunch also adds value to the price. At $170 per person, you are paying for a private outing, transportation between Bogotá and El Rosal, the owners’ time, the facility visit, horse demonstrations, and food. It is not a cheap way to spend a few hours near the city, but it is a fuller day than a simple admission ticket.

The key question is how much you care about the subject. If you are only mildly interested in horses, the price may feel high once you account for the drive. If Colombian horse culture is a priority, the private access and personal explanations make the cost easier to justify.

Watching the horses on the track

The second part of the visit brings you closer to the Colombian Criollo horses and their different gaits. Several horses are shown on the track, where you can watch their movement in a clear setting.

This is the visual heart of the experience. On the track, you can focus on how each horse moves rather than trying to understand the gait while a horse stands in a stall. The owners can explain what they are showing, answer questions, and connect the movement to their breeding work and genetics.

The private setting is especially helpful here. A recent assessment of the experience praised how the ranch owners took time to explain, demonstrate, and answer questions in a personalized way. That detail tells you what to expect from the best part of the visit: conversation and demonstration, not just a quick parade of horses.

Do not assume that you will ride. The tour description promises that you will see and get to know the horses up close and watch them on the track, but it does not say that visitors mount the horses. If riding is essential to your plans, ask the provider directly before booking.

I also would not expect a show with theatrical production, music, or a large audience. The appeal is closer to a private presentation by breeders. You are there to observe movement, hear the owners explain the horses, and learn why particular gaits matter.

What $170 per person gets you

The price is $170 per person. That is a significant amount for a day outside Bogotá, but the number makes more sense when you consider what is bundled together.

You receive a private activity for your own group, a car journey to and from El Rosal, coffee, a talk with the ranch owners, a facility tour, lunch, and a track presentation with several horses. The private format is the biggest value factor. If you would rather ask questions and set the pace than follow a large group, this is where the extra cost earns its keep.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to see horses for a short time. The drive alone takes up to three hours round trip, and the total activity is listed as roughly five to six hours. You are paying for access and personal attention, not for a brief city attraction.

The perfect audience is someone who already has an interest in horses, Colombian rural traditions, or the Paso Fino world. It also suits a couple, family, or small group that values privacy. I would be more cautious about booking it for young children who need constant activity, or for anyone expecting a guaranteed riding session.

The experience has a perfect five out of five rating from 37 submitted ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That supports the idea that the format works well for people who want a personal, informative horse visit. It does not remove the practical questions about timing, transport, or riding, so ask those before you pay.

Who should book this horse experience?

I would choose this tour if you want to understand how Colombian horses are bred and presented, not simply take a countryside ride. The coffee, ranch conversation, facility tour, and track demonstration create a full picture of the work behind the horses.

It is also a strong fit for anyone who likes private activities. You can ask direct questions and spend more time on the parts that interest you. The ranch owners are described as taking time to explain and demonstrate, which is precisely what makes a private visit useful.

You may want another activity if you have limited time in Bogotá, dislike long car journeys, or need a precise schedule. The inconsistent published start times are worth noting. Confirm the details locally, and leave room around the tour if your plans are tight.

Service animals are allowed, the property is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The activity is private, with only your group taking part. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

My call on Criadero Lusitania

Book this if the Colombian Paso Fino is a real interest, or if you want a personal rural experience beyond Bogotá’s usual sights. The strongest reasons are the private access, the owners’ explanations, the look at breeding facilities, and the chance to watch different gaits on the track.

Skip it if you mainly want to ride, need a short activity, or are uncomfortable paying $170 for a day that includes substantial driving. Before booking, confirm the pickup time, total duration, lunch details, and whether any hands-on contact or riding is possible.

For the right visitor, this is a thoughtful way to meet Colombia’s horse culture through the people who practice it every day.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The experience takes place at Criadero Lusitania in El Rosal, Cundinamarca, outside Bogotá.

How long does the experience last?

The tour is described as approximately six hours, while another part of the information lists five hours. The return to Bogotá is planned for about 6:30 p.m.

How long is the drive from Bogotá to El Rosal?

The drive takes approximately one to one and a half hours by car.

What time does the tour start?

A start time of 9:00 a.m. is provided, while the detailed plan lists departure from Bogotá at 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. as agreed. Confirm your exact departure time when booking.

What happens when I arrive at the ranch?

You receive a welcome with Colombian coffee and a conversation about the ranch owners’ history and work as horse breeders.

Will I tour the horse-breeding facilities?

Yes. The visit includes a tour of the facility and its different stations, along with introductions to some of the ranch’s notable horses.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The day includes a traditional Colombian lunch.

Will I see the horses’ different gaits?

Yes. The second part of the experience includes Colombian Criollo horses on the track, where you can see their different gaits and learn about the ranch’s genetics.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not eligible for a refund.