Private Guided Tour of Colombia’s Paso Fino Horse

Colombia’s Paso Fino is not simply a pretty horse for a photo. Its famous, exceptionally smooth gait comes from careful breeding, years of training, and a strong place in Colombian culture. This private visit to Criadero Lusitania takes you from Bogotá into the countryside for a close look at that work, with horses shown on the track rather than behind a fence.

I like the personal format. You have the ranch owners’ attention, time to ask questions, and a chance to see their best-known horses. I also like the rhythm of the day: coffee and conversation first, a facility tour next, lunch in the middle, and the horses in motion afterward.

The main drawback is the long road day. The drive from Bogotá to El Rosal can take one to one and a half hours each way, and the timing details vary between a 9:00 a.m. start and a 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. departure. Confirm your pickup time before you go.

Key points about the Paso Fino visit

• A private ranch experience: Only your group takes part, so you can ask questions without keeping pace with a large tour.
• The horses are shown in motion: The second part focuses on the Colombian Criollo horse, its different gaits, and demonstrations on the track.
• Coffee starts the conversation: You begin with Colombian coffee and a talk about the breeders’ history and work.
• Lunch is part of the day: A traditional Colombian lunch breaks up the facility visit and horse presentation.
• The drive is part of the commitment: Plan for roughly six hours overall, with the return to Bogotá scheduled around 6:30 p.m.
• The price reflects privacy: At $170 per person, the value depends on how much you care about direct access to breeders and a focused horse presentation.

Why Colombia’s Paso Fino deserves your attention

The Colombian Paso Fino is known for its controlled, unusual way of moving. The horse advances with a quick, precise foot pattern that gives the rider a notably smooth ride. You do not need to be an expert in breeding or equestrian sport to notice the difference once the horses are moving on the track.

This visit gives you useful context before that demonstration. Instead of seeing a horse perform for a few minutes and leaving with little explanation, you first hear about the breeding process, visit the facility, and see several horses connected with the ranch. That order matters. By the time the horses appear on the track, you have a clearer idea of what to watch.

I also appreciate that the focus is on the Colombian Criollo horse, not just on a generic horseback riding outing. The supplied plan does not describe a riding lesson or a trail ride. You go to learn how the horses are bred, cared for, and presented, then to watch their gaits up close.

From Bogotá to El Rosal in about 90 minutes

The day begins with a drive from Bogotá toward El Rosal in Cundinamarca. The stated travel time is about one hour to one and a half hours, depending on the exact departure point and road conditions. This is an important part of your planning because the excursion is not a quick city activity. It takes you out of Bogotá for a full country visit.

The schedule lists a 9:00 a.m. start, while the ranch program describes departure at 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. by agreement. That difference should not be ignored. Ask for the confirmed pickup time when you book, particularly if you have an early morning hotel plan, a flight later in the day, or another reservation.

The drive is arranged by car, and the experience returns you to Bogotá at about 6:30 p.m. You should think of this as an all-day outing even though the activity is also described as lasting about five to six hours. The road time, ranch program, and return transfer make the day longer than the headline duration may suggest.

Coffee, conversation, and the breeders’ point of view

At the ranch, the welcome begins with a cup of Colombian coffee. That sounds simple, but it gives the day a comfortable start. You can sit down, meet the people behind the operation, and hear about their history and work before the more technical parts begin.

The owners are central to the experience. They explain the ranch’s process as Colombian horse breeders and leave room for questions. That personal contact is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour instead of simply visiting a public attraction where you watch a set performance and move on.

I would use the opening conversation to ask about the horses you will see later. Ask which animals are considered emblematic, how the ranch talks about bloodlines and genetics, and what signs you should watch for in the different gaits. The private format gives you a better chance to ask those questions at the right moment.

The coffee welcome is also useful if you know little about Paso Fino horses. You can get the basic terms explained before the facility tour, rather than trying to understand everything while a horse is already moving on the track.

Touring the facility and seeing the breeding process

The first main section takes you around the ranch’s different stations. These have been designed to explain the operation and the steps involved in breeding Colombian horses. The exact stations are not listed, so you should not expect a fixed museum-style sequence with labeled exhibits. Instead, the visit appears to use the working facility itself as the classroom.

You can see some of the ranch’s emblematic and famous horses during this part. That gives the tour a personal edge. You are not looking at an anonymous display of horses. You are being introduced to animals that matter to the breeders and help show the results of their work.

The value here is the link between genetics, care, and movement. A horse’s gait does not appear by magic on the track. Breeders make decisions over time, and the facility tour helps you understand that the horses you later watch are part of a longer process.

Keep your expectations practical. The information provided does not promise a full veterinary lesson, a chance to groom every horse, or hands-on riding. You may see horses up close and learn about the process, but the main purpose is explanation and observation.

A traditional Colombian lunch in the middle of the day

A traditional Colombian lunch follows the facility visit. The specific dishes are not listed, so I would not arrive expecting a particular regional specialty. What is clear is that lunch is part of the ranch program, rather than a separate search for a restaurant during the transfer.

This pause helps the day feel less rushed. You have already toured the facility and heard about the breeders’ work, so lunch gives you a chance to process what you have seen before the horse presentation begins.

For you, the practical point is that the meal adds value to an already long outing. It also means you should allow the ranch program to set the pace. This is not an attraction where you race through a short display, grab food on your own, and head back to the city.

Because the experience takes place outside Bogotá, it is sensible to mention any dietary needs when booking. The available details do not specify menu choices or dietary arrangements, so do not assume that a special meal is included unless the provider confirms it.

Watching the Colombian Criollo horses on the track

The second part is the heart of the day. You get to see the Colombian Criollo horse up close, learn about its different gaits, hear more about the ranch’s genetics, and watch several horses on the track.

This is where the earlier explanations pay off. Look at the footwork, the regularity of the movement, and how the horse carries itself. The point is not only to admire the animal. You are learning to recognize the qualities that breeders work to preserve.

The review information highlights the owners’ willingness to explain, demonstrate, and answer questions. That fits the structure of the day. You are not limited to a short show with a fixed script. The private setting lets you ask for clarification if two gaits look similar or if you want to understand why one horse is presented differently from another.

I would ask the guide to identify the differences between the gaits in plain terms. You can also ask how age, training, and genetics affect what you see. The tour specifically includes discussion of genetics, but the amount of detail may depend on your questions and the time available.

Do not confuse this with a guaranteed riding experience. The published plan describes watching horses on the track and getting to know them close up. It does not state that visitors ride. If riding is important to you, ask before booking rather than assuming the track presentation includes it.

What $170 per person buys you

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day outside Bogotá. The price makes more sense if you value a private group, direct access to breeders, transport by car, lunch, and a focused horse presentation.

A public horse show might cost less, but it would not necessarily give you the same time with the people who breed the animals. A standard city tour might also be easier to fit into your schedule, but it would not offer the same connection to Colombia’s equine traditions.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a quick look at a Paso Fino or a short horseback ride. The day is built for people who want to understand the horses, their breeding, and their gaits. You are paying for the setting, the personal explanation, the private arrangement, and the time required to travel to the ranch.

The rating is 5 out of 5 from 37 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the experience. The strongest praise concerns the owners’ personal approach: they take time to explain, demonstrate, and answer questions. That is the feature I would place the greatest value on, especially if you are curious and like asking follow-up questions.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this tour to horse lovers, equestrian students, photographers interested in working animals, and anyone curious about a distinctive part of Colombian culture. You do not need a technical background. A basic interest in animals and local traditions is enough to make the day worthwhile.

It also suits you if you prefer a private visit to a crowded group excursion. Since only your group participates, you can set the tone. You might ask detailed questions about genetics, or you might focus on the horses’ appearance and movement.

Families may also find the format appealing because the day includes several changes of pace: a drive, coffee, a facility visit, lunch, and the track presentation. Still, the six-hour program and road time may be tiring for very young children. The available information says most travelers can participate, but it does not give a minimum age or a child-specific schedule.

You should choose another activity if your priority is riding. Nothing in the program confirms that visitors mount the horses. This is an educational and viewing experience centered on breeding and gait demonstrations.

Timing, transport, and small practical matters

The tour is private, which removes one common problem: waiting for strangers or adjusting every stop to a large group. You still need to keep the day open because the trip runs from Bogotá to El Rosal and back.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Most people can participate. Those details make the outing fairly accessible from a planning point of view, though the information does not describe the vehicle, ranch surfaces, or specific accessibility arrangements.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, so check the final time carefully before the cutoff.

I would wear comfortable clothes suited to a country ranch and shoes you do not mind using around a horse facility. That is practical advice rather than a stated dress rule. The supplied details do not list required clothing, weather arrangements, or a packing list.

Should you book the Criadero Lusitania visit?

Book it if you want more than a quick horse show. The best reason to go is the chance to hear directly from the breeders, tour their facility, see notable horses, and watch the Colombian Criollo’s gaits in a private setting.

Think twice if you have limited time in Bogotá, dislike long road transfers, or mainly want to ride. The schedule is a full-day commitment, and the departure details need confirmation.

For the right person, $170 is a fair price for a focused, personal introduction to Colombia’s Paso Fino tradition. I would confirm the pickup time, lunch arrangements, and whether any riding is offered before paying. If those points match what you want, this is a strong choice for a close look at one of Colombia’s most distinctive horse traditions.

FAQ

Where does the Paso Fino experience take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The activity is described as lasting about five to six hours. The full day includes travel from Bogotá, and the return to Bogotá is scheduled for about 6:30 p.m.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting information lists a 9:00 a.m. start. The ranch schedule lists departure from Bogotá at 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. by agreement, so confirm the exact pickup time when booking.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included?

The program includes a traditional Colombian lunch. Specific dishes and dietary options are not listed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.