Colombia is a country of contrasts in geography and climate but as well in its natural environment and culture, there are differences in habits, traditions, beliefs and ways of life depending on the region you visit. But the one thing all Colombians have in common is that they are crazy about coffee and horses!

In Colombia, coffee is cultivated with vigorous passion and dedication. You taste this love for coffee in the final product. Coffee goes hand in hand with the horse and mule, which are indispensable partners on the plantations, carrying your coffee beans from the tree to your cup.

There are more than 563,000 families producing coffee in Colombia. Most Colombian coffee farmers live in small haciendas whose coffee cultivation plots are no more than 2 hectares (5 acres). Only around 5% of Colombian coffee producers have coffee plantations larger than 5 hectares (12 acres). The size of their coffee plots have allowed the Colombian coffee growing industry to remain essentially a family run business. Thus, the coffee people in Colombia believe that the family is their most important priority, and are very keen on protecting and maintaining a strong set of family values and traditions. And it’s exactly those families who will host and meet you on this trail ride.

We will take you to the heart of Colombia’s coffee triangle where at Hacienda Pilarica, at about 40km from Armenia, you will be received with open arms by a team of Colombian horse guides, hosts and by your trip leader, Paul. On average, you will be about six hours a day in the saddle and discover the stunning landscapes of the nature reserve Valley del Cócora and colonial villages like Salento, arriving at different coffee farms each day where you will find warm hospitality and learn all about coffee growing and coffee drinking. Average altitude during the ride is 2.000mts with an all year round ideal temperature of about 25C°. In addition to the riding, the wildlife here is also fantastic, especially birdlife!

Jill visited here and said:

"While off the beaten track in South America you will soon understand why they say; “Colombia, el unico riesgo es que te quieras quedar” meaning; “Colombia, the only risk is that you want to stay”. How true that saying is! I have travelled now twice to Colombia and I will go back, I have truly fallen in love with Colombia, such was the experience I had while riding in this beautiful country. The mix of the people, the horses and the fantastic scenery, was such that it is now one of my top rides in the world!"

A bit about Paul Codeny, your ride leader
Paul Coudenys, originally born in Belgium, at the age of 21, travelled backpacking around the globe. Three years later and with a luggage full of travel and riding experiences he returned to Belgium. During his long journey, he worked as a blacksmith shoeing horses at the polo club in Singapore and cowboy at a cattle station in Australia, then became a gaucho in South America and as a rider in too many other places and countries to mention.

In 1996 he founded “Hippo-Trek” and became one of the pioneers of worldwide riding holidays in Europe. Paul rode horses in 53 different countries and is in our opinion one of the most experienced trail riders in the world. Loving the great horse culture and hospitality in Latin America Paul decided to move to Brazil in 2010. He lives in the southern state of Santa Catarina, home of the South American gaucho (cowboy).

After years of experience in organising and guiding equestrian holidays and riding expeditions around the world, he now concentrates on trail rides and equestrian tourism in Latin America. He speaks 6 languages, loves life, is a very social person and knows like no other how to take you on a ride on the wild side!

Zara’s Planet is excited to work with Paul and having ridden with him ourselves, we can’t think of a better guide in South America to entrust our clients.