Ecuador Holidays – Biking expedition in Ecuador

Our eight–day program takes us through the best selection of mountain biking routes in Ecuador. Test your fitness level in the high paramo regions of Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Crater Lake, and Mojanda Lakes. At lower altitudes we find cloudforest and the warm weathered Chota Valley. Our carefully selected routes are diverse and range from sandy backroads to mud and single tracks.

Day 1: PULULAHUA CLOUDFOREST RESERVE
We have chosen this route for our first day for its easy access from Quito and the excellent ride that descends into the Pululahua Extinct Crater. We will traverse beautiful, prosperous valleys, admiring patches of cloud forest. We exit the crater through a single trail. Once we have finished our descent we will transfer to our hacienda in Cotopaxi. (L, D)

Day 2: COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we drive into Cotopaxi National Park, site of the highest active volcano in the world. We visit Limpiopungo Glacier Lake and Indian ruins. We pedal down the volcanic valley through volcanic dirt off–roads following the Pita River Gorge. This day will be mainly downhill into the valleys. We spend the evening in a colonial hacienda hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 3: QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE
We drive to the famous Quilotoa Crater Lake area where we find Tiguas, the local handcraft which consists of painted animal skins. This is one of our favorite mountain bike rides because of the sandy terrain combined with one of the most beautiful Andean landscapes in Ecuador. We spend the night in a typical Andean hostel. (B, L, D)

Day 4: TUNGURAHUA VOLCANO & BAñOS
We continue our trip south towards the Tungurahua province where we commence cycling on the hills of Niton. Our descent will be through the beautiful valley of the Patate River with impressive views to the Tungurahua volcano which measures high levels of activity. We will end our day entering into the mighty Pastaza gorge, which is the gateway to the Amazon. This night will be spent in Baños enjoying the natural hot springs. (B, L, D)

Mountainbiking at Cotopaxi – Ecuador

Day 5: EXPLORE & CYCLE BAñOS
Today we explore and enjoy Baños. In the morning we will trek to local waterfalls and the surrounding natural areas. The afternoon will find us riding downhill from above town where we can enjoy a spectacular views of town. This dramatic subtropical valley is rich in vegetation as the gorge deepens into the Amazon. Overnight in Baños. (B, L, D)

Day 6: THE ILLINIZAS FOOTHILLS
We will drive north to Pastocalle, located at the foothills of the Ilinizas twin peaks. We start biking through the paramo, down a dirt road that leads to the valley and the small town of Chaupi. Along the way, enjoy excellent views of the Ilinizas, Corazon, Sincholagua and many other surrounding volcanoes. Continue the journey following the old train tracks passing old train stations, farmlands and small colonial towns. We drive to Otavalo for the evening. (B, L, D)

Mountainbiking at Cotopaxi – Ecuador

Day 7: OTAVALO AND IBARRA
We spend this morning exploring the Otavalo Indian Market, the most famous handcraft market in Ecuador. Here you can find everything from Panama hats and wool clothing to woven baskets and rugs all made by the local Indian peoples. After the market, we will cycle through the valleys of the "lake province", visiting the mystical Peguche waterfalls. Finally we will descend to the towns of San Antonio and end in the town of Ibarra. The Imbabura volcano (father) and Cotacachi (mother) will delight us with their spectacular views throughout the route. We will spend this evening in a hostal near Ibarra. (B, L, D)

Day 8: THE WARM CHOTA VALLEY
Today we ride from Yaguarcocha (Blood Lake) down through sandy single trails into the unique life zone of the warm Chota valley. During this ride we will visit the local sugar cane plantations. This part of the valley gives us the feeling that we are in a remote part of Africa. From here we can admire how the impressive Chota River cuts its way down to the coast through cultural Afro–Ecuadorian towns and lifestyles. In the afternoon we return to Quito. (B, L)

Rated: Moderate to Challenging

Important facts: :
TRAVEL TIME: 1 to 3 hours per day
RIDING TIME: 3 to 5 hrs per day
SEASON: All year.
ALTITUDE: 3800 to 1500 m.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE HIGHLANDS: DAY 8–22 C NIGHT 6–12 C
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE CLOUDFOREST: DAY 20–30 C, NIGHT 15–20 C
SUGGESTED: lycra, gloves, cap, sunblock, warm cloths..

Price Includes:
Certified bilingual guides, support vehicle, KHS and TREK front suspended (RST) Mountain Bikes with 21 speed Shimano components, spare bike, meals as described and hotel–hacienda accommodations.

Price does not Include:
Entrance to National Parks, beverages in hotels, extras and tips.

Tour Tariff - Private Departures
N° of Participants	2	3	4
USD	$ 1343	$ 1023	$ 863
EUR	€ 1115	€ 849	€ 716
GBP	£ 752	£ 573	£ 483

Bike Ecuador

"Quito – Cotopaxi – Quilotoa – Illinizas – Otavalo – Chota– Quito"

"Ecuador"