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6 Day Andes Biking Adventure

Quito, Cotopaxi, Papallacta, Otavalo, Pululahua
Not Rated
Duration

6 days

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

16 people

Languages

___

Overview

Join the most spectacular cycling adventure in Ecuador! Bike through the Andean mountains and tropical lush jungles while enjoying stunning landscapes of active volcanoes, craters, lakes, diverse wildlife and remote villages populated by traditional cultures. Do not miss this fantastic opportunity to discover your adventurous spirit and trek across the heart of Ecuador to have the experience of a lifetime.

“Unique Experiences:”

• Ride unknown trails and roads
• Staying at Haciendas

Highlights

  • COTOPAXI VOLCANO
  • PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS
  • CLOUD FOREST
  • OTAVALO MARKET
  • PULULAHUA CRATER
  • STAYING AT COLONIAL HACIENDAS

Bulk discount (by Percent)

Bulk discount children
#Discount groupFrom adultTo adultValue
1Single Supplement %
2Extra tranfer out (up tp 4 pax) %
3Extra night Quito (double per person) %
4Exta night Quito (single) %

Itinerary

Expand All
DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY

Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. We can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00pm hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Meals included: None
Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.

DAY 2: BIKING IN COTOPAXI

You will begin this adventure traveling south on the pan American highway for 2 hours through The Avenue of Volcanoes, it was named by the famous German explorer Alexander Vond Humboldt. On the way enjoy views of volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Illinizas, Pasochoa, and Corazon. Once we enter the park we will drive on the high alpine line where you will learn from our guide about the flora and fauna of the Paramo ecosystem, along the road you will cross a pine forest and with some luck, you could spot a whitetail deer.

Begin your journey in The Avenue of Volcanoes and start biking at an elevation of 13000 feet. Travel along a dirt road where wild horses and bulls roam, surrounded by the remains of the last eruption of Cotopaxi, which took place about 140 years ago. From here you will ride on an exciting single track all the way to the Pucara Inca Ruins, here our guides will prepare a delicious lunch for you. In the afternoon, we will continue on our way for about 1 hour to the Hacienda Santa Ana.

BIKING TIME.- from 2 to 4 hours
Biking Distance.- 20 miles ( 32 Km)
Elevation Gain.- 300 feet ( 91 m)
What to wear.- Biking shorts or pants, t-shirt, fleece, biking or tennis shoes.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Santa Ana Hacienda or similar

DAY 3: PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS

On this day, after breakfast, you will drive to the western part of the Ecuadorian Andes, our first stop is at the Guango Hummingbird Reserve, here enjoy the ability to view about 20 species of these marvelous birds, all while enjoying a cup of coffee or some amazon tea. Later, we continue to the Papallacta resort to check-in at your cabin with location right in front of the pools of volcanic water. Today, you will have lunch on your own as there are plenty of choices for restaurants that offer traditional food, in the afternoon you will go for a hike in the nearby cloud forest in search of orchids, bromeliads and several other different species of flora; with some luck, you could observe some birds such as tanagers, trogons, warbler, flycatchers and even a condor.

The rest of the day and night is yours to enjoy the volcanic hot springs and the Spa treatments high in the midst of the cool Andes.

Hiking time.- from 2 to 3 hours depending on the weather.
Hiking Distance.- 2 miles ( 3,2 Km)
Elevation Gain.- 500 feet (152 m)
What to wear.- T-shirt, hiking pants, tennis shoes, rubber boots for rent at the reserve, bring rain gear in your day pack as well as binoculars.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Termas Papallacta

DAY 4: BIKING IN CAYAMBE COCA

Travel upon a precious, exclusive road with no traffic in this high region. This is a special experience because this ecological reserve is very remote and pristine with little influence from people. While descending from 13000 ft (3962 m) to 9000 ft (2743 m), enjoy the views of the Andean fields and witness the surroundings of grassland and colorful flowers, with occasional deer and rabbits crossing. This park is home to the Spectacled Bear the only species in South America. Enjoy views of the Andean fields, the local people from the region depend much upon the agriculture of products like potato, corn, fava beans, lupine, etc.

You will arrive at the Hacienda to check-in during the early afternoon, later you will do an optional bike ride of 20 minutes each way to the Equator monument to learn a bit more of the Latitude 0.

Biking time.- from 2 to 4 hours.
Biking Distance.- miles 35 ( 56 Km)
Elevation Gain.- 350 feet ( 106 m ) optional elevation gain 3000 feet
What to wear.- Biking shorts or pants, t-shirt, fleece, biking or tennis shoes, biking gloves.

Meals included: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Guachalá Hacienda or similar.

DAY 5: BIKING TO OTAVALO

In the morning, venture for about 1 hour to the point where you will start biking. It will be along a beautifully paved road that surrounds the Imbabura Volcano and experience the great views of the San Pablo Lake and the small indigenous villages of this province. During our journey, we will stop to visit a weavers workshop and learn how they make their tapestries. Lunch is on your own and the rest of the afternoon is for you to explore the Otavalo Indigenous Market. Here you will find the best souvenirs for the best prices, and most importantly most of the products are made locally by families from the area. The main things you will find here are ponchos, tapestries, blankets, jewelry, etc. In the late afternoon, we will go to the hacienda for a welcome drink and a delicious dinner.

Biking time.- from 2 to 4 hours
Biking Distance.- 18 miles ( Km )
Elevation Gain.- Optional 1000 feet ( 304 m )
What to wear.- Biking shorts, t-shirt, biking or tennis shoes, biking gloves

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation: Pinsaquí Hacienda or similar.

DAY 6: BIKING INTO PULULAHUA

Today you will drive for two hours heading south on the Pan-American highway, the first stop will be in Tabacundo town to see the rose shops. Most of the people in this town depend on the rose farms, they are considered among the top 5 largest business’ of Ecuador. After, you will continue to the dry valley of Guayllabamba and stop for tasting the local fruit such as chirimoya.
Our bike ride will start at the small village of Yunguilla and will enter the Pululahua Crater on a dirt road into the beautiful Cloud forest. There is actually a geo-botanical reserve that is taking place inside the collapsed caldera of this old volcano. According to the experts, an immense eruption occurred here thousands of years ago and left these great formations, specifically the lava domes in the center of the volcano. While descending on our bikes, every curve will offer a chance to enjoy the amazing scenery, the two-wheel adventure will finish in the center of the caldera. You will have lunch prepared by our driver and guide, and in the afternoon is optional to hike out the volcano, otherwise, we continue back to Quito.

Biking time.- from 2 to 4 hours.
Biking Distance.- 15 miles (24 Km)
Elevation Gain.- 350 feet (106 m) Optional 1500 feet (457 m)
What to wear.- Water t-shirt, shorts, sandals, expedition hat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.

End of services.

Included/Excluded

  • Activities: Biking in Cotopaxi NP, Biking in Cayambe Coca ER, Biking to Otavalo, Biking into Pulilahua Crater, Hiking in Papallacta, Soaking in volcanic hot springs.
  • Accommodation based in double occupancy: Luxury hotel in Quito, 1 night in Papallacta Resort, 3 nights in Colonial Haciendas.
  • Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner.
  • Allow USD $120 for meals not included.
  • Transportation: private and comfortable land transportation.
  • Gear: Trek X caliber, 29 inches wheels, rock shock suspension, hydraulic brakes, Bontrager helmets.
  • Trip Leader: Certified expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and local guides.
  • International flights.
  • Single Supplement.
  • Airport transfers to/from Quito airport.
  • Travel insurance (mandatory).
  • Required immunizations (mandatory).
  • Meals not described in the itinerary (estimated budget USD $120)
  • Tips for guides and drivers (estimated budget USD $100)
  • Personal expenses.
  • Extra no specified on the itinerary.

Tour's Location

Quito, Cotopaxi, Papallacta, Otavalo, Pululahua

FAQs

Packing List
In this Journey you will experience mostly temperate weather, sometimes at night gets a bit cold, we recommend the use of a duffel bag (60 liters) for the main luggage and a daypack (20 liters) with a rain cover for activities, if possible bring a 10 liters dry bag for your small belongings while biking, the luggage will be transport by car.

-Passport
-Travel insurance
-Airline tickets
-Credit or debit card
-1 Buff
-1 Fleece top
-1 Rain jacket
-1 Rain pants
-4 Shirts/t-shirts
-2 or 3 Biking Shorts
-1 Biking full fingers gloves
-2 Long trousers or light hiking pants
-1 Swimming suit
-1 Extra formal clothing for the nightlife optional while in Quito
-1 Sport sandals (Chacos, keens or similar)
-1 Flip flops
-1 Tennis shoes
-1 Expedition hat
-1 Watch or alarm clock
-1 Binoculars
-1 Insect repellent
-1 Sun cream 50 SPF
-1 Flashlight
-1 Camera – waterproof if possible
-1 Water bottle
-1 Sunglasses
-First-aid kit(should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band-Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
-SMILE
Important details
ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions, it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention of specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

DRIVING TIME
2 hours driving a day

SEASON
All year

PROVINCE
Pichincha, Cotopaxi and Imbabura provinces.

TERRITORY
Central and northern Andes of Ecuador.

ALTITUDE
From 6900 feet ( 2100 m ) to 13000 feet ( 3962 m )

AVG. TEMP.
Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF

DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Moderate to Challenging. This program is located in the central and northern Andes of Ecuador and we cycle mostly on dirt roads, single track with one day on asphalt. The rides are mostly flat and downhill but there are also optional climbs depending on the physical level of the group. For people that need a break or are tired, they can ride on the bus with our driver but still enjoy the attractions.

ADVENTURE GEAR
Top of the line Bikes, TREK X Caliber 9, 10 speed Shimano Deore, rock shock suspension, hydraulic brakes, 29 inches wheels, Bontrager helmets.

ACCOMMODATION
All prices are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same-sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.

MEALS
One of the highlights of this trip is the Gastronomy, most of what we eat is organic and very fresh. Products like yucca, plantains, the heart of palm, salads, fish, chicken, beef, always coffee and tea. This is all prepared by professional chefs from the Haciendas, for picnic and box lunches we include a wide variety of fruit, protein, vegetables, and snacks. Vegans, Gluten-free and Vegetarians are welcome in our trips, there will always be options for them.

YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES
All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking, and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips.
In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation.
In the Galapagos Islands, a minimum of 4 participants for the trip leader service are required.

SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM
Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people's cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.

HEALTH INFORMATION
Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination, and Malaria Medication are mandatory for this trip. We strongly recommend to ensure that routine immunizations such as tetanus and diphtheria are up to date and to consider Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. Please ask your doctor for advice.
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