7 Days 6 Nights Cross Country Cycling and Haciendas
Join the most spectacular cycling adventure in Ecuador! Bike through the Andean mountains and lush rainforests while enjoying breathtaking landscapes of active volcanoes, craters, lakes, diverse wildlife, and remote villages populated by traditional cultures. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to discover his adventurous spirit and walk through the heart of Ecuador to have the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Departure place
Meeting point: Once the reservation is made, it will be coordinated
Days of operation: from Monday to Sunday
Itinerary
Day 1
DAY OF ARRIVAL TO QUITO
Meet with your leader and tour group at 6:00 pm.
Welcome to Quito! The largest and best preserved colonial city in America - declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978.
The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano.
Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the day exploring Quito's old town and surroundings.
ADVENTURE TRAVEL can help you organize a day trip (request in advance).
In the evening, one of our travel leaders will meet you in the hotel lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00.
At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure.
Our first day is an acclimatization and information day.
Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.
Meals included: None
Day 2
BICYCLE IN COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
We started this adventure traveling south on the Pan-American Highway for 2 hours through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, it was named after the famous German explorer Alexander Vond Humboldt.
On the way, enjoy the views of volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Ilinizas, Pasochoa and Corazon.
Once we enter the park we will drive along the high alpine line where we will learn from our guide about the flora and fauna of the páramo ecosystem, along the way you will go through a pine forest and, with a bit of luck, you will be able to spot a whitetail deer.
Begin your journey on the Avenue of the Volcanoes and begin biking at an elevation of 13000 feet
Travel down a dirt road where horses and wild bulls roam, surrounded by the remains of the last Cotopaxi eruption, which took place some 140 years ago.
From here, we will travel a unique and exciting track all the way to the Inca Ruins of Pucara, here our guides will prepare a delicious lunch for you.
In the afternoon, we will continue our way for approximately 1 hour to Hacienda Santa Ana.
Accommodation: Hacienda Santa Ana or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 3
PAPALLACTA SPA
On this day, after breakfast, we will go to the western part of the Ecuadorian Andes, our first stop is at the Guango Hummingbird Reserve, here you will enjoy the possibility of seeing about 20 species of these wonderful birds, while enjoying a cup of Amazon coffee or tea.
Later, we continue to the Papallacta resort to check in at your cabin with a location right in front of the volcanic pools.
Today, have lunch on your own as there are many restaurant options offering traditional food
In the afternoon we will hike in the nearby cloud forest in search of orchids, bromeliads and several other different species of flora; with a bit of luck you could observe some birds such as tanagers, trogons, warblers, 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 up in the cool Andes.
Accommodation: Termas Papallacta
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 4
BICYCLE IN CAYAMBE COCA
Travel on a beautiful and exclusive road without traffic in this high region.
This is a special experience because this ecological reserve is very remote and pristine with little influence from people. As you descend from 13,000 feet (3,962 m) to 9,000 feet (2,743 m), take in views of the Andean fields and witness the surrounding grasslands and colorful flowers, with the occasional crossbreeding of deer and rabbits.
This park is home to the Spectacled Bear is the only species in South America.
Enjoy the views of the Andes fields, the local people of the region depend a lot on the agriculture of products such as potatoes, corn, beans, lupine, etc.
We arrive at the Hacienda to check-in during the early hours of the afternoon, then we will do an optional 20-minute bike ride in each direction to the Ecuador monument to learn a little more about latitude 0.
Accommodation: Hacienda Guachalá or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 5
BIKE TO OTAVALO
In the morning, venture for about 1 hour to the point where we started biking.
It will be along a beautiful paved road that surrounds the Imbabura Volcano and experience the stupendous views of Lake San Pablo and the small indigenous towns of this province. During our trip, we will make a stop to visit a weaver's workshop and learn how they make their tapestries.
Lunch is on your own and the rest of the afternoon is to explore the Otavalo Indigenous Market. Here you will find the best souvenirs. To get the best prices, and most importantly, most of the products are made locally by families in the area.
The main things you will find here are ponchos, tapestries, blankets, jewelry, etc. At the end of the afternoon we will go to the hacienda for a welcome drink and a delicious dinner.
Accommodation : Hacienda Pinsaquí or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 6
BY BIKE IN PULULAHUA
Today we drive for two hours south on the Pan-American Highway, the first stop will be in the city of Tabacundo to see the rose shops.
Most of the people of this city depend on the rose farms, they are considered among the top 5 largest companies in Ecuador.
Then, we continue to the dry valley of Guayllabamba and stop to taste. local fruit such as custard apple. Our bike ride will start in the small town of Yunguilla and enter the Pululahua Crater on a dirt road towards the beautiful cloud forest.
There is actually a geobotanical reserve that is taking place within the collapsed caldera of this ancient volcano.
According to experts, an immense eruption occurred here thousands of years ago and left these large formations, specifically the lava domes in the center of the volcano.
Time descending on our bikes, each curve will offer the opportunity to enjoy the incredible scenery, the adventure on two wheels will end in the center of the caldera.
We will have lunch prepared by our driver and guide; and in the afternoon it is optional to walk through the volcano, otherwise we continue back to Quito.
Accommodation: Swissôtel Quito or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7
EXIT
Today our trip will end and you will have your international departures.
Take it with your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land.
We wish you a "good trip"!
Meals included: Breakfast
Includes
Transportation: private and comfortable ground transportation.
Accommodation based on double occupancy: 5 * hotel in Quito, 1 night at Papallacta Resort, 3 nights at Colonial Haciendas.
Meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
Activities: Cycling in PN Cotopaxi, Cycling in Cayambe Coca ER, Cycling to Otavalo, Cycling in the Pululahua crater, Hike in Papallacta, Soaking in volcanic hot springs.
Equipment: Trek X caliber, 29-inch wheels, Rock Shock suspension, hydraulic brakes, Bontrager helmets.
Tour leader : certified expert and local guides.
Not included
My Own Room Supplement - Estimated budget USD $ 415 .
Transfers from / to Quito airport.
Travel insurance (mandatory).
Required vaccinations (mandatory).
Meals not described in the itinerary - budget estimated at USD $ 120.
International flights.
Personal expenses.
Tips for guides and drivers - estimated budget USD $ 100.
