Accommodation is provided at charming small hotels
Bike with amazing views of the Andes
Stand up and Paddle San Pablo Lake in front of the Imbabura sacred volcano
Explore local Indigenous Markets
Trek the rim of the Cuicocha Crater Lake
Learn about the Culture of the Andes
Share time with the local indigenous people
Stay at unique places in every location
Be led by top Activexpedition experienced guides at every step you take
Support sustainable travel to preserve culture and nature
Biking
Trekking
Paddling
Culture
Wildlife
Year around
8 years old
Full Itinerary
Biking To Otavalo Market
Overnight: Yellow Guest House or Similar
Meals included: Lunch
Stand Up and Paddle San Pablo Lake
Overnight: Yellow Guest House or Similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Trekking the rim of Cuicocha
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide
Private Transport
Accommodation for two nights
Meals as listed in the Itinerary
Water and snacks available whenever
Water bottle
Biking gear: Trek quality bikes with front suspension, certified helmets and gloves.
Paddling gear: NRS inflatable sup boards, life jackets and paddles
Hiking gear: Black Diamond poles
All fees to reserves and museums
International or domestic flights
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips for guides and drivers
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Airport transfers
Itinerary Disclaimer: Even though we have a detailed itinerary, changes can be made by your guides, due to weather or safety reasons. Please also note that none of the wildlife sightings mentioned on the itinerary are guaranteed.
Visas and Passports: Make sure you check your visa and passport validity and requirements per country. It is important your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your travel.
Accommodation: We strive to use small and charming places that are unique and provide stellar service.
Single Supplement Costs: Generally this fee is not incurred as we match you with another person of the same gender in a twin room, but if you prefer not to share and have your own room, then there will be an associated fee
Transportation: Driving time can take more than expected in Ecuador, as it is a small country with roads meandering through the Andes mountains. We assure your comfort during transit no matter the size of the group.
Gear: At Activexpediton we always make sure our guests have top of the line gear from well-known and reputable international brands as we understand that the best gear gives extra confidence to our riders. For biking, we use Trek X-caliber and Marlin, Trek Fuel EX5, and for protection, we use Bontrager and Oneal, all water gear is from NRS certified brand.
Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 3 out of 5, meaning you don’t need to have much of experience, your guides will teach you every day how to ride, paddle and trek on the varying terrain or ecosystems. The bike ride is mostly downhill on dirt roads and single tracks, the paddling on the lake is done early the morning before the wind comes, during the trekking, the first uphill is a bit challenging but you can take as many breaks as you need or also the driver can take you to the halfway trail entrance.
Weather and Elevation: In Ecuador the weather can be very variable depending on which side of the Andes you are traveling to, so it is highly recommended to come ready for all kinds of weather. When they say “Ecuador, All in One Place” they mean it! The altitude determines the temperature and the higher you go the colder it gets. Don’t let the geographic location of the country fool you. Even at a mere 15,000 feet the temperatures can feel like those of a winter in the northern United States. The coastal lowlands in the western part of Ecuador are typically warm with temperatures in the region of 25 °C (77 °F). Coastal areas are affected by ocean currents and between January and April are hot and rainy. The weather in Quito is consistent with that of a subtropical highland climate. The average temperature during the day is 70 °F (21 °C), which generally falls to an average of 50 °F (10 °C) at night. The average temperature annually is 64 °F (17.8 °C). There are only really two seasons in the city: dry and wet. The dry season runs from June to September and the wet season is from October to May.
Sustainability: We do our best to not produce any trash; we believe that recycling is not enough so we try to avoid using any plastic or materials that pollute our environment. Every day we work towards being a zero waste tour operator and our staff is well trained to leave the least impact possible in our service areas. We also work with local indigenous communities in the different regions. By doing so, we are able to teach our guests about the rich culture Ecuador, all the while helping the people preserve their traditions and lands. By working directly with local peoples we are able to create a sustainable touristic income for the community.
Guides: All our guides have a professional background from the Tourism University, this means they have a degree in guiding, so their knowledge and skills when leading a group are top-notch. Each guide has many years of experience and they all have taken additional courses for other outdoor activities as well as have International First-Aid certifications. On top of all of this they are all extremely personable and strive to deliver travel experiences of a lifetime.
Heath Advisory: No vaccinations needed for this trip; However for this Pandemic time, to enter Ecuador you need your Covid19 vaccine certificate or a PCR negative test.
We do recommend travelling light for this expedition. A duffel bag of 50 litters for your luggage and a backpack of 20 litters for daily activities should be sufficient. In Ecuador, the weather can change drastically especially when you are moving from the Andes to the Amazon.
Passport
Credit card
Two pairs of lightweight hiking pants
Two pairs of shorts
One bathing suit
Two non-cotton T-shirts
One cotton T-shirts
One water T-shirt
One winter warm jacket
One fleece
One rain jacket
One pair of rain pants
Two buffs
One pair of hiking shoes
One pair of tennis shoes
One pair of water sandals
One- or two-night outfits
One cap or hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Mosquito repellent
Camera
Head lamp
Optional binoculars
NOTE: Laundry is available almost at every location and is quite cheap, this helps traveling light too.
Price based on number of guests:
2 - 3 guests
$960/per person
All premium features
Daily departures
4 or more guests
$600/per person
All premium features
Daily departures
Go private
We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.