1. Mindo Cloud Forest: Home to thousands of bird species, amazing trails for hiking and biking, beautiful waterfalls for canyoning, and clean rivers for tubbing.
2. Cotopaxi National Park: Cross country easy to moderate biking around the park trails with stunning views of the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano.
3. Otavalo Town: Experience the vibrant culture at one of South America's most colorful indigenous markets, "El Mercado de Ponchos” and stand up paddle the mysterious San Pablo Lake at the base of the Imbabura.
4. Quilotoa Lagoon: One of the most beautiful lagoons in South America. Hidden in the Andes reaching this turquoise lagoon is an unforgettable experience for hiking lovers. Also kayaking activity in the Quilotoa is available.
Accommodation: This program is available in standard, superior and deluxe categories.
Discover Quito's most iconic landmarks, many dating back to colonial times.
Choose one of Quito’s surrounding areas to explore for an enriching experience.
Explore the Mindo Cloud Forest, offering a wide range of activities, from birdwatching and exhilarating hikes to swimming in refreshing natural pools.
Marvel at the grandeur of Cotopaxi, Ecuador's second tallest volcano, with its breathtaking views.
Immerse yourself in the indigenous culture at the Otavalo market, complemented by an unforgettable stand-up paddle experience on San Pablo Lake, set at the foot of Imbabura Volcano.
Or, hike to the mesmerizing Quilotoa Crater Lagoon, a stunning turquoise gem nestled in the heart of the Andes.
Biking
Hiking
Culture
Wildlife
Honeymooners
Friends
Couples
Families with children over 5 years old are welcome
Year around
5 years old
Full Itinerary
Arrival in Quito
Overnight: Standard / Superior / Deluxe
Meals included: No.
Quito City Tour by bike including: Historical town, Panecillo hill
Overnight: Standard / Superior / Deluxe
Meals included: Breakfast and Box lunch.
Private Full day Active tour at your choice
Our day starts with a scenic and mountainous drive northwest of Quito for two hours to the town of Mindo, which is located in a stunning cloud forest. Upon arrival we will embark on a ziplining adventure to soar through the treetops. During the tour our guide will help us to spot some local birds as this ecosystem is very well known for its immense biodiversity, being home to over 500 species of birds such as toucans, quetzals, parrots, hummingbirds and others. After having lunch, we will spend a fun afternoon tubing down the local river. We will return to Quito in the late afternoon.
b) Or, Cotopaxi cross country biking
After we pick you up from hotel, we will drive south down the Pan-American Highway. Along the way, we will have the opportunity of majestic views from the Avenue of Volcanos, part of the central Ecuadorian Andes! Our ride will take place in Cotopaxi National Park named after one of the highest active volcanoes on earth, which at just over nineteen thousand feet, is a sight to behold and one of the most stunning in Ecuador. We will bike next to the volcano’s base at 13.000 feet, on dirt roads and single tracks surrounded by an other-worldly landscape dotted by rocks strew about by the volcano during its last major eruption. Depending on your luck in this area, you might see wild animals such us: deer, alpacas, lamas, bulls and horses. The ride is about fifteen miles and mostly on flat terrain. To finish our day, we will picnic with a lovely view of some Inca ruins and then return to Quito.
c) Or, Paddle San Pablo Lake & Otavalo market
Early in the morning we depart from Quito and head north on the Panamerican Highway for two hours, through varying landscapes of rolling hills, snowcapped volcanos, and farmlands towards San Pablo Lake. Here we will have a safety talk from our guide and then start paddling across this magical lake with views of the local towns and the ever-impressive Imbabura volcano. After an hour of paddling, we will continue on to the famous Otavalo market where you can spend some time shopping for locally made handicrafts. Lose yourself in the sights and sounds of the market—a culturally significant area where the past is still preserved through indigenous language and local tradition. After lunch we will make our way back to Quito.
d) Or, Quilotoa lagoon
On this adventure we start the day driving for three hours to the heart of the Andes along what is known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Our visit takes us to Quilotoa, the highlight of the Ilinizas Ecological reserve. Tucked in between rolling mountains of greens and golds, lies this beautiful turquoise crater lake—a real gem. We will hike for an hour down into the crater. At the bottom there is the option to rent a kayak to go paddling into the center of the lake and take in jaw-dropping 360 degree views from another perspective. After taking time to enjoy this masterpiece of mother nature we will hike back up the trail to the edge of the crater. There is also the option to hire a mule or horse to take you back up. Once at the top we will have lunch and then visit the local handicrafts and paintings market before returning to Quito.
Overnight: Standard / Superior / Deluxe
Meals included: Breakfast, and Box lunch.
Departure Day
Meals included: Breakfast
Let's design your adventure
Airport transfers
English Speaking Guides for activities
Private transportation
3 nights of accommodation at selected hotel category
Quality biking gear (bikes with front suspension and hydraulic brakes, gloves and helmets)
Paddling gear
Meals according to the Itinerary
Snacks and water
Entrance fees to museums, reserves or local visits
International or domestic flights
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips for guides and drivers
Travel insurance
Optional activities
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: Solo travelers are subject to a 100% supplement of the 2-3 pax rate.
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 travelers. For biking, we use Trek X-caliber, Marlin, Trek Fuel EX5, and for protection we use Bontrager and Oneal.
Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 2 out of 5, meaning you don´t need to have full experience, also, your guides will take care of every detail and brief you in daily.
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.
We do recommend travelling super light for this expedition. A backpack of 20 litters should be sufficient, if possible to bring a saddlebag for extra items.
Passport
Credit card
Two pairs of lightweight pants
One pair of biking shorts
One bathing suit
Four non-cotton T-shirts
One winter warm jacket
One fleece
One rain jacket
One pair of rain pants
One buff
One pair of flip-flops
One pair of sneakers
One cap or hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Mosquito repellent
Camera
NOTE: Laundry is available almost at every location and is quite cheap, this helps traveling light too.
Considerations
• Room configuration: Double with twin beds or matrimonial bed. Triple room with twin beds or matrimonial bed plus sofa bed
• The extension program is operated on a private basis.
• Extension programs are flexible and can be scheduled either before or after any other itinerary.
• We are able to offer more activities such as rafting, mountain biking, paragliding and more.
• This program is adjustable: it can either be shortened or added extra days.
• For passengers preferring to arrive and depart from Guayaquil, please consider our extension programs in Cuenca.
• Accommodation: This program is available in standard, superior and deluxe categories.
Priced based on standard category accommodation and number of guests:
2 - 3 guests
$765/per person
All premium features
Departure any day of the week operation in private
4 or more guests
$605/per person
All premium features
Departure any day of the week operation in private
Further assistance
We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.
