ACTIVE ECUADOR $1550

Departure Date

Every Sunday

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Views

7526

Maximum Seats

10
Overview

This Multiactivity Expedition takes place in two different regions, Traversing through the heights of the Andes with its spectacular volcanoes down into the lush Amazon basin. This is the ideal combination for adventures that like human powered holidays with varying activities such as hiking into a crater lake, soaking in hot springs, canyoning in the jungle, paddling rapids in the amazon and hiking to glaciers. Join us for eight days of pure adventure as we immerse ourselves in nature and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Accommodation is provided at charming eco-lodges and colonial Haciendas.
mapas tours_active ecuador
  • Hike in Quilotoa Crater Lake

  • Hike to the Glaciers of Cotopaxi Volcano

  • Explore Baños city

  • Road biking in Llanganates National Park

  • The Swing of the end of the World

  • Wine tasting

  • Hike to Pailon del Diablo Waterfall

  • Learn about the Culture of the Amazon

  • Canyoning in the tropical rain forest

  • Make organic chocolate fondue with your hands

  • Learn how to use a blowgun

  • Share time with the local indigenous people

  • Paddle the rapids of the Jatunyacu

  • Hike in the Amazon Jungle and search for medicinal plants

  • Caving into the Temple of Ceremony

  • Learn about Shamanism and Ayahuasca

  • 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

  • Hiking

  • Canyoning

  • Rafting

  • Swimming

  • Culture

  • Wildlife

Easy to Moderated

Hiking Quilotoa Crater Lake

Hike To Cotopaxi Glaciers

Biking Llanganates

  • Year around

  • 8 years old

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival Day

There are no activities planned for your first day for you to be able to explore the beautiful city of Quito on your own terms, but if you feel like having a guided day tour at extra cost, do not hesitate in contacting us. We are always more than happy to send you with one of our expert guides to learn more about the city or the surrounding areas.

Please keep in mind that there is a meeting at 18:00 in the hotel’s lobby the first day to meet your guide and the rest of the group as well as learn about what’s in store for the days of your expedition!

Overnight: Dann Carlton or similar
Meals included: none
Day 2

Hiking Quilotoa Crater Lake

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 spending some time 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 handicraft and paintings market before going to the Hacienda where we will stay overnight.

Overnight: Hato Verde Hacienda or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
Day 3

Hike to Cotopaxi Glaciers

After acclimating during the previous day of adventure, we are ready to take on our next challenge: climbing up to the Cotopaxi glacier! Our day starts with a soothing cup of coca tea, which according to locals helps to ward off altitude sickness, while taking in our surroundings in the beautiful Cotopaxi National Park. Afterwards we are ready to hit trail where we will meander up starting at around 15,000 up to almost 17,000 feet! This is not a technical ascent but due to its steepness will take about two hours. In the afternoon, we will head to Baños de Agua Santa, a lovely town tucked between towering mountain ridges and surrounded by ever flowing waterfalls. Baños is filled with charming restaurants and is a great place to have a night on the town.

Overnight: La Floresta Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4

Biking Llanganates

Today we will start our day by driving up high into the Llanganates National Park for a day of biking. Our first hour will be a nice gradual uphill followed by two hours mostly downhill giving you the chance to catch the breeze and enjoy the fresh Andean mountain air. The total descent is five thousand feet and has spectacular views of the Tungurahua Volcano, which has been active since 1999. In the afternoon, we will go to the famous Casa de Arbol “swing at the end of the world”. Dare yourself to take a ride and fly high over the trees and into the clouds. Time permitting; there may be the option of zip lining.

Overnight: La Floresta Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5

Canyoning in the Amazon

We start our day by visiting the nearby reserve to see the Pailon del Diablo, a raging cascade tucked between canyon walls. Afterwards we will take a scenic and awe-inspiring drive into the Amazon basin: a mega diverse ecosystem full of different species of plants and animals. We will have a traditional lunch and afterwards go explore on foot one of multiple spectacular canyons in the area. Later after our exploration, we have a treat in store! We will head to the bonfire to teach you how to make chocolate fondue. Cacao is an important commodity export for the country, which produces some of the finest chocolate in the world, the sweetest way to end the day!

Overnight: Basic Lodge
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
Day 6

Rafting Jatunyacu

Day six brings us to one of the most action-packed days of our expedition as paddle down the Jatunyacu River. This river is a class lll sourcing from the Llanganates Mountains. Legend says there is a hidden Incan treasure in this area and although many explorers venture in trying to find it, it has yet to have been found. A yummy picnic will be served on the river’s bank and then we will drive for one hour to the lodge for some down time at the pool and then have a delicious dinner! Continue adventuring into the night in search for amphibians and insects.

Overnight: Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7

Caving at the Temple of Ceremony

In the morning we will travel by car for about ten minutes to the nearby forest, there we will visit Templo de Ceremonia, a place known by the local kichwa indigenous people, for being used by their ancestors to do some kind of rituals involving the power of Ayahuasca and their conections with the Pachamama “Mother Earth”, we will enter into a cave where our local guide will tell us more about this special place.
Later we will have a traditional lunch from the area, and then continue driving back to Quito, there will be an optional dinner with the group to say good bye and share the memories of the trip.

Overnight.- Dan Carlton
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 8

Departure Day

Today ends our services but if you wish to stay longer we can help you organize an extension trip to places you did not see during this week. Otherwise if you are ready to go back home after an amazing AcivExpedition we wish you safe travels.

Meals included: Breakfast

Last minute - May 19th

Let's design your adventure

    • Top Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide

    • Private Transport

    • Accommodation for seven nights

    • Meals according to the Itinerary

    • Water and snacks at all time

    • Biking gear: (Trek quality bikes, front Rockshox suspention with hydraulic brakes, 1 x 10 speeds), certified helmets and gloves.

    • Hiking gear: Black diamond poles

    • White Water: NRS rafts, paddles and helmets

    • Canyoning: Black diamond harnesses, helmets, ropes and rubber boots

    • All fees to reserves and museums

    • International or domestic flights

    • Airport transfers

    • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

    • Tips for guides and drivers

    • Travel insurance (mandatory)

    • Optional activities

    • Water bottle

    • 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 Xcaliber and for protection we use Bontrager and Fox.

    • Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 3 out of 5. No prior experience is required and your guides will always brief you about safety and proper use of gear on every leg of the trip. Trekking will take place on varying terrain of dirt and rock; biking on a paved road with light traffic; canyoning you can expect hiking on water and rocks, and also climbing into some small waterfalls. There will be a transport support for the majority of the activities in the case that someone wants to take a break or just wants to relax.

    • Weather and Elevation: In Ecuador the weather can be vary greatly 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.

    • Health advices: no vaccinations needed for this trip

    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

    • One pair of cold weather hiking pants

    • Two pairs of shorts

    • One bathing suit

    • Four 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

    • Weather bottle

    NOTE: Laundry is available almost at every location and it is cheap, this helps traveling light too.

    Regular Season Price based on number of guests for shared departures:

    Summer 2024

    $1240/per person

    • All premium features

    • Departures: March to August

    Early Bird 2024

    $1395/per person

    • All premium features

    • Solo travelers are welcome on sharing room basis otherwise single supplement applies

    • Departures: September to December

    2 - 3 guests

    $1550/per person

    4 or more guests

    $1300/per person

    • All premium features

    • Every sunday

    Go private

    Contact us

    • We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.

    Talk to our Activexpedition expert

    We're here to chat about your next big idea.

    • 7 am - 4 pm Monday through Thursday.
    • 7 am to 1 pm Fridays (US central) toll free or by skype.
    Otherwise, email us anytime. On average we provide quotes within 6 hours during business hours and the next day during off business hours. Privately guided trips allow you to be in control of all the details of your trip - departure times, accommodations, extra nights, extra activities, extra experiences - what you want and how you want it. If you want to go private or customize this expedition, contact us.
    Phone

    US & CANADA: +1 (919) 400-5824 EC: +593 (09) 5955-5556

    Email

    christian@activexpedition.com