Ecuador Bikepacking $899

Departure Date

Daily

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Views

1741

Maximum Seats

10
Overview

Experience a pedaling expedition like no other! Explore most beautiful Andes Ecuadorian region, from the turquoise waters of the Quilotoa Crater Lake to the most majestic Cotopaxi snowcapped volcano, ride exclusive single track and dirt roads while having amazing views of the Andean farms and learn about the culture of the indigenous people.

Accommodation is provided at charming eco-lodges and colonial Haciendas.
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  • Bike the rim of Quilotoa Crater lake

  • Bike across Cotopaxi National Park

  • Explore local Markets

  • Bike single tracks

  • Learn about the Culture of the Andes

  • Share time with the local indigenous people

  • View wild horses and alpacas

  • 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

  • Culture

  • Wildlife

Moderate to Challenging
Skill Level 5 – Intermediate
Fitness Level 7

Day 1.- Quilotoa - Isinlivi

Day 2.- Isinlivi - Lasso

Day 3.- Lasso - Cotopaxi

Day 4.- Cotopaxi - Sangolqui

  • Year around

  • 12 years old

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Bikepacking from Quilotoa to Isinlivi

Today we will pick you up at your hotel in Quito city, and then travel for 3 hours by car to the entrance of the Illinizas Ecological Reserve, here we will have some coca tea and then prepare all the equipment for today´s ride, we will start taking the trails of the rim of Quilotoa, from there we will have amazing views of the turquoise water of the crater, we wil be riding single tracks and in some parts we will have to push our bikes as it is very steep to bike, later we will start the decline down to San Pedro town, here we will have a short break and have some food, later we continue down an impressive canyon, there we will start climbing for a couple of hours till we reach Isinlivi village where we will spend the overnight.

Overnight: Standard / High End: Llullullama lodge or similar.
Meals included: Box lunch and dinner.
Day 2

Bikepacking Isinlivi to Lasso

Today after a very healthy breakfast we will start climbing for about 3 hours to the top of the mountain where we have a huge rock known as Guingopana, from there we will have amazing views of the valleys on both sides, later we continue biking down to the village of Toacaso, later we continue biking to the Hacienda where we will spend the overnight.

Overnight: Cuello de Luna or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast and Box lunch.
Day 3

Bikepacking into the Cotopaxi National Park

In the morning we will bike on some dirt roads to reach the entrance of the Cotopaxi reserve, on the way we will stop at San Agustin de Callo Hacienda to have some nice coffee and learn about the history of the Incas, later we continue into the park on a paved road surrounded by pine and eucalyptus trees, in the afternoon we will reach 13000 feet where we will camp and enjoy a bonfire in front of the Cotopaxi Volcano.

Overnight: Standard / High End: Cotopaxi Campsite.
Meals included: Breakfast, Box lunch and dinner.
Day 4

Bikepacking back to Quito

Today we start biking on flat terrain across the park, our first stop will be at the Limpiopungo volcano where we will have some nice views of the Rumiñahui volcano, named after a very important Inca warrior, also today with some luck we might view the majestic Andean condor, we will continue on dirt roads and single track next to the Cotopaxi, along the ride we will see a lot of volcanic material from the last eruptions of this volcano. We will stop at the Inca ruins known as Tambo and later we continue biking down back to Quito, where our driver will be ready to take you to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast and Box lunch

Let's design your adventure

    • Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide

    • Private Transport on day one and four

    • Accommodation

    • Meals as listed in the Itinerary

    • Water and snacks available whenever

    • Biking gear: Trek quality bikes with front suspension, certified helmets and gloves.

    • All fees to reserves and museums

    • International or domestic flights

    • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

    • Upgraded biking gear (Trek quality bikes with full suspension, 200usd for the whole trip)

    • 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.

    • Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 4 out of 5, meaning you need to have a bit of experience, however your guides will teach you every day how to ride on the varying terrain. The whole trip involves a mix of trails and roads, some on dirt, grass and gravel. Every ride is about 30 miles, and the elevation gain can be 3000 feet a day, if people want to do more elevation gain, our guides will be happy to do longer rides.

    • 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 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

    • Two pairs 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

    • Two buffs

    • One pair of flip-flops

    • Optional – personal clips and shoes

    • One cap or hat

    • Sunscreen

    • Sunglasses

    • Mosquito repellent

    • Camera

    • Head lamp

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

    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