As you journey through this remarkable terrain, immerse yourself in vibrant ecosystems, transitioning from high-altitude paramo to cloud forest and dry valleys. Beyond biking, unwind in soothing volcanic hot springs and rejuvenate in local spas, ensuring you’re refreshed for each day's adventures.
Experience authentic hospitality at charming family-run properties and savor delicious farm-to-table meals featuring local dishes. Explore the burgeoning craft beer and wine scene, sampling exquisite local brews and wines.
Engage with local culture by visiting colorful indigenous markets, where you can discover vibrant textiles and handcrafted goods. Your knowledgeable guides will enrich your experience by sharing insights into local customs and traditions.
This expedition not only promises thrilling rides and breathtaking scenery but also promotes sustainable travel through ecotourism, positively impacting the environment and local communities. Join us for the ride of your life, filled with unforgettable memories, cultural immersion, and natural wonders!
Thrilling Mountain Biking Trails: Explore challenging single-track routes through lush cloud forests and heart-pounding climbs with stunning views.
Majestic Volcanoes: Enjoy breathtaking scenery featuring iconic volcanoes like Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
Diverse Ecosystems: Experience the transition from high-altitude paramo in the Andes to Cloud Forest and Dry Valleys.
Relaxing Volcanic Hot Springs: Unwind in soothing volcanic hot springs, soaking in therapeutic waters surrounded by stunning landscapes.
Rejuvenating Spa Sessions: Recharge with relaxing sessions at local spas after a day of biking.
Farm-to-Table Culinary Delights: Savor delicious Ecuadorian dishes made from fresh, local ingredients at charming family-run properties.
Craft Beer and Wine Tasting: Discover and sample the burgeoning craft beer and wine scene, featuring exquisite local brews and wines.
Cultural Engagement at Indigenous Markets: Visit colorful indigenous markets to explore vibrant textiles, handcrafted goods, and learn about local customs from knowledgeable guides.
Mountain Biking
Culture
Wildlife
Fooding
Wellness
You’ve never ridden a mountain bike before.
SKILL LEVEL 2 – BEGINNER
You have limited experience with off-road trail riding.
SKILL LEVEL 3 – NOVICE
You’re hooked on riding off-road and wide dirt trails (atv trails or doubletrack), but still lack the skills and confidence to consistently ride terrain with roots, rocks, tight corners, tight trees and steeps. Singletrack – what is singletrack?
SKILL LEVEL 4 – STRONG NOVICE
Your dedication to mountain biking has led you to your first handful of rides on real singletrack. You enjoy smooth mellow singletrack, although often the trees feel too tight, the climbs come too quick to shift and have you walking, and the obstacles have you a bit surprised as you did not even know people ride right over logs!
SKILL LEVEL 5 – INTERMEDIATE
At a controlled speed and on mellow singletrack terrain, you are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand. You are comfortable and confident rolling over small obstacles (a couple inches high) like roots, rocks and small rollable drops (a couple inches high). On rare occasions you take your wheels off the ground intentionally. You are now becoming comfortable in anticipating terrain and shift gears accordingly and you are comfortable using both front and rear brakes when required.
SKILL LEVEL 6 – STRONG INTERMEDIATE
You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on more challenging terrain. You are comfortable and confident with a front wheel lift and rear wheel lift to get up and over larger obstacles (up to 6 inches) such as roots and rocks that are not rollable. When climbing you shift your bodyweight forward in efforts to keep traction on your front wheel. Climbing is typically successful, unless technical roots, rocks or corners have you walking a short section. You are comfortable with speed and letting go of your brakes as long as you can see the
exit or end of the descent. You are also now grasping effective cornering techniques although still need to work on your timing and coordination.
SKILL LEVEL 7 – ADVANCED
You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on aggressive terrain with little braking. You can hop over obstacles such as small roots and rocks that less advanced riders may wheel lift over. You use the brakes sparingly, and are open to taking some air off little rocks and roots. Your timing and coordination on all types of berms is solid. You are comfortable leaning your bike through the corner and exit with acceleration.
SKILL LEVEL 8 – EXPERT
You are comfortable riding a variety of singletrack which may include tight trees, mud, loose rocks and sand and are comfortable doing so on aggressive terrain with little braking. You rarely, if ever, walk. Small drops are no issue for you and you are comfortable with having both wheels leave the ground. Climbing technical roots, rocks and switchbacks are no issue for you. You use the brakes sparingly and air off of every rock, root and drop you can find. Your timing and coordination on all types of berms, switchbacks and corners is solid. You are comfortable leaning your bike through fast corners and exit with acceleration.
SKILL LEVEL 9 – PRO
You are a mountain bike god/goddess. You can handle the most technical terrain imaginable, eat up steeps for breakfast and can hit all the gaps, drops and jumps any trail throws at you.
You are a couch potato.
You cannot ride for more than half an hour on flat terrain at a time, and the thought of climbing on a bike is daunting.
You exercise less than 1 hour per week.
FITNESS LEVEL 2
You live a fairly inactive life with little physical activity other than walking.
You can handle a 1-hour bike ride on flat terrain at a relaxed pace.
Small, short hills are challenging to climb, but are sometimes manageable.
You exercise on average 1 hour per week (including riding a mountain bike).
FITNESS LEVEL 3
You are capable of 2 hours of pedal time in a day at a relaxed pace, as long as there are several breaks.
You can handle one or two easy climbs of up to 330 vertical feet (150 m) total.
You exercise on average 2 hours per week (including riding a mountain bike).
FITNESS LEVEL 4
You are capable of climbing up to 650 vertical feet (200 m) in a day.
You exercise on average 3 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 5
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 2-3 hours of pedal time each day.
You are confident climbing up to a total of 1,000 vertical feet (300 m) in a day.
You exercise on average 4 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 6
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.
You can handle moderately steep climbs of up to a total of 1,650 vertical feet (500 m) in a day.
You exercise on average 5 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 7
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.
You can handle moderate climbs up to 2,450 vertical feet (750 m) total in a day.
You exercise on average 6 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 8
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.
You have little trouble climbing 3,280 vertical feet (1,000 m) in a day on moderate to steep terrain..
You exercise on average 6-10 hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
FITNESS LEVEL 9
You are capable of riding at a moderate pace for an average of 3-4 hours of pedal time each day.
You can handle steep, sustained climbs of up to 4,920 vertical feet (1,500 m) in a day.
You exercise over 10-hours per week.
Your exercise regime includes a combination of endurance training like riding a bike and strength training.
El Chota trail
Mamarumi trail
Hieleros trail
All year (Best time: from October to April)
12 years old
Full Itinerary
Arrival Day
In the evening, at 6 PM, we invite you to join us for an important briefing session. This will be an opportunity to meet your guide and fellow adventurers, as well as to gather essential information and tips for the exciting days ahead.
Overnight: Dan Carlton Hotel
Mountain Biking Adventure in Quito / Green and Blue Trails
Following our morning ride, we’ll drive to a local organic farm just outside Quito. Here, you'll learn about sustainable farming practices and enjoy a delicious farm-to-table lunch made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
In the afternoon, we'll head to Lumbici Bike Park, located in a beautiful eucalyptus forest. The park offers a variety of trails for different skill levels, with shuttles available to take you back to the top after each ride, maximizing your time on the trails. After a full day of biking and exploration, we'll return to our hotel in Quito to relax and prepare for the next adventure.
Overnight: Dan Carlton Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Teleférico Downhill and Equator Line Exploration / Blue and Black Trails
At the top, we’ll embark on a thrilling descent along high-elevation single tracks, featuring grassy landscapes, small jumps, and steeper sections that lead into a native Andean forest. The trails transition into flowy paths through forests of towering pine and eucalyptus trees. Although the ride is short, it’s packed with excitement, allowing us the chance to repeat the course a few times based on the group's enthusiasm.
In the afternoon, we will head north into the Ecuadorian highlands, stopping for a traditional lunch to experience local cuisine. Our next stop will be at the equator line, where we’ll learn about its historical significance to ancient civilizations.
By late afternoon, we’ll reach our guest house to relax after an adventurous day, concluding with a delicious homemade dinner that highlights regional flavors.
Overnight: Family-run Guest House
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Northern Andes and El Chota Valley Adventure / Blue and Black Trails
Our biking adventure begins in the unique paramo ecosystem, where we’ll take in scenic vistas of the Yaguarcocha lagoon and ride along fast, flowy single tracks next to local farms.
After a brief stint on a road, we will enter the El Chota dry valley, experiencing a dramatic shift in landscape from lush greenery to arid terrain filled with cacti and agave. The trails here are more technical, featuring loose dirt and rocky sections, with steep areas that provide stunning views. Our guides will tailor the trail selection to the group’s skill level to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone.
The ride concludes in the lower part of El Chota Valley, home to the Afro-Ecuadorian community. We will visit a local artisan workshop to learn about their craftsmanship and cultural traditions.
In the afternoon, we will return to the guest house and have a cooking class using local products with our family host.
Overnight: Family-run Guest House
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Cultural Exploration and Relaxation Day
After our market experience, we will head to the Papallacta hot springs spa, where you can unwind in natural thermal waters surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. This peaceful environment offers various therapeutic pools, with optional spa treatments available for those seeking extra relaxation.
Later, we will travel by car to a charming hacienda near the impressive Cotopaxi Volcano, enjoying breathtaking landscapes along the way. As evening approaches, we’ll gather for a social hour by the fireplace, where you can enjoy a selection of wine and other drinks while sharing stories and reflecting on the day’s experiences, providing a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow travelers.
Overnight: Family-run Farm Hacienda
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Cotopaxi Volcano Trails / Blue and Black Trails
Our day starts with a short drive into the park, where we will ascend to the parqueadero, located at nearly 15,000 feet above sea level. Here, we will prepare for our thrilling descent along sandy and rocky trails that lead us back to the base of the volcano. Depending on the group's preferences and energy levels, we may have the opportunity to shuttle back up a couple of times to experience more exhilarating rides down these picturesque trails.
Please keep in mind that access to certain trails may vary based on seasonal conditions and decisions made by the reserve authorities. If the trails are closed during our visit, we will head to the nearby Cotopaxi Bike Park, which offers an exciting alternative with a variety of flowy trails suitable for different skill levels, ensuring everyone has a great time.
In the afternoon, we will travel to a historic hacienda, where we will spend the night.
Overnight: Historic Hacienda
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Chimborazo Iceman Trail / Blue and Black Trails
Upon reaching the reserve, we will ascend to nearly 16,000 feet, the highest elevation of our trip, where stunning views await. Our biking adventure will vary depending on the season, featuring either sandy trails or snow-covered paths for a thrilling experience.
We’ll ride along the Iceman Trails, named after local communities that collect and transport ice from the volcano to sell in nearby markets using donkeys. As we descend, we'll learn about this unique cultural tradition while enjoying the exhilarating ride.
Surrounded by the stunning vistas of the Central Andes and fertile volcanic farmland—responsible for producing about 40% of Ecuador's vegetables—we'll navigate diverse terrains, including rocky sections and flowy single tracks, with incredible views of deep canyons and the volcanic landscape. As the day winds down, we will arrive at a cozy, family-run mountain lodge, where we will have the opportunity to create our own pizzas from scratch using fresh, local ingredients. This delightful culinary experience not only results in a delicious meal but also fosters a sense of community and connection with local culture, making it a perfect end to our adventurous day.
Overnight: Family-run Mountain Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Mamarumi Downhill Trail / Black Trails
The Mamarumi Trail is steeped in history, as it follows ancient culuncos once used by the Incas and other civilizations for trade, connecting the Andean regions to the coast. As we ride, you’ll navigate through tunnels formed by lush vegetation, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the area.
The trail features steep sections with numerous switchbacks, providing a fluid and exhilarating ride. The first part of our descent takes us through a native Andean forest, eventually leading us into the coastal region, where we’ll ride through expansive banana and sugarcane plantations. We aim to complete our ride before midday to allow for our long drive back to Quito.
It's important to note that access to the Mamarumi Trail may be affected by seasonal weather conditions. If the trail is closed during your visit, we will instead explore the Quilotoa Volcano trails. These trails offer a unique experience, including stunning single tracks along the rim of the crater lake and ancient paths that lead into picturesque canyons. Regardless of the route, today promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to our adventure!
Overnight: Dan Carlton Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Departure day
Meals included: Breakfast
LET'S DESIGN YOUR ADVENTURE
Experienced & Certified English-Speaking Guides
Airport transfers
Private Transport
Accommodation 8 nights
Meals as listed in the Itinerary
Cooking class
Wine and beer tasting
Water and snacks available whenever
- Biking gear: (Trek Fuel EX5, “full suspension” with Shimano SLX brakes), helmets, pads and gloves
All fees to reserves, museums, spa
International or domestic flights
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips for guides and drivers
Travel Insurance – mandatory
Itinerary Disclaimer: Even though we have a detailed itinerary changes can be made by your guides, due to weather or for safety reasons. Please also note that none of the wildlife sightings mentioned in 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 date of 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, 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 Fuel EX 5 with Full Rock shox suspensions, and SLX brakes, and for protection we use Oneal.
- Level of Activity: This trip is considered as challenging and technical, meaning you need to have experience, the trails are mostly blue and a few are black, however your guides will teach you every day how to ride on the varying terrain. The whole trip involves a mix of trails, some on dirt, rocks, grass and gravel. There will always be transport support close to the trails, and guides will be in contact with the driver by radio.
- 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.
Health Advisory: 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 into the cloud forest.
Passport
Credit card
Two pairs of lightweight hiking pants
Two pairs of shorts
Three pairs of biking shorts or pants
One bathing suits
3 – 4 Biking Jerseys
One cotton T-shirt
One water T-shirt
One warm jacket
One fleece
One rain jacket
One pair of rain pants
Two buffs
One pair of tennis shoes
One pair of water sandals or similar
Optional – personal cleats and shoes
Optional – pads for extra protection
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, this helps traveling light too.
Read more, Terms & Conditions.
Regular Season Price:
Price
$2500/per person
All premium features
Every sunday
Go private
We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.
