Accommodation is provided at charming eco-lodges and colonial Haciendas.
Bike the lost trails of the Ecuadorian Andes
Use quality gear including full suspension bikes
Visit some of the most beautiful Volcanoes of Ecuador
Discover many ecosystems including dry valleys, high volcano land, and cloud forest!
Learn about the Culture of the Andes
Soak in volcanic hot springs
View Vicuñas in the wild
Wine and beer tasting
Enjoy delicious gastronomy
Stay at unique places in every location
Be led by top Activexpedition experienced guides
Support sustainable travel to preserve culture and nature
Mountain Biking
Culture
Wildlife
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.
Valle de la Muerte
Infiernillo trail
El Chota trail
Mamarumi trail
Hieleros trail
All year (Best time: from June to October)
12 years old
Full Itinerary
Arrival Day
At 18:00pm there will be a briefing at the hotel’s lobby to meet the rest of the group and to give you important information and tips about traveling in Ecuador.
Overnight: Dann Carlton or similar
Meals included: none.
Valle de La Muerte
Before we start our thrilling descent, we'll have a safety talk to make sure you're prepared for what's to come. Get ready for an epic ride through diverse terrain.
The first part of the trail will challenge your skills as we ride on sandy paths through the grasslands of the Andean paramo. You'll feel the rush of adrenaline as you tackle each twist and turn, surrounded by the wild nature. Our journey continues as we connect with the DH trails of the Slopes of Teleferico, leading us deeper into the forest.
Finally, our exhilarating ride ends in the lively city of Quito, which is about 9000 feet above sea level.
As the day comes to an end, we'll head back to the hotel.
Overnight: Dann Carlton or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
The Infiernillo Trail
The area is generally cloudy as this is where the hot current from the pacific reaches the cold altitude of the Sierra creating a hugely biodiverse ecosystem. We pedal alongside the breeze leisurely downwards on single track and into a rich green forest. Part of these trails are into the culuncos, these look like tunnels into the vegetation as they are very old trails, we continue on a fast section of ups and downs small hills formed by the last eruption of this volcano, later we will have a double track section passing next to some farms with a great view of a ravine, and then we will enter a forest again with single track that ends a beautiful view of the river valley, we will continue down a dirt road to meet up with our transport to the lodge.
The drive in the afternoon will take about 3 hours, along the way we will stop to try the local delicacy “biscotti with cheese and caramel”.
Overnight: Yellow Guest House or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
El Chota Trail
First we pedal through the high paramo in the area or Añaspamba at an altitude of 12000 feet, where crisp mountain air fills your lungs and panoramic views stretch as far as the eye can see. We will have a nice view of Yaguarcocha, a sparkling lake that mirrors the surrounding mountains in its pristine waters, as you guide shares the legends of the elders.
Descending from the paramo, the landscape transforms into the mesmerizing trails of El Chota dry valley, a habitat of cactus and plants that have adapted to live with very little water.
This are is the local playgroup for Mountain Bikers, with its rugged terrain and challenging single steep tracks that will put your skills to the test. Feel the thrill of conquering each twist and turn as you navigate through the untamed wilderness, surrounded by the raw beauty of the Andean foothills.
As the sun begins to set and the day draws to a close, our bike adventure culminates in the charming town of Ambuqui. We will continue by car back to the Lodge.
If people would like to explore the near by Otavalo Indigenous market, our driver will be more than ready to take you there.
Overnight: Yellow Guest House or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Hot Springs and Spa
Within the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve, where the springs reside, there are also many winding trails to explore for those of you who prefer to be more active. Along the trails it is possible to see orchids, hummingbirds and other varying types of flora and fauna. In the afternoon we will head towards Cotopaxi province to spend the night.
Overnight: Cuello de Luna or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
Cotopaxi Volcano Trails
Once we check in at the entrance of the reserve we continue by car for 45 minutes to the Parqueadero at 14.760 feet, there we get ready for our fist ride down the Owls canyon trail, a mix of sandy and rocky single tracks with a great view of the northern side of the Cotopaxi Volcano, at the end of these trail our driver will pick us up to take us back to the Parqueadero, our second trail will be the Holy Ridge with an steep start on a sandy trail, we continue with a grassy section with some small fun jumps and end into a narrow ravine.
Our driver will take us one more time to the top and we will ride The Flight of the Condor trail, a very fast trail next to an impressive canyon, this trail ends with a single track next to the rocky volcanic material from Cotopaxi last eruption. After a yummy lunch and some drinks, we will drive south to Chimborazo province.
Overnight: La Andaluza Hacienda or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
Los Hieleros Trail
The Chimborazo Volcano is the highest is Ecuador, and known as the highest in the world measure from the center of the planet. As it is closer to the Equator than Everest.
At the reserve we will have the opportunity to view Vicuñas (related to alpacas and llamas), they are the camels of the Andes, and they are protected from hunting by law.
Out trail name today is “Hieleros” (Iceman trail), named after the tradition of collecting ice from the glaciers of Chimborazo volcano, this tradition is about to disappear and at the moment only one person does it.
At the beginning of the ride the terrain will be snow and sand, to continue with a technical rocky section. As we will be very high the views are incredible, later we ride through the grassy paramo ecosystem, along the way we will see the local farms and their plantations of potatoes, quinoa, lima beans, etc.
We will end in La Guilena Lodge for enjoying dinner and some drinks with local friends.
Overnight: La Guilena MTB Lodge or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Mama Rumi Trail
This trail follows a centuries old Incan footpath used to transport goods and even the local hooch to avoid taxation. Spend the day riding the expanse of the trail ending in between the banana trees on our final day of this adventure. We will finish at Telimbela town with lunch and then we travel to Quito for 5 hours by car.
Overnight: Dann Carlton or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Departure
Meals included: Breakfast
Experienced & Certified English-Speaking Guides
Private Transport
Accommodation 8 nights
Meals as listed in the Itinerary
Water and snacks available whenever
- Biking gear: (Trek Fuel EX5, “full suspension” whit Shimano SLX brakes), helmets, pads and gloves
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 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 and it is cheap, this helps traveling light too.
Read more, Terms & Conditions.
Regular Season Price based on number of guests:
Deals
$2691/per person
All premium features
Solo travelers are welcome on sharing room basis otherwise single supplement applies
Apply on these dates
2 - 3 guests
$2990/per person
All premium features
Every sunday
4 or more guests
$2300/per person
All premium features
Every sunday
Go private
We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.
