Mountain biking in South America

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Our signature mountain biking tours is the adventure packed 7-day tour de force of Mountain Biking in Ecuador. On this tour, you will mountain bike down an active volcano, relax in hot spring baths and visit the Amazon rainforest. A white water rafting trip, a tour of ancient Quito and good food round off the delights of this truly special trip.

Starting at an astonishing 15,000 ft, this bike trip enjoys stunning views on a thrilling decent of an active volcano. Mingling with the local along the way will enrich your knowledge of the diversety and rich culutural history that Ecuador has to offer. From Cotopaxi National Park, to Chimborazo, Baños, Puyo and the Avenue of the Orchids. A hike in the Amazon Basin, the hot springs at Papallacta and a tour of Quito.

TRIP DETAILS

PRICES FROM: US$2,189 per person.

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TWELVE DAY TRIP

Extend our signature tour with a 12 day tour. It features all the benefits of the 7 day tour, but with more time to enjoy the delights of this fascinating country.

Day 1: Arrival Quito. Transfer to the hotel and rest.

Day 2: After exploring the colorful market in Otavalo, we head to the crater lake Cuicocha. The afternoon ride will lead us back to Otavalo, through quaint villages and striking views of surrounding volcanoes.

Day 3: Often taking advantage of our support vehicle to take us on the uphill legs, we head eastwards to the jungle and the hot springs town of Papallacta. Volcanoe Cayambe, and Antisana watch over our every move.

Day 4: Four hour ride through lush rainforest to Tena, in the Amazon basin. Dinner and night in lodge at river bank.

Day 5: A jungle hike accompanied by a Quechua Indian guide.

Day 6: Bike from Tena to Baños through famous “Avenue of Orchids”.

Day 7: Free day in Baños, a chance to rest tired muscles in the hot springs, hike the surrounding hills, or relax in one of the town's lovely cafes.

Day 8: Jeep to Chimborazo, the highest volcano in Ecuador, for far-reaching views. Ascent on foot until Refuge (5000 m) Fine descent on bike through patchwork fields. Night in hotel.

Day 9: Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, and the chance to bike down from the car park at 4,500 meters. Bike on highlands to Inca Ruins.

Day 10/11: After night in Quito, the Rio Toachi is our destination for a couple of days of white water rafting, transfer back to the colonial capital.

Day 12: Transfer to Airport. Flight home.

PRICE

For 3-4 people: US$2,985 per person.
For 5 + people: US$2,735 per person.
WHAT'SINCLUDED

Flight to Quito, Ecuador. (surcharge may apply)
All accommodation.
Meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L= lunch, D=dinner).
21-speed mountain bikes.
All Transportation.
Fully guided service.
All protection gear (helmet, elbow and knee pads).
NOT INCLUDED

Meals not mentioned above.
Alcoholic drinks.
Tips.
Personal expenses.

SHORT TRIPS

If you are already going to Ecuador and need a side trip, the following are designed with you in mind.

TWO DAYS

This trip adds a second day on to the Cotopaxi trip.

Day 1: See 1-day Cotopaxi trip above. Instead of returning to Quito at the end of the day we drive westwards over the widest páramo stretch of the country. We will spend the night at a cozy Inn on the rim of active volcano Quilotoa.

Day 2: Start with an early hike down to the deep jade colored crater lake. Cycle towards Zumbahua along the “Grand Canyon” of Ecuador. Amazing downhill bike ride to Pujili. Altitudes: 4,500-,2800 m (15,000-9,300ft).

TWO DAYS - AN ALTERNATIVE

This is an excellent way to see a cross section of Ecuador’s ecosystems in two days. As we travel, we are dwarfed by the striking Andes Mountains that surround us. You will pedal across the páramo – the Ecuadorian equivalent of the arctic tundra – and down through stunning cloud forest, traversing steep Andean slopes as you descend down into the Amazon basin.The terrain for this leg of the journey is a combination of dirt and paved roads of scenic rolling hills.

Day 1: Ascend by jeep to the high pass "Paso de la Virgen" at 4200 meters (13300 ft). From here the descent begins by mountain bike...all the way to the small town of Baeza. Lunch in the wilderness. The afternoon bike trip takes us through tropical rainforest to San Rafael Falls, the highest waterfall in Ecuador and end the day with an amazing trek to the famous Waterfalls. Return to Baeza where a fortifying dinner will be served while you relax to the sounds of the tropical rainforest. Night rest in hotel. (L, D)

Day 2: After breakfast we depart by mountain bike for a 3-hour ride. Once we reach our first destination, we store our bikes on our jeep’s roof and drive back up to the Papallacta Hot Springs for a soothing swim in the natural thermal pools. Lunch. Drive over the Papallacta pass at 4200 m and remount our iron horses for the two thousand-meter "whiz" downward to Tumbaco valley. Views of Antisana Volcano will bedazzle you! Jeep to Quito. (B,L)

This trip departs every day at 07h00 in the morning. Expect to ride approximately 4 1/2 hours. If that's not enough, you are free to do more! These trips are rated moderate.

PRICE

For 2-3 passengers: US$ 350 per person.
For 4 + passengers: US$320 per person

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

Meals as indicated (b-breakfast, l-lunch, d-dinner)
Accommodation.
21-speed mountain bikes.
All transportation.
Experienced bilingual guides.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Flights to Ecuador.
Entrance fees to National Parks (US$ 15.00).
Swimming pools and contribution to indigenous hosts.
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ONE-DAY TRIPS

Cotopaxi Volcano

Enjoy stunning views of 8 different volcanoes as you drive across the páramo grasslands to the starting point at an altitude of 4,500 m. (15,000 ft.). Soon we will bike down the slopes of Cotopaxi the world’s highest active volcano, located in Ecuador. We will bike on dirt roads through volcanic ash and páramo landscape to visit an Inca ruin at 3,700 m. After a packed lunch, while keeping an eye out for condors over head the journey continues on dirt roads and single track down from Lake Limpiopungo through pine forest.

On this trip, you can expect to encounter wild horses, llamas and black-headed vultures all of which are home to Cotopaxi national park. With a little good fortune, a Condor or Paramo Fox might be spotted. Humming birds, including the Andean Hillstar and the Sparkling Violetear frequent the park as well.

This trip is rated moderate. Easier and more challenging 1-day trips are avaliable. Please e-mail us if this is what you are seeking.

PRICE:
US$195 per person.
BOOK NOW - Click here to e-mail us your booking.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

21-speed mountain bikes.
All transportation.
Experienced bilingual guides.
Lunch
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Entrance fees to National Park (US$ 10.00)
BOOK NOW - Click here to e-mail us your booking.