Ecuador is a mountain biking heaven, and on this trip you will experience the best of Ecuador!
We start with a short drive from Quito through the the Spectacular valley known as the Avenue of the Volcanoes to Cotopaxi National Park, home of the world's highest active volcano (nearly 20,000 feet high).
While riding mostly downhill (way, way downhill---these mountains are big) on dirt roads we descend from the smoking volcanoes to the gateway of the Amazon, where cloud banks and nothing but a flat green sea of jungle stretch out before us. We'll explore the fertile valley of Niton and trails of the Patate valley before returning to the volcanoes to ride below the Ilinizas twin peaks.
While the biking is spectacular, we do more than ride on this trip. We frequently stop to explore glacial lakes, ancient ruins, and to hike to nearby waterfalls. At night we stay in a colonial hacienda near Cotopaxi and also soak away our soreness in the natural hot pools at Banos. What a way to experience Ecuador!
Highlights
See Ecuador's most beautiful sites from a Mountain Bike
Ride downhill off the flanks of the world's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi
Descend through the stunning Pastaza Gorge, gateway to the Amazon
See Banos from above as we descend the foothills of Volcan Tungurahua
Cycle the paramo below the twin Iliniza peaks ...view more details
Abbreviated Itinerary
DAY 1: COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
DAY 2: PATATE CLOUDFOREST
DAY 3: EXPLORE & CYCLE BANOS
DAY 4: ILINIZAS TWIN PEAKS ...see full itinerary
Why should I choose this trip? What makes it better (different) than other trips?
This is a truly unique trip that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world! We descend smoking volcanos, ride across the high Andean plane, and then descen even more to the cloudforest where we can look out over the vast Amazon Basin.
We stay overnight in a colonial Hacienda and also enjoy the thermal pools at Banos! ...view more details
What kind of person will enjoy this trip?
Active people who want to see the best of Ecuador, but not from a bus. Some bicycling experience is helpful. ...view more details
DAY 1: COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
We drive to Cotopaxi National Park, site of the highest active volcano in the world. We visit Limpiopungo Glacier Lake and the local Indian ruins, then pedal down the valley through a volcanic dirt road following the Pita River Gorge. This day will be mainly downhill into the valley. At the end of the day we go to a colonial hacienda hotel for the evening. (L, D)
DAY 2: PATATE CLOUDFOREST
We continue our trip south towards the Tungurahua province where we commence cycling in the hills of Niton. Our descent will be through the beautiful valley of the Patate River with impressive views to one of our most active volcanoes, Tungurahua. We will end our day entering the stunning Pastaza gorge, which is the gateway to the Amazon. This night will be spent in Banos enjoying the natural hot springs. (B, L, D)
DAY 3: EXPLORE & CYCLE BANOS
In the morning we will trek to some of the many local waterfalls and the surrounding natural areas. The afternoon will find us riding downhill from Runtun where we can enjoy a spectacular view of Banos from above. This subtropical valley is rich in cloudforest vegetation on the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. Overnight in Banos. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: ILINIZAS TWIN PEAKS
We will drive north to Pastocalle where we start cycling at the base of the Ilinizas twin peaks. We will descend towards the Chaupi valley on highland dirt roads. We ride through open paramo valleys and Andean scenery. From the Chaupi valley we transfer trails to the old train line where we end our day at the train station in Aloag. Transfer back to Quito. (B, L)
Detour, The Adventure Travel Marketplace - Highlands and Cloudforest Mountain Biking
