Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito, Ecuador's capital sitting right on the equator in a valley below Pichincha volcano. Depending on when your flight lands, there's time to walk around the Old Town and check out the area on your own. Your tour guide meets you at the hotel lobby at 6:00 p.m. for a welcome talk and overview of the cycling adventure ahead.
Optional Activities
- Explore Quito's Old Town
- Explore surrounding areas of Quito
Landmarks Pichincha Volcano Quito Old Town - Day 2
Quito
After your certified guide covers technical and safety basics, you'll cycle through Quito's highlights including the colonial old town, local markets, parks, and streets where traditional craftsmen work. The route takes you past historic sites and monumental churches. One stop includes a local ice cream maker where you'll learn how they do it and get to taste it yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided bike tour of Quito colonial highlights
- Visit local markets
- Visit La Ronda (traditional craftsmen's street)
- Visit The Golden Compania church
- Visit Plaza de la Independencia
- Ice cream tasting at local ice cream maker
- Technical and safety briefing
Landmarks La Ronda The Golden Compania Plaza de la Independencia - Day 3
Quito to Otavalo
Start with an hour exploring the area, then cycle along a paved road around Imbabura volcano with views of Lake San Pablo and indigenous villages in the distance. You'll stop at a weaving factory to see how traditional tapestries are made. Grab lunch on your own, then head to the famous Otavalo market to pick up locally-made items like ponchos, tapestries, blankets, and jewelry. Back at the hacienda by evening for a welcome drink and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on own), Dinner (Dinner at hacienda)
Included Activities
- Guided bike tour around Imbabura volcano with views of Lake San Pablo
- Weaving factory visit with tapestry-making demonstration
- Welcome drink at hacienda
- Dinner at hacienda
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Otavalo market
- Independent exploration of Otavalo market and local villages
Landmarks Imbabura Volcano Lake San Pablo Otavalo Market - Day 4
Otavalo
After breakfast, you'll drive to Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve for a hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake with your guide pointing out the local plants. Then take a boat ride to the crater center to see volcanic activity and bubbles rising from the caldera. The day ends cycling back to Otavalo with a stop in Cotacashi to check out the leather goods the town is known for.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike around Cuicocha Crater Lake
- Boat ride to crater center
- Guided bike tour back to Otavalo with stop in Cotacachi
- Transfer to Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve
Optional Activities
- Explore Cotacachi leather goods shops
Landmarks Cuicocha Crater Lake Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve Cotacachi - Day 5
Otavalo to Cotopaxi
A 2-hour drive takes you through the 'Avenue of Volcanoes' with views of Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Illinizas, Pasochoa, and Corazon. You'll enter Cotopaxi National Park on a high alpine road and learn about the Paramo ecosystem. Biking at 3965 meters altitude on dirt roads, you'll see wild horses and bulls roaming past the remains of Cotopaxi's eruption from 140 years ago. Lunch gets prepared at Pucara Inca ruins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Prepared by guides at Pucara Inca ruins)
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Avenue of Volcanoes
- Guided hike through Paramo ecosystem
- Guided bike tour to Pucara Inca ruins
Optional Activities
- Wildlife spotting (white-tailed deer observation)
Landmarks Avenue of Volcanoes Cotopaxi Volcano Cayambe Volcano Pichincha Volcano Pucara Inca Ruins Cotopaxi National Park - Day 6
Cotopaxi to Quilotoa
A private transfer takes you to the indigenous Saquisili market to explore at your own pace. From there, you'll cycle on asphalt roads through rough Andean volcanic landscapes until reaching Quilotoa crater lake, which sits at high altitude with striking views all around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Private transfer to Saquisili market
- Guided bike tour to Quilotoa crater lake
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Saquisili indigenous market
Landmarks Saquisili Market Quilotoa Crater Lake 
- Day 7
Quilotoa to Baños
Morning starts with a hike to Quilotoa Crater Lake. Then you'll drive to Latacunga, pick up your bikes, and cycle to Salcedo where there's time to try the town's famous local ice cream. The afternoon involves traveling to the town of Baños de Agua Santa where your adventure continues.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Quilotoa Crater Lake
- Guided bike tour from Latacunga to Salcedo
- Ice cream tasting in Salcedo
- Transfer to Baños de Agua Santa
Landmarks Quilotoa Crater Lake Latacunga Salcedo Baños de Agua Santa 
- Day 8
Baños
Driving from Llanganates National Park down to the Pastaza River Canyon, you'll experience the special cloud forest climate passing through Andean farms and a large canyon with many waterfalls as the road descends into the jungle. You'll arrive in Baños, a town dramatically positioned at the foot of the active Tungurahua volcano. In the afternoon, walk around the city and visit 'The Swing of the End of the World,' famous for winning the 2014 National Geographic Photo Contest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided drive from Llanganates National Park to Pastaza River Canyon
- Visit The Swing of the End of the World
Optional Activities
- Explore Baños de Agua Santa independently
Landmarks Llanganates National Park Pastaza River Canyon Tungurahua Volcano The Swing of the End of the World - Day 9
Baños
This day is relaxed with free time to explore Baños at your own pace. If you want more activity, your guide can help you pick from optional adventure options depending on what interests you and your fitness level.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Canyoning
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Canoping
- Horseback riding
- Paragliding
- Independent exploration of Baños
Landmarks Baños de Agua Santa - Day 10
Baños to Rio Arajuno
After breakfast, you'll drive through scenic countryside until reaching Misahualli, a small quiet town where the Misahuallí and Napo rivers meet in jungle landscape. The town has a large sandy beach where capuchin monkeys often hang out playing. You'll reach your eco lodge in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided drive through scenic areas to Misahualli
- Transfer to Itamandi Eco Lodge
Optional Activities
- Beach exploration and wildlife observation in Misahualli
Landmarks Misahualli Misahuallí River Napo River - Day 11
Rio Arajuno
Start early with a 15-minute canoe ride upriver to see salt lick parrots before breakfast and a hike through primary forest. In the afternoon, you'll spend time with an Amazonian Kichwa community learning about their way of life and how they interact with the forest. You'll try the traditional fermented cassava drink called 'chicha' and help prepare it, taste traditional dishes, and watch traditional dance from the community's children. Local handicrafts are available to purchase directly.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canoe ride to salt lick parrots
- Guided primary forest hike
- Visit to Amazonian Kichwa community
- Learning about indigenous way of life and forest practices
- Traditional chicha drink preparation and tasting
- Traditional community dance performance
- Opportunity to purchase local handicrafts
Landmarks Rio Arajuno - Day 12
Rio Arajuno
A 40-minute canoe ride takes you to Anaconda Island to look for Hoatzin birds, woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and other jungle wildlife. Visit an indigenous family to learn about their farming, medicinal plants, and traditional hunting with blow guns and handmade traps. After lunch, head to AmaZOOnico, a rescue center for Amazon animals where you'll see critically endangered species in natural settings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canoe tour to Anaconda Island
- Wildlife observation (Hoatzin birds, woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys)
- Visit to indigenous community family
- Learning about cultivation, medicinal plants, and traditional hunting
- Visit to AmaZOOnico rescue center
Landmarks Anaconda Island AmaZOOnico - Day 13
Rio Arajuno to Papallacta
You'll drive north to Papallacta and take a short walk along the river. Then spend time relaxing in the hotel's own volcanic hot springs, a nice way to unwind after all the activity.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Short guided walk along river
- Access to hotel's volcanic hot springs
Landmarks Papallacta - Day 14
Papallacta to Quito
Your 14-day trip comes to an end today. You'll get transported to the airport for your flight back to Europe or to the Galapagos Islands if you've arranged an extension. You'll leave with memories, photos, and probably already planning when to come back for more of Ecuador.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
Optional Activities
- Galapagos Islands extension
