Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito Arrival
You'll touch down at Quito Airport and get transported to your accommodation near the city center. Your bikes get assembled once you arrive, giving you time to get familiar with the gear and settle in. Depending on when you land, you might walk through the Historic Center of Quito, check out the Middle of the World Monument where the equator crosses, or grab dinner at a local spot instead.
- Start point
- Salidas/Departures, Quito - Pichincha, 1709, Ecuador (Pick up at Mariscal Sucre International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Double)
Included Activities
- Bike assembly at accommodation
Optional Activities
- Visit Historic Center of Quito
- Visit Middle of the World Monument
- Dinner at a point of interest
Landmarks Historic Center of Quito Middle of the World Monument - Day 2
Quito to Pacto
This morning you'll bike the El Chaquiñán trail, an old gravel railroad track converted for cyclists near Cumbayá Valley. The route takes you through old tunnels and over bridges with gentle grades that work well for gravel or mountain bikes. Later you'll head northwest into cloud forest terrain to reach the Andean Chocó, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve on Pichincha Volcano's western slopes with thick vegetation, waterfalls, and wildlife. You'll sleep in Pacto.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Double)
Included Activities
- Bike ride on El Chaquiñan gravel trail
- Bike ride through Andean Chocó UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Landmarks Cumbayá Valley El Chaquiñan Trail Andean Chocó UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Pichincha Volcano - Day 3
Pacto to Mindo
After breakfast, you'll descend by bike down a gravel road through the Andean Chocó, moving through different climate zones and keeping an eye out for unique bird species. Light rain is common in this cloud forest area. Once you finish the bike descent and have lunch, you'll head to Mindo for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Double)
Included Activities
- Bike descent through Andean Chocó gravel road
Landmarks Andean Chocó - Day 4
Mindo to Cotopaxi Region
You'll start early visiting the Bird Reserve to see the Andean Cock-of-the-rock. From there, head north on the Pan-American Highway to Cayambe to taste local bizcochos and see how they're made. Next, a 4x4 takes you up to Cayambe National Park and the Rúales Oleas Berge Refuge at 4,600m/15,092 ft. Then you'll bike down an off-road trail of sand and rocks back to Cayambe for lunch. After that, you'll travel toward the Central Andes and stay near Cotopaxi Volcano.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Double)
Included Activities
- Bird Reserve visit
- Local bizcochos tasting and production learning in Cayambe
- 4x4 ascent to Rúales Oleas Berge Refuge
- Off-road bike descent from Cayambe National Park
Landmarks Bird Reserve Cayambe Cayambe National Park Cayambe Volcano Rúales Oleas Berge Refuge - Day 5
Cotopaxi
A Land Cruiser drives you up Cotopaxi Volcano to 4,500m/14,764 ft. There's an optional trek up to the Rivas Refuge at 4,864m/15,955 ft if you want it. You'll return to the parking area and then ride downhill on single track to Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,800m/12,467 ft. The trail starts on soft sand then enters páramo vegetation. After lunch, you'll head to Riobamba for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Double)
Included Activities
- Land Cruiser ascent of Cotopaxi Volcano to 4,500m
- Downhill single track bike ride to Limpiopungo Lagoon
Optional Activities
- Trek to Rivas Refuge at 4,864m
Landmarks Cotopaxi Volcano Rivas Refuge Limpiopungo Lagoon - Day 6
Chimborazo
A Land Cruiser takes you up to the Hermanos Carrell Refuge at 4,850m/15,912 ft, and then you're in for a thrilling downhill ride on a dedicated bike trail. You'll pedal past vicuñas with Chimborazo towering above you, the highest peak when measured from Earth's center. Early season runs might have snow on parts of the route. You'll return to Riobamba for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Double)
Included Activities
- Land Cruiser ascent to Hermanos Carrell Refuge
- Downhill bike ride on dedicated bike trail at Chimborazo
Landmarks Chimborazo Volcano Hermanos Carrell Refuge - Day 7
Return to Quito
After breakfast and packing up your bikes, you'll drive back to Quito and head to Mariscal Sucre Airport for your flight out, wrapping up your mountain biking adventure.
- End point
- Salidas/Departures, Quito - Pichincha, 1709, Ecuador (Drop off at Mariscal Sucre International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hotel breakfast)
