Mountain biking holiday in Ecuador: deserts, forests, and volcanoes!
Taming the dragon; mountain biking holiday in Ecuador
Ecuador is a mountain biker’s paradise and you’ll find a feast for the senses at every turn of the pedal: from the immense grandeur of the Andes, to the depths of a tropical cloud forest, and from the colours and aromas of Otavolo market, to the slopes of the world’s highest active volcano – Cotopaxi.
On this mountain biking holiday in Ecuador you’ll ride on natural trails in the highlands that pre-date the Incas; swoop down the slopes of Cotopaxi; and enjoy flowing singletrack across Andean deserts on this South American mountain bike tour of a lifetime.
This ten-day guided mountain biking holiday in Ecuador offers you some of the most exhilarating mountain biking in South America. You’ll stay in family-run hotels, and in a traditional working hacienda looking out onto Cotopaxi. In one of the areas we visit you will have the opportunity to learn about and contribute to a local reforestation project.
We’ll start our mountain biking holiday in Ecuador in Quito, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site with its fabulous blend of Spanish colonial, and Inca architecture. In Quito we’re at a height of 2,800m above sea level, and over the course of the ten days we’ll achieve heights of up to 4,600m, climbing gradually to ensure that your body becomes accustomed to the altitude.
With 46 different eco-systems, 14 active volcanoes, four world heritage sites, the highest concentration of rivers per square mile in the world, and one of the world’s richest bio-diversities, you can be sure of a totally unforgettable mountain biking holiday in Ecuador.
Our mountain biking holiday in Ecuador is for advanced mountain bikers with level 4 fitness, and to find out what this means read the explanation of our skill and fitness levels.
Meet Jorge, your mountain bike guide in Ecuador!
Tour dates 2013
- 29 June – 8 July 2013
- 30 November – 9 December 2013
Please contact our expert tour team if you have different dates in mind for your mountain biking holiday in Ecuador and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.
Want to know more? Ask us a question about our Ecuadorian mountain bike tour, and read more about why you should choose H&I Adventures for your next adventure.
Mountain biking holiday in Ecuador itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival and acclimatization
On the first day of your mountain biking holiday in Ecuador your H&I Adventures guide will meet you at Quito airport and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on time of arrival, you may have time to explore some of the town and have a group dinner.
Overnight in Quito
Day 2 – Parque Metropolitano, Quito
We start our adventure in Ecuador with some great morning riding around Quito, to get us acclimatised to the altitude.
In the afternoon we’ll explore the old colonial part of Quito, the first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit local craft markets.
Overnight in Quito
Day 3 – Infernillo
Infernillo, “Little Hell,” starts with a fantastic singletrack descent into the mouth of the Pululahua volcano. Pululahua spits us out on to el Pondoña trail, then on to the moon trail.
We descend from 2,800m, high in the Andes, through spectacular cloud forest down to 1,500m.
On the way back we will visit the middle of the world monument, where we can put one foot in each hemisphere.
We will transfer (app. two hours) to the Ibarra area, where we will spend the night.
Day 4 – Chota 2500
For the next two days we’ll be riding in the valley of the Chota River in the Imbabura region of northern Ecuador. The people of the Chota valley are of African descent, having been brought to Ecuador as slaves for the sugar plantations during the Colonial period.
Today we’ll do the Chota 2500 from Ibarra to el Chota. We’ll descend from 2,600m to 1,600m, through incredible Andean desert ecosystems filled with cacti (don’t forget spare tubes!). This ride will take us approximately three hours, mostly downhill.
Overnight in Ibarra
Day 5 – Chota 5000
Our second ride in the El Chota area starts with a one and a half hour climb, for which you’ll be rewarded with a three-hour descent; something characteristic of our mountain biking holiday in Ecuador!
After a delicious Ecuadorian lunch we’ll drive to our accommodation for the next two nights at Hacienda El Porvenir, in the shadow of the world’s largest active volcano, Cotopaxi.
On the way to our hacienda we’ll stop at the world-famous Otavolo market, one of the most important indigenous markets in the Andes selling some of the most sought-after Ecuadorian artisan crafts.
Overnight Hacienda El Porvenir
Day 6 – Taming the dragon: Cotopaxi
We’ll ride three awesome downhill trails today on the slopes of Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano. The terrain is very steep and consists of volcanic ash, petrified lava, big boulders and sand.
The trails descend from 4,600m to 3,900m and you’ll feel the benefit of the previous days’ acclimatization mountain biking in Ecuador.
Overnight Hacienda El Porvenir
Day 7 – Day of the Chagras
Today is our day off the bikes and our chance to experience the life of the Chagras, Andean cowboys, with a ride on horseback to the slopes of Ruminahui.
In the afternoon we’ll get to plant some native trees and give something back to Pachamama for everything she’s given us on this amazing adventure!
Overnight in a Hacienda El Porvenir
Day 8 – Pacuras and Papallacta hot springs
Our transport will take us to El Quinche for a beautiful ride between the Pacuras; ancient Inca look-out points. We’ll start at 3,500m, the climb to 3,900m before descending back to 2,700m.
At the end of our ride we’ll head to Papallacta to enjoy one of the best spa and natural hot springs in Ecuador!
Overnight Papallacta
Day 9 – Farmer trail and return to Quito
Our last day of riding will take us on an amazing trail full of switchbacks, through Andean forest, and on to a trail that weaves its way through local farms and haciendas.
We’ll then transfer back to Quito to pack bikes and buy gifts for the family, before our final celebratory meal to toast an incredible mountain bike experience in Ecuador.
Overnight in Quito
Day 10 – Transfer to airport
This is where we say farewell to new friends and to Ecuador.
£1,710 / $2,736 USD per person (ex. flights, based on two people sharing a room)
A single supplement of £370/ $600 will be applicable should a single room be requested.
Price includes:
- Breakfast and lunch each day and dinner on the final night
- Nine nights’ accommodation
- Airport transfers
- The services of an experienced, bi-lingual (English/ Spanish) mountain bike guide for the duration of the trip
- Entrance fees to historical/cultural sites and national parks
- Back-up vehicles for the duration of the trip
- All group safety equipment
Price excludes:
- Flights to and from Ecuador
- All dinners except final night
- Travel and activity insurance
- Personal safety and cycling equipment
- Bike hire – bike rental costs are: £500/$800 for an Ibis Mojo Carbon full suspension bike for the duration of the trip
- Alcoholic/ non-alcoholic beverages
- Any other items not listed as included
Arrival and departure details
Your mountain biking holiday in Ecuador will start and end at Quito airport. Your guide and/or driver will meet you in the arrivals area of Quito airport and he/she will be holding an H&I Adventures sign.
Travelling to Ecuador
Quito airport is well-served by major airlines from all over the world. For up-to-date timetables and booking visit: www.ba.com; www.aa.com; www.iberia.com; www.continental.com.
We do not recommend travelling through Bogotá airport if you want your luggage to arrive at your end destination at the same time as you do. They have a tendency to lose luggage and you could spend the first couple of days without clothes and/or your bike.
You must book your bike on to your flight in advance, otherwise you could face a heavy charge at the airport. Here are some handy hints and tips on travelling by air with your bike.
Preparing yourself and your bike for the trip
Please read the full kit list before you start packing for your mountain bike tour in Ecuador, so that you have everything you need!
Our mountain biking holiday in Ecuador is for advanced mountain bikers with level 4 fitness, and to find out what this means read the explanation of our skill and fitness levels.
The ideal bike for your Ecuador mountain bike adventure is a good quality full-suspension mountain bike with around 150mm of travel front and rear.
To get the most out of your mountain bike holiday in Ecuador you should plan some training in advance of your tour, and it is essential that you ensure that your bike has been properly serviced before the trip. We will be riding at high altitudes on our mountain bike tour in Ecuador, and if you have never experienced mountain biking at altitude before you may be interested in some useful advice on how to cope with the effects of altitude.
For more information on our Ecuadorian mountain bike tour, and travelling in Ecuador in general, read the full trip brochure.
Ecuador
I can only reiterate what the previous comments have said about this trip. It's a must do trip for any budding mountain biker who's looking for adventure and challenging trails in an amazing country. It will be an experience you will not forget !
Ecuador
Amazing trip and perfect trails at the very beautifull country Ecuador. Unbelivable how different the trails are: form jungle trails to sandy trails at desert area, up to Highlands and downhills at the slope of Cotopaxi. Perfect bike trip with lots of culture and gorgeous landscape!!!!
ecuador
megarides...without too long uphills. you will be happy to ride volcanoes and in the jungle.
Ecuador
The Ecuador Trip was just brilliant. One of the best things a mountain biker can do, especially in November.
Trails as diverse as the landscape. And simply just perfect fun. Breathtaking, not only because of the height, but as well because of the amazing sceneries. I absolutely enjoyed every day out there.
The overnights in pretty, traditional Haciendas and good local food complete an excellent trip in the Andes.
Here is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for our mountain biking holiday in Ecuador
- Q. How many people will be in the group?
A. We only run small group adventures to ensure that everyone has the best experience possible, and there will generally be between six and ten people in each group. The minimum number of people we require to run a trip is four.
Q. What’s the age range of people who come on this trip?
A. Our mountain biking holiday in Ecuador caters for a wide age range; typically between 30- and 55-years-old, but age is simply a state of mind, as they say, and we welcome anyone over the age of 18! As long as you have a good level of physical fitness and good bike handling skills you will enjoy this mountain bike tour no matter what your age.
Q. What style of mountain biking tour is it?
A.This mountain biking holiday in Ecuador is a guided mountain bike tour, ideal for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. Riding here, amongst the world’s highest active volcanoes, you’ll experience a few tough climbs (largely because of the altitude) and steep, fast descents, as well as some lovely flowing singletrack through a huge diversity of landscapes and eco-systems. Altitude is a factor in this trip and we have some tips for riding at high altitudes and managing the effects of altitude.
Q. How far will we be mountain biking each day?
A. The distances we cover each day range from 15km to 50km, in accordance with the altitude and height gain/ loss on each stage. We will gain height gradually over the course of the trip to ensure that your body becomes accustomed to the increased altitude. Each evening your guides will chat with you about the following day’s mountain biking and give you an idea of the sorts of trails you can look forward to. If there’s anything you feel anxious about, your guides will be happy to discuss it with you.
Q. Do we have to carry all our gear with us?
A. No, you only need to carry a day pack with you whilst riding. We have a support vehicle and driver who will transfer your luggage to your next accommodation each day, and have it ready and waiting for your arrival.
Q. What if I come across a section of trail that I can’t ride?
A. Your guide will be very happy to give you some bike skills training during your trip to help improve your confidence and your enjoyment of your Ecuador mountain bike adventure. If there is a section that you would prefer not to ride, then you can simply hop off your bike and walk. You won’t be the only one to walk certain sections and it’s not a competition in biking ability; it’s a mountain bike holiday!
Q. Who will be guiding us?
A. Your mountain bike guides are local to this region of Ecuador and experienced professionals who have a real passion for mountain biking and for the culture and landscape of Ecuador. Your safety is their number one priority, closely followed by your enjoyment of the tour. They will always be on-hand to answer any questions or requests you may have throughout your trip. You can meet your mountain bike guides on our ‘Why H&I Adventures page?’.
Q. What sort of accommodation will we be staying in?
A. On this mountain bike tour in the north of Ecuador you will be staying in 3- and 4-star local hotels, guest houses, and a traditional working hacienda (ranch). At the hacienda you’ll have the chance to learn about the reforestation project going on in the area.
Q. What will the weather be like in Ecuador?
A. Ecuador has many different climates and micro-climates, and in the regions we’ll be visiting on our mountain bike tour temperatures can range from 6C/42F to 25C/77F. It’s likely that you’ll experience bright sunshine, as well as some rain and damp, overcast days, so you should bring plenty of layers and a waterproof jacket with you for riding.
Q. Which meals are included in the tour?
A. Nine breakfasts, seven lunches and four dinners are included in the price of the trip.
Q. What type of mountain bike is best for this trip?
A. A good quality full suspension mountain bike with 150mm travel front and rear will be ideal for this mountain bike tour. The terrain you will be riding is rough in places and you’ll be doing lots of descending throughout the week. We can arrange hire of an Ibis Mojo Carbon bike in Ecuador, at a cost of £500/$800 for the week. If you wish to bring your own bike we have some handy tips on how to travel with your bike.
Q. What clothes and kit should I bring?
A. You must make sure that you have plenty of layers of breathable clothing to ensure that you are always warm enough and can remove a layer if you get too hot, and you should bring a waterproof jacket. You should also bring cycling shorts/trousers, gloves, padded undershorts, specific shoes for cycling, sun cream, insect spray, and Advil or Ibuprofen. Read the full kit list to find out what you need to pack for your mountain bike tour in Ecuador.
Ecuador
I can only reiterate what the previous comments have said about this trip. It's a must do trip for ...
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