7-DAY CROSS COUNTRY CYCLING AND HACIENDAS
Join the most spectacular cycling adventure in Ecuador! Bike through the Andean mountains and tropical lush jungles while enjoying stunning landscapes of active volcanoes, craters, lakes, diverse wildlife and remote villages populated by traditional cultures. Do not miss this fantastic opportunity to discover your adventurous spirit and trek across the heart of Ecuador to have the experience of a lifetime.
Unique Experiences:
- Ride unknown trails and roads
- Staying at Haciendas
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DepartureQuito / Ecuador
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IncludedActivitiesLand TransportationFees and entrances to parks and museumsMeals detailed in the itinerary
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Not IncludedDomestic flightsAirport tranfer in & outInternational flight
FROM OUR GALLERY
DAY 1: QUITO ARRIVAL DAY
Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18pm:00pm.Meals included: none.
DAY 2: BIKING IN COTOPAXI
We begin this adventure traveling south on the pan American highway for 2 hours through The Avenue of Volcanoes, it was named by the famous German explorer Alexander Vond Humboldt. On the way enjoy views of volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Illinizas, Pasochoa, and Corazon. Once we enter the park we will drive on the high alpine line where we will learn from our guide about the flora and fauna of the Paramo ecosystem, along the road we will cross a pine forest and with some luck, you could spot a whitetail deer.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 3: PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS
In this day, after breakfast, we will drive to the western part of the Ecuadorian Andes, our first stop is at the Guango Hummingbird Reserve, here enjoy the ability to view about 20 species of these marvelous birds, all while enjoying a cup of coffee or some amazon tea. Later, we continue to the Papallacta resort to check in at your cabin with location right in front of the pools of volcanic water. Today, have lunch on your own as there are plenty of choices for restaurants that offer traditional food, in the afternoon we will go for a hike in the nearby cloud forest in search of orchids, bromeliads and several other different species of flora; with some luck you could observe some birds such us tanagers, trogons, warbler, flycatchers and even a condor.
Accommodation: Termas Papallacta
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 4: BIKING IN CAYAMBE COCA
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 5: BIKING TO OTAVALO
In the morning we will do a hiking exploration in the nearby Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve in the cloud forest, here there are beautiful flora that include colorful orchids, and if walking slowly and quiet, you may see some beautiful birds too. Later we will travel across the Andes to stop by the equatorial line to witness this great attraction and for standing on both hemispheres at the same time. Your guide will suggest a place to eat before going to the Otavalo Indigueous Market and spend some time shopping and learning about this ancient culture that is still lively here today, in the late afternoon we will be transferred to the hacienda and enjoy a welcome cocktail and a delicious dinner.NOTE - This morning if you do not want to go hiking, you can book a spa treatment and pay directly to the Hotel, make sure you organize this the night before just by calling from your own room to the Spa.
For lunch, we will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the AJ sustainable projects called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain). This is one fantastic effort developed by AJ and the local women with the main purpose to support their families and encourage the position of the women in the local society, providing them an alternative side work beside housekeeping, as a new option for an in-come. Once at the project you will experience an unforgettable cultural encounter, immersing yourself in the true spirit of the South-American woman and their skills for textiles and a deep culinary knowledge coming from the past generations. You will be part of the preparation of “Aji”, a local spicy salsa which is part of their identity, you will also share precious time with them and a tasty traditional lunch in which local women have used the fresh products harvested the same day from the surrounding organic fields. Later we will learn more about the weaving process of their textiles. Don’t miss the amazing opportunity to have the chance to give back, by buying handmade scarfs here. Later we will arrive at the beautiful, historical hacienda of Pinsaqui where we will stay overnight. Enjoy a typical Andean cocktail as welcome, and learn about the history of this place. .Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
DAY 6: BIKING INTO PULULAHUA
Today we drive for two hours heading south on the Pan-American highway, the first stop will be in Tabacundo town to see the rose shops. Most of the people in this town depend on the rose farms, they are considered among the top 5 largest business’ of Ecuador. After, we continue to the dry valley of Guayllabamba and stop for tasting the local fruit such as chirimoya.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "buen viaje"!
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What's Included?
- Transportation: private and comfortable land transportation.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 1 night in Papallacta Resort, 3 nights in Colonial Haciendas.
- Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner
- Activities: Biking in Cotopaxi NP, Biking in Cayambe Coca ER, Biking to Otavalo, Biking into Pulilahua Crater, Hiking in Papallacta, Soaking in volcanic hot springs.
- Gear: Trek X caliber, 29 inches wheels, rock shock suspension, hydraulic brakes, bontrager helmets.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking Adventure Trip Leader and local guides.
What is not included?
- My Own Room supplement - estimated budget USD $415.
- Airport transfers to/from Quito airport.
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Required immunizations (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary- estimated budget USD $120.
- International flights.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for guides and drivers - estimated budget USD $100.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
DRIVING TIME: 2 hours driving a day
SEASON: All year
PROVINCE: Pichincha, Cotopaxi and Imbabura provinces.
TERRITORY: Central and Northern Andes of Ecuador.
ALTITUDE: From 6900 feet ( 2100 m ) to 13000 feet ( 3962 m )
AVG. TEMP.: Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenging. This program is located in the central and northern Andes of Ecuador and we cycle mostly on dirt roads, single track with one day on asphalt. The rides are mostly flat and downhill but there is also optional climbs depending on the physical level of the group. For people that need a brake or are tired, they can ride in the bus with our driver but still enjoy the attractions.
ADVENTURE GEAR: Top of the line Bikes, TREK X caliber 9, 10 speed Shimano Deore, rock shock suspension, hydraulic brakes, 29 inches wheels, bontrager helmets.
ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
MEALS: One of the highlights of this trip is the Gastronomy, most of what we eat is organic and very fresh. Products like yucca, plantains, heart of palm, salads, fish, chicken, beef, always coffee and tea. This is all prepared by professional chefs from the Haciendas, for picnic and box lunches we include a wide variety of fruit, protein, vegetables, and snacks. Vegans, Gluten free and Vegetarians are welcome in our trips, there will always be options for them.
YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation. In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.
SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.
HEALTH INFORMATION: Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are mandatory for this trip. We strongly recommend to ensure that routine immunizations such as tetanus and diphtheria are up to date and to consider Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. Please ask your doctor for advice.