Extreme Ecuador Adventure Standard 12D

Our driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Free time to relax and acclimatize to your new surroundings.

We’ll drive for a while on the old road Quito-Nono, before riding our bike on a road void of traffic. You’ll ascend on the jeep with Cayambe and Guagua Pichincha Volcanoes in clear view. We drive 20 Km until the highest point of the trip (3200 m of altitude). Then we switch to human power. You’ll descent on bike, surrounded by Andino flora experiencing the sudden changes to exotic, verdant tropical forest. The exuberant cloud forest is full of bromeliads, palm trees and orchids. At your right there is a mountain stream which soothing sound mingles with the birds’ singing.

We’ll pass Nono (located at 2900 m) and ride all the way down to Tandayapa (located at 1800 m) where the picnic lunch will be served! After lunch we continue to Mindo, a town Meca for all nature lovers!  Keep one eye on the road and the other peeled on the sky: there’s a good chance to see parrots, hummingbirds, toucans and caciques.  After one first tough uphill we ride down to Mindo cloudforest were we will spend the night  in a cozy little hostel in Mindo.

We wake up early and hop on the truck to the beautiful Waterfalls of Mindo, we hike down for approximately 45 minutes, and then we stay in the waterfalls, swimming, relaxing and having lunch. After that we hike up, get our bikes and descend to the other side of the mountain. The road is beautiful and you can expect to see many hummingbirds, variation of flora and beautiful birds. In the afternoon, we drive back to Quito!

Quilotoa is a real highlight of your tour that will literally take your breath away! An emerald green Laguna inside the crater of an extinct volcano with steep jagged cliffs and views straight down the entire valley of volcanoes (on a clear day), as well as amazing landscapes along the drive through what is sometimes referred as the Grand Canyon of Ecuador. The trek into the crater to the lake shore is very popular. There is a possibility for an optional mule ride out (approx. 10$) for those with tired limbs. At the shore you can also rent a kayak to explore the lake and fumaroles. The village of Quilotoa is also an interesting crafts center.

Finally the climb you have been waiting and preparing for! The goal for today is to head to the refuge level (4800m), practice the basics of ice-trekking with crampons, and then rest up ready for the climb. Overnight at the refuge.

All going well you will reach the Cotopaxi summit at daybreak for spectacular views before heading back down to the refuge. Even if you do not reach the summit this is an enjoyable experience with great views! Leaving the national park behind we head further south to the town of Baños where you have a free afternoon to rest and recover from the exertions of the climb.

In the morning an exhilarating canyoning tour - the perfect way to explore some of Ecuador´s most fantastic waterfalls! With trained bilingual guides on hand, you will rappel down the centre of several gushing falls - you´ll get wet, but it´s an experience you will never forget! In the afternoon more free time for hiking or exploring this small town. You could also take a tour (optional & extra) across the valley for the chance to see lava explosions from nearby Tungurahua Volcano on a clear night.

Early in the morning we head into the Amazon basin. After a picnic on the river shore we board the kayaks and explore the upper Arajuno River, paddling downstream for 2 hours, on the lookout for wildlife such as otter, caiman, toucan, parrot, monkeys, etc. After settling into the lodge there is an optional night hike.

After breakfast we paddle down the river for 2 hours on the lookout for wildlife that inhabit the river, and enjoying class 1 rapids that are super easy and fun to kayak. Arriving at the animal shelter, we take a guided walk to learn about all the animals that live here. After a box lunch on the side of the river we go back to the Lodge by canoe, with free time to relax.

An early canoe ride takes you to the parrot clay lick, where colorful birds come to lick the minerals from the clay to detoxify and digest. Breakfast is at the lodge, and then a hiking exploration for 2 hours in the forest. After lunch we head by canoe to the Kichwa Community, to learn about their culture, drink sacred “chicha”, and make chocolate straight from the bean.

After breakfast we canoe and drive back to the Andes, stopping on route at a hummingbird reserve. Then is our final stop at Papallacta hot springs to soak in the pools and relax; these volcanic waters are very healthy for your body, and are perfect after the amazon adventure. Drive to Quito.

Transfer Out

You will be picked up at your hotel for a transfer to the airport in time for your international flight out.