A spectacular day visiting one of the highest active volcanoes in the world (5897m) and exploring the Andean grasslands (paramo) of the national park. Our first activity is to visit the small park museum; you will then continue up to an altitude of 4,500 meters/15,000 feet with amazing views on a clear day! After putting on helmets, gloves and protection pads the bike adventure begins on dirt roads through volcanic ash and grassy landscapes. At 3,700m we cycle by the remains of the last eruption of Cotopaxi that was about 140 years ago. We have a good chance of seeing wild horses and the Andean fox, and later we will ride on a fun single track all the way to the Pucara Inca Ruins where we enjoy lunch.
Tour duration: 7-8 Hours / Type: This is a privately tour service
Warm clothes (including hat, scarf and gloves), and waterproofs are recommended for this tour. Also, remember that it's important to drink lots of water and stay hydrated while at high altitude.
Boxlunch
English speaking guide
Private transport
Mountain Bikes
Protective Gear (Helmet & Gloves)
Pasochoa is a beautiful, 4199 meters (13776 ft) high mountain. The highlight of the Pasochoa trek is its humid cloud forest, situated inside an extinct volcanic crater near Quito. We find over one hundred species of bird and 50 species of original Andean trees. It provides a wonderful day trip. The trek is relatively gentle, going through amazing Páramo grasslands and cloud forests, which boasts of stunning Andean wildlife, including bulls, wild horses, hummingbirds, the viridian metal tail, mountain tanagers, red crested cotinga and the occasional Andean condor. Besides this, you’ll enjoy incredible views over Andean landscapes.
Tour duration: 7-8 Hours / Type: This is a privately organized tour service
Warm clothes (including hat, scarf and gloves), and waterproofs are recommended for this tour. Also, remember that it's important to drink lots of water and stay hydrated while at high altitude.
Breakfast
Boxlunch
English speaking driver/guide
A morning transfer to the green lush mountains of Baños. Then, you can choose between these two activities:
A delightful horseback riding tour to enjoy the incredible mountain scenery around the Tungurahua Volcano. The route will be chosen based on the length of your trip and personal interests.
OR...
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 waterfalls - you will get wet, but it´s an experience you will never forget!
Tour duration: 4 Hours / Type: The horseback riding is privately organized activity - The Canyoning is a shared organized activity
In the afternoon, our driver will also take you up to the swing at the end of the world. Or 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.
The driver will stay at your disposal for the rest of the day in case you wish to visit any other tourist sites close to Baños
Breakfast
Private transport (Spanish)
English speaking guide (horseriding)
Horse & equipment
English speaking Tour Leader for canyoning activity
Entrance fees
An incredible drive through the famous Valley of the Waterfalls. The Pailon del Diablo (in English known as Devil’s cauldron) is the largest and most spectacular of all, but the other smaller ones such as the ‘Manto de la Novia’ are also very impressive.
Then we continue on to Huasquila, arriving for lunch. After a short rest we head to visit the underground Jumandy Caves, named after the indigenous warrior that represented the resistance against the Spanish conquerors. Returning to the lodge a delicious dinner awaits, and later at night you can learn about the chocolate elaboration process by roasting cacao beans.
Baños
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Private transport (Spanish)
English speaking guide at the Lodge
Entrance fees
After an early breakfast head up to Jatunyaku river where you can enjoy a rafting experience of 23 km across the Llanganates National Park full of adrenaline and adventure. After a box lunch we head back to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Breakfast
Box-lunch
Dinner
English speaking guide
Rafting equipment
Shared transport
After breakfast and a short drive, go on a hike to the Grand Canyon, known as the secret lake, a magical place surrounded by waterfalls and caves. Here you can jump from the cave to the waterfall pool and immerse yourself in its energetic water. After these activities, enjoy a box lunch, and late in the evening head back to the lodge to relax.
Breakfast
Box-lunch
Dinner
English speaking guide
After breakfast, you will visit a magical place surrounded by exuberant vegetation, where you can see up to 14 types of hummingbirds. Afterwards, you will be dropped-off at the famous Papallacta hotsprings resort.
Time to put your feet up and relax at the pools while enjoying the stunning mountain setting. Bathe in the rejuvenating waters of the clear natural hot springs and there is also an excellent spa available (at extra cost). We also recommend a 1-hour hike along the beautiful river before entering the pools.
Breakfast
Box-lunch
Private transport (Spanish)
Entrance fees
Hotel early check-in
Spa treatments
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Quito or airport.