The foothills surrounding Cotopaxi National Park provide a thrilling ride for experienced and advanced bikers. Stay at classic haciendas each night and spend your days pedaling. Visit Santa Rita Ecological Reserve and hike to the Condor Machai waterfall. Take the El Tambo trail past Inca ruins and Andean Lakes. Round out your trip with a thrilling downhill track on the slopes of Cotopaxi itself.
Highlights
Ride the eleven mile El Tambo bike trail past Inca sites and Andean lakes
Ride to Santa Rita Ecological Reserve and hike the Condor Machai waterfall
Spend each night in a classic hacienda on the slopes of Cotopaxi
Requires high-intensity physical efforts that push the limits of one's fitness. May include tours with multiple days in a row of strenuous physical activity or single requiring more than 7 hours of activity. Recommended for travelers maintaining a demanding fitness level.
Leave Quito around 7:30 AM and transfer to Hacienda El Porvenir. Leave your luggage at the hacienda and get your bike! The first 2.5 miles take place on gravel and dirt roads all the way to the north entrance of Cotopaxi National Park, and from there, a beautiful downhill ride takes you to Santa Rita. Enjoy the mountain biking trails which take you to the heart of the Reserve for lunch. In the afternoon, hike to the Condor Machai waterfall. Transfer by vehicle or bike back to Hacienda El Porvenir just in time for dinner, and settle in to your room to rest up after your first day of biking adventure. Riding Time: approximately 4.5 hours full loop.
In the morning, enjoy breakfast before crossing the eastern road of Cotopaxi National Park. Visit several sites along the way, such as Inca ruins, fresh water springs, and Andean lakes. Arrive at El Tambo, an eleven (11) mile trail which is open exclusively to bikers. This trail offers some of the best views of the area. Enjoy a boxed lunch and continue to explore the area before arriving at El Tambo Hacienda House. Enjoy a drink while sitting next to a crackling fireplace, then attend a delicious BBQ dinner.
Enjoy breakfast before leaving El Tambo and transfer out for the day's ride. The first 12.5 miles of your ride feature a slight incline and several short climbing portions. Reach El Encanonado, where there is a downhill section. Enjoy a boxed lunch, then journey to the higher road of El Canal, which is a flat road following a water canal. Pass by Limpiopungo Lake and bike to Hacienda El Porvenir. Catch some drinks at El Porvenir before enjoying dinner at the hacienda. Riding time: Approximately 7 hours
Day 4: Cotopaxi Downhill / Quito
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Enjoy breakfast at the hacienda before leaving by vehicle for Cotopaxi National Park. Reach the parking lot on Cotopaxi Volcano and begin your descent down the volcano into the valley. The route depends on the technical level of the riders: You can bike downhill several different times through different routes, or you can stay on the same trail. Enjoy a packed lunch at Limpiopungo Gate and, in the afternoon, return by bike or take a vehicle back to Hacienda El Porvenir. Return your bicycle, and transfer back to Quito.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$9602-3 travelers
Notes
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Based on a Traditional Hacienda Room.
*A minimum of two travelers is required for this trip.
Initial deposit is $400 + Internal Flight Cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
My travel consultant went out of her way to make sure everything went smoothly, everything from the flight reservations to the final booking.
johnw
5 months ago
We have told everyone we know about Adventure Life. What a great company to work with and no detail is missed. Call them for your next adventure!!
Paul Rupert
5 months ago
Clara was great to work with. She presented lots of options and always responded promptly. And she found excellent options within our price range.
Colorado Traveler
8 months ago
Erin C. was incredibly helpful and thorough. I had answers immediately or within the same day.
Marilyn Snook
9 months ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
