Enjoy a 6-day multi-sport adventure through Ecuador! Begin your journey by hiking in El Cajas National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the Andean fox, white-tailed deer, and spectacled bear that roam these grasslands. Rock climb then head to the top of a mountain to explore ancient Incan ruins. Raft the Class II rapids of Tomebamba River and horseback ride through cattle fields and Andean moorlands. Each day in Ecuador is filled with new adventures!
Highlights
Hike El Cajas National Park through grasslands and glacial lakes
Rock climb to a 360 degree view of the city of Cuenca
Raft the Class III rapids of Tomebamba River
Horseback ride through cattle fields and Andean moorlands
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
This morning set out for a short drive north of Guayaquil to nearby Manglares-Churute Mangrove Reserve, an ecological gem spanning 123,550 acres including tropcial dry forest and mangrove. Characterized by natural salt flats and vast mangroves along the River Guayas, the reserve is home to many species of birds and rich plant-life. After a picnic in the reserve, drive up the Andes Cordillera to the Tushipungo Valley for a scenic hike through cattle farms. Arrive at El Cajas National Park, a vast stretch of protected rolling grasslands and glacial lakes. Set out on a hike here and keep your eyes peeled for the Andean fox, white-tailed deer, and spectacled bear that make this home.
Continue on the Paute Valley this evening where you overnight in a local hosteria. Enjoy a nice relaxing dip in the pool and Ecuadorian dinner.
This morning set out towards a climbing rock, offering a 360 degree view of the city along with 100 routes from easy to challenging from which you can choose. After a safety briefing with the guide, set out to climb a route based on your comfort level and experience. You can opt to top rope or climb with a guide's assistance. After scaling the rock, head on to the top of the mountain and explore Cañari Inca Ruins, offering a breathtaking view of the valley below. Take bikes back to Cuenca along a paved road this afternoon. Enjoy dinner in one of the charming restaurants in town.
Early this morning set out for a 30-minute rafting tour of the city of Cuenca via the Tomebamba River (Class II). If water levels do not allow for the rafting, explore the city instead before breakfast with a leisurely biking stroll. Observe the church doors open and the flower market getting into full swing as you and meander this beautiful colonial town with its old architecture and recent modern influence.
Considered the most colonial city in all the Americas, red-clay rooftops stretch throughout the city and baroque churches seem to stand on every corner. Also considered the adventurer's capital in Ecuador, the city is a great base for exploring the outdoors in the area! This afternoon you get to know Cuenca more in depth, meet a local artist, and enjoy a cup of coffee in a cozy cafe in the heart of the city.
Travel together to one of the world's most fertile and green valleys for your horseback riding adventure. Arrive to the equestrian center and choose your horses. Enjoy a safety briefing by the guide before mounting up for your 3-hour-long easy-paced excursion. Set out for the nearby hills and ride through cattle fields and Andean moorlands ecosystem. Chat with the locals as you encounter them on the ride and enjoy the scenery. Return to Cuenca this afternoon.
Day 6: Return to Quito
1 Breakfast
This morning return to the Cuenca airport for your flight back to Quito. Connect with your international flight home, or extend your stay to visit the Amazon or Galapagos!
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.
Initial deposit is $400, 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
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.