9-Day Epic Ecuador Cycling Quest

Itinerary

• DAY 1 Arrive in Quito
  

  An English-speaking guide will drive you from Quito International Airport to your hotel, where you will assemble your bicycles. We recommend arriving at least one day early to acclimate to the altitude.

  • Activity:Arrival.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Accommodation:Ilalo Garden Hotel or similar.
• DAY 2 Urban Single-Track in Quito
  

  Begin your exciting mountain biking trip in Ecuador with an exceptional breakfast at the first South American city declared a World Heritage Site. The Metropolitan Park trail system in the heart of this historic city sets the stage for our first morning, offering a chance to adapt to the altitude and experience Ecuadorian trail engineering.

  After a gourmet lunch at Quito’s Historic Center, we head to the city’s TelefériQo. Located high up in the Pichincha volcano, the cable car leads to exclusive mountain biking trails. We will tackle the Fort Williams descent, featuring over 3,000 ft of adrenaline and panoramic city views, inspiring us for the adventures ahead.

  Distance: 12 mi / 16.4 km. Maximum altitude: 10,500 ft / 3,200 m. Ascent: 800 ft / 250 m. Descent: 5,000 ft / 1800 m. Hours on the bike: 4 hours.
  Maps: Part 1, Part 2

  • Activity:Exploring. Biking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:Ilalo Garden Hotel or similar.
• DAY 3 Cotopaxi Bike Park
  

  On the second day of our cycling adventure in Ecuador, guests will embark on a picturesque one-and-a-half-hour trip to the Cotopaxi Bike Park at the foot of the imposing Cotopaxi Volcano. This enduro paradise features singletrack trails winding through native humid forests, composed of soft volcanic soil. Participants will explore multiple trails, each offering between 300 and 400 meters of descent, completing about four exciting descents before lunch. Afterward, guests can perfect their skills on the jump lines, enjoy laps on the pump track, or continue exploring the trails for more thrilling rides. 

  Distance: 14 mi / 22.4 km. Maximum altitude: 13,500 ft / 4,100 m. Ascent: 350 ft / 125 m. Descent: 3,500 ft / 1,060 m.
  Map

  • Activity:Biking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:El Rondador Hotel or similar.
• DAY 4 Freeride Madness at Cotopaxi Volcano
  

  Every corner of the globe boasts a legendary landmark that beckons thrill-seekers from far and wide. In Ecuador, the awe-inspiring Cotopaxi Volcano’s glacial vistas have enchanted souls for ages with its remarkably gentle volcanic terrain. Brave souls who venture here will discover the exhilaration of conquering the three daring freeride trails of Cotopaxi, each offering over 1,000 meters of heart-pounding descent. These trails are adorned with breathtaking natural wonders, from towering rock formations to cascading lava streams, promising an unmatched freeriding escapade and endless joy for riders of every caliber.

  Maps: Part 1, Part 2

  • Activity:Biking.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:El Rondador Hotel or similar.
• DAY 5 Bolívar Enduro Pack
  

  Today, our guests will indulge in a leisurely morning, savoring a delightful breakfast and preparing for a journey to a hidden gem known as a haven for mountain biking enthusiasts: Bolívar province. Anticipate our arrival by 2 pm, granting two hours of relaxation before delving into the enchanting town of Salinas de Bolívar. In Salinas, we will delve into the local culture through a farm tour, offering a firsthand glimpse into the region’s customs and lifestyle. This encounter will tantalize our taste buds for the upcoming gastronomic delights that define Salinas.

  • Activity:Transfer. Tasting.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.
  • Accommodation:La Guilena Hotel or similar.
• DAY 6 Touching the Sun on Chimborazo Volcano Downhill
  

  Ecuador’s tallest volcano and the closest point to the sun on Earth has a rich geography. In the past two decades, its 20-kilometer route has been revived by local mountain bikers, transforming it into a trail of adrenaline and adventure. Guests will start their descent from 4,500 m.a.s.l., traversing volcanic landscapes and open plains, concluding their journey at 2,300 m. This trail, one of our favorites, offers a thrilling sporting challenge and a deep dive into Ecuador’s history and culture.

  Distance: 17 mi / 28 km. Maximum altitude: 15,500 ft / 4,600 m. Ascent: 700 ft / 220 m. Descent: 5,000 ft / 1,800 m. Time on the bike: 8h.
  Map

  • Activity:Climbing. Biking.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:La Guilena Hotel or similar.
• DAY 7 Bolívar Cloud Forest (Mama Rumi DH)
  

  Mama Rumi is a world-renowned mountain bike trail that evokes deep emotion in our team, transporting us to the cloud forests of Bolívar. Once a vital agricultural route, it faded with modern roads but was revived by smugglers during prohibition. Rediscovered by cyclists after 75 years of obscurity, the trail descends over 2,100 meters in just 11 kilometers. Today, it offers an epic adventure, blending history, culture, and nature as riders traverse lush cloud forests and jungles on an adrenaline-filled journey through time.

  Distance: 8 mi / 13 km. Maximum altitude: 10,500 ft / 3200 m. Ascent: 150 ft / 50 m. Descent: 7,200 ft / 2200 m. Time on the bike: 6 hours.
  Map

  • Activity:Biking. Sightseeing.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
  • Accommodation:La Guilena Hotel or similar.
• DAY 8 Final Dinner in Quito
  

  We’ll start the final day of your mountain biking vacation in Ecuador with breakfast. Next is the return journey to Quito, where we will pack our bicycles. Back in the country’s capital city, we’ll enjoy an incredible dinner to close out this tour with an authentic meal.

  • Activity:Transfer.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast. Dinner.
  • Accommodation:Ilalo Garden Hotel or similar.
• DAY 9 Saying Farewell
  

  An English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel three hours before your departing flight and drive you to Quito International Airport.

  • Activity:Transfer.
  • Transport:Car.
  • Meal:Breakfast.