Itinerary (Daytrip from Quito)
We leave Quito in the morning. After one a half hour drive on the Pan-American Highway, we reach the park entrance of Cotopaxi National Park. We drive through pine forest and soon reach the park museum.
After visiting the museum, we enjoy a warm cup of ginger tee before continuing the ascent in our 4 wheel drive vehicle. We soon reach the highest point of the tour at 500 meters/15.000 feet. The view from here is stunning and on a clear day we are able to see 8 volcanoes.
Then, we put on helmets, gloves and protection pads and the bike adventure around the world’s highest active volcanoes begins. The first 8 kilometers will take us down 700 meters on dirt roads through volcanic ash and páramo landscape.
When at 3.800 meters, you will actually have to do some pedaling heading down another 8 kilometers between volcanic rocks and horses. We stop for lunch by an Inca Ruin at 3.700 meters. With some luck we might see a condor or caracara.
After lunch, we put the bikes on the jeep and head for the lake of Limpiopungo at 3.800 meters, where we start the 16 km downhill ride through pine forest biking on dirt roads. After two extra kilometers on a beautiful single track the bike adventure is over for this time
Highlights
Cotopaxi National Park Descend the slopes of one the world’s highest volcanoes enjoying magnificent views of snow-capped volcanoes as you pedal through a lunar landscape full of lakes, Inca ruins, and giant boulders spewed from the volcano long ago. With some luck, you might spot a condor!
Rural Villages Small indigenous villages where most of the inhabitants live of their livestock -sheep, llamas and other animals that have adapted to the Andean mountains.
Details
Meet / Depart
Hotel of your choice, Quito, Ecuador.
Includes
Transportation
English Speaking Guide
Fully equipped 4x4 vehicle
Mountain bikes with v-brakes and front suspension
All protective gear (helmet, knee & elbow pads)
Lunch and purified water
Not Included
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Park entrance fee ($10)
Anything not specified
Activity Level
Moderate
