ECUADOR MULTI-SPORT ADVENTURE

 

Ecuador´s mainland is often overshadowed by The Galapagos Islands; however, mainland Ecuador has a number of impressive sights itself and is the perfect place for adventure activities and natural experiences. Ecuadorians say that when God created the world, there was a little bit of everything left over and so it all went into Ecuador. From mountains and volcanoes to jungles, cloud forests, and beaches, and with bustling city life, colonial towns, and rich cultural traditions, Ecuador is a one-of-a-kind destination. And while it may physically sit on the center line that runs through the world, Ecuador certainly taps into those central things that make life so magical. Find out more about Ecuador´s mainland on this 8-day Ecuador Multi-Sport Adventure!

 

Llama in Cotopaxi National Park

Quito

Sky high in the Andes and hemmed in by the snow-capped peaks of two active volcanoes, few cities have as dramatic a setting as Quito. The Ecuadorian capital’s 16th-century Centro Histórico (Old Town) is not only the largest and best-preserved colonial center in Latin America, it's also the world's very first UNESCO World Heritage city. Incredibly, there are more than 200 churches, convents, and monasteries clustered together in the compact Old Town of Quito. Make sure you visit the Notre Dame–inspired Basílica del Voto Nacional and climb the dizzyingly high central tower that looks over the town’s white-washed buildings and parade of volcanos, The Gold Compañía de Jesús; which is considered one of the most beautiful churches in South America thanks to its shimmering Baroque and Moorish interior, and the enormous San Francisco Church; the city’s largest colonial building, fronting a spectacular plaza. Ecuador´s capital also has its fair share of fabulous restaurants, cafes, chocolate shops, and ice cream parlors, making Quito a fabulous place to hang out and acclimatize to the higher elevations of Ecuador.

 

Quito City

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi National Park is only 48km (30 mi) outside of Quito, making it a perfect day trip from the capital – but with so many incredible activities to see, you may want to stay overnight, and at the right time. In general, the best time for clear views of the Cotopaxi volcano – Ecuador’s second highest peak, at 5,897m (19,347ft)is from July to October when there is less cloud cover. One of the main attractions inside Cotopaxi Park is Laguna Limpiopungo, which is a seasonal lake that swells during the rainy season. It’s home to nesting Andean gulls which can be seen whenever you visit, while hummingbirds can also be observed along the walking trail, which takes around 90 minutes to complete. On a clear day, the views of the volcano from Limpiopungo are magnificent. The wild horses of Cotopaxi often graze near the end of the trail, and there are plenty of companies that offer horse riding tours in the area. Of course, the elephant in the room is the magnificent Cotopaxi volcano. The hike up is strenuous, and should only be done once you’ve fully acclimatized to the altitude. There are several different routes you can take, all of which start at the José Ribas refuge. Make sure you have all the equipment and layers you need to stay safe. It’s highly recommended to go with an experienced local guide. Once you reach the top, if conditions are clear, you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled views. If you don’t fancy hiking to the summit, even walking as far up as the refuge – at 4,800m (15,748ft) above sea level – is an unforgettable experience.

 

Wild Horses at Cotopaxi

Baños

Wedged between the Andes Mountain and the Amazon Rainforest, Baños de Agua Santa – commonly referred to simply as Baños – is a highlight for travelers to Ecuador looking for natural beauty, adventure, and enough things to do to stay busy for weeks. Baños, Ecuador is small but has so much to offer visitors. Located in a unique spot between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest, Baños has the best of both climates and topographies. Think lush forests, soaring mountains with rushing waterfalls, and a rumbling volcano heating thermal baths around this chilled-out town. It’s incredible all the things to do in Baños, Ecuador! Baños is perhaps best known for its adrenaline-pumping adventure sports like paragliding, bungee jumping, canyoning, and white-water rafting. Travelers visit from around the country and the world to take part in these activities, and there are activities for all budgets! Make sure to visit the thermal baths or even a spa – Luna Volcán is the best! Take a day trip into the Amazon to spot unique flora and fauna, or take a bike ride (or travel by taxi or ATV!) to the countless waterfalls surrounding the town. There are endless great restaurants in town, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, plus hostels, hotels, spas, and other ways to kick back and relax.

 

Extreme Swing in Baños

Amazon Immersion Experience

One of the unique experiences in Baños is visiting Puyo and experiencing the Amazon jungle. Baños sits on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest, so a trip to the Amazon is a highlight for many travelers. For the complete immersion experience, we recommend doing a homestay with an indigenous family to experience Ecuadorian Amazon culture to the maximum. Amazon trips from Baños usually include an excellent mix of activities including a jungle walk where you’ll learn about and see the biodiversity of Ecuador first-hand, visit an indigenous community, try Amazonian foods, swim in the river, rafting trips, and more. What better way to finish this Amazon excursion than soaking in the soothing waters of The Papallacta hot springs, one of the highlights of any Ecuador trip.

 

Ecuadorian Amazon

Otavalo

The small town of Otavalo in Ecuador has a surprise in store for visitors: This unassuming outpost in the Andes is home to the largest market in all of South America. Famous worldwide for its textiles and handmade artisanal products, there is enough here to lose yourself for hours amongst the small stalls.
While the market is a must on any self-respecting Ecuador itinerary, there are plenty more things to do in this culture-rich town. The people here are still very much in touch with their indigenous roots. The market is a hustle and bustle of lively action. Day in, day out there is plenty to see, and of course, plenty to buy! Everything from dreamcatchers, hand-painted plates, and traditional nut jewelry, to indigenous costumes, fake shrunken heads, and every spice you could imagine. Of course, the main event, the showstopper, what you’re all here to see, is the textiles. The fabrics in this town have an enormously long history, dating back to pre-Inca times. The town of Otavalo has many rich traditions and a huge amount of history. The customs of the town are intricate and the celebrations are sacred. Everything from marriage to the day of the dead is celebrated. There is even a festival once a year specifically to cleanse the air from bad or unwanted spirits. Otavalo also has a rich indigenous music scene, with musicians traveling worldwide to showcase their art at different festivals and events. The town also plays a major part in the indigenous festival called Inti Raymi. This takes place every year in order to celebrate the summer solstice. The musicians play music and the people dance.

 

Otavalo Market

Cuicocha Crater Lake

 

Imagine still blue waters and vivid flora. Native plants climb down steep ridges to the basin of a caldera. A highly alkaline lake with two uninhabited islands breaking the surface. Indigenous people say the larger of the two islands looks like a guinea pig. I’m not so sure about that, but the whole scene is pretty damn impressive anyway. Laguna de Cuicocha really could be on the cover of any Ecuador guidebook, but luckily it isn’t! Laguna de Cuicocha is like a lesser-known version of Laguna Quilotoa. The crater lake sits just outside of Otavalo. Otavalo is primarily known for the Otavalo Market, meaning that hardly anyone makes it outside of the town. But those who aren’t much for hat shopping are in for something pretty damn impressive at Laguna de Cuicocha. The crater lake has a jagged ridge and you can hike around the whole thing without ever running into another person. Cuicocha is the site of a caldera and crater lake in the Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas. Some 3,100 years ago, Cotacachi Volcano erupted and formed an enormous caldera at its foot. The Caldera de Cuicocha refers to the 3km wide and 3,246 meters caldera. Laguna de Cuicocha is the highly alkaline lake in the basin. When you hike Laguna de Cuicocha, you’ll be hiking 12-14km around the ridge of the caldera. Simply spectacular!

Cuicocha Crater Lake

 

Join us on this incredible Ecuador Multi-sport adventure of the main Ecuadorian sights on Ecuador´s mainland and see the best of what this compact country has to offer! Book this amazing Ecuador vacation here!