7 Day Ecuador - Cycling And Haciendas

After breakfast, we will head south to The Avenue of Volcanos. Along the way, we can appreciate spectacular views of volcanos such as the Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Ilinizas, Pasochoa, and Corazon. Once we enter the park, we will drive along the high alpine line where we will learn all about the flora and fauna of the Paramo ecosystem. We will cross a pine forest along the way and hopefully, we can spot a whitetail deer. We will begin this incredible bike ride starting at 4000 metres elevation. We will cycle along a dirt road where wild horses and bulls roam, with a landscape formed from the last Cotopaxi eruption, 140 years ago. We will cycle along a single track to the Pucara Inca Ruins, where we can enjoy our lunch. After lunch, we will cycle to the Hacienda Santa Ana, where we will spend the evening.

After breakfast, we will drive to the western part of the Ecuadorian Andes, to the Guango Hummingbird Reserve. We will be able to appreciate more than 20 species of these stunning birds while enjoying a cup of Ecuadorian coffee. We will then head to the Papallacta resort, where we will spend the evening. In the afternoon we will go for a hike in the nearby cloud forest in search of orchids, bromeliads and a variety of other plant species, as well as the native birds such as tanagers, trogons, warblers, flycatchers and possible, even a condor. For the rest of the day and night, you can relax in the volcanic hot springs, high in the remote Ecuadorian Andes. 

Today we will head out in the Andes to the ecological reserve of Cayambe Coca. This remote reserve is barely touched by humans and in stunningly pristine surroundings. As we descend from 4000 metres to 2743 metres, we can enjoy the spectacular views over Andean plains appreciating colourful flowers and grassland, with occasional deer and rabbits. This park is home of the great Spectacled Bear the only bear species in South America. The local Andean people depend on agriculture, farming products such as potatoes, corn, broad beans and lupine. We will arrive at the next Hacienda in the early afternoon.  We will have an optional 20 minute bike ride to the Equator monument, to appreciate the experience of being at 0 Latitude. 

After breakfast, we will head to the biking trailhead. We can appreciate the stunning Imbabura Volcano and experience the great views of the San Pablo Lake and the small indigenous villages along the way. During the trip, we will stop off to visit a weaver’s workshop and learn how they make their tapestries. The afternoon is for you to explore the Otavalo Indigenous Market. Here you will find the best souvenirs for the best prices, and most importantly most of the products are made by local indigenous families. Authentic items include ponchos, tapestries, blankets and jewellery. In the late afternoon, we will go to the hacienda for a welcome drink and a delicious dinner. 

Today we will head south to the town of Tabacundo,  to see the rose shops. Most of the people in this town are economically dependent on the rose farms and are one of the top 5 largest exports of Ecuador. We will then continue to the dry valley of Guayllabamba and stop for a local fruit tasting to enjoy fruits like chirimoya. 

We will begin our biking in the village of Yunguilla and we will follow a dirt road into the cloud forest to arrive at the Pululahua Crater. According to scientists, a massive eruption happened thousands of years ago and left incredible rock formations, such as the lava domes in the volcano's centre. As we then descend, around every bend, we can enjoy the spectacular scenery. This adventure will finish in the centre of the caldera, where we will have a specially prepared lunch. In the afternoon is optional to hike to the volcano, before we head back to the capital.

Today is the final day of this spectacular biking tour.  We will collect you from the hotel to head to the airport for your flight back home or to your next exciting destination!