Exceptional trip in Ecuador
ADVENTUROUS CYCLING LOOP IN NORTHERN ECUADOR
Mountain biking on the Equator line is a once in a lifetime experience. Northern Ecuador offers good dirt routes with almost no traffic. You will bike along an ancient railroad, enjoy sugar cane fields and patchwork looking agriculture lands, dry landscapes decorated with the best cactus varieties, rural villages and visit a volcanic crater lake. Experience this diverse biking program from the highlands towards the Pacific lowland with its different microclimates and ecosystems. This amazing bike itinerary is supported by a biking guide and a logistical vehicle.
Duration: 5 Days
PRICE PER PERSON IN USD 2023- $154802 Pax
- $132503 Pax
- $108704 - 06 Pax
- $143Single supplement
OVERVIEW
- – Day 1: Bike on an old rail way line to El Quinche, overnight in Cayambe
- – Day 2: Cycling along rose plantations the lake of to San Pablo, overnight in San Pablo
- – Day 3: Cross the highlands and cycle downhill into the sugar cane valley, overnight in Tumbabiro
- – Day 4: Visit the crater lake of Cuicocha and cycling towards the Pacific lowlands, overnight in Nangulvi
- – Day 5: Cycling the lower part of the Intag valley and visit the Equator Museum, return to Quito
GENERAL INFORMATION
No previous acclimatization is required for this itinerary.
- – Private transportation
- – Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes
- – Protective gear such as helmets and gloves
- – English speaking biking guide
- – Accommodation*** based on double rooms
- – Meals according to the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch or box lunch, D = dinner)
- – Healthy snacks all days
- – Unlimited sport and electrolyte to keep you properly hydrated
- – Costs guide and driver
- – Vehicle support if necessary
- – Permits and entrance fees
- – All measures for bio security
- – First aid kit and radio communication
- – Beverages at your accommodations
- – Single supplement
- – Not mentioned meals
- – Biking equipment such as cycling shorts, rain protection, shoes
- – Eventually tips
- – Travel insurance
FULL ITINERARY:
Bike along an old rail way line to El Quinche, overnight in Cayambe
After a short transfer to the eastern outskirt of Quito, you start biking on a dirt road along the ancient railway, which takes you through an impressive canyon to a next village named Puembo. This part is a very popular route by local cyclists and runners and its name is “Chaquiñan” which means shortcut. You continue cycling until the town of “El Quinche”. From here you will be transported to the town of Cayambe. Try the local pastries (Bizcochos) with a coffee or a hot chocolate! Overnight in the colonial style farmhouse San Juan Molina near Cayambe (L-D)
Biking: 4 hours
Distance: 40 kilometers
Ascent: 400 meters
Descent: 300 meters
Driving: 1h30
Cycling along rose plantations to the lake of San Pablo, overnight in San Pablo
The region of Cayambe has many rose plantations. These flowers are growing in green houses across the valley. You cycle through agricultural roads and along rose plantations to a small pass from where you see both sides of the valley. This pass divides the Pichincha province from the Imbabura province. You cycle downhill following again the old railway towards the lake of San Pablo from where you bike along the lake to your next hotel. Free time at your accommodation or there is the option to visit Parque Condor in the afternoon. This is a rehabilitation center for birds of prey and condors. (B-L-D)
Biking: 4 hours
Distance: 40 kilometers
Ascent: 250 meters
Descent: 300 meters
Cross the highlands and cycle downhill into the sugar cane valley, overnight in Pantavi
Setting off on your bike on a paved road to the highlands at the foothills of the Imbabura volcano. This is an extinct volcano that gave this province its name. Along agricultural fields you arrive at the village of Zuleta, known for its embroidery. Along the old Pan-American Highway, which has been paved a few years ago, you bike to the outskirts of Ibarra, the capital of the Imbabura province. By car you pass Ibarra and get to the rural town of Urcuqui from where you continue cycling into the green sugar cane valley. This dramatic change brings you to another ambience with higher temperature. After a good cycling day you reach the special farmhouse MuseArt Pantavi – a place with a swimming pool, nice gardens and lots of art. (B-L-D)
Biking: 5 hours
Distance: 50 kilometers
Ascent: 400 meters
Descent: 1000 meters
Driving: 45 minutes
Visit the crater lake of Cuicocha and cycling towards the Pacific lowlands, overnight in Nangulvi
A transfer by vehicle takes you to the unique crater lake of Cuicocha. You visit this lake and start by bike at the highest point of the road at 3350 meters. The most exciting descent by bike begins! On a paved road with very little traffic you cycle into the cloud forest of the Intag valley. Vegetation and temperature change dramatically again. After 1300 meters of downhill cycling you leave the paved road and continue on a small dirt road. Where the road turns into a footpath we load the bikes onto the support vehicle and hike in 2 hours through the cloud forest to Plaza Gutierrez, the next village. Experience the cloud forest up close, pass a little waterfall and observe some tropical birds! In Plaza Gutierrez you take the bikes again and continue downhill on a cobblestone road. At the end of the day you reach the thermal baths of Nangulvi, where you will lodge in a rustic hotel. A swim in the thermal baths can relax your muscles. (B-L-D)
Note: Technically experienced and very fit bikers can ride the footpath in the cloud forest instead of hiking.
Biking: 4 hours
Distance: 50 kilometers
Ascent: 200 meters
Descent: 1800 meters
Hiking: 2 hours
Driving: 1h30
Cycling the lower part of the Intag valley and visit the Equator Museum, return to Quito
The last bike day leads along the Intag River to the village of Playa Rica. The paved road soon turns into a dirt road. Ascents and descents alternate, but large differences in altitude are no longer managed today. Once in Playa Rica, you get by vehicle to the Equator Museum “Mitad del Mundo”, which is located on the way back to Quito. Your guide and driver bring you to your hotel in Quito, where this adventure ends. (B-L)
Biking: 4 hours
Distance: 40 kilometers
Ascent: 400 meters
Descent: 600 meters
Driving: 3 hours

