7-Day Ecuador Cross Crossing Cycling

Day 1: Arrival Day in Quito City

1. Adventure Journeys
   1h
   Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00 pm.
   
   Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 pm hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Day 2: Biking in Cotopaxi National Park

1. Cotopaxi National Park
   8h · Admission ticket included
   Travel south along the Pan-American Highway through the famous Avenue of Volcanoes, enjoying views of peaks such as Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Illinizas, Pasochoa, Corazón, and Cotopaxi. Upon entering the national park, drive across the high-altitude páramo while your guide introduces the unique flora and fauna of this remarkable ecosystem.
   
   Your biking adventure begins at 13,000 ft (3,960 m), following scenic dirt roads surrounded by volcanic landscapes, wild horses, and bulls. Ride an exciting single-track trail to the Pucará Inca Ruins, where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch, before continuing to Hacienda Santa Ana for the night.

Day 3: Hot Springs in Papallacta

1. Papallacta
   8h
   On this day, after breakfast, we will drive to the western part of the Ecuadorian Andes, our first stop is at the Hummingbird Reserve, here enjoy the ability to view about 20 species of these marvelous birds, all while enjoying a cup of coffee or some amazon tea. Later, we continue to the Papallacta resort to check in at your cabin with location right in front of the pools of volcanic water. Today, have lunch on your own as there are plenty of choices for restaurants that offer traditional food, in the afternoon we will go for a hike in the nearby cloud forest in search of orchids, bromeliads and several other different species of flora; with some luck you could observe some birds such us tanagers, trogons, warbler, flycatchers and even a condor.
   
   The rest of the day and night is yours to enjoy the volcanic hot springs and the Spa treatments high in the midst of the cool Andes.

Day 4: Biking in Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve

1. Volcan Cayambe
   8h · Admission ticket included
   Travel upon a precious, exclusive road with no traffic in this high region. This is a special experience because this ecological reserve is very remote and pristine with little influence from people. While descending from 13000 ft (3962 m) to 9000 ft (2743 m), enjoy the views of the Andean fields and witness the surroundings of grassland and colorful flowers, with occasional deer and rabbits crossing. This park is home of the Spectacled Bear, the only species in South America. Enjoying views of the Andean fields, the local people from the region depend much upon the agriculture of products like potato, corn, fava beans, lupine, etc.
   
   We arrive at the Hacienda to check-in during the early afternoon, later we will do an optional bike ride of 20 minutes each way to the Equator monument to learn a bit more of the Latitude 0.

Day 5: Biking to Otavalo Market

1. Otavalo Market
   8h · Admission ticket included
   Start the day with an optional hike in the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, exploring the cloud forest and its rich flora and birdlife. Those who prefer to relax can enjoy a spa treatment at the hotel (optional, at an additional cost).
   
   Continue to the Equator Line before visiting the famous Otavalo Indigenous Market. For lunch, enjoy a hands-on cultural experience at the AJ Sustainable Sacha WarmiKuna women's project, where you'll prepare traditional ají, share a homemade meal, and learn about local weaving traditions. End the day at the historic Hacienda Pinsaquí with a welcome cocktail and overnight stay.

Day 6: Biking into Pululahua Crater

1. Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
   8h · Admission ticket included
   Travel south along the Pan-American Highway, stopping in Tabacundo to visit local rose shops and in Guayllabamba to sample regional fruit. Then head to the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve for a scenic bike ride through cloud forest trails into the volcanic caldera.
   
   Enjoy a picnic lunch before choosing an optional hike out of the crater or returning directly to Quito in the afternoon.

Day 7: Departure Day

1. Quito Old Town
   Pass by
   Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "buen viaje"!

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• Driving Time: 2 hours driving a day
• Season: All year
• Provinces: Pichincha, Cotopaxi and Imbabura provinces.
• Territory: Central and Northern Andes of Ecuador.
• Altitude: From 6900 feet ( 2100 m ) to 13000 feet ( 3962 m
• Temperatures: Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF
• Level of Activity: Moderate to Challenging. This program is located in the central and northern Andes of Ecuador and we cycle mostly on dirt roads, single track and one day on asphalt, the rides are mostly flat and downhill but there is also optional climbs depending on the physical level of the group, for people that need a brake or are tired can ride in the bus with our driver but still enjoy the attractions.
• Gear: Top of the line Bikes, TREK X caliber, rock shock suspension, hydraulic brakes, 29 inches wheels, bontrager helmets.
• Hotels: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
• Food: One of the highlights of this trip is the Gastronomy, most of what we eat is organic and very fresh. Products like yucca, plantains, heart of palm, salads, fish, chicken, beef, always coffee and tea. All this is prepare by professional chefs from the Haciendas, for picnic and box lunches we include a huge variety of fruit, protein, vegetables, and snacks. Vegans, Gluten free and Vegetarians are welcome in our trips, there will always be options for them.
• Guides: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips.
• Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.
• Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions ( i.epregnacy, diabetes etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are mandatory for this trip. We strongly recommend to ensure that routine immunizations such as tetanus and diphtheria are up to date and to consider Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. Please ask your doctor for advice.