Ecuador Active Adventure 6 Days

After breakfast, we leave Quito driving southwards along the gorgeous Avenue of Volcanoes, getting the chance to see the colorful Andean fields. On our way, we will reach 12,000 feet. (3657 meters). After arriving at the Cotopaxi National Park, we will go hiking around Limpiopungo lagoon of the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano. From here, we have the best views of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world. In the afternoon we continue our drive towards the Llanganates National Park, known as the sacred mountain, until we reach the town of Baños, located at the entrance of the Amazon. Here we can enjoy the best night life by drinking cocktails and dancing salsa.

Trekking Activity Level – Moderate, this adventure is at high elevation, make sure you drink a lot of water or coca tea (in case of altitude sickness). The trail is on dirt surrounded by bushes and grass.
Trekking Time: 3 hours
Trekking Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Elevation Gain: 1200 feet (366 meters)
Minimum Elevation: 12700 feet (3870 meters)
Maximum Elevation: 13850 feet (4222 meters)

NOTE – In case the weather and physical conditions are good you may trek to the Basecamp and the maximum elevation would be 16000 feet. (4876.8 meters)
What to wear today: Pants, t-shirt, fleece, hiking shoes, gloves, hat, buff, rain jacket and pants, water bottle, sun cream, binoculars.

Food & Accommodation

Hotel – Twin or Double
Lunch.

This morning we will go cross-country mountain biking from the Llanganates National Park to the Pastaza River Canyon, enjoying the beauty of the special climate of the cloud forest. The road brings us through some Andean farms and a great canyon with many waterfalls, while descending into the jungle, we will have a breathtaking view of Baños, a town well known for its spectacular location right at the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano, which has been active since 1999. The volcano is the main attraction of this region. In the afternoon we will have some time to explore the town and also go to The Swing of the End of the World, where the winner of the 2014 National Geographic photo contest took his photo.

Biking Activity Level – Moderate, mostly downhill, the first 45 minutes uphill and then afterwards just down. You will be riding on cobblestone and dirt roads for the first two hours, and 1 hour on asphalt.
Biking Time: 3 hours
Biking Distance: 20 miles (32.18 km)
Elevation Gain: 500 feet (152 meters)
Minimum Elevation while Biking: 5500 feet (1676 meters)
Maximum Elevation while Biking: 10450 feet (3185 meters)

NOTE – In case you want to avoid the uphill, there will always be the support of our transportation, and our driver will be happy to give you a ride till you decide to join the biking group.
What to wear today: Shorts, t-shirt, fleece, tennis shoes, buff, rain jacket and pants, water bottle, sun cream, mosquito repellent.

Food & Accommodation

Hotel – Twin or Double
Breakfast.    Lunch.

This morning we will hit the road of the waterfalls. The first stop will be at the Bride’s Veil waterfall, where we will take the Tarabita (cable car) to get across the Pastaza River. Then we will hike down to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, the second highest in Ecuador, later, we will go deeper into the jungle inside the Llanganates National Park. The name “llanganates” comes from “beautiful mountain” in the local native language. Here, 600 years ago, the Incas hid their golden treasures. Many explorers have spent years looking for these treasures, some have even disappeared with no luck in this dense pristine jungle. During a hike through the tropical rainforest, we will climb through several waterfall canyons. Our local native guide will teach about the incredible flora and fauna that thrive in this unequaled habitat, and we will spend the night at the Local Basic Jungle Lodge run by a kichwa indigenous family.

Canyoning Activity Level – Moderate, the jungle exploration will be done while hiking on the canyon that has been formed by the waterfalls and the Pimpilala river, so you will be hiking on irregular terrain and water surrounded by rainforest. The weather can be hot and humid which would make this a very refreshing activity. The highest waterfall to climb is 16 feet (4.87 meters) and the rest are smaller. We will use helmets, ropes and bring optional harnesses for people that want to use them.

Canyoning Time: 3 hours
Canyoning Distance: 2 miles (3.22 km)
Elevation Gain: 500 feet (152.4 meters)
Minimum Elevation while Canyoning: 2000 feet (609.6 meters)
Maximum Elevation while Canyoning: 2500 feet (762 meters)
What to wear today: Shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, water sandals, rain jacket, water bottle, sun cream, mosquito repellent.

Accomodation: Amazon Homestay.
NOTE – This is a very basic accommodation, you will have your own room but will have to share the bathroom. The rooms are very clean and all the beds have mosquito nets. There is no electricity in the room but there is a social area where you can have access to power to charge your batteries.

Food & Accommodation

Hotel – Twin or Double
Breakfast.    Lunch.    Dinner

We greet the day by preparing our gear to paddle the wild waves of the Jatunyacu River, located just a 5 minute drive from the homestead. The beauty of this river will inspire you and reveal the magic of the Amazon rainforest. After a very important safety briefing from our rafting guides, we will start our class III rafting expedition down the Jatunyacu River, well known for its clear waters and awesome rapids. We will have a lot of fun playing some games and also exploring one of the canyons. The end of the journey offers us a stop for a picnic, prepared by our guides. We conclude our day with a drive back up to the Andes, stopping to visit the paradise of hummingbirds at the Guango Reserve. Finally, we will continue up to Papallacta, where we will stay the night and recharge in the volcanic hot springs high in the midst of the cool Andes.

Rafting Activity Level – Moderate, this is considered a class III river for white water rafting. There are some awesome waves and also plenty of flat water to go swimming. The river is surrounded by amazing views of the Amazon landscape.
Rafting Time: 4 hours, depending on the level of the water, it can be less time.
Rafting Distance: 18 miles (28.96 km)
What to wear today: Shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, water sandals, water bottle, sun cream, mosquito repellent.

Food & Accommodation

Hotel – Twin or Double
Breakfast.    Lunch.

In the morning we will do a hiking exploration in the nearby Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve in the cloud forest, where there are beautiful flora that include colorful orchids, and if walking slowly and quietly, you may see some beautiful birds too. Later we will travel across the Andes to stop by the equatorial line to witness this great attraction and to stand on both hemispheres at the same time. Your guide will suggest a place to eat before going to the Otavalo Indigenous Market and spend some time shopping and learning about this ancient culture that is still lively here today. In the late afternoon we will be transferred to the hacienda and enjoy a welcome cocktail and a delicious dinner.

Hiking Activity Level – Easy, this adventure will be on a very nice trail along the river and that is surrounded by a Cloud Forest, in the early morning will be possible to have great views of the snowed capped Antisana Volcano, the trail can be a bit muddy so make sure you wear your hiking shoes.
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 3 miles (4.82 km)
Elevation Gain: 150 feet (45.72 meters)
Minimum Elevation while hiking: 10400 feet (3169.92 meters)
Maximum Elevation: 1550 feet (472.4 meters)

NOTE – This morning if you do not want to go hiking, you can book a spa treatment and pay directly to the Hotel, make sure you organize this the night before just by calling from your own room to the Spa.
What to wear today: Pants, t-shirt, fleece, hiking shoes, gloves, hat, buff, rain jacket and pants, water bottle, sun cream, binoculars.

Food & Accommodation

Hotel – Twin or Double
Lunch.    Dinner

Today after a very healthy breakfast we have a very short drive to the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve, the main attraction here is the Cuicocha Crater Lake. Our adventure will take us on a trek around this still active volcano, your guide will present many beautiful flowers to you along the trail, at the end of our hike, we will take a boat ride to the center of the crater to observe the activity of this volcano, witness bubbles coming up from the center of the caldera. In the afternoon we will drive back to Quito to take part in the farewell dinner with the guides and members of the group. Today your trip ends. Take with you 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”!

Trekking Activity Level – Moderate, the trekking trail is on dirt, sand and gravel, located in the Paramo Ecosystem at high elevation.
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Trekking Distance: 7.5 miles (12.07 km)
Elevation Gain: 2500 feet (762 meters)
Minimum Elevation while trekking: 10000 feet (3048 meters)
Maximum Elevation while trekking: 11470 feet (3496 meters).

Food & Accommodation

Hotel – Twin or Double
Breakfast.    Lunch. 
Departure Day