Ecuador multisport tours adventures for active travellers
Sample itinerary Multisport tours
Ecuador Multisport adventures are designed to access the seldom visited yet extraordinary mainland Ecuador in one action-packed trip. On our Ecuador Multi-Sport tours, you’ll explore an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest in the smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands. We Ride and bike in Cotopaxi National Park, zipline through the Canopy at the foothills of Pasochoa volcano, Hike in the cloudforest at Bellavista, raft a Whitewater river, horseback ride to volcanoes, sea kayaking through mangrove forests and explore waterfalls. Nighttime is equally as enjoyable at some of the best lodging the region has to offer, with accommodations ranging from traditional haciendas and eco lodges to old colonial mansions.
Below is a sample multisport adventure covering the best of Ecuador
Day 1 - Quito - Sangolqui
Fly to Quito and check into your room at a historic hacienda in the Sangolqui valley.
Day 2 - Sangolqui - Cotopaxi National Park - Hacienda El Porvenir
Shuttle to Cotopaxi National Park(1H30 travel time). On the way we stop at Hacienda El Porvenir, a typical Andean farm built up with traditional materials. Here we will leave our luggage and pick up our bikes and gear for our biking trip in the park.
Once we enter the park we will be able to choose the kind or ride that we want to hold for the day. We can do exciting downhill trails, beautiful cross-country rides or we can combine both. We will travel through ancient Inca trails, while we visit some extraordinary off the touristic track spots in the park, as well as the most popular sights like Limpiopungo lagoon and Jose Ribas Refuge (4800 mts- 15744 ft.) Our ride ends at Hacienda El Porvenir where a welcoming fire is waiting for us and a delicious dinner will be served. Overnight at Hacienda El Porvenir.
Day 3 - Hacienda El Porvenir
Our guides will give after breakfast, a brief about horseback riding before we ride the horses. Using the local riding gear (poncho and chaps) our native guides or Chagras (Andean cowboys) will lead us through the slopes of this beautiful Volcano, while they share with us their culture and knowledge about the area, medicinal plants and legends. The ride will take us about 3H30 aprox.
During the way will be able to watch beautiful landscapes, herds of wild horses and cattle, Andean birdlife. We will reach the 4200 mts on our horses and loop down towards the farmhouse where a great lunch of Ecuadorian cuisine will be waiting for us. During the afternoon we can hike to Manto Blanco waterfall, participate in different agricultural activities or relax by the fire. Dinner and overnight at Hacienda El Porvenir
Day 4 - Hacienda El Porvenir - Santa Rita - San Jorge Ecolodge
Breakfast at Hacienda El Porvenir. Transfer to Santa Rita, an Ecological Reserve located 12 km away from the hacienda. Santa Rita is a very innovative model of private conservation on the slopes of Pasochoa Volcano. It preserves High Andean Forest and Paramo ecosystems. Here we will visit the Visitor Centre, where interesting explanations of local flora, fauna and ecological processes are given by the local guides. This is a unique region to admire petrified lava flows form ancient eruptions of Cotopaxi and neighbouring volcanoes.
At the reserve we will be able to see orchids, bromeliads and many epiphytic plants. It is a great place to bird watch as well. Today’s main activity at Santa Rita will be Canyon del Salto Canopy Tour, a zip line system based on harnesses and pulleys attached to an inclined cable, taking advantage of gravity. El Cañón del Salto Canopy Tour is a safe way to admire High Mountain forest form a different perspective. This is an environmentally friendly adventure; it gives people with few or no climbing techniques knowledge, the chance to live an exciting experience.
El Cañón del Salto Canopy Tour has 7 cables between 180 and 420 meters long. This system can hold up to two tons of weight suspended. One ton grounded anchorages hold the cables strengthened. A climbing via-Ferrata is also available.
We provide our visitors top of the line equipment and pulleys specially designed for cable use; fitness is not a factor with the canopy tour since gravity does all the work. Almost anyone can experience this, from children aged 7+.
Our specialized guides make our high mountain canopy flights very safe and at the same time they will share their knowledge of this unique ecosystem.
After our canopy adventure we travel back to Quito and check in at San Jorge ecolodge. Take advantage of the inhouse spa facilities (jacuzzi, sauna and swimming pool).
Day 5 - San Jorge Botanical reserve
Today we will have a full day hiking adventure in the private reserve of our ecolodge. we enjoy over 130 species of colorful birds including the very rare Andean Condor have been spotted here. Enjoy watching the numerous varieties of hummingbirds, stationed at their feeders throughout the gardens and wildlife including fox, wolf, deer, rabbit, guinea pig, weasel and opossum. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 6 - San Jorge Botanical reserve - Bellavista cloudforest reserve
The morning begins with a power breakfast to prepare you for the intense ride ahead. Descend on bicycles from the mysterious Pichincha Volcano at 10,760 feet (3,230 m), all the way to the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, through some of the Andes' most captivating and diverse scenery. Descend for three to four hours over steep mountain gorges through lush green forests until reaching the fascinating Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve. There we will relax after our exhilarating journey, experiencing the fascinating ecosystem surrounding you. Night brings with it the enchanting sounds of the nocturnal cloud forest, making your comfortable stay at the reserve even more relaxing.
Day 7 - Bellavista cloud forest reserve
Bellavista protects eighteen hundred acres of endangered cloud forest. It is an area of incredible diversity. Today's adventure centers on exploring the vast trail system of Bellavista. These trails cover an amazing area of cloud forest. Along the way, refreshing waterfalls, vibrant orchids, and colorful butterflies are plentiful, along with four hundred and fifty different species of birds! Throughout the day, earn about the rich ecology of the area and the conservation efforts that preserve it. After a fulfilling day of exploration, return to the lodge for a relaxing evening in the cloud forest cabins.
Day 8 - Bellavista cloud forest reserve - Esmeraldas
Get ready to raft Ecuadorian class III white water! Ecuador is famous for the warm waters of its rushing rivers. Raft one of Ecuador's most exciting rivers, the Rio Blanco or Toachi, depending on the season. Surrounded by the mystical rainforest, both rivers offer challenging rapids and abundant wild life. After an invigorating run, watch a magnificent sunset on the Esmeraldes coast .
Day 9 - Esmeraldas - Mompiche
Witness a fascinating array of wildlife in perfectly natural habitat, while kayaking the beautiful bay at Esmeraldes. This hands on experience will teach you more about this amazing ecosystem as you spot blue-footed boobies, egrets, and other exotic birds by the bay. You might even experience the roar of the howler monkey at a large nature reserve nearby. Stay overnight at the lovely Mompiche beach lodge.
Day 10 - Mompiche - Las Terrazas
The day begins with an invigorating sea kayaking trip along the coastline to the mangrove areas in Musine. Here, experience the mystery of the mangrove ecosystem and its wildlife. In the afternoon, paddle to Muisne Island and spend some time exploring the fascinating landscape. In the late afternoon, return to the beach hotel.
Day 11 - Las Terrazas - Quito
The morning is yours to relax on the beach and swim in the refreshing waters of the Pacific Ocean. In the afternoon, transfer to the Esmeraldas airport for our flight to Quito. Stay overnight at San Jorge Eco lodge.
Day 12 - Quito - ?
Transfer to the airport for your international departure home marking the end of services. You may also join a trip extension to our Choco rainforest lodge or enjoy a Galapagos multisport adventure or Amazon nature cruise
Trip Notes
The above is a sample itinerary prepared for a multisport trip. It can be customized to fit the needs and special interests of your travellers.