Mountain biking through the Andean slopes

Ecuador offers a great variety of Adventures for mountain lickers. The amazing array of geographic diversity that this country possesses, the cyclist can experience all climatic zones ranging from highland, Páramo to sub-tropical cloud forests in one single day biking. Already during one day biking the cyclist may have an altitude loss of 2800 m and the temperature may sink to 10 degrees. You can feel the big environmental changes that occur in this dramatic land. Our tracks vary from downhill biking to flat-downhill and uphill tours. Of course, during more day biking tours, you will get a deeper impression of the countryside.

The ninth competition of Raid Gauloises took place in 1998 in Ecuador. We participated in the carrying out of the operation in Cotopaxi and other places. One of our most spectacular biking routes was chosen for this event, due to the natural beauty of the cloud forest and the well-marked paths.

Most cycle tracks are off-road and are run on unpaved paths. You will pedal in a natural setting and there is plenty of time to photograph and enjoy the superb views. We offer routes for cyclists of every ability although some acclimatisation and a good shape are recommended. Each route is carefully designed to recognise and encourage the varying skills and interests of the riders as well as to feel the real adventure! A 4-wheel drive jeep and a bilingual skilled cycle-guide support all trips. The bikes are of high quality standard.

We now proudly offers several professionally Mountain biking trips throughout this spectacular country of contrasts. From one day, to 3 week and more biking Programs. One of our most appreciated and varied tours is the 6-day biking experience from Cotopaxi National Park at 3900 m. to Valle Hermoso at 800 m.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 01:	we leave Quito in the morning and drive through the Pan-American south to Cotopaxi National Park. Via Machachi – Pedregal, We start biking at 3.200m and we bike 3 hours (most uphill) in to the National park, picnic lunch on route, in the afternoon we will reach the base of the Cotopaxi where we will set up our campsite at 3800 m. Overnight in tents. By good weather we will have spectacular views of the Cotopaxi, Pasochoa, Sincholagua and Rumiñahui Volcanoes.
Day 02:	From the campsite we drive to the parking lot at 4600 m. and we bike down hill towards Limpiopungo Lake at 3800 m. We continue biking to El Boliche in the northwest of the park, passing through the pine trees plantations and Andean Páramo vegetation where Llamas and deer’s are leaving in freedom. Birds like Falcons, Seagull, Colibris are also available to see here, Picnic lunch on route. From here we drive 20 minutes to a Mountain refuge where we stay for dinner and overnight.
Day 03:	After breakfast we drive up to the Páramo again to 3900m. In a very quiet and spectacular landscapes (The valleys of the silence) in direction to the coast via Saquisili- Sumbagua a small Indian village where we start biking 1 hour about to the Quilotoa crater lake Pic nick lunch and continue passing Chugchilan until to Sigchos where we will spend the night in tents.
Day 04:	After breakfast, we pack every thing and continue in direction to the coast behind the Illinizas through the Toachi river canyon, carpeted by verdant tropical rain forest, the vegetation is changing at every steep and also the clima is coming warmer. We descend very quick starting at the Páramo vegetation in the high land passing by the cloud forest, to the sub-tropical and tropical pacific coast clima, picnic lunch on route and Dinner and accommodation in a Hotel.
Day 05:	From the Union del Toachi we bike to Valle Hermoso aprox. 50 Km. in 6 Hours, passing by Alluriquin, Santo Domingo de los Colorados in a country road always by exuberant vegetation of the Tropical forest, as well as an exuberant local flora and fauna. Lunch on route and finally we drive to Los Bancos where we will spend the night in a Hotel. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 06:	After Breakfast we leave los Bancos in direction Quito, via Tandayapa, Nono, Calacali, and a secondary road. The most of the ride is up hill and the distance is about 50 km. Behind the Guagua Pichincha we start biking for about 6-7 hours, please don’t worry if this is to hard for you, because we will have all the time a supplying transportation which will assist us when ever we need it bringing our equipment, lunch, beverages etc. Finally we will arrive in Quito by Jeep in the afternoon.