Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive to Quito, transfer from airport to hostel.

*Night in Quito – hostel accommodation.

Day 2: Quito City Tour

Mitad del Mundo is an absolute must-see when visiting Ecuador! Visit the world’s actual equator and stand with the world in your hands in front of the monument as you are simultaneously in both the Southern and Northern hemispheres! The National museum, located inside the monument, will give provide an insight into the rich indigenous culture of Ecuador. A short walk down the street will take you to the intriguing museum of Intiyan where you will have the opportunity to perform a variety of experiments that will prove you are actually at the equator!

Next stop is the TeleferiQo – the best place to take in the incredible expanse of city, mountain and volcano that forms Ecuador’s capital city, Quito! You will travel by cable car from 3050m on the lower slopes of Volcan Pichincha, all the way up to 4050m! At the top you will be able to see the ice-capped volcanoes of Cayambe, Antisana and Cotopaxi from the mountainside lookouts!

• 10:00 Meet at the office for transfer to Mitad del Mundo
• 10:30 Arrive at Mitad del Mundo. Straddle the equator and take pictures!
• 10:45 Experience the National Museum inside the monument
• 11:15 Arrive at Intiñan Museum and perform experiments
• 12:15 Depart Mitad del Mundo
• 12:45 TeleferiQo
• 14:45 Depart TeleferiQo and transfer back to the Mariscal

*Night in Quito (B)

Day 3 - White Water Rafting

The Toachi and Blanco rivers are a blast for experienced rafters and have proved to be the beginning of a whitewater addiction for thousands of first-timers. Flowing off the coastal side of the Andes they have some of the longest navigable sections of whitewater in the country. Combine this with the sights and sounds of the forest environment we pass through and you are guaranteed a day to remember.
The day starts when we pick you up from our Meeting Point in Quito (6.30am). We travel west down through beautiful cloud forest to the shores of the river. The trip will take about 3 hours.
Before setting off down the river, we will fit you with life jackets and helmets, give you a comprehensive safety briefing and train each crew in the paddling techniques needed to navigate our way down the river.

Once on the river you can expect both the action of thrilling whitewater and the tranquility of drifting silently through tropical rainforests. So while you’re guaranteed to get wet you’ll also have the opportunity to be absorbed by the sounds of the forest and to see wildlife up close from our mobile ‘viewing platform’. Rafting time approximately 3½ hrs.

During the trip we’ll stop by the side of the river for a delicious picnic lunch including fresh tropical fruits and served with soft drinks, juice and water. At the end of the trip we celebrate a fun day on the river with a few ice-cold beers and return to Quito. Arrival time is approximately 7pm but may be earlier or later depending on the river level and traffic conditions.
*Night Quito (B,L)

Day 4: Cotopaxi Bikes

Today you will want to be on Facebook and Twitter telling your friends that you are off to mountain bike in the National Park that is home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes – pretty cool hey! The Cotopaxi tour is an exciting day that begins with spectacular views of the unique Andean landscape in the ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’. Inside the National Park we hike up to the refuge which is situated at 4,800m on the Cotopaxi snowline. Depending on conditions we will then hike up to 5,000m where it can be possible to see the glacier. Following a safety briefing we’ll commence our downhill descent on mountain bikes! The journey finishes at the beautiful lagoon at the base of Cotopaxi and we’ll then enjoy a hearty lunch!

• 07:00 Leave towards Cotopaxi National Park
• 09:00 Enter Cotopaxi National Park (entrance fee: $2)
• 10:00 Visit the museum. Explanation of the area, volcanoes, animals, etc.
• 11:00 Arrive at the parking lot at 4,500m and begin to hike up to ‘Jose Rivas’ refuge
• 12:00 Reach the refuge at 4,800m. Rest, enjoy the view…
• 13:00 Return to parking lot
• 14:00 Equipment check and short briefing. Begin decent downhill on mountain bike
• 15:00 Arrive at Laguna Limpiopungo via bike, rest and depart Cotopaxi National Park
• 15:30 Lunch in Paja Blanca.

17:00 Arrive at PapaGayo for chocolate cake and hot coffee / tea
*Night in the Avenue of the Volcanoes – Hosteria PapaGayo (B, L)

Day 5:Mount Up! Horseback riding

Get out and about in the wilderness and see for yourself the Avenue of the Volcanoes from a different perspective – on horseback! With trails and horses suitable for beginner and experienced riders, this is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.

• 10:00 Start the ride

Ride along Papagayo Farm and see the spectacular panoramic views of Pasochoa,
Corazon, Ilinizas…

• 14:00 Arriving back to the Hosteria

Afternoon – enjoy the garden and the Jacuzzi of Papagayo.
*Night in the Avenue of the Volcanoes – Hosteria PapaGayo (B, L)

Day 6: Quilotoa Lagoon

Today you will see the breathtaking views of the emerald green volcanic crater lake – Quilotoa. On the journey there, we pass through the Andean mountains, the ancient canyon of Zumbahua and many indigenous towns and farmlands. Before lunch we will visit a local aboriginal home where you have the opportunity to interact with the inhabitants. We’ll then set off on the steep hike down to the shoreline of the lake, where you will have the option of kayaking, and then either hiking back up to the rim, or using a mule!

• 08:15 Depart PapaGayo to pick up other clients. Leave to the Laguna.
• 09:30 Explore Pujili/Saquisili and visit a native family.
• 10:30 Depart to Laguna Quilotoa (park entrance fee: $2)
• 13:00 Begin descent to the Laguna
• 14:30 Begin ascent to the Laguna viewpoint / rent mules $8 (optional)
• 15:30 Lunch
• 16:30 Return back to PapaGayo
• 18:30 Arrive at PapaGayo for chocolate cake and hot coffee / tea

*Night at the Avenue of the Volcanos – Hosteria PapaGayo (B,L)

Day 7: Biking in Antisana NP

Today you will be enjoying some exhilarating mountain biking in a national park that is home to one of Ecuador’s highest volcanoes, Antisana (5758m). With striking mountain scenery, dense forest, black lagoons and the opportunity to spot condors, just remember to bring your camera!

• 08:15 Leave towards Antisana National Park
• 09:00 Enter Antisana National Park (entrance fee: $2)
• 10:00 Equipment check and short briefing. Begin the bike trail.
• 13:00 Arrive at Laguna Mika via bike, rest and depart Antisana National Park
• 14:00 Lunch box
• 15:00 Deaprt the park
• 17:00 Arrive at PapaGayo for chocolate cake and hot coffee / tea

*Night in the Avenue of the Volcanoes – Hosteria PapaGayo or transfer back to Quito (B,L)