We offer bike trip itineraries for the Sierra, Oriente and West Coast of Ecuador.
Each day includes a comfortable day-long bike trip to a destination lodge. Vehicle support is used on all the rides. Bilingual guides escort the group each day. At the end of each day, enjoy the hospitality of a comfortable inn or lodge and meals of delicious, traditional Ecuadorian dishes.
We provide a fleet of well-maintained mountain bikes, safety equipment and back up mechanics for the trip. We give full support to any biker that prefers to bring their personal bike down.
Routes through the Sierra, Costa or Oriente..we have itineraries for which of these three incredible regions interests you.
SAMPLE ITINERARY:
Day One: You fly into Quito, the capital of Ecuador. A representative of ENDLESS RIVER ADVENTURES meets the group at the airport. After clearing customs and checking into the hotel, you have an opportunity to relax and get acquainted with others on the trip. Quito sits at an elevation of 9,400 feet. This is where we will spend our first two and last nights of the trip.
Day Two: A combination of the fact that many flights arrive late at night into Quito, elevation is an issue, and that Quito is the most fascinating Latin American city, this is your day to get used to the elevation change and enjoy the sights of the capital of Ecuador. We take the morning to put together bikes. From the hotel we take off on a special cititour through a number of downtown streets that are specifically blocked off for bikers. You will share time with Ecuadorians of all ages out enjoying the city. After lunch we change transports and head off for a tour to some of the highlights of Old Town Quito.
THE SIERRA ROUTE
The Andes run like a north-south spine through Ecuador, creating a distinct region of the country called the Sierra. There are ten snow-capped volcanos that dominate the Sierra landscape. The Sierra is home to a large portion of the indigenous population of Ecuador. Made famous by British and German mountaineers, the well-groomed 4X4 roads leading up to the snowline make the perfect trails for heading down hill on mountain bikes.
Sample Itinerary for the Sierra Route
Day Three - Seven: Heading south out of Quito, we start out with a trip down one of the snow-capped volcanoes that looms just outside the capital. Many of the days begin at the snow level of one of the numerous volcanoes, with a route that winds down the flank of the volcano. Heading downhill we may pass llamas, local herders on horseback, or look up to see a condor majestically drifting on a thermal. Nights are spent in mountain lodges and days spent biking through small villages that are home to some of the indigenous groups of Ecuador.
THE ORIENTE ROUTE
Over one-third of the square footage of Ecuador, the Oriente Region is everything east of the ridge lines and home to less than 10% of he population of the country. Dropping over the pass and into the Oriente takes you through high-elevation cloud forest and on to lowland tropical jungle.
Sample Itinerary for the Oriente Route
Day Three - Seven: Heading east we cross over a 14,000 pass and then bike down a winding road through high-elevation cloud forest scenery. At the end of the ride we load up and head to the Tena region—a drop in elevation from 6500 feet to 1500 feet; Tena is the gateway/stepping off point to the Amazon Jungle. The scenery switches between high elevation cloud forest changes to thick, humid rain forest filled with monkeys and birds, lush tropical flowers and a slower pace of life.
THE COSTA ROUTE
The Costa is the western region of Ecuador, beginning off the west side of the Andes and ending at the west coast.
Sample Itinerary for the Costa Route
Heading west out of Quito takes you through lush high elevation cloud forest that has been made famous by the quantity of bird watching opportunities. Continuing on towards the coast many of the routes wind through small beach towns where local fisherman head out each day in the boats to fish.
Whether Sierra, Oriente or Costa, after our final run, we load up in our comfortable bus and head back to Quito. En-route we stop to soak in hot springs in the Pappallacta region or stop at the Mitad-del-Mundo (center of the earth), depending on the route we take back into the city. That night in Quito we enjoy a last dinner together.
Final Day: Bikers that need to get back to the States fly out. Others are highly encouraged to take time to savor the extraordinary sights of Ecuador.
LET US SET UP A CUSTOM ITINERARY FOR YOU!
We can set up custom itineraries for families, school groups and clubs. DUration of itineraries can be from one-day to multi-week with a combination of biking, whitewater rafting, surfing, cutural stops and more.
