Bike, horseback ride, hike, and zipline near the Cotopaxi National Park during our 3 day/2 night extension while staying at a traditional Andean hacienda.
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Depart in the morning from Quito and drive towards the towering Cotopaxi Volcano and explore the forest by zipline. The zipline provides a great vantage point for birdwatching and enjoying the scenery and is an adrenaline rush as you soar above the ground. After the flying adventure, hike to the Pita River waterfall for lunch. (You can alternate excursion this morning such as mountain biking or ropes course challenge). After the three hour excursion, drive to El Porvenir, a fully-functioning hacienda and our base for the next two nights, set high in the Andean paramo with spectacular views of Cotopaxi. Enjoy a nice traditional lunch, and the afternoon is free to explore the hacienda's grounds.
Click here to watch Youtube video to learn more about El Porvenir and the Tierra del Volcan's area near Cotopaxi.
A brief orientation is given in the morning to get acquainted with the horses. We head out on horseback in the spirit of the Chagras (Ecuadorian highland cowboys) to visit the foothills of Rumiñahui Volcano, riding side by side with herds of wild horses and bulls. As we cross the paramo, enjoy the bird and wildlife, and the native guides will share their knowledge of medicinal plants. Afterwards a delicious lunch of local dishes awaits us upon our return to the farmhouse.
The afternoon is free to explore the hacienda grounds, and there are a couple of self-guided paths to the Manto Blanco Waterfall and to lookouts with nice views of the mountains and surrounding landscape.
Day 3: Mountain Biking
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After a hearty breakfast, we start the mountain biking adventure with an exciting downhill track on the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano. Admire the stunning landscape during the descent to the Limpiopungo Valley, followed by a cross-country ride through the bed of an old landslide formed by lava and mud flows from past volcanic eruptions. We will ride by old ruins dating back to the Inca and have lunch en-route. Return to El Porvenir and transfer back to Quito.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 141 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 141 reviews on
2 hours ago
Erin made things easier than I thought possible. So good at answering questions in a timely manner and explaining all. I feel she looks out for me.
Fran Folkman
2 hours ago
Very personable and knowledgeable! Able to answer questions and provide advice based on personal experiences.
Robert Thompson
3 hours ago
Erin is a seasoned travel planner and is very personable. She is a good listener and uses our questions and concerns to make the trip just as we want it. She is very good at moving the booking process along and meticulous with the details.
This is why we came back to have her plan this trip for us.
Lynn Oveson
19 hours ago
Erin C. was incredibly helpful and thorough. I had answers immediately or within the same day.
Marilyn Snook
1 day ago
Great follow through and help in what needed to be done to have a safe successful trip !