Ecuador Adventurer

Day 1 Arrive in Quito

Arrive Quito.

Day 2 PichinchaVolcano Biking

Begin your Ecuador travel adventure with an exhilarating descent down the slopes of Pichincha Volcano to the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve. The tundra grass of the Andean páramo changes before your eyes (and the knobby tires of your bikes) as you roll into the lush cloud forest. Steep gorges and ridges covered by impenetrable jungle provide spectacular views on the 3-4 hour downhill ride. In the afternoon, settle into Bellavista's cloudforest lodge and begin your first explorations of this unique ecosystem.
 

Day 3 Bellavista Cloudforest

Bellavista protects 1800 acres of endangered cloudforest on the western slopes of the Andes. Bordering the Choco bio-region, the forest is part of something that scientists refer to as a biodiversity "hotspot" - a place of extreme biodiversity in danger of extinction. Today you'll explore the miles of trails at Bellavista, passing by waterfalls, steep ravines, and thick gardens of hanging epiphytes in search of some of the 320 bird species recorded here. You'll learn more about the area's complex ecology, what Bellavista is doing to protect it, and about the endangered mammals such as the spectacled bear, mountain lion, Andean coati, and others that take refuge here...

Day 4 Whitewater Rafting

Time to hit the Class III+ rapids of the best whitewater in the Western Andes! During the winter months, you'll be on the Rio Blanco and in the summer you'll paddle the Rio Toachi. On these exhilarating rides, you'll pass through forested canyons and isolated villages as you descend towards the Pacific lowlands. This afternoon, it's back to Quito to get ready for tomorrow's trek into the high Andes.

Days 5-7 Cayambe-Coca Trek

This morning you'll depart Quito and head high into the Andean paramo to Oyacachi, the gateway to the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. From this Quechua village, we begin our 3 day trekking trip, and each day will include hiking for 4-6 hours at 3,200-4,100 meters in some of the most isolated and unique terrain in the Andes. You'll be exploring through an area of alpine grasslands, lakes, wetlands, high cliffs and waterfalls. The reserve also boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna including giant rosette plants, cushion plants, orchids, Andean Condor, foxes, dwarf dear and even the shy spectacled bear.

The first night will be spent camping at the Oyacachi Hot Springs, and the following morning, we will travel by vehicle to the trailhead at Guambicocha and continue hiking. As your trek continues, you may stop for a moment to reflect on the impressive granite walls, patched with waterfalls. In the distance, the Antisana and Puntas volcanoes command the horizon. We will backcountry camp next to the beautiful Parcacocha lake on the second night.

On your last day you'll descend from the grasslands of the high paramo into the warm lushness of cloudforest. The spectacular valley walls are covered in dense vegetation that will remind you of your days at Bellavista. Tonight and the next day, pamper yourself at Papallacta, enjoying the thermal pools and the optional spa treatments at the resort - a well deserved reward for your high altitude trek!

Note: This is a strenuous hike and travelers should come prepared for cold and often wet conditions of hiking over uneven terrain. The rewards for completing the trek are experiencing one of the world's most unique and precious ecosystems and remote landscapes that only the lucky few have the chance to venture.

Day 8 Papallacta/ Quito

Complete your Ecuador travel adventures at the hot springs of Papallacta. Legend says that Inca royalty would travel to Papallacta to soak in its thermal waters. It's easy to see why Inca royalty traveled so far to enjoy this place. Nestled between steep mountains blanketed by lush vegetation, Papallacta provides the perfect setting to soak away your sore muscles before returning to Quito.

Day 9 Return Home