Adventure Activities

Just as Ecuador’s mountainous terrain pleases climbers, so too does it put a smile on the face of cycling enthusiasts. From one-day downhill rides to multi-day tours that take in a variety of topography, Ecuador’s cycling routes are many and varied.

Two-wheelers looking for thrills and scenery can whiz down Cotopaxi in just one day. You’ll start the freewheeling adventure at 14,800 feet and descend lower throughout the day. From the saddle, you can take in vistas encompassing eight volcanoes and views of the serene Lake Limpiopungo and surrounding pine forests at the foot of Cotopaxi. A mid-way lunch break will take place at a scenic lookout, just a hop, skip and a jump away from some Inca ruins.

Families or solo riders of the pedaling persuasion may also want to tackle the 25-mile Nono-Tandayapa tour. Discover the diverse eco-regions of the country at your own pace as you roll through páramo (Andean grasslands), the biodiverse cloud forest and the lower mountain forest, before turning your handlebars toward the amazing bird sanctuary of Tandayapa, where various kinds of toucans, parrots, and hummingbirds dart around the branches.

Intrepid explorers who want to saddle up for a high-octane cycling tour might elect to complete the Guagua-Pichincha-Lloa route. As you pedal around the active Guagua-Pichincha volcano, be on alert for the smell of the sulfurous fumes and the occasional reverberations from the volcano’s depths. You’ll even get the chance to peer into the belly of the beast at the crater. Later, the scenery transitions to a more pastoral feel as you pedal through tranquil green woods, stopping for lunch en route.

Cycling is unquestionably one of the best and most exciting ways to experience nature’s beauty during your personalized family tour to Ecuador.