BIKING THE AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES
The Avenue of the Volcanoes
Discover the Andes of Ecuador! It is mind blowing to think that you can see so many volcanoes, vastly different landscapes and experience such rich culture in such a small place! In Ecuador, anything is possible.
In this expedition you will mountain bike in carefully selected and off-the-beaten path locations. This is an active and educational exploration that takes place in the heart of the Avenue of Volcanoes, where you will visit culturally and ecologically significant areas such as crater lakes, snowcapped volcanoes, cloud forest reserves, giant waterfalls and indigenous markets.
There is also the likelihood of seeing wildlife such as hummingbirds, condors, deer, horses and vicuñas.
Accommodation is provided at charming eco-lodges and colonial Haciendas
Antisana one day Bike Tour
Antisana (5705 meters (18.700 feet)) is the fourth highest and one of the most beautiful snow-capped volcanoes in Ecuador. It has huge extensions of paramo which has endemic plants and endangered animals, such as the Condor which is the national emblem of Ecuador.
The tour starts early with a departure from Quito at 8:00 am, where we head east for 45 minutes by jeep, until we reach the town of Pintag. Once in the Protected area, we continue for approximately one hour along the plains of this outstanding volcano, up to an altitude of 4.000 meters (13.000 feet) towards La Mica Lake to enjoy beautiful surroundings and sights.
In La Mica we start biking back to Pintag for about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). The first 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) is mainly plain and the last 2 kilometers (1.3 miles) before reaching the highest point of the pass will be uphill.
When we reach the pass there will be an awesome downhill through different landscapes until we reach the Entrance, where the bike tour ends.We’ll serve a hearty box lunch en route.
There will be some up hills, but it will be mainly down hills or plain stretches and always accompanied by a 4-wheel-drive in which you are welcome to hop on and off at any time!
The bike ride is approximately 30 kilometres (18.6 miles).
Jeep ride back to Quito.
Papallacta one day bike tour
This is an excellent way to see a cross section of Ecuador’s ecosystems in just one day. As we travel, we are dwarfed by the striking Andes Mountains that surround us. If we are lucky and have a clear day, we can see all the snowcapped volcanoes of the Eastern Cordillera (Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Antisana, Chimborazo). You will pedal across the paramo – the Ecuadorian equivalent of the arctic tundra – and down through stunning cloud forest, traversing steep Andean slopes as you descend down into the Amazon basin.
The terrain for this leg of the journey is a combination of dirt and paved roads of scenic rolling hills.
Drive to the high pass “Paso de la Virgen” at 4200 meters (13300 ft) . From here the descent begins by mountain bike all the way to Cuyuja, the Gateway to the Amazonian rainforest.
On the way, stop for a nutritious lunch. We will then drive you back to 3300 meters. Stop to have a swim in the best hot springs of Ecuador.
Papallacta has crystal clear water at ten different temperatures. If the day is clear, views of Antisana Volcano will bedazzle you!
After a relaxing dip, we drive to the Ave Maria Pass (4200m). From here we bike back towards Quito along the Chiche river basin. This is a great ride. The last 18 kilometers will be on the famous railroad line going through five tunnels, one of which is 322 meters long. The spectacular ride takes us speeding through wide stretches of paramo, cloud forest and the canyon of the river with the Andean sun illuminating the way. Some days can be chilled by occasional fog, so don’t forget your mittens and fleece. In Tumbaco we pile the bikes on the jeep’s roof and head back to Quito.Return by jeep to Quito around 5 p.m. (L)