What's a group trip?
Join a small group of like-minded travellers on a guided trip.
What's a tailor made trip?
We put together a bespoke tour to fit your requirements.
Duration: 9
Capacity: 5 per person
This Ecuador cycling tour starts with a choice of biking or walking around the historic, UNESCO Heritage site that is Quito. Alternatively, head to the ever-popular Chaquiñan Path ride, swigging delicious local tropical fruit juices in between short stretches on the bike.
We leave Quito and head for the clear and fresh air around the sacred Wingopana Mountain (4,000m/13,123ft), with its stunning views over to volcanoes Illinizas South and North (Sur y Nor). From here, we blast down quiet country lanes, some gravel, some dirt, with plenty of curves, fast sections, and jumps for those who know how.
Our next destination is the famous Quilotoa Crater. We will have plenty of time for stunning views before mountain biking through farmland to our next hotel, which is close to Cotopaxi National Park.
We’ll hop onto e-mountain bikes at the historic Hacienda El Porvenir and explore the working ranch’s beautiful forest, mountaintops, and dirt tracks.
After a relaxing evening at El Porvenir, our MTB adventure leads us into Cotopaxi National Park. Deer, Andean foxes and even condors might be spotted as we head to the remote El Tambo lodge. This former Inca outpost is at the end of a trail that includes springs, wildlife, super-fast down hills, river crossings, and unrivalled Ecuadorian mountain scenery.
Our local hosts in El Tambo have their own stories to tell, often around the lodge’s generous fireplaces accompanied by local drinks. This is an unforgettable spot that very few ever visit. Suitably rested, we head back into Cotopaxi National Park to crisscross fast single tracks, all in the shadow of the ice-clad Cotopaxi volcano.
Fully acclimatised, it’s time to take on Ecuador’s best downhill mountain biking route down Chimborazo volcano, the country’s highest mountain.
Our transport drops us at the face of Chimborazo’s glaciers at 4,850m/15,912ft. Spirits full, we fly down the mountainside, swishing over moraine, sand, rivers, and rocks in an ever-changing terrain. There might even be snow! Whatever we experience will be fast and furious on the bikes, with that double suspension coming in useful.
Return to Quito or head to the warm and vibrant town of Baños for more mountain biking.
This is the best mountain bike tour among Ecuador’s volcanoes, countryside, and people.
Prices From $3207 / £2607.291 per person
Dates: From January 2025 to December 2025
Duration: 15
The mountain areas we visit on our volcano climbing trip are stunning. Once acclimatised to the high altitudes we climb three of Ecuador’s biggest and most beautiful volcanoes: Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.
We have picked the best accommodation in each place to provide good access to the mountains. Cosy haciendas and mountain lodges offer us excellent Ecuadorean food and hospitality throughout the trip.
Our expert mountaineering guides are qualified and experienced. They know the mountains well and will also fill you in on the history and culture of this fascinating Andean country. This will help you make the most of your Ecuador trekking and volcano climbing trip.
Duration: 3
Situated within a private reserve, the El Monte lodge offers unparalleled access to the biodiverse Andean cloud forest. You’re surrounded by lush greenery, wonderful wildlife, and beautiful scenery.
The lodge owners decided, when they opened in 1998, to stay small, and keep a healthy balance between guests and the area of land to minimize the ecological impact.
Food is mostly vegetarian with lots of colour, but chicken and fish are also sometimes served (veggies are catered for too). The cooks are creative so there’s no fixed menu, just a guarantee that it will be tasty. Almost all dietary requests can be catered to.
Arrival at El Monte is via a 20-metre ride on a tarabita—a hand-pulled cable car—over the Rio Mindo which gives a sense of seclusion from the outside world, but you are only a couple of miles from the small town of Mindo.
From El Monte venture out to enjoy a range of activities. There are options catering to all visitors: go bird watching, join a nature walk, swim in a waterfall, visit a butterfly farm, visit an orchid garden, take a chocolate or coffee tour, feed hummingbirds, or simply relax in a hammock!
For the adventurous and for families, there’s zip-lining, horseback riding a cable car over the canopy, and tubing.
Prices From $3000 / £2439 per person
Duration: 10
On this adventure holiday, you will explore three islands by land, sea and small plane, using shared transportation.
Enrich your adventure with the perspectives of the different knowledgeable and experienced guides who will accompany you and ensure you experience the islands to the fullest.
Kick back at our comfortable and well-located hotels. We’ve included breakfast and some lunches while you’re out on an excursion but most days you will be free to choose from a range of typical local restaurants, allowing you to eat what and where you want.
Prices From $2360 / £1918.68 per person
Duration: 13
The vegetation changes from the humid Andean forests to the high altitude grasslands known as “paramo”. Humming birds and other brightly coloured tropical birds accompany you at lower elevations. As you go higher and walk through the grassland look out for wild horses, the Andean Condor, Black Chested Buzzard Eagles, Puna Ibis, and more.
Next is the hilly farming region of Quilotoa, where you visit the colourful market of Saquisili and walk round the deep blue crater lake of Quilotoa volcano.
The landscape here is stunning, a patchwork of fields across steep mountain sides, with deep gorged out valleys. The many mountain paths that criss-cross the area link together and are ideal for this multi-day trek. We see several remote villages and have the opportunity to chat to and learn about the traditions and working life of Ecuador’s rural people.
The last few trekking days are spent walking in the Chimborazo Reserve, home to Ecuador´s highest volcano, Chimborazo. The tour ends with a visit to Baños, then return to Quito.
Ecuador is one of the best of all the Andean countries for multi-day trekking holidays as well as day walks. We have planned this route to include the best and most interesting places to stay, some historical, colonial haciendas, some local high mountain lodges, some beautiful hotels with views.
These haciendas are old colonial Spanish style farms. They have been adapted to accommodate tourists and visitors in some degree of comfort. Staying at the haciendas gives a good insight into farming life as most are still working farms, and also allow you to experience some excellent Ecuadorian hospitality.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in Touch
+44 (0)131 378 5593
+44 (0)131 554 6025
info@andeantrails.co.uk
The whole trip was just incredible; the planned itinerary went smoothly, everything was perfectly organised and I could not think of any better way to have visited this beautiful country. The cruise on Galapagos Islands obviously was the highlight. Lost in paradise!
The accommodation/food/guides on Coral 1 were amazing! The crew was super nice and we had a lot of fun! The guides had great knowledge to share and the itinerary was super exciting and interesting. During my time on the cruise I talked a lot to the crew members that were all locals working for the conservation of the Islands, I got great insights on the people and culture of the country.
I am super happy to have chosen Andean Trails for my trip and so grateful for the help of Kat, she gave me great recommendation and helped me in the best possible way with the planning of my trip.
Marie Becker (France), July 2022 » Coral I & II Galapagos Cruise Yachts
It was everything we hoped and more! Bellavista was amazing, and the guys there arranged some really fun additional activities around Mindo on the day we went zip lining (butterfly farm, orchid farm, chocolate factory). The Quito city tour they put together was also great. But the highlight of course was the Galapagos. Again, it far exceeded expectations. The food was good, the guides were great, and the other passengers were wonderful to meet and spend time with. And the animals -- we saw them all, both above and below the water. All in all, a spectacularly successful holiday that was enjoyed by the whole family and will be remembered fondly forever. Thanks so much for all your help in putting it together!
M. Williamson, UK, 2012 » Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge
