6 Day Ecuador Multisport Tour, Quito

HIKING QUILOTOA CRATER LAKE. You start your Ecuador Multisport adventure by driving for 3 hours from the meeting point in Quito to the heart of the Andes along the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The ride will take you to Quilotoa, the highlight of the Ilinizas Ecological reserve. Tucked in between rolling mountains of greens and golds, lies this beautiful turquoise Crater Lake, a real gem. You will hike for an hour down into the crater. At the bottom, you will have the option to rent a kayak to go paddling in the lake, and enjoy a jaw-dropping 360-degree perspective. After enjoying this masterpiece of Mother Nature, you will hike back up. There is also the option to hire a mule to take you back up. Once at the top, you will have lunch, and then visit the local handicraft and paintings market before going to the Hacienda where you will stay overnight. Lunch included. Accommodation in Hacienda Hato Verde or similar.

HIKE TO COTOPAXI GLACIERS. After acclimatizing the day before at Quilotoa, you are ready to take on our next challenge: climbing up to the Cotopaxi glacier. Your day starts with a soothing cup of coca tea, which according to locals helps to ward off altitude sickness, while taking in our surroundings in the beautiful Cotopaxi National Park. Afterwards, you are ready to hit the trail, starting at around 15,000 and going up to almost 17,000 feet. Due to the steepness of the trail, it will take about two hours to finish. In the afternoon, you will head to Baños de Agua Santa, a lovely town tucked between towering mountain ridges and surrounded by ever flowing waterfalls. Baños is filled with charming restaurants and is a great place to have a night on the town. Breakfast included. Accommodation in La Floresta Hotel or similar.

BIKING AT THE LLANGANATES. Today, you will start your day by driving up high into the Llanganates National Park for a day of biking. In the first hour, there will be a gradual uphill followed by two hours mostly downhill, giving you the chance to catch the breeze, and enjoy the fresh Andean mountain air. The total descent is about 5000 feet, and has spectacular views of the Tungurahua Volcano. In the afternoon, you will go to the famous “swing at the end of the world” at Casa del Arbol. Dare yourself to take a ride and fly high over the trees and into the clouds. If time allows it, there may be the option of zip lining. Breakfast included. Accommodation in La Floresta Hotel or similar.

CANYONING IN THE AMAZON. You start the day by visiting the Pailon del Diablo, a raging cascade tucked between canyon walls. Afterwards you will take a scenic and awe-inspiring drive into the Amazon basin: a megadiverse ecosystem full of different species of plants and animals. You will have a traditional lunch, and afterwards go explore on foot one of multiple spectacular canyons in the area. After your exploration, we have a treat in store. You will head to a bonfire and learn how to make chocolate fondue. Cacao is an important commodity export for the country, which produces some of the finest chocolate in the world, the sweetest way to end the day! Lunch and dinner included. Accommodation at Amazon Lodge.

RAFTING JATUNYACU. This day is the most action-packed day of your Multisport Ecuador adventure as you will paddle down the Jatunyacu River. This river is a class lll originated from the Llanganates Mountains. Legend says there is a hidden Inca treasure in this area, and although many explorers venture in trying to find it, it has yet to be found. A picnic will be served on the river bank, and then you will drive for one hour to your lodge for some relax time at the pool. At night you will have a delicious dinner, and after that, you will venture into the night to search for amphibians and insects. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Accommodation at Amazon Lodge.

CAVING AT THE TEMPLE OF CEREMONY – BACK TO QUITO. In the morning, you will travel by car for about ten minutes to the nearby forest. There, you will visit Templo de Ceremonia, a place known by the local Kichwa indigenous people for being used by their ancestors to do some kind of rituals involving the power of Ayahuasca and their connections with the Pachamama (Mother Earth). You will have the chance to enter into a cave where our local guide will tell us more details about this special place. Later, you will have a traditional lunch from the area, and then, you will start your return back to the meeting point in Quito. At arrival, there will be an optional dinner with the group to say good bye and share the memories of the trip. Breakfast and lunch included. End of services.