|
Trip Level:
Days 1 & 2
Aclimatization. Quito is located at an altitude of 2800 mts. (9,186 ft)
Day 3
Hiking: 3 hours. Easy
Max altitude: 3000 mts. (9,843 ft)
Day 4
Hikes and visits
Max altitude: 3000 mts. (9,843 ft)
Day 5
Biking: 4 hours. Moderate
Max altitude: 3000 mts. (9,843 ft)
Day 6
Biking: 4 hours. Easy
Hike: 1 hour. Easy
Max altitude: 2700 mts. (8,860 ft)
Day 7
Hiking: 5 hours. Moderate
Max altitude: 3200 mts. (10,500 ft)
Day 8
Hiking: 2 hours. Moderate to dificult
Max altitude: 4700 mts. (15,420 ft)
Day 9
Biking: 5 hours. Moderate to strenuous
Max altitude: 4000 mts. (13,123 ft)
Day 10
Rest and back to Quito.
Papallacta is located at an altitude of 3300 mts. (10,826 ft) |
|
Andes Multisport Adventure - biking & hiking
A region surrounded by mountains, lakes, nature and spectacular landscapes, both to know by bicycle or just hiking. Every day, full of activities ends up in some excellent place suited for rest and preparation for the next one. What would you think of ending a strenuous hike with a relaxing massage at the spa, whirlpool and champagne or any other luxury option? This program’s demanding level, marked by the altitude of the Andes, increases progressively until you reach a good acclimatization. After a week of lots of activity, the trail ends in a spectacular place loaded with thermal baths of volcanic origin.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Quito and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 Visit to the old historical part of the city and the museum of pre-Hispanic cultures. Welcoming dinner.
Day 3 Motorized transport to the town of Cayambe and the village of Pesillo. On the way, a short visit to the equatorial line’s Solar Museum. From Pesillo we have the first hike towards Zuleta sector. This is an easy non demanding hike to acclimatize to the inter-Andean valley’s altitude.
Day 4 Hike to where the Andean condor rehab center project lies, where there will be the opportunity to watch Ecuadorean condors as well as other Andean wildlife roaming free. On the way there one can observe several ruins and pyramids left by the Caranqui culture, also the communities of Zuleta and Angochahua can be visited and there admire their exquisite embroidery. Optionally one can go horseback riding on the famous zuleteño horses and participate on one of the highlights of the Zuleta experience.
Day 5 First day of biking to the town of San Pablo. If you feel strong enough you can gradually climb the first part of the trek or only partially, starting from the farm. Once one gets to the highest part of this trek, the rest comes rather easy as you descend along the slope of Imbabura Mountain with wonderful landscapes and fantastic vistas of the surrounding environment and the colorful communities of the area.
Day 6 This biking trek on flat terrain runs on the north side of San Pablo lake to the foot of “Pucara de Curiloma” hill. You could ascend the hill on a vehicle or your bike, towards the “Condor Park” where you will be able to observe a demonstration of a few species of raptors. The trail goes on to the village of Peguche. You will be admiring the wonderful typical artisanry of Otavalo and the way they are manufactured. On the way we visit a beautiful waterfall which the Indians of the Otavalo region, consider sacred. In the afternoon you can visit the different leather product stores, which has made the city of Cotacachi famous, or else enjoy a repairing massage at the hotel’s spa
Day 7 Drive up to Cuicocha lagoon, where we will take on a hike around the crater lake. This lagoon is located on an ancient caldera of Cotacachi volcano which is situated on the southern side of the mountain. You will be noticing the changing vegetation along the trail, surrounded by a variety of orchids, “achupallas”, and many other Andean flora besides incredible landscapes. Then we return to the hostel we used the night before and enjoy again a magnificent massage.
Day 8 We leave in the morning towards another spectacular volcano, Cayambe. The road takes us to the refuge situated at 4700 meters of altitude above sea level (15,420ft) from where you can hike to the glacier and the blue lagoon at the edge of this glacier to get a better acclimatization at a higher altitude, to prepare for the activities of next day. We get back down to the town of Cayambe for lunch and a visit to a roses plantation, from where this gorgeous flowers get exported to the different markets in the world.
Day 9 Drive to the highest part of the trek, on the mountains of Oyacachi (4000m) (13.123ft) from where you can do the last biking trek through unusually beautiful landscapes, lagoons, highland vegetation, and occasionally some Andean wildlife. If this results too extenuating for you, the trek can be done in parts. End up with a descent to the village of Papallacta, where you can rest in its fantastic hot baths of volcanic origin.
Day 10 Take this morning for reconforting thermal baths and a soothing massage. In the afternoon, return to the city of Quito. Farewell dinner.
Day 11 Drive to the airport for your return flight, or else you could join us again for our next adventure.
Lodging
We have selected for you the best available lodging for each of the different parts of the trek:
Hacienda Zuleta
- Angochagua (2 nights) Cozy family environment and extremely comfortable, great food with organic products from the farm. Standard room with chimney. Horseback riding possibilities and many places to explore.
Hostería Cusín
- San Pablo (1 night) This historical 400 year old house, offers an excellent comfort. Rooms with an individual old style decor with magnificent vistas of the beautiful gardens and the spectacular mountains that surround the hacienda.
La Mirage Garden Hotel & Spa
- Cotacachi (2 nights) A hotel member of the chain “Relais & Chateaux” where you will enjoy its excellent spa and delicious gourmet food. Luxurious rooms with vistas to the gardens. Optional massages and beauty treatments.
Hacienda Guachalá
- Cayambe (1 night) Very casual and Spartan accommodations in one of the oldest haciendas in Ecuador, its halls whisper history, its rooms all have chimneys. Local great food.
Termas de Papallacta
- Papallacta (1 night) A hotel with outside thermal baths of volcanic origin, amidst the mountains. Comfortable rooms with exclusive pools and also access to the rest of the complex and spa. Optional massage and beauty treatment.
For Quito we have also selected the best available lodging: Swissötel, (5 star).
Food and fare
Breakfast and dinners high class in the haciendas and hostels we have chosen. Lunches buffet style in the middle of each trail or trek enjoying the gorgeous landscape around you. In case of rain we have dining tents.
Trip Details and Included Items
- Lodging, double occupancy
- Full fare, (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks)
- Special attention to diet requirements as well as vegetarian diets
- Non alcoholic beverages: Natural juices, mineral water, tea, coffee and beer. Occasionally in
case of cold spells, “Sunfo” (local Andean mint) tea with schnapps
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- Bikes and biking gear
- Guided biking and trekking with support vehicles along the way
- Access to natural reserves and protected areas with permits
- Wilderness first responder (wfr) certified guides and logistic teams
- Visits to Indian markets and the most outstanding sites of the area
- Contact with the local communities
- You select your own rhythm of adventure and or progressive acclimatization to high altitudes
TOP |
