Visit the ancient volcanic crater of Pululahua where will enjoy the variety of birds and flowers in this unusual microclimate. Or, if you prefer, spend 4 day biking from Quito to Otavalo through the cloud forest. To the south camping in the spectacular Cotopaxi Park. or the colorful Indian village of the high Andes in the Tigua area.

You should bring your own bike, with a small pannier or a day pack, basic spares ( that will be packed into our support vehicle ) water bottles, your helmet and you can leave the rest to us.

The Safari support crew will pack your equipment into our 4x4 jeep, the cook will prepare the high carbohydrate diet that you need, there will be a specialist bike mechanic on hand for maintenance and repair, and our cycling guide will be out there in front with you, showing you the very best of Ecuador.

If things go wrong with your machine we will have a couple of rock hopper bikes mountain bikes, complete with front suspension, available for rent.

High in the western cordillera, the area of Tigua, famous for the naïf paintings that are done by the indigenous of this area, is a wonderful area for mountain biking. Called chakingllangas in Quichua, the trails provide a network of routes for exploring this remote part of Ecuador.

Small villages and farms with vertical fields, tractors and other modern aids to farming are not of great use here, were the llama and donkey are still more common than the car! In four days you can visit a traditional market, the crater at Quilatoa, which is to steep for even the most determined mountain biker, and so donkeys are provided - unless you want to hike, and bike through spectacular countryside. The accommodation in this area is in basic hostals, and so we have to take all our supplies with us in the support jeep. This area is very arid, and so can be biked through the whole year, but the period from June to December is the dry season.

During the Northern Hemisphere’s spring (from March to July) Safari brings you the best of mountain biking on the backroads from Quito to Otavalo.

Leaving Quito on the old Nono Rd. you pass through the cloud forests to Apuela. The trail then leads you back up the mountains to Otavalo. The 4-day adventure includes a rest day at Nangalvi to explore the archeology and enjoying the Hot Springs! 

A 4x4 jeep as a support vehicle accompanies our specialized trailer and Rock Hopper Mountain bikes. Riding through remote villages rarely visited outsiders the route offers stunning views and a physical challenge. This route is for the mountain biking enthusiast. To enjoy the countryside we keep the distances fairly short, biking across the ridges of the Andes at an altitude of around 1500m to 2000m (while you don’t need to acclimatize) the support vehicle are appreciated on the uphills!

The journey finishes with a long downhill swoop into the famous market town of Otavalo, home of the famous Saturday market, where traditional weavings and many other crafts are on sale

The bike adventure on the world’s highest active volcano begins with more than 50 kilometers of trails and jeep tracks, the high paramo surrounding Cotopaxi is a premier area for mountain biking. Bike on dirt roads through volcanic ash and páramo landscape to Inca ruin at 3.700 m while keeping an eye towards the sky - you might see a condor. In the afternoon, bike on dirt roads and single track down from Lake Limpiopungo through pine forest. Combined with camping, 3 days this area can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Leaving Quito early the first morning we cycle on country lanes passing through the farmlands approaching the Cotopaxi Volcano. Our 4x4 jeep support vehicles carry all our camping equipment leaving us free to explore the dramatic countryside.

Often groups like to visit the refuge on the mountain, a basic hut used by climbers located at nearly 5000 meters. Returning to camp we have a breathtaking downhill run.  We ride passing the permanent snows and glaciers that surround the refuge, down past the lahas carpeted by plants and flowers of the Andes and finally reaching our campsite at just under 4000 meters.

Altitudes: 4500-3200 m. (15000-10600 ft.)

For more information on Cotopaxi please see Safari's Guide to Cotopaxi or check-out one of our other adventures to the Cotopaxi area:

• Climbing Cotopaxi
• Climbing High
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding in Cotopaxi
• Cotopaxi Volcano - Day Adventures