HIKE, RIDE, AND RAFT - 3 DAYS

Ecuador is a country whose geography can be best summed up by the phrase de todo un poco—“a little bit of everything.” Snowcapped volcanoes straddle the equator; steep mountainsides and lush emerald valleys are a patchwork of corn, potatoes, and other crops developed by pre-Colombian peoples; rain forests and their close cousins, cloud forests, harbour a multitude of bird and plant life.

In 1998, when the famed Raid Gauloises endurance race was held in Ecuador, the physical challenges of this geography proved equal to its beauty, and some participants described the competition as their toughest race ever. Despite the difficulties, we recognized a good idea—albeit in need of our special touches. Therefore, we begin our Ecuadorian adventure in the Andean highlands, from where we'll make our way by foot, horseback, mountain bike, and raft to the tropical lowlands.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Horseback riding at Ilalo
We will drive to the beautiful Mount Ilalo, located only 30 minutes from Quito, for our morning horseback ride, including a 3-4 hour ride to the top of Mt. Ilalo. After lunch we will drive for around 2 hours to Hostería La Cienega,  one of Ecuador’s oldest colonial haciendas. Built in 1580, this hacienda has been tastefully converted into a first-class hotel, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and the rich folklore of Ecuador’s indigenous people. L,D. Hacienda La Cienega

Day 2 - Hiking Cotopaxi National Park
In the morning we'll depart for Cotopaxi National Park, where we will hike and explore the landscape.  The area boasts a variety of exotic flora, and truly spectacular views.  This adventurous hike expedition covers the Park’s huge variety of stunning landscapes.  In the afternoon we'll head to our hotel to relax. B,L,D Hotel Zaracay

Day 3 - River Rafting
We'll head off early and choose the river depending on water levels, the ages and skills of your group or family.  Upper Rio Blanco features 15 rapids and is a thriller for beginners and experienced rafters alike.  Rio Toachi is Ecuador’s best-known whitewater run, winding through a lush cloud forest.  Rio Caoni offers gentle rollers and is ideal for those seeking calmer waters.  You can even paddle an inflatable kayak.  Afterwards, we'll return to our hotel in Quito.

For more rafting adventures check out our 'rafting' page or take a look at Upano.com.

Back to top