Explore Epic Ecuador

Upon your arrival at Quito International Airport, you will be greeted by our transfer partners who will transport you to the hotel in our private shuttle. Your LHO Team Leader will be waiting for you at the hotel. Once you’re settled in, your gear will be checked to ensure you have everything you need.

If you arrive early, you can explore the lively town of Quito, nestled amidst the towering Andes mountains. The town boasts an abundance of coffee shops, bars, and markets. Notably, the old town is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its centuries-old architectural history. Your LHO Team Leader will provide additional recommendations closer to your trip date.

On your first evening, we will gather for a team briefing and dinner at a trendy Quito restaurant. Occasionally, we may host dinners at our hotel to allow everyone more time to prepare and rest before the upcoming adventure. This will be your first opportunity to meet fellow participants and interact with your lead local guides, as well as to learn about the exciting experiences we’ve prepared for you and ask any questions. The first round of drinks is on us!

Distance: 6.2 KM | Ascent 383 M | Descent: 383 M

Our adventure through Ecuador starts and ends in Quito. Over the course of the week, we will follow an anti-clockwise route around the country, beginning in the Andes and descending to the low hills and the Amazon before eventually returning to the Andes and Quito. Our first full adventure day begins with a southbound journey on the Pan-American Highway. After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and board our private bus, heading towards the world-famous Cotopaxi, an active stratovolcano just south of the capital. The views along the way are spectacular, with the possibility of seeing other volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Illinizas, Pasochoa, and Corazon. These giants, ranging from 4,500 meters to the towering Cotopaxi at 5,897 meters, offer breathtaking vistas. This day is dedicated to remarkable views, and our chosen hiking trail is the icing on the cake. Our destination is the Limpiopungo lagoon, sitting at 3,800 meters on the foothills of the Rumiñahui volcano, within the Cotopaxi National Park, not far from its slopes. Cotopaxi being an active volcano, we may need to adjust our trek to maintain a safe distance when there is volcanic activity. The views during the trek, especially of Cotopaxi, are stunning. We begin with a walk around the lake and then follow a gradual ascent through high grass vegetation until we reach a plateau, the day’s high point, a great warm-up for the adventures ahead. Along the way, there’s a chance to spot wild horses, wild bulls, and various native bird species. After capturing memories and enjoying the view, we’ll descend to the lake and continue by bus to our lunch spot. Lunch will be served hot at a local restaurant inside the national park. After lunch, we’ll reboard our transportation and head towards Banos, a two-hour journey with an opportunity to stop for ice cream. As we approach the town, the Tingurahua volcano comes into view. This active volcano has historically affected Banos, but it also enriches the region’s soil. The local culture reflects this dual relationship with the volcanoes, evident in local artwork, including churches. Upon arrival in Banos, we’ll check into our accommodation, freshen up, and head out for dinner in town. Banos is a vibrant resort town with numerous bars and pubs, offering plenty to explore in the evening and during the day.

Biking Distance: 25 KM | Descent: 1,856 M

After breakfast, we embark on an exhilarating day of mountain biking, descending from the Llanganates National Park to the Pastaza River Canyon. We’ll hop on our private transport, stopping briefly in the valley to collect our bikes and gear. Before reaching the mountain’s summit, we’ll make a stop at a viewpoint where the local community has set up a swing that extends over a void. From there, it’s a short drive to reach the high point, where we’ll mount our bikes and start descending the trail. This route takes us through the stunning cloud rainforest, passing through Andean farms and a remarkable canyon with numerous waterfalls. As we transition from views of snowcapped volcanoes into the Amazon jungle, we’ll have a breathtaking perspective of Banos. While there may be some uphill sections, they are manageable, and you can walk the bike for short distances if needed. Your LHO Team Leader and local guide will provide guidance on making the ascents easier. After approximately two hours on the bikes, we’ll reach the trail’s end and be met by our private bus, which will take us back to our accommodation to freshen up before lunch. Lunch will be served in the town, followed by free time to enjoy Banos and explore further. There’s also an opportunity for bungee jumping in Banos, and your Team Leader and local guide will provide details for those seeking more adrenaline. Dinner will be at our accommodation in the evening, and a briefing will prepare us for the upcoming Amazon adventure.

Today, we leave behind the volcanoes and the Andes to delve deep into the Amazon rainforest, focusing on waterfalls. After breakfast, we’ll load our private bus and bid farewell to our hosts in Banos. Our first stop is the Bride’s Veil waterfall, about a 30-minute drive away. Here, we’ll zip-line across the Pastaza River and use the Tarabita (cable car) for the return journey. This zip-line is remarkable due to the distance it spans and the deep gorge beneath it. The volcanic rocks forming the cliff edges are unlike any many of us have seen, with their black color and ridged cube-like edges. After returning by cable car, we’ll continue a bit further by bus to the trailhead leading to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall, Ecuador’s second-highest waterfall, and the gateway to the Llanganates National Park deep in the jungle. Legend has it that the Incas hid their golden treasures here 600 years ago. Our visit here is primarily to marvel at this incredible natural wonder. Following this, we’ll board the bus for a direct drive into the Amazon rainforest. As we leave the high mountains behind and enter the tropical regions of the planet’s largest rainforest, the temperatures will change. We’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the way down. Our final destination is a jungle lodge hosted by an indigenous family. While the accommodation is basic, it offers beautiful surroundings. After checking in and becoming acquainted with our new environment, we’ll prepare for an afternoon of canyoneering. For those new to canyoneering, it involves using ropes to climb up and descend waterfalls within a canyon. Be prepared to get wet! The canyon is beautiful and runs through the lush rainforest. The climbs are not difficult, and you’ll be assisted by your LHO Team Leader, local lead guide, and the canyoneering guide throughout the experience. The canyon’s trail starts and ends at our lodge, allowing us to change into dry clothes and shower immediately after the adventure. Dinner will be served at the lodge.

Following breakfast, we’ll head to the Jatunyacu River, one of the Amazon River’s many tributaries. In this region, even a tributary is wider and larger than the biggest rivers most of us have seen! The day begins with safety briefings and preparations for paddling through wild rapids. We’ll be provided with gear and instructed on its use before boarding our raft for this thrilling experience. The beauty of this river is indescribable, with dense forests on either side and waterways alternating between wild rapids and calm flats. We are truly immersed in the magic of the Amazon rainforest. The journey lasts about two hours and includes a break along the way, where we’ll stop at a beach with a local settlement featuring a small market. Purchases made directly from the villagers contribute to the livelihoods of the indigenous people in the area. The second part of the journey is somewhat similar, with longer stretches of calm waters as we approach the end of our rafting experience. Upon reaching the shore, we’ll have the opportunity to shower before having a picnic lunch on the riverbank. We’ll then board our waiting private bus, beginning the ascent back into the Andes’ foothills. The night will be spent in Papallacta, home to volcanic hot springs, offering a stark contrast to the cool Andean air. Our accommodation includes access to a private hot springs area, providing a remarkable contrast to how our day began. Dinner will be at our hotel.

After a relaxed evening, the sixth day starts without any rush to fast-paced activities. The only agenda is enjoying breakfast while the hotel serves it. We’ll gradually load our gear into the private bus and set off for the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve. The journey passes through the cloud forest and offers views of the region’s floral treasures, including colorful orchids. As we leave the valley and return to the high Andes plateau, the volcanoes of Ecuador loom in the distance. Our first stop is at the official equatorial line, where we’ll receive a brief tour of the local museum explaining the significance of the Earth’s widest point, which the equatorial line marks. Following our visit, we’ll continue by bus to a local village known for cultivating long-stem roses. This village participates in a sustainability project called Sacha Warmikuma (Women from the Mountain), supported by LHO and our partners. Lunch will be served at a local guesthouse in the village, and we’ll have the opportunity to tour the rose farm before proceeding to the Otavalo Indigenous Market. The market is filled with fascinating items to explore, so we’ll aim to arrive early and make the most of it. The market showcases rich culture, and your local lead guide will be available to answer your questions and provide insights into the items on display. The market closes in the late afternoon, and your LHO Team Leader will inform you about the meeting point to head to our nearby Hacienda accommodation. A hacienda, historically a local ranch for plantations, has transformed into unique guest houses today. Our hacienda has been selected for its unique architecture, exceptional food, and comfortable rooms. Some evenings may feature local entertainment, adding to the experience. Dinner will be served at our accommodation.

Distance: 13.4 KM | Ascent: 610 M | Descent: 610 M

We’ve saved the most stunning views for the final day! Did you ever imagine you’d ride a boat inside the crater of an active volcano? That’s precisely what we’ll do on our last full adventure day. After breakfast, we’ll take a short drive to the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve. From there, we’ll follow a trekking trail along the crater rim of the Cotacachi volcano. The trail provides incredible views of the vast crater lake below, large enough to contain islands. The trek takes about two hours to complete and includes gradual inclines, flat sections, and descents, offering a pleasurable trek overall. The trail concludes at the lakeside, where we’ll have a quick lunch at a local restaurant before boarding a boat for a brief tour of the lake within the crater. This boat ride marks the end of the activities for this adventure, but it’s not the end of the trip. We’ll board our bus for the final leg of our journey back to Quito, where we’ll check in to our hotel and head out for our farewell dinner. We’ll even cover the last round of drinks!

The final day is devoted to airport transfers, and breakfast is included at our hotel. Team members will be shuttled to the airport based on their flight times. Please ensure you provide accurate flight times when completing your Team Details Form before the experience. Notify your LHO Team Leader of any changes as early as possible to make the necessary arrangements.