NONO TANDAYAPA BIKING

In this tour we will use a part of the old Quito – Nono – Mindo road to descent towards the coast into the cloud forest. On our way we have a good chance to have a clear view of the Cayambe and Guagua Pichincha volcano.

During a ride of approximately 36 kilometers on a 21-speed mountain bike we can appreciate the sudden change of paramo to an exotic and abundant tropical forest full of bromeliads, palm trees and orchids. It is good to keep one eye on the road and the other one on the sky while there is a good opportunity to see parrots, hummingbirds, toucans and caciques.

ITINERARY

1- Pick up 07.00 AM from ´La Mariscal´ area

2- We will drive for a while on the old road Quito – Nono before riding our bike on an empty road

3- Then we will drive about 20 km until reaching the highest point of the trip at 3.200 meters. From here on you will descent on your bike experiencing the sudden changes to an exotic, abundant tropical forest

4- We will pass Nono located at 2.900 meters and ride all the way down to Tandayapa located at 1.800 meters

5- Picnic lunch

6- After lunch we will bike uphill back to Nono (fanatics can ride 12 extra kilometers up-hill)

7- We continue by jeep towards Quito and drive for 20 kilometers back to the city

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change without any prior notice

PAPALLACTA BIKING

In this biking tour you will pedal across the paramo and traverse steep Andean slopes down through a stunning cloud forest. On a terrain of dirt and paved roads, accompanied by experienced guides, you will ride for approximately 4 hours a total of 50 kilometers. Besides this main activity, you can also relax and enjoy the healing powers of the Hot Springs of Papallacta.

Because of the high altitude we recommend you to be correctly acclimatized before starting this tour.

ITINERARY

1- Pick up 07.00 AM from ´La Mariscal´ area

2- Drive to the high pass ´Paso de la Virgen´ at 4.200 meters, from here the descent begins by mountain bike all the way to Cuyuja, the gateway of the Amazonian rainforest

4- On the way you will stop for a nutritious lunch

5- Drive back to 3.300 meters

6- Stop to have a swim and to relax in the Hot Springs of Papallacta. You can enjoy from its clear water at ten different temperatures

7- After that we drive to the Ave Maria Pass at 4.200 meters to bike towards Quito along the Chiche river basin

8- The last 18 kilometers will be on the famous railroad line going through five tunnels, one of which is 322 meters long. It will takes us through wide stretches of paramo, cloud forest and the river canyon

9- In Tumbaco we pile the bikes on the jeep´s roof to head back to Quito. Return by jeep to Quito around 17.00 pm

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change without any prior notice