Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00 pm. Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 pm hours. At this time we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

We begin this adventure traveling south on the pan American highway for 2 hours through The Avenue of Volcanoes, it was named by the famous German explorer Alexander Vond Humboldt. On the way enjoy views of volcanoes suvh as Cayambe, Antisana, Pichincha, Illinizas, Pasochoa, and Corazon. Once we enter the park we will drive on the high alpine line where we will learn from our guide about the flora and fauna of the Paramo ecosystem, along the road we will cross a pine forest and with some luck, you could spot a whitetail deer. Begin your journey in The Avenue of Volcanoes and start biking at an elevation of 13000 feet. Travel along a dirt road where wild horses and bulls roam, surrounded by the remains of the last eruption of Cotopaxi, which took place about 140 years ago. From here we will ride on an exciting single track all the way to the Pucara Inca Ruins, here our guides will prepare a delicious lunch for you. In the afternoon, we will continue on our way for about 1 hour to the Hacienda Santa Ana. BIKING TIME.- from 2 to 4 hours Biking Distance.- 20 miles ( 32 Km) Elevation Gain.- 300 feet ( 91 m) What to wear.- Biking shorts or pants, t-shirt, fleece, biking or tennis shoes.

In this day, after breakfast, we will drive to the western part of the Ecuadorian Andes, our first stop is at the Guango Hummingbird Reserve, here enjoy the ability to view about 20 species of these marvelous birds, all while enjoying a cup of coffee or some amazon tea. Later, we continue to the Papallacta resort to check-in at your cabin with location right in front of the pools of volcanic water. Today, have lunch on your own as there are plenty of choices for restaurants that offer traditional food, in the afternoon we will go for a hike in the nearby cloud forest in search of orchids, bromeliads and several other different species of flora; with some luck, you could observe some birds such as tanagers, trogons, warbler, flycatchers and even a condor. The rest of the day and night is yours to enjoy the volcanic hot springs and the Spa treatments high in the midst of the cool Andes.

Travel upon a precious, exclusive road with no traffic in this high region. This is a special experience because this ecological reserve is very remote and pristine with little influence from people. While descending from 13000 ft (3962 m) to 9000 ft (2743 m), enjoy the views of the Andean fields and witness the surroundings of grassland and colorful flowers, with occasional deer and rabbits crossing. This park is home of the Spectacle Bear the only species in south America. Enjoy views of the Andean fields, the local people from region depend much upon the agriculture of products like potato, corn, fava beans, lupine, etc. We arrive at the Hacienda to check-in during the early afternoon, later we will do an optional bike ride of 20 minutes each way to the Equator monument to learn a bit more of the Latitude 0. Biking time.- from 2 to 4 hours. Biking Distance.- miles 35 ( 56 Km) Elevation Gain.- 350 feet ( 106 m ) optional elevation gain 3000 feet What to wear.- Biking shorts or pants, t-shirt, fleece, biking or tennis shoes, biking gloves.

In the morning, venture for about 1 hour to the point where we start biking. It will be along a beautifully paved road that surrounds the Imbabura Volcano and experience the great views of the San Pablo Lake and the small indigenous villages of this province. During our journey, we will stop to visit a weavers workshop and learn how they make their tapestries. Lunch is on your own and the rest of the afternoon is for you to explore the Otavalo Indigenous Market. Here you will find the best souvenirs for the best prices, and most importantly most of the products are made locally by families from the area. The main things you will find here are ponchos, tapestries, blankets, jewelry, etc. In the late afternoon, we will go to the hacienda for a welcome drink and a delicious dinner. Biking time.- from 2 to 4 hours Biking Distance.- 18 miles ( Km ) Elevation Gain.- Optional 1000 feet ( 304 m ) What to wear.- Biking shorts, t-shirt, biking or tennis shoes, biking gloves

Today we drive for two hours heading south on the Pan-American highway, the first stop will be in Tabacundo town to see the rose shops. Most of the people in this town depend on the rose farms, they are considered among the top 5 largest business’ of Ecuador. After, we continue to the dry valley of Guayllabamba and stop for tasting the local fruit such as chirimoya. Our bike ride will start at the small village of Yunguilla and will enter the Pululahua Crater on a dirt road into the beautiful Cloud forest. There is actually a geo-botanical reserve that is taking place inside the collapsed caldera of this old volcano. According to the experts, an immense eruption occurred here thousands of years ago and left these great formations, specifically the lava domes in the center of the volcano. While descending on our bikes, every curve will offer a chance to enjoy the amazing scenery, the two wheel adventure will finish in the center of the caldera. We will have lunch prepare by our driver and guide; and in the afternoon is optional to hike out the volcano, otherwise we continue back to Quito by bus. Biking time.- from 2 to 4 hours. Biking Distance.- 15 miles ( 24 Km ) Elevation Gain.- 350 feet ( 106 m ) Optional 1500 feet ( 457 m ) What to wear.- Water t-shirt, shorts, sandals, expedition hat.

Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "buen viaje"!