Bike through the spectacular scenery of the Ecuadorian Andes on this guided tour
This 8-day guided bike tour explores the foothills region north of Quito. On your first day of cycling, you’ll see what makes this area so special as you ride from the Quito city streets into the Cloud Forest. Be on the lookout for wildlife and unique plants as you ride through an incredibly biodiverse region!
The Northern Ecuador Bike Tour includes big panoramic views, waterfall visits, and rides through different parks and reserves. You’ll also have a chance to learn about the indigenous culture and enjoy a traditional lunch. A visit to the Otavalo market, the largest indigenous market in the country, is a great way to practice sustainable tourism! Any souvenirs purchased here support the community directly and help to preserve the local culture and traditions. During your final bike ride of the trip, you’ll experience all the ecosystems in one ride. You’ll descend from the high altitude forests all the way down into the valley before returning to Quito.
Cruising through lush green foothills, pedalling up to expansive mountain views… The Northern Ecuador Bike Tour is not one to miss!
Highlights of the Northern Ecuador Bike Tour
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Northern Ecuador Bike Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Quito
Today is yours to explore Quito at your leisure. Just make sure you’re back at your hotel in time for your 6:00 pm welcome meeting in the lobby!
During the meeting, you’ll meet your guide and the rest of the group and hear all about the exciting adventure that awaits you.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quito
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Ride into the Cloud Forest
Today your cycling tour begins! You’ll leave the busy city streets of Quito behind you as ride through back roads and into the countryside. As you continue towards the foothills of Pichincha, you’ll notice changes as the pastures melt into the cloud forest. Take in the incredible biodiversity of the area as you ride through the misty paths.
After a delicious locally-provided lunch, you’ll ride to your lodge and have the rest of the afternoon to relax or explore.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Mindo
Distance: About 4 hours of cycling, 30 km
Meals: Lunch
Day 3 Visit a Butterfly Farm and Local Chocolate Factory
Your morning will begin with a bike ride up to the Mindo-Nambillo reserve. Once you arrive you’ll take a short break from your bike by taking a quick hike to visit a nearby waterfall.
Next, you’ll be riding to a butterfly farm to learn about these colourful creatures. After lunch, you’ll ride to a local Quetzal chocolate factory. This family-run establishment will teach you all about their sweet product. This is a great time to pick up some delicious souvenirs to bring home with you!
Overnight Location: Hotel near Mindo
Distance: About 3 hours of cycling, 30 km
Meals: Lunch
Day 4 Cycle to Otavalo Market
Today you’ll ride north through the mountains towards Otavalo. Take a quick break from cycling through quinoa fields and pastures and sample some local biscotti!
As you arrive in the market, you’ll notice the beautifully embroidered traditional wool outfits being worn by the locals. The Otavalo Market is the largest indigenous market in Ecuador, and you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore the stalls of locally-produced sweaters, carvings, and jewelry.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Otavalo
Distance: About 7 hours of cycling
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5 Enjoy a Traditional Lunch in the Salinas Valley
After breakfast, you’ll take your included transfer to the town of Urcuqui. This is where you’ll hop on your bike and start riding down the hill through the rolling fields of sugar cane, wheat, and corn.
Continue cycling into the Salinas Valley, where you’ll have a chance to meet some indigenous people. Learn all about their culture and history while you enjoy a traditional lunch. Tonight, relax at the lodge immersed in nature.
Overnight Location: Lodge near the El Angel Eco Reserve
Distance: About 3 hours of cycling, 30 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6 Explore the El Angel Ecological Reserve
You have a little break from your bike today, as you’ll be exploring the El Angel Ecological Reserve. Take a hike through the moors, lagoons, and flowers of the park. You may even get lucky and spot a condor or Andean bear!
Spend the afternoon exploring on your own or relaxing at the lodge.
Overnight Location: Lodge near the El Angel Eco Reserve
Distance: About 3 hours of hiking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 Ride Down the Mountains into el Chota
Today your adventure will be a challenging bike ride through the vastly different landscapes of Ecuador. You’ll begin in the lush mountain forest and descend all the way to the warm, dry valley below. You’ll have gorgeous views along your way as you experience the quintessential Ecuadorian countryside.
Enjoy lunch before being driven back to Quito for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quito
Distance: About 3 hours of cycling, 30km
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 8 Departure
This morning, your tour is officially complete as you check out after breakfast. So long!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This guided tour is run as a private tour for your group only.Prices below are per person:
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip, as well as your group size. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. The prices listed are per person.
Book NowAccommodation on the Northern Ecuador Bike Tour
This tour is based in 3 and 4-star hotels and lodges. The hotels offer comfortable rooms in charming and convenient locations. Rooms are double occupancy and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel (please inquire for the pricing). We can try and match single travellers up where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Dann Carlton in Quito ★★★★
This Quito hotel has lovely welcoming rooms, but you’ll want to spend all your time at the indoor pool, fully equipped gym, or the charming garden.
Septimo Paraiso Lodge in Mindo ★★★★
Surrounded by the plants and wildlife of the cloud forest, this lodge is the perfect nature lover’s hideaway. You’ll love relaxing at the gorgeous pool.
Hacienda Pinsaqui, Otavalo ★★★
You'll love the historical atmosphere and lovely gardens of this charming hacienda. Immerse yourself in Ecuadorian mountain culture during your stay here.
Polylepis Lodge in El Angel Ecological Reserve ★★★★
Enjoy modern rooms that are inspired by the natural surroundings here. Sitting in the eco reserve, you’ll find this hotel is beautiful inside and out!
Hotel Dann Carlton in Quito ★★★★
This Quito hotel has lovely welcoming rooms, but you’ll want to spend all your time at the indoor pool, fully equipped gym, or the charming garden.
What’s Included in Northern Ecuador Bike Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners, water, and snacks are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Quito are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you, your luggage, and your bike are included as per the itinerary.
Also Included
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Bike (Trek X-Caliber), certified helmets and gloves
- Water bottle
- All fees to reserves and museums
- Van support during bike rides
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Flights to and from Ecuador
- Airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Visas if required
- Optional activities
- Personal equipment
- Fees not mentioned as ‘included’
- Gratuities for tour guides and drivers
Optional Extras
- Bicycle upgrade to Trek Top-Fuel model is available for $200 USD
- Extra nights in Quito before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Ecuador Bike Tour
The creation of Activexpedition is to inspire adventure travelers to explore our world from a different perspective. At Activexpedition they prioritize eco-friendly activities in every destination they go, as well as support local people and traditions through sustainability efforts.
Activexpedition's mission is to deliver educational experiences of a lifetime with stellar service and provide human powered holidays that go beyond typical adventure travel.
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Local Guide
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Q&A
Q: What is the best part of guiding tourists in your country?
A: Very difficult question, but Mountain Biking along the Andes is my favourite part of my country.
Q: What are guests most surprised about when visiting Ecuador?
A: The people, how friendly we are, the biodiversity that Ecuador has. Here you can have breakfast on the coast then have lunch in the mountains and finally have dinner in the Amazon basin.
Q: What is one experience anybody visiting your country should do?
Galapagos is the main highlight, but all of the visitors have to do the mainland multisport because this is an active tour where we mix with local gastronomy and the most important thing we share with local people.
Q: What is your most unforgettable moment when guiding?
A: When your guests don’t tell you anything, but you can see how excited they are in their faces.
Q: What is one local dish or drink that tourists must try on a visit to your country and why?
A: I love our local food, well the first dish fritada with tortillas that is fried pork with potato patties then empanadas.
Q: Where would you want to go on holiday?
A: Utah to ride the Whole Enchilada!
Q: What is the most challenging adventure you’ve ever done?
A: When I finished high school, I took my bike and rode it through Ecuador for 1 year, and I climbed almost all of our snowcap mountains along the way.
Q: What do your guests say is best about the trips you lead?
A: The diversity of our country and how the people are. They say also that the activities that we have are the best option to learn about our country.