6-Day Multisport Ecuador Tour from Quito with Cotopaxi and Amazon

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Bike through Cotopaxi National Park from the high slopes down to Limpiopungo Lake
• 02 Visit a traditional indigenous market in Saquisilí, Pujilí, or Zumbahua
• 03 Kayak the Anzu River and build confidence on gentle rapids in the Amazon region
• 04 Raft the Upper Napo and Jondachi rivers through whitewater and pristine jungle
• 05 Relax in the thermal springs of Papallacta after six days of adventure

Embark on a thrilling multisport adventure through Ecuador's stunning landscapes, from Cotopaxi National Park and Quilotoa Lagoon to Baños, Tena, and the Amazon rainforest. Hike to high-altitude viewpoints and a glacier on Cotopaxi, bike down to Limpiopungo Lake, and experience a traditional indigenous market. Continue with canyoning in Baños, kayaking on the Anzu River, and rafting on the Upper Napo and Jondachi rivers before unwinding in the thermal springs of Papallacta on the return to Quito.

The Jondachi is probably one of the most amazing rivers you will ever run in Ecuador.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Quito, Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Lake, Tena, Baños de Agua Santa, Zumbahua

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Cotopaxi Hiking and Mountain Biking Adventure

• Start your multisport adventure today and head south to the impressive Cotopaxi National Park.
• First, we ascend by car to the parking lot at 4,500 meters above sea level.
• From there, we will start hiking up to the José Ribas Refuge at 4,800 m.
• The view from this point is stunning, and on a clear day, we are able to see up to 8 volcanoes.
• After a short rest and maybe a hot cup of tea or coffee, we will continue hiking until the glacier at a literally breathtaking altitude of 5,000 meters.
• Hike back down to the refuge, where you will enjoy your lunch and participate in a short briefing about the mountain biking that will follow.
• Afterward, you will hop on your bikes and start the downhill ride to Limpiopungo Lake.
• We will walk around the lagoon - where wild horses can occasionally be spotted - before continuing by bike to the Interpretation Center, which will be your last stop for today.
• Here, you can learn some interesting facts about volcanic activity in Ecuador.

2

Day 02

Indigenous Market and Quilotoa Lagoon

• After a delicious breakfast, we will head towards Saquisilí, Pujilí, or Zumbahua, depending on the weekday, to experience a traditional indigenous market.
• Try exotic fruits and enjoy the market atmosphere before continuing to the beautiful Quilotoa Lagoon.
• Here, you will have the chance to hike a bit.
• Observe the lagoon and see how it changes colors depending on the sunlight.
• After enjoying your lunch, you will make a short stop at the Tigua community.
• Before that, we will bring you to your next destination: Baños - Ecuador's capital for outdoor activities.

3

Day 03

Canyoning Adventure and Free Time in Baños

• Start your day with some adventure: today, canyoning is on your agenda.
• Leave Baños and spend the morning canyoning at Casahurco.
• Enjoy a wet, wild, and fun day full of adventure.
• Casahurco is one of the most thrilling sites in Ecuador, and it is known as one of the world's top locations for canyoning.
• The tour will be accompanied by a professional and certified guide, and we will provide all the equipment and round-trip transportation from and back to Baños.
• The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. You could, for example, visit the famous "Casa del Arbol" and enjoy the feeling of swinging high above the clouds, or just stroll through the small town and enjoy a coffee or shop for some souvenirs.

4

Day 04

Kayaking on the Anzu River

• After breakfast, we will pick you up at your hotel in Baños.
• After driving for approximately 2.5 hours, we will arrive in Tena and bring you to your hotel for check-in and a short rest.
• In the afternoon, you will start your first activity for today: you'll get fitted out with a kayak, paddle, buoyancy vest, and helmet.
• Once ready, you'll travel about half an hour to the put-in on the Anzu River.
• Upon arrival, your guide will give you a short briefing and take you step by step through different safety measures.
• The day is all about gaining confidence in the kayak and enjoying a relaxed day on the river.
• There will be opportunities to run small rapids and to just drift with the current.
• At the end of the day, we celebrate a fun day on the river with an ice-cold beer or soft drink.
• From the take-out, we head back to Tena, where you will spend the night.

5

Day 05

Whitewater Rafting on the Upper Napo River

• The Upper Rio Napo is also known locally as the Rio Jatunyacu, which means "big water" in Quichua.
• "Big" is probably the best word to describe this river - big waves and big fun.
• A great trip for both beginners and experts alike.
• No previous rafting experience is necessary.
• After breakfast, we head out into the jungle for about 45 minutes to our put-in site near the village of Cando.
• Once ready, the boat will push off from shore, and within moments you will find yourself being drenched in the first rapids.
• After this first shot of adrenaline, the fun continues as you crash through walls of whitewater, explore a hidden canyon, drift silently along sheer river cliffs, and take a swim in the refreshing waters.
• During this trip, we will stop on a beach by the side of the river for a delicious picnic lunch that includes fresh tropical fruits and is served with soft drinks, juice, and water.
• After the rafting adventure, you will be brought back to Tena for your overnight stay.

6

Day 06

Jondachi Rafting and Papallacta Hot Springs

• The Jondachi is probably one of the most amazing rivers you will ever run in Ecuador.
• After breakfast, we will drive north towards the community of Mondayacu, from where we will start a short hike.
• Every paddler is handed a life jacket, helmet, and paddle.
• Members of the community are hired as porters to carry the rafts and the all-important lunch coolers.
• The trail leads us up and down for about 20 minutes until arriving at a suspension bridge across the Jondachi River.
• The bridge is a vital link to the Quechua farms on the other side of the valley and serves as the ideal platform to scout the first rapids.
• Besides the thrilling rapids, it is the pristine jungle on both sides of the river that makes the Jondachi such a unique experience for beginners and experienced rafters alike.
• During this trip, we will again stop at a riverside beach for a delicious picnic lunch.
• At the end of the rafting trip, we will, of course, celebrate the experience again with a cold beer or soft drink.
• Our driver will be waiting for you to take you back to Quito.
• On the way, we will make a stop at the thermal springs of Papallacta, where you can relax a little after all the activities of the last days.
• Afterward, we will continue our journey back to Quito.
• Arrival time is approximately 8 PM but may be earlier or later depending on traffic and weather.
• Your tour ends with your arrival in Quito.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• 5 nights of lodging
• English- and Spanish-speaking guide
• Meals according to the itinerary
• Transfers from and to the airport with a private English-speaking driver
• All transfers with a private English-speaking driver
• All the activities mentioned in the itinerary

What's Not Included

• International flights are not included in the price.
• Transfers from and to the meeting point in Quito
• Travel insurance
• Meals not listed on the itinerary
• Tips & gratuities
• Personal expenses

What to bring

• Travel documents (passport, etc.)
• Day pack (or fanny pack)
• Duffle bag, suitcase, or backpack
• Comfortable walking shoes or boots with good traction
• Teva-style sandals
• Swimming suit
• Light to medium fleece jacket
• Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket
• Hiking pants
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Long-sleeve shirt or blouse
• Lightweight full-length pants or trousers of either synthetic or cotton
• Hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Socks
• Regular underwear
• Toiletries
• First aid kit and medication

Know before you go

• Make sure to adjust your watch and smartphone to Ecuadorian time.
• Mainland Ecuador time zone - GMT -5:00
• Do not feed wildlife.
• Respect wildlife and their natural habitat. Keep no less than two meters' distance from the animals so as not to affect their behavior.
• Avoid consuming disposable goods, and do not throw organic waste or any kind of waste away until you find a proper place to dispose of it, as it can significantly affect the development of the ecosystem in which it is located. Try to recycle or reuse all solid waste.
• Respect the recommendations given by the park rangers and the entrance hours of each area.
• Stay inside the trails and respect the signs. Do not destroy infrastructure.
• Carry out campfires, camping, and other activities only in the permitted zones of each area.
• Special care is required during the breeding, molting, or rearing season. Do not place yourself between two animals, especially between a mother and her young. Some species are highly protective and may attack if they suspect their young are threatened or may leave the young more vulnerable to predators.
• Hunting of animals and entry with weapons and alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden. It is also forbidden to damage the flora or take plants, animals, or geological remains. Check the list of permitted objects for entry to the corresponding Protected Area.
• Avoid taking flash photography so as not to alter the normal behavior of wildlife. Filming, professional photography for commercial purposes, and the use of drones require authorization from the corresponding Protected Area's management.
• Do not support illegal trade in flora and fauna species.
• Use environmentally friendly insect repellent and completely avoid aerosols. We recommend using cream-based repellents or other alternatives.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Juan León Mera & Foch, Quito, Ecuador

Tour start

Juan León Mera & Mariscal Foch, 170143 Quito, Ecuador

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.