Western Andes Multisport | Trip Itinerary

DAY 1:  Arrive to Quito. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your select hotel.
Note:  Additional days in Quito can be added to explore the colonial city, do day hikes or mountain biking to help you acclimatize for your adventure program

DAY 2: MOUNTAIN BIKING THROUGH MONTANE CLOUDFOREST
We start our adventure biking a smooth uphill incline to 3,300 meters above sea level on the road behind Guagua Pichincha - the volcano which looms over Quito. Next comes a thrilling descent into montane cloud forest. This area is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet, as species from the Amazon, Choco Rainforest and Andes all converge here. Bird-watchers from around the world are particularly attracted to the area around the Mindo Cloudforest Reserve, where we will be spending the next two evenings. We bike all the way to our delightful lodge near the Mindo Cloudforest Reserve and spend a relaxing evening here enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the forest night. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: RAFTING ON THE BLANCO RIVER
Today we drive to the nearby Rio Blanco, called “White River” because of its relentless flow of whitewater rapids. Rio Blanco is home to the best rafting run in Ecuador’s western Andes, with scenery and rapids on par with its Amazonian neighbors. After a short safety briefing and instructional session at the put-in, we blast through 30 km of Class III to III+ rapids. As we paddle through big waves and fast whitewater, we are surrounded by breathtaking rainforest scenery and abundant bird life, including cormorants, herons, and kingfishers. With luck, we might also run across some of the local river otter families.

After an adrenaline-filled day on the river, we return to our lodge to relax for a while before setting out on a short nature hike at dusk. As the sun sets, we experience the magical awakening of the forest’s nocturnal species. Our destination is a nearby pond, home to an amphibian conservation project, where the local frogs serenade us with their nightly concert. We then take a short walk around the pond to meet the amphibian performers and their nocturnal friends up close. (B, BL, D)

DAY 4: PRE-MONTANE CLOUD FOREST HIKE
Today we set out on foot to explore the incredible landscapes and biodiversity of the Mindo cloud forest reserve. Mindo is primarily known as a bird watching paradise. The reserve’s 14,000 hectares is home to over 500 recorded bird species. The first leg of our hike takes us to a group of beautiful waterfalls set in stunning primary cloud forest. As we hike, we observe dozens of orchid and butterfly species, in addition to a wealth of birds, including the famous Andean Cock of the Rock, quetzals, tanagers, toucanets, and motmots. After our beautiful hike we´ll go to town to have lunch. Finally, we return to Quito in the afternoon & you check-in to your select hotel for an overnight stay. (B, L)

DAY 5:  Departure to the airport or your next adventure (transfer not included) (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner