Hike, Bike and Paddle Ecuador

Hike, Bike and Paddle Ecuador on this outstanding adventure travel holiday!

On today’s show, we interview David about the incredible Ecuadorean adventure he and his wife took with my affiliate Active Adventures.  This trip has it all!  You explore the landscape and culture by hiking, biking, paddling and even horseback riding in true Chagra culture!  There are opportunities to add in canyoning, rafting and even salsa lessons.  It’s an action packed adventure, and a fantastic way to explore this amazing year ’round destination!

While you are in Ecuador, consider a trip to the Galapagos!  You can learn more about that adventure HERE. 

Be sure to email Kit and ask her for an exclusive DISCOUNT PROMO CODE good for any multi-day Active Adventures tour.  These exclusives codes are not available anywhere online.

Best Way to Visit Ecuador

I always recommend using a quality adventure travel tour company when you want to do adventure activities.  Figuring out the logistics and knowing which local companies to use is time consuming and can be complicated.  So for me, I’d rather push the ‘Buy’ button and have a trusted company figure out and worry about all the details.  This allows me to relax and get the most enjoyment of my precious vacation time.

For Ecuador, I recommend Active Adventures and their ‘Tapir’ tour.  Your trip starts and ends in Ecuador’s capital, Quito.

When to Visit Ecuador

Since it is on the equator, you can visit Ecuador any month of the year!  The temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year, so your main consideration is whether to go during the dry or wet season.  The average high will be 64-66 degrees F, with an average low of 48-49 degrees F.  Dry season begins in late May and runs through the end of September.  The Green season generally runs from December 10th to May 27th.  No matter what time of year, keep a rain jacket in your day pack!

Adventure Activities to Do in Ecuador

Ecuador is an adventure travel paradise (IN paradise!!!).  An easier question is what adventure activities can’t you do in Ecuador!  Here’s the Active itinerary for their ‘Tapir’ tour:

Day One:  Arrive in Quito and bike to Cumbaya. 

Bike the old ‘rail to trail’ Chaquinan Trail along the Chicle River Valley fro Puembo to Cumbaya.  You’ll get to see lots of colorful native birds through this tranquil landscape.  If the skies are clear, you might get to see the perfect cone-like, snow-capped peak of Cotopaxi at 19,347’/5897m!

Day Two:  Horseback ride Rumiñahui Heights

Horseback ride Rumiñahui Heights to the base of the central summit of Rumiñahui.  Immerse yourself in Chagra culture and enjoy all the panoramic volcanic views.  Drive through the valley of the Volcanoes to the beautiful mountain village of Baños in the Rio Pastaza Valley.

CONTINUED BELOW

Day Three: Pailon de Diablo Cloudforest waterfall hike, Treehouse swing, Free Afternoon in Baños

Baños is an adventure wonderland!  There are lots of optional activities here, including canyoning, biking, rafting, horse riding and even salsa dancing lessons, or your guide can take you on a grand tour of the area.  You’ll visit the Pailon de Diablo Waterfall, or Devil’s Cauldron, hiking right up to the edge, allowing a soak in the waterfall itself.  Go on the famous treehouse swing, which swings high over the cliffs above Baños.  Hike this incredible cloud forest, or visit the darling town square.  Indulge in locally woven melocha (toffee).

CONTINUED BELOW

Day Four: Rainforest waterfall hike, jungle lodge

Today you’ll hike the rainforest among the waterfalls!  It’s a challenging 2.5 miles/4 km with 2,624 feet/800 m elevation gain and loss.  At night, you’ll take dugout canoe across the Napo River (its the only way to get there!) to a jungle lodge.  Check out the Training for Adventure Travel and Training for Altitude ATA episodes.  And mention ATA when you contact Becki at Trailblazer Wellness to get 10% off your customized online personal training, while helping to support the show at no additional cost to you!

Day Five: Amazon Jungle hike, Visit an indigenous family, Canoe ride to Misahualli, soak in hot springs

Spot wildlife on the pre-breakfast morning hike, when the animals are most active.  Then visit a local Napa indigenous family and learn about their community and the importance of the rainforest.  Then you’ll return to the cloudforest and soak in a natural hot spring right outside the lodge.  Today’s hike has 2,624 feet/800m and you’ll be at elevation of 10,826′!

Day Six: Visit hummingbirds, hike in Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, return to Quito