Ecuador Multi-Sport Vacation

Upon your arrival, you are welcomed and guided to your room. Unpack and settle in by relaxing and unwinding by the game room or outdoor heated pool and whirlpool. Meet others from this group by the pool and enjoy corn pastries (humitas), tamales and coffee this evening. The cook will prepare traditional and authentic Ecuadorian meals, giving you a true Ecuadorian experience.
Your adventure vacation menu and excursion itinerary will be discussed with your host. All food served and prepared is 100% organic. Breakfast will consist of eggs, bread, coffee or tea and an exotic tropical juice. Vegetarian meals can also be easily prepared.
Depending on your arriving flight schedule, tonight you can enter Quito and discover many local bars or relax at a cafe located downtown. Here you will blend with the Ecuadorian socialites and large European community that is always present.

Take your pick of two great ways to spend your first full day in Ecuador.

Farmers Market, Tour Quito and Equatorial Museum

To start your day, a private tour bus will take you to the great farmers market located in Tumbaco where fresh fruits and vegetables are sold. You will see a wonderful array of colorful, edible and exotic items. You will continue to tour Quito, deemed by UNESCO as a “Cultural World Heritage” site in 1979. This bustling city offers rich history and culture replete with golden altars in churches, a multitude of museums and stunning architecture. Enjoy a box lunch that has been prepared. In the afternoon, stand with a foot on each hemisphere and tour the Equatorial Museum. At the museum, you will attempt various tests like: attempting to balance an egg on a nail, viewing and understanding how water flows on the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, observing the noticeable difference of strength at the Equator and trying to walk a straight line on the Equator while gravitational forces pull you off center.

Whitewater Rafting in the Rain Forest Optional

This Rainforest has become famous with kayaking, tubing and rafting fans. The gorgeous rivers are perfect to practice these sports while taking you into the heart of the Amazon. You will arrive in 2-3 hours to conquer class III Rivers. At times the river can offer an excellent four-hour rafting excursion with many challenging rapids. Experience this rafting tour in the beautiful tropical rainforest with a rich flora and fauna. Enjoy a box lunch midway through the ride.

Mindo is set in 47,444 acres of the nationally protected reserve, Bosque Protector Mindo-Nambillo. Abundant with over 350 species of birds in breathtaking cloud forests, it is an idyllic setting to take pictures, swim in lagoons and jump into waterfalls over 33 feet high. If you want to enjoy a spectacular thrill ride, you can not miss the twelve zip lines that give you a close look at the cloud forest around you on over 2,000 meters of cable extension. You will also take the Tarabita Skyway Basket, a suspended basket that will provide stunning vistas of the Mindo River Valley. After a box lunch, you will visit the butterfly farm or stop in the Rain Forest restaurant and enjoy the taste of the delicious Mindo coffee while viewing hundreds of hummingbirds in an open area only a few feet away.

The Chiche Canyon is a miniature version of the Grand Canyon stretching as far as the eye can see. It has a beautiful flowing river at the base of the canyon and marked trails along the ecological route that are easy to follow. Mountain biking and hiking are your options for exploring this magnificent setting. Afterwards, take a break and enjoy humitas (corn pastries) and quimbolitos (wheat based pastry) with coffee at a local café shop.
In the afternoon we go to Ilalo, a wonderful land reserve only 25 minutes from the resort. It has thousands of acres of animal and plant life. While having an adventurous hike, discover the medicinal plants, animals, caves, rivers and great views of this spectacular reserve.

En route to Otavalo, we will stop in Cumbaya and eat bizcochos, a staple biscuit treat made here. For centuries, regional markets have played an important role in Indian life by providing regular gathering places for trade and socializing. The colorful local Otavalo Indian Market is renowned for their handcrafts. This centuries-old market is the perfect place to shop for anyone back home.
After eating a box lunch, travel a short distance to Cuicocha Lake. This lake lies within a crater at the foot of the dramatic, yet dormant, Cotacachi Volcano standing 13,251 feet. Two small islands stand in the center of the lake that was formed by eruptions after the collapse of this pre-existing depression. You will take a 40-minute boat ride around the two islands and stop midway to learn about this fantastic natural cavity. Time permitting; you can hike on the edge of the opening to see the panoramic views of the landscape.

This wonderful tour begins in Quito at 2900 meters and the cable cabins takes us on a 15 minute ferry ride to 4100 meters to the summit of Cruz Loma.  At the top we can discover and view volcanoes on the left and a wonderful panoramic view of the city of Quito on the right.  Hopefully with enough endurance, we can view the 14 peaks of the Andes that is called the Avenue of the Volcanoes. This is a spectacular place for pictures and hiking.

Tonight we celebrate New Years! Experience bringing in the new year with your new friends in Ecuadorian style. With music, dancing, drinks and friends, this New Years will be remembered forever.

Horses will pick you up from the resort in the morning to take you on a stupendous ride through the Chiche Canyon to enjoy the fresh air and the astounding views of the landscape.
After a traditional Ecuadorian lunch at the resort, a private tour bus will take you near the entrance of the Amazon Jungle. Bathe in the natural thermal spring pools of different sizes and temperatures in Papallacta. This soothing volcanic natural thermal spring water contains sulfites and heat that produce a very therapeutic feeling of rejuvenation and wellness. After a relaxing afternoon, you will return to the resort with plenty of time to pack and eat a fabulous farewell dinner. An Ecuadorian Folklore Group will perform to send you off in a true Ecuadorian fashion.

After a traditional Ecuadorian breakfast, say your final farewells and depart for the airport.

We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.

• Activity

  How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.

• Distances

  You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.

• Surfaces

  What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.

• Elevation Change

  The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.

• Altitude

  The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for one to three hours. Take a long walk around Central Park to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active for at least a two-hour period.

• Distances

  For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. Think about this distance in terms of the width of Manhattan. Walking from the Hudson to the East River via 14th street is just under two miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, trying walking three flights of stairs and back.

• Altitude

  Less than 3,000 feet.

Level 2 trips will give you a taste of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for four to six hours. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles around Central Park.

• Distances

  Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be doing up to six miles on this trip. You can imagine this distance in terms of the full Central Park loop, which is 6.1 miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain. You can expect rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to an accumulative 1,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 6,000 feet.

Level three hikes will challenge you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

• Activity

  We’ll be out on the trails for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to ten miles today before heading back to the city. This is the distance between Battery Park and Washington Heights in Manhattan.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be walking on rolling or mountainous terrain. This will require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to 2,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 10,000 feet.

Deep inside you is a desire to push past your limit. On these hikes you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 4 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regiment, trying to get your mile time below 7 minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 4 hikes can be up to 16 miles. This is the distance between Wall Street and Yonkers.

• Surfaces

  These trails will be mountainous with exposed terrain, uneven trails and steep ascents/descents. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 14,000 feet.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate outdoor experience. If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, this is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best.

• Activity

  You should be ready for at least ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles a day. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and up keeping your hiking skills.

• Surfaces

  On Level 5 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Altitude change could also reach up to 14,000 feet.