Day 1 Rafting Activity on the Rio Toachi (L,D)

Depart Quito at 7am for a 3-hour journey north west of Quito down the outer slopes of the Andes through beautiful cloud forest to the shores of the river.

The Río Toachi is a fantastic introduction to the rivers of Ecuador. Flowing off the coastal side of the Andes it has some of the longest navigable sections of white-water in the country. Combine this with the sights and sounds of the forest environment we pass through and you are guaranteed a day to remember.

Before setting off on our rafting experience you will be fitted with life jackets and helmets, given a comprehensive safety briefing and be trained in the paddling techniques needed to navigate your way down the river.

The rafting activity takes around 3 hours. During the trip we’ll stop by the side of the river for a delicious picnic lunch.

At the end of the day you will be dropped off in the local town of Mindo.

Dinner and overnight in local lodge with breakfast included.

Day 2 Cloud Forest Hike & Canopy Zip-Lining Activity (B,L)

This morning, your private naturalist guide will meet you in your Mindo lodge. Enjoy a hike through the local cloud forest reserve. The area of Mindo in Ecuador is a biodiversity hot spot, which boasts a huge variety of colourful birdlife. Look out for hummingbirds, tanagers and toucans.

Lunch included in local lodge

In the afternoon take part in the exhilarating canopy activity at the near-by zip lining centre, where there are 10 different zip lines ranging from 20m to 400m, taking you on a thrilling ride over the canopy of the beautiful cloud forest. Later return to Quito.

Overnight in boutique hotel with breakfast included.

Day 3 Cotopaxi National Park Hike (B,L,D)

This morning our private guide will pick us up for our hiking experience.

Today’s walk is a circular route which takes us through striking & bleak Andean landscapes, in the ever-present shadow of the snow-capped, perfectly cone-shaped Cotopaxi Volcano.

Beginning at 3800m, the first part of the hike is flat as we follow the edge of the Limpiopungo lake for around 20 minutes.

From here we start a gradual ascent up towards the Rumiñahui Volcano. After around half an hour of climbing we reach 4000m, then follow the trail around the slopes of the volcano’s foothills for a further 40 minutes until we reach the Valley of Silence.

The hike takes us through this valley, which offers fantastic views and paramo scenery, before we begin to loop back around and down to the Limpiopungo Lake.

Great opportunities to see Andean Condor, Andean fox, White-tailed deer and wild ponies. Picnic lunch included. (12km – 4 hours)

Dinner and overnight in local hacienda.

Day 4 Cotopaxi Horse Riding or Mountain Biking (B,L)

This morning we have a choice between horse riding or mountain biking.

For horse riding we are kitted out in chaps, ponchos and helmets before getting acquainted with our horses. Our 2-hour horse ride through the beautiful & stark paramo scenery takes us onto the foothills of the Rumiñahui Volcano, with panoramic views of Cotopoaxi, Pasochoa & Sincholagua Volcanos. This activity is suitable for beginners.

For mountain biking we are kitted out in helmets, gloves and padding. Bikes are available in small, medium and large adult sizes. Bikes for children under 12 are not available. After testing our bike and a short safety briefing on how to handle the bikes we start riding on the hacienda trail. This 7km single track route passes through native woods that have been planted for habitat restoration and conservation. The trail zigzags uphill with a pretty good gradient of between 5 and 8 degrees. Activity takes around 2 hours.

Lunch included in local restaurant.

Return to Quito in the afternoon.