-
Exclusive DiscountsGet the best rates plus exclusive discounts and promotions
-
Best Tour SelectionWe've got multiple top rated tour suppliers to choose from
-
Best AdviceOur local travel consultants can help you select the best tour for needs.
Experience Overview
Speed is the watchword for this high-adrenaline active tour around Ecuador. Across nine action-packed days, you’ll bike or horseback ride near Cotopaxi (an Andean stratovolcano), raft down rushing rivers, trek the lush foothills of Baños, and much, much more. Best of all, you’ll always travel with an experienced and passionate Chief Experience Officer (CEO) who knows the quickest and most scenic routes to wherever you’re headed. Remember, you’re here for a great time, not a long time; slather on that sunscreen, strap on your helmet, and hit the ground running!
Highlights
- Go whitewater rafting in the Amazon
- Marvel at an active volcano
- Visit the iconic Casa del Arbol and soak up stunning views of the Tungurahua volcano
- Explore the trails around Cotopaxi Volcano by mountain bike
Trip Details
Product Code: 29900
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Public bus, private vehicle, hiking, biking, rafting.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Active, Budget
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Supplier Code: SEEM
Starts: Quito, Ecuador
Finishes: Quito, Ecuador
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Biking & Community Experience, Shandia Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Community Lodge, Shandia Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Whitewater rafting excursion on the Jatunyaku River in the Amazon Jungle (full-day)
- Pailon del Diablo Waterfall Visit
- Casa del Arbol Visit
- Trekking in Llanganates National Park
- Mountain bike excursion
- Camp includes tent and sleeping bag
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (7 nts), camping (1 nt).
- 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
- Public bus, private vehicle, hiking, biking, rafting.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1439 ($160 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Arrive at any time.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel Eugenia
Day 2: Quito/Tena
Travel by bus into the Amazon Basin and enjoy the incredible scenery en route to the jungle town of Tena. Watch as it changes from towering mountains to lush jungle, passing by waterfalls and deep river valleys. Upon arrival, get active and cycle to the nearby community of Shandia, where you'll discover the beauty of the Amazon with a member of the local community as your guide.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Cycle to the Indigenous Shandia community, a rural village surrounded by rivers and lush Amazonian landscapes. With the support of G Adventures and Planeterra, the community has developed new culturally immersive experiences led by the village’s youth. Spend 40 minutes cycling from Shandia lodge stopping along the way to take in the beauty of the Amazon. These cultural tours are seen by the community as a way to rescue their Indigenous culture and provide opportunities for the future. This provides an economic opportunity for youth who traditionally would have left the community to find work. Leave Shandia community knowing your visit is creating opportunities for a new generation in the community and contributing to the preservation of their culture.Activity - Stay overnight at the Shandia Indigenous lodge located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. With the support of G Adventures and Planeterra, the community has developed new culturally immersive tours led by the village’s youth. Watch a chocolate making demonstration and learn about their cultivation of cacao and their traditional agriculture practices. Meals of local ingredients grown in the village are prepared by women who were provided with culinary training through the project. Leave Shandia Indigenous lodge knowing your visit is creating opportunities for a whole new generation of people in this community to improve their lives, and the lives of their children and grandchildren.Accommodation - Shandia Lodge
Day 3: Tena
Navigate the wild Jatunyaku River in the surrounding lush cloud forest. The cool water and air make this an excellent change from the tropical Amazon climate. Return to Tena for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on a full-day excursion on River Jatunyacu, a wide and relatively calm waterway, with some large waves. Take on Class 3+ rapids, which include a good balance of rapids and open water. Give it a try, even if new to the sport – this experience is accessible for anyone without any previous rafting experience.Accommodation - Shandia Lodge
Day 4: Tena/Baños
Travel by local bus to Baños, a town surrounded by lush cloud forest. In the afternoon, you will visit Pailón del Diablo and walk up the winding steps to the waterfall. Then, visit the famous Casa del Arbol perched on a hilltop where you can see Volcán Tungurahua on a clear day. Perhaps test your fear of heights and try one of the swings that whoosh over the huge drop below dubbed the "edge of the world".
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - El Pailón del Diablo is located about 30 minutes outside of Baños. The Spanish name translates to "The Devil's Cauldron" in English. These powerful falls are 80m high and pull their strength from Rio Verde. The group will take a short walk to the falls before returning to the van.
Total distance: 2km (1.3 miles)
Total elevation: 148m (485ft)Activity - Perched on a hilltop behind Baños is La Casa del Arbol, sporting epic views of the Tungurahua volcano on a clear day. It was used previously to monitor the volcano's activity, but now has become a popular attraction because of the iconic image of a swing attached to the treehouse. Visit the viewpoint where you can choose to try whooshing over the abyss for yourself to feel the thrill of swinging on the edge of the world.Free_time - Enjoy free time in Baños, a town famous for outdoor activities. Visit the local hot springs, or simply relax in town.Accommodation - Xperience Hotel
Day 5: Baños/Llanganates National Park
Transfer by private vehicle to the start point of the trek into Llanganates National Park. Enjoy spectacular scenery of the Tunguragua Volcano while trekking into the park through lush cloud forest. Spend the night camping under the stars enjoying nature at its best.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Embark on an exhilarating trek in the Andean moorland of Llanganates National Park, famous for its amazing landscapes and storied mystery. Legend has it that the Inca General Ruminahui has a large sum of gold hidden somewhere in the Tungurahua mountain range. Start the hike at 3,200m (10,498 ft) above sea level and travel upwards to 3,800m (12,467 ft). See a variety of changes in vegetation while trekking to higher elevations. Expect stunning views of the Tungurahua Volcano and the Sangay Volcano (if visibility is good). You could see some varieties of birds and the Spectacled Bear. On the way to camp, cross through communities such as El Triunfo and Cruz Loma. Later in the day you will arrive at the campsite which is at 2600 meters above sea level. Spend a night camping at a local trout farm in the National Park with the opportunity to catch and prepare fresh fish.
Day 6: Llanganates National Park/Baños
Rise early and continue trekking in Llanganates National Park before returning to Baños in the afternoon. Opt to visit the local hot springs.
Continue trekking and return by foot to the entrance of Llanganates National Park to take a transfer back to Baños. Opt to visit local hot springs to relax and rest aching muscles or continue the adventure with canyoning.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Wake up and take in the amazing landscape of the Llanganates National Park from the comfort of your tents. After breakfast at camp, continue trekking and enjoy the magnificent views while descending through this unique environment. Start at 3,800m (12,467 ft) and return to the entrance to the park. It will take around 4-5 hours along trails through the canyon of the Rio Verde Chico. Today's trek ends in the parish of Ulba sitting at 1750 metres about sea level. Transfer back to Baños from here.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Xperience Hotel
Day 7: Baños/Cotopaxi
Depart early from Baños and travel by bus to a hacienda near Cotopaxi Volcano. Later, take part in a horseback riding or biking excursion.
Enjoy a free morning in Baños to explore the area on foot or take on one of the many optional activities that the region has to offer. After lunch, travel by public bus through spectacular Andean scenery arriving at a hacienda, near the base of Cotopaxi Volcano. Enjoy a choice between a biking excursion through Polilepys forest or horseback riding with views of the volcano.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Time to choose your own adventure! The choice is yours between biking through Polilepys forest or horseback riding to a volcano viewpoint. Take in amazing views of one of the world's highest active volcanoes, and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.Accommodation - Tierra del Volcan
Day 8: Cotopaxi/Quito
In the morning, head into Cotopaxi National Park for a guided tour and spectacular views. After a box lunch at Limpiopungo Lake, return to Quito for a final night in the city.
First thing in the morning, travel by private van into the national park to start the trek up to the refuge. Take in changing park scenery, and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. Visit Limpiopungo lake for a boxed lunch. Enjoy lunch and catch your breath before transferring back to the capital city for a final night out on the town.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit Cotopaxi National Park, home to Cotopaxi Volcano, which stands at 5,897m (19,342 ft). The beautiful cone-shaped, snow-covered volcano is Ecuador’s second highest peak and the highest active volcano in the world. Keep an eye out for park wildlife, including condors, foxes, deer, spectacled bears, and more. For those who want to hike, there are options available (weather permitting). Please ensure you have proper hiking shoes or boots, a waterproof/windproof jacket and warm hats and gloves. Hike is approximately 1.5 hours.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel Eugenia
Day 9: Quito
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
