Mountain Biking Tour Ecuador

10-Day MTB tour in Ecuador with lush jungle descents, volcano rides and more@

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Ecuador mtb tour

The Best Mountain Biking in Ecuador!

Mountain biking in Ecuador is like riding in the land of giants! You will find yourself riding local mountain bike trails down volcanic lahars at 4270 m/14,000 vertical feet, shredding lush tropical descents that never seem to end, stare at the CotoPaxi Volcano and stroll through the historic streets of Quito. All this while experiencing the rich Ecuadorian culture. 

Our 10-day Mountain Biking Tour in Ecuador focuses on large downhill descents up to 4270 m/7500 ft with some pedaling, through a huge range of singletrack MTB trail diversity. On this epic one of a kind MTB tour, you’ll encounter rock gardens, steep sections, flow, freeriding, drops, jumps, and almost any kind of mountain bike obstacle you can imagine. Our mountain biking tour in Ecuador also has a strong cultural integration component that provides clients with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and history of Ecuador. 

If you drool over big downhill or enduro  MTB rides through exotic and new terrain, you’re ready for a mountain biking tour in Ecuador like no other!

Tour Dates

Dates for our 10-Day Mountain Biking Tour in Ecuador!

What you can expect

Mountina Biking Ecuador Trip Highlights

Some highlights to look forward to on your 10-day Mountain Biking Ecuador Tour:

Live the adventure

Full Details MTB Tour Ecuador

Day 1: Welcome to the Pacific Pearl!! Your Ecuadorian mountain biking vacation will begin as we pick you up at the airport and help you with your gear and mountain bike. Guayaquil is located 4 meters/12 feet above sea level, the perfect height to start the acclimatization process for the long days ahead of shredding epic MTB trails in the high Andes. Tonight, we will meet the rest of the group and have an orientation meeting with your local MTB guides.

 

Included: Airport pickup, lodging in hotel or Airbnb style accommodations

Not Included: Meals

Day 2: Today, after a full breakfast, you will have time to get your bike ready. Afterwards, we will head out and visit local bike parks where we will get our blood pumping and stretch our legs! After lunch we will head out on our first trip to town of Uzhcurrumi. The trip will take about 3 to 3.5 hours from Guayaquil to Machala. On arrival we will drop our bags at our lodging and head out to dinner for some good times and great laughs!

 

Included: Transport, entrances to bike park, guide, lodging in simple hostel style accommodations (shared rooms), breakfast and lunch

Not included: Dinner

Day 3: Here the ancient MTB trails of Uzhcurrumi await us. We will spend the whole day mountain biking these magnificent Ecuadorian trails where we will get in more than 3000 m/10,000 ft of descent!

Tonight we will return to Guayaquil at night to rest before we begin the ascent towards the Ecuadorian Andes.

Included: Transport to trail head and back to Guayaquil, guides, lodging in hotel or Airbnb style accommodations, breakfast and lunch

Not included: Dinner

Day 4: Mama Rumi awaits us!

Today we will leave very early on a scenic 3 hour road trip in which we will ascend from sea level to the western mountain range of the Andes at nearly 2,600 m/8,500 ft above sea level. After lunch in Chimbo we will begin to shred 2000 m/6500 ft of descent! This trail will take us 12 kilometers through high mountain terrain and down into lush tropical forests. This is one of the most famous MTB trails of Ecuador! After our epic ride we will drive to our lodging in Guaranda.

 

Included: Transport, MTB guide, lodging in hotel or Airbnb style accommodations, breakfast and lunch

Not Included: Dinner

Day 5: Today we will do our highest and most iconic Ecuador mountain biking adventure, the Chimborazo mountain. This route is known as Hieleros and is a typical Andean trail about 26 km long. 

The Chimborazo moutain is the closest point to the sun from the earth’s core – worldwide!!! (Don’t forget your sunscreen!)

A one hour drive takes us to the Chimborazo refuge at 4800 m/15,748 ft above sea level!  This unique trail is 26 kilometers long with a massive descent of 2000 m/6561 ft to the Cochas valley in Guaranda. Chimborazo happens to be the majestic maountain seen on the coat of arms of Ecuador. After this unforgettable MTB adventure, we will continue to our next destination about in the province of Tungurahua, next to one of the most active volcanoes in America.

Included: Transport, guide, lodging in hotel or Airbnb style accommodations, breakfast and lunch

Not included: Dinner

Day 6: We will eat a hearty breakfast in the morning before heading out to the trails of Pillisurco at 4000 m/13,100 ft above sea level. A 45-minute car ride will have us arriving at the trailhead to begin our 3-hour enduro ride to Ambato. This trail which is 25 km long with 1700 m/5577 ft of descent will take us through epic rock gardens and Andean forests on one of the most representative mountains in the local MTB scene, the Pillisurco.

 

Once we have finished our ride on Pillisurco we will head over to Baños on a scenic drive where we will stop to take some amazing pictures of the Tungurahua Volcano before hitting up one last ride for the day that will take us back into the city of Baños where cold beers await.

 

Included: Transport, guide, lodging in hotel or Airbnb style accommodations, breakfast, lunch and a cold beer after our sunset lap

Not included: Dinner

Day 7: Today we will undertake a road trip to the Santa Rita ecological reserve about 4.5 hours away. We will now be in the center of the central Ecuadorian Andes. Our amazing cross country trip is halfway!

We will enjoy some laps at the Santa Rita Bike Park where we will also be staying for the evening.

 

Included: Transport, guide, entrance, and lodging at Santa Rita Bike Park, breakfast, lunch

Not included: Dinner

Day 8: The Cotopaxi volcano ride. After a well-deserved rest and a good Andean breakfast, our transport will take us very close to the refuge of the beautiful cone at the top of the Cotopaxi volcano. Here we will embark on an epic adventure of 2000m/6561 ft of descent. Our shuttle vehicle will be waiting for us. If the group is energetic and ready for more we will ride another line on the Cotopaxi volcano. Once we have finished for the day we will head out on a two hour drive to Quito.

 

Included: Transport, guide, lodging, lodging in hotel or Airbnb style accommodations, breakfast, lunch

Not included: Dinner

Day 9: Today will be our last adventure in the capital of Ecuador! We will ride the cable car in Quito (TLQ) taking our bikes with us to descend some epic trails above the city. We will have some brilliant views of Quito from a natural lookout point that descends the Pichincha Volcano. Our transport will be waiting for us so that we can finish the day with some urban stair sets. Tonight, we will dine together for our farewell dinner and reminisce on the adventures of the last 9 days.

 

 

Included: Transport, guide, cable car ticket, lodging in hotel or Airbnb style accommodations, breakfast, lunch and farewell dinner

Not Included: Tips for guides and drivers

Day 10: Departure. Today we will drop you off at the airport for your flight out. You can choose to take a national flight back to Guayaquil or to set up your international flights to fly into Guayaquil and fly out of Quito.

 

Included: Airport drop off, breakfast

Not Included: Lunch, Dinner, Hotel

What’s included in your 12-day Ecuador mountain biking tour: 

Included

  • 8 Days of epic singletrack mountain biking
  • Shuttle vehicles on 6 of the 7 ride days and transportation in between cities
  • A profesional driver and his expenses (hotels, meals, etc)
  • Airport pickup and drop off outside of stated itinerary days
  • Entrance into bike parks
  • Professional local MTB guide(s) on every ride day and his expenses
  • 11 nights of lodging in a shared room (2 people) 
  • 24-hour attention and support 
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Meals such as lunch on ride days and the farewell dinner
  • Signature “Haku” mountain bike jersey

 

Not Included:

  • Flights
  • Dinners (other than the farewell dinner) 
  • Lunch on non-ride days
  • Trip insurance 
  • Bikes and MTB gear 
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Anything not listed in the “included” list

 

Haku Expeditions requires each of its guests to purchase travel insurance in order to protect themselves from any unexpected cancelations, accidents on the trail, or any other acts of God. Guests must choose a mountain biking specific plan as well. For the best coverage we suggest WorldNomads, but we accept other insurance policies too.

Due to high elevation, the weather in Ecuador is very fickle and hard to predict. Most trips will see rain, sun, heat, and wind; therefore, we suggest that people bring clothes for cold and warm weather. Most ride days will start at colder, windy mountain tops and end in warmer, more humid areas. Riders should always carry a rain jacket and a warm layer.

 

Temps will range from low 40s with an even lower windshield factor to high 70s. 

Ecuador’s currency is the American dollar but is still very economical — a beer costs about $1. It is mainly a cash-based society so it is recommended that you bring cash in smaller bills such as 20s and 10’s since change can be hard to come by. ATMs are abundant in most towns and are secure to use, but they usually also have surcharges depending on the bank. Most credit cards can be used in large cities and large stores.

For our Ecuador mountain bike trips we recommend guests purchase a tri-city flight from their home airport to Quito Airport. On the way home you will want Cuenca airport to your home airport. Expect layovers. You can also choose a round trip from your home airport to Quito and purchase a national flight from Cuenca to Quito on day 11 before your flight out to your home town. Our team will take care of all transportation to and from the airport. 

We recommend that our guests use trusted airlines (Delta, AirCanada, ect) and do not use an economy airliner due to the fact that you will be traveling with very important and expensive gear. American Airlines, Delta, and United charge $100+- usd to check a bike, and many other trusted airlines have similar prices as well.

Ecuador separates itself from other mountain biking destinations by offering riders with an endless amount of trail diversity within a very small geographical area. In fact, it’s the only place in the world where you can pass through 14 ecosystems in one ride!  The trails are raw, long, scenic, flowy, and technical. Clients will mountain bike on active volcanoes and through sub-tropical jungles which were once the agricultural centers of the pre-Incan civilizations. Some trails even go through places where the local people graze their llamas in the same way their ancestors did over 2,000 years ago. The trails will transport you back in time as you and your friends ride through the history and meet the local people.


You will encounter obstacles that can be found on most black and double black trails, such as steeper sections, rock gardens, natural jumps, drops, and roots. Most of the trails are intermediate to advanced with sections that are easily walkable if the rider does not feel comfortable.

5/5

Clients need to assure that they are in good physical condition, and should be biking or doing some sort of physical activity to train for their 10-Day Ecuador mountain bike trip. 

Clients will also need to acclimate themselves to the altitude; working out and training before your trip and if you live at sea-level it is recommended that you come a day or two before your trip starts. 

You will also need to assure that your bike is tuned and 100% ready for 10 days of epic mountain biking; new brake pads, bled brakes, new tires. 

 

Ecuador’s currency is the American dollar but is still very economical — a beer costs about $1. It is mainly a cash-based society so it is recommended that you bring cash in smaller bills such as 20s and 10’s since change can be hard to come by. ATMs are abundant in most towns and are secure to use, but they usually also have surcharges depending on the bank. Most credit cards can be used in large cities and large stores.

Our Ecuador mtb tours generally have anywhere from 4 to 8 riders. Our Ecuador trip will never have more than 10 people max. We have a guide for every 5 riders.

This is a single track enduro style mountain bike vacation, expect big downhills and climbing every day. In short it’s EPIC!

As in any foriegn city you should be extra cautious at night and in general. Crossing the streets has a golden rule of not running or not stopping, walk at a normal speed and cross.

An average day consists of 4-5 hours on the trail, 6,000-10,000 ft (2,000-3,000m) of vertical descent over 10 miles (7k). Some days are shorter than others depending on how tired the group and other days are full 6-8 hour days of riding. 

Ecuador has plenty of vegetarian options.

This trip begins in Guayquil and ends in Quito.

We recommend that people get tri-city flights, arriving to Guayaquil and leaving from Quito. 

Another option is to purchase a national flight from Quito to Guyaquil on day 10.

Using trusted airlines is recommended to ensure safety of your bike and trip. Before buying your flight look into luggage restrictions and the cost to bring your bike.

You will be given a visa at customs when you enter the country.

Your luggage will remain at your accommodations while we ride, and then will be put into the van when moving from one overnight destination to another. Bike bags will be stored in Quito and then brought to guests at the end of the trip. 

 

Guests will stay in different accommodations. We may use hotels or airbnbs or local haciendas. There is one night at a hostal style room as the town is small and does not offer hotels.  All accommodations are safe, secure and clean. Guests will share a room with one-two other guests unless they pay for a single supplement of  $350 usd.* 

Packing list: 

  • Passport and plane tickets!
  • Cash, credit cards, ATM card
  • Trip/Travel Insurance papers
  • Regular shoes for dinners and bike shoes for the trip. We recommend platform shoes but please use whats most comfortable for you
  • Toiletries/medicines/epi pens/inhaler, etc…
  • Travel towel
  • Ear plugs and face mask for sleeping at night
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Reusable water bottle 
  • Sun hat and sunglasses
  • Wool or fleece sweater
  • Wool base layers, top and bottom
  • Clothing for off the bike: Long sleeve, pants, socks, etc
  • Biking clothes: Bike shorts, long sleeve jerseys, wool socks
  • Battery pack for many charges and charging cables
  • Wool socks and lots of them
  • Buff or scarf
  • Camera and GoPro (optional)
  • Down jacket
  • Headlamp
  • All gear, helmet, gloves (2 pairs minimum), knee and elbow pads
  • Large Camel pack
  • Multi-tool
  • High calorie snacks

For the bike:

  • Bring a well maintained bike for Enduro, All-Mountain Style Trails: Check that the chain is not stretched, cables are clean or new, the headset and pivots are moving nicely or cleaned and greased
  • You will need extra bike parts, please don’t expect to buy much on this trip
  • Extra brake pads
  • Derailer and shifter (Optional)
  • Spare Tire (Optional)
  • We recommend tires like Maxxis Highrollers, Assegai, Minions or something similar
  • Tubeless is your best bet. Bring extra sealant and an extra valve
  • A derailer hanger, a multi-tool and a tube are essential
  • Extra Screws for the bike and for clip-less shoes if you use them. Zip ties are great too
  • Any kind of liquids you may need, Reverb oil, brake oil, tubeless sealant, chain lube in small bottles. Pack in sealed baggies so they don’t explode in transit.
  • Bleed kit or ask if we have the one you need

How to pack your bike for travel

Packing your bike for a trip like this requires either a bike bag or a bicycle box. Both work. If you do not have a bicycle box you can contact your local bike shop and generally get one for free or very cheap. 

Steps to pack your bag:

Drop the seat post before you take off the wheels. It’s easier that way.

Take the pedals off, it is easier now while the bike is still whole. 

You will need to take off the handle bars. Put the screws back into the stem so you do not lose them. Strap the handlebars to the side of the bike with padding. Make sure nothing moves so you bike does not get scratched. Zip ties can help with this. 

Take out some of the air in the tires. This is a requirement for flying with the bike. Take off both wheels. We recommend you put the axle back into the bike so you do not lose it. 

Take off the discs from the wheels. While this may seem tedious it saves your disk from getting bent and only takes a few minutes. Put the disks inside something like a folder to keep them safe. Put the screws inside a baggie and tape to the folder. Keep them with the bike. (If you lose your suitcase with clothes at least you still have your full bike together!)

Take off the derailer and derailer hangar. While this is optional it keeps both pieces from getting bent. Remember exactly how this goes back on. 

If you have a bike bag like Evoc or Dakine there will be directions of what goes where. Make sure to tie up the chain so it does not move and scratch the bike. Tie up any loose ends with zip ties or string. 

If you are using a bike box you will need to put in a tire or two first then the frame (and maybe the second tire) with the bars strapped to the bike. Make sure nothing moves. I usually use zip ties to make sure the tires are strapped in one place with the frame. Also make sure that the cog set is facing away from the bike. This will scratch the bike otherwise. 

Once everything is packed you can often put a few extra items inside like your helmet, bike shoes and empty CamelBak. You will want to keep the bag at 23 kilos/50 pounds unless the company you are flying with allows for more weight without a price increase. (Calling to make sure is the best way to know)

Also, don’t forget to put your name, address, phone number and email on the bag or box. 

Each person is required to have a specific travel/trip insurance outside of your credit card or regular medical insurance.

You will want to get comprehensive coverage with trip interruption/cancelation with personal liability.

Mention all activities that you will be involved in such as mountain biking and whatever other activities you may have planned. Some companies include mountain biking without a problem and some do not. 

We recommend that you call the provider and talk with them about the quote rather than use the online system. That way you know what it covers. 

These insurances will cover many things. If you get sick or hurt it covers the medical expenses and it also covers the lost portion of the MTB trip! It also covers any additional expenses such as hotels, transport etc. Many of these insurance plans also cover late flights, canceled trips, canceled flights, delays, etc. 

If a guest is coming alone or in an uneven group number and is not comfortable sharing hotel rooms with other guests, they can pay an extra 35-45 USD per night to have their own room. 

Guests need 2+ people to charter a private trip. Private trips can have custom dates and make changes to the itinerary. 

The cost pp for a private trip is:

750 USD pp with 2 people

600 USD pp with 3 people

500 USD pp with 4+ people

 

IN Ecuador bike rentals are hard to come by. It is preferable if you bring your own bike. If you would like a rental bike please inquire personally and we will let you know what is available. 

 

Generally bike rental is 70-80 USD per day with a 1000 cash deposit. The bikes are considered rented each day they are with the client even if there is no ride planned that day, such as rest days. 

Please inquire for custom Galapagos trip add ons!

Fitness & skill level

Is This Ecuador Mountain Biking Tour For You?

Our 10-day Ecuador Mountain Biking Adventure has a focus on enduro and downhill mountain biking. We mainly conduct shuttle rides that have large downhills descents up to 3970 m/7,500 ft  of vertical descent and up to 500 m/1,500 ft of uphill.

Mountain bike trails in Ecuador combine long and technical descents with some fast flow sections. You will have the chance to ride on active volcanoes and into sub-tropical jungles which were once agricultural centers of the pre-Incan civilizations. You will descend on footpaths that are still used by the locals to this day to pasture their animals. They are the best trail builders of all!

Our 10-Day Ecuador MTB trip is perfect for you if:

  • You are confident on the bike in most situations and can handle technical trails
  • You like long raw descents
  • You are looking for a vacation with cultural integration and active sport

The ride in images

Ecuador Mountain Biking Photo Gallery

Giving back

1% For Charity

Haku Expeditions donates 1% of all profits to support local education programs.

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