Volcano Adventures Day 1: Downill from Ecuador's 2nd Tallest Peak

COTOPAXI

ANDES HIGHLANDS, ECUADOR

When I booked this short trip to Ecuador, I knew two things about the country. The Galapagos Islands and Cotopaxi Volcano. I honestly didn't need any more reason to visit Ecuador than those two alone, but apparently, even just experiencing the highlands of Ecuador would be enough. We only had a week to explore this country about the size of (our home state) Nevada. Ecuador flies off the radar for some reason, but the opportunities for the outdoors and adventure is so staggering, one week is just not enough regrettably. On top of the highlands and Galapagos, a section of the Amazon goes through the south of the country. There are rainforests and beaches, and charming colonial cities like Quito and Cuenca. This is our first foray into this South American country, but it's already pretty obvious it won't be the last.

Cotopaxi was the main draw to Ecuador for me so it was the natural priority to see it. It is the second highest peak in Ecuador, its summit reaching 19,347 feet. It is also an active volcano with its peak completely covered in glaciers. There are many ways to visit Cotopaxi, including getting up to its summit. But we opted to go on a small-group mountain bike/hike adventure tour with Biking Dutchman and we are very happy we did. This is the first time we'd ever done a mountain biking tour and I enjoy the fact that it takes you to remote places and distances that you wouldn't otherwise get to efficiently if you were on foot. The local expertise of a bonafide adventure company is also super important to us and Biking Dutchman delivered.

We started our downhill mountain bike ride at 15,219 feet. I haven't been on my MTB on gravel and dirt since last season so I was filled with anxious energy going down this very steep hill. We would start below the glaciers (so surreal!) and barrel down using sheer gravitational force for the most part for about 3 miles. From that point, we would go on some trails that would teeter-totter on the insanely beautiful valley bursting with wildflowers.

When I signed up for this adventure, I absolutely had no idea Ecuador was this beautiful.

And also, we've been fortunate to travel to some pretty high mountains all over the world, but this is our first time going on a mountain bike trip and it was all sorts of enthralling.

We would ride across a seemingly never-ending meadow, tall mountains and volcanoes always looming over us. We would cross streams and rivers, spot wild horses grazing and an occasional condor hovering above. Roberto, our guide, would show us an abandoned Inca ruin that was used as a fortress at one point.

I was giddy the entire ride at one point, I slid off the path and was launched off my bike (thank goodness I wasn't going very fast) and landed on my side. I have a huge black and blue souvenir from Cotopaxi.

We arrived at a meadow next to a glacier-fed stream. The surroundings were so green and vibrant, and the water so clear and clean, it would be hard to believe I wasn't in a dream state. This was the point where I was truly flabbergasted by Ecuador. I absolutely had no idea the surrounding area of Cotopaxi would be this magical. We stopped here for lunch passing around sandwiches, brownies, and a sweet hot herbal tea, enjoying the thin mountain air.

As much as I would have loved to just hang out by this gurgling stream all day, we had the rest of the cycling trip. It was only day 1, after all. We would ride some more and when it is all said and done, we would have biked 18.50 miles. We would drive to Quilotoa that afternoon and I have never been so happy to sit by a wood fire before. It was an intense day in the highlands and I slept like a baby.

IF YOU GO

Cotopaxi is about two hours by car south of Quito. On a clear day, the drive on what is dubbed as the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" can be quite picturesque with 18-er volcano sightings along the way including Cayambe, Iliniza, and Antisana.

There are many ways to see Cotopaxi. We went on a three-day adventure with Biking Dutchman which consist mostly of mountain biking and some hiking. One day, two day and five day adventures are also available. Note that the biking is pretty intermediate. You will be, after all, barreling downhill from a steep volcano (or volcanoes). Pretty good physical condition and technical ability on a mountain bike is recommended (if not required) for your own safety and those on your trip. Many other tour companies offer hiking or less demanding tours. Also worth noting that Biking Dutchman offers accommodations typical of mountain outfitters in other parts of the world. What that means is that in a country like Ecuador, expect humble but mostly comfortable lodging. It's a step up from camping, but don't expect a Western-standard hotel. Please do not expect to be put up in a Hilton or similar. If that is your expectation, this tour is not for you. What it lacks in high end lodging though, it makes up for in warm and cozy nights by the fire, getting to know other travelers, recounting the day's highlights, practicing Spanish (and/or salsa, because energy doesn't ever seem to run out) and sharing locally prepared dinner (and breakfast) as a community of sunburnt, altitude sick and stoked mountain lovers. I hate tours, but I will admit that this part of bonding and building friendships has surprisingly been one of my favorite parts of similar trips.

Because we weren't excited about the prospect of navigating ourselves, we decided to delegate the driving to the local experts. And I'm glad we did. If you are more fiery than us though, there are a couple of legit mountain lodging in the area that were super interesting, such as Tambopaxi and El Porvenir. They offer guided hikes and sometimes horseback tours to the volcano. From what I can tell though, you have to figure out yourself how to get there. Oftentimes, they can arrange private transportation for you.

Otherwise, you have to get on board with the idea that you'll be in a Land Cruiser cramped with bags and people for the duration of the trip. I will admit that they can certainly make this part more comfortable, but I totally get that with an adventure tour that needs to be able to drive on dirt and gravel, it somewhat calls for a rugged vehicle as the Land Cruiser.

#ecuador #southamerica #adventure #latam