PHOTO: Ecuador Quito Food Street Vendor. (Courtesy of Ecuador Ministry of Tourism)

Of cruising whitewater rapids and careening down an active volcano would appeal to your young, adventurous clients, you might consider recommending the “Ecuador Multisport” itinerary from G Adventures. It’s packed with nonstop thrills that are tailor-made for adrenaline junkies.

Over nine action-packed days, clients will travel roundtrip from Quito through Ecuador, hitting the depths of the Amazon Basin to the heights of Cotopaxi National Park, home to the volcano of the same name.

Ideally suited for single, active travelers, the “Multisport” itinerary is capped at 16 guests and includes such high-impact activities as whitewater rafting, jungle trekking, camping and mountain biking. Along the way guests will sleep in local, budget guesthouses and hotels, where socializing with locals and meeting other travelers is more than likely.

Here’s an overview of the trip.

Itinerary
The tour kicks off in Quito, where travelers stay in a hotel in the boisterous Mariscal neighborhood. This expat hotspot is jam-packed with backpacker hotels, restaurants and nightclubs surrounding Plaza Foch. The next day, travelers take a four-hour public bus ride from the highlands, past waterfalls and valleys, into the heart of the Amazon basin and the city of Tena.

On the third day, travelers venture deep into the cloud forest to navigate the rapids of the Jatunyacu River on a whitewater-rafting excursion. After an introduction, travelers speed down the river for two hours on Class III-plus rapids, a level that works for experienced rafters as well as first-timers. An experienced guide is with the group at all times.

In the morning, travelers embark on a bus ride of nearly four hours to Baños, a busy tourist hub back in the highlands. Baños is the jumping-off point for the overnight trek through Llanganates National Park. Travelers arrive in the city in the early afternoon and can select from excursions such as canyoneering, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or a visit to the hot springs. Some of these activities are free but others cost an additional fee. Baños is a backpacker town, so it’s easy to meet other travelers over coffee or beers at one of the many international restaurants.

On day five, a private transfer takes travelers to the starting point of the Cordillera de los Llanganates for the trek into the national park. The trek covers approximately 15 miles over two days, but the majority of this is downhill, so most travelers without major hiking experience can complete it. The first two hours of the trip are slightly strenuous as hikers climb high into the Tungurahua mountain range, starting at 10,498 feet and climbing to 12,467 feet. The altitude presents one of the few challenges in this stretch, but travelers are encouraged to spread out at their own pace and there is always a guide at the head and one bringing up the rear.

During the rainy season, the trail becomes quite muddy, but even a rainstorm will not deter the guides from venturing forward. It might even be necessary to cross a few small rivers. Rain gear is an absolute must for this portion of the tour, as are waterproof hiking boots.

At the end of the first day G Adventures arranges for travelers to camp out at a local trout farm, where in covered huts guests can relax over beers or cups of tea, build a fire and relax. In the evening the farm owners prepare locally caught trout. It is imperative to have a change of dry clothes. The tents are rain proof, but it is nonetheless better to be prepared. Vans carry luggage and travel to the campsite ahead of time, carrying everything needed for the overnight.

After breakfast, it’s time to trek back to Baños, where travelers soak in the hot springs or book an inexpensive massage at one of the town’s many affordable parlors.

From Baños, travelers board a local bus for a two-hour drive to Lasso, a town in the highlands near Cotopaxi Volcano. Accommodations are in the rural countryside without much in the way of entertainment. Early on the eighth day, travelers depart for Cotopaxi National Park and a mountain bike ride down the face of the volcano.

The first five miles are incredibly challenging because the bikes can pick up great speed on wobbly terrain. Inexperienced mountain bikers might want to skip that stretch and pick up the trail later for a more manageable ride with relatively challenging inclines but more stable paths.

Accommodations
The “Multisport” itinerary is rated a “Standard” for level of service, as far as G Adventures’ rankings go. The hotels are all clean, safe and air-conditioned, but might not be ideally suited for travelers accustomed to luxury accommodations. Hotels and guesthouses are in the three-star range. All have excellent locations and provide the opportunity for travelers to meet new people along the way. G Adventures’ itineraries are subject to change, so it’s difficult to guarantee exact hotels for departures, but all feature the same standards of accommodation and service.

Pricing & Commissions
Departures for the “Ecuador Multisport” are available through Dec. 24, 2016. The average cost for the trip is $899. Commission rates are flexible and depend on the individual relationships that travel agents have with G Adventures.

Contact Information

G Adventures has a special travel agent booking portal attached to its main site at www.gadventures.com. There is also a toll-free number that is open 24/7 at 888-800-4100.