This full-day escorted small group tour leaves Quito in the morning for an exhilarating downhill mountain bike ride on Cotopaxi throught some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Ecuador.

After a scenic hour and a half drive on the Pan-American highway, reach the entrance of Cotopaxi National Park.

Drive through the thick pine forest and soon reach the park’s museum. Enjoy a quick museum visit and a  cup of hot ginger tea before continuing the ascent in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Along this route reach the highest point of the tour, an astonishing 5000 metres. On a clear day, it's possible to see 8 volcanoes.

Then begin the bike adventure on the world’s most active volcano. The first 8km of the ride goes down 700m in altitude, traversing dirt roads through volcanic ash and páramo landscape.

At 3,800m some pedaling is required, continuing another 8km alongside volcanic rocks.

With some luck there's the chance of seeing a wild condor or caracara here.

At this point the bikes go on the jeep and there's a drive to Lake Limpiopungo, back up to 3.800m, for the  resumption of the biking for a further 16km, a leisurely downhill ride through pine forests and dirt roads.

The bike adventure ends after 2km more on a beautiful single track road.

It's then back to Quito after a great day cycling on the mountain.

Enjoy a superb day tour from Quito into the Cloud Forest, spending the day around Bellavista Cloud Forest accompanied by an expert guide. This is a must-do for bird watchers without the time to overnight in Mindo.

An early start (6:30) is required to make the most of the day. Depart Quito with your own driver and guide, passing the Ecuador Monument, and shortly afterwards start dropping from the inter-Andean valley to the Mindo - Tambillo protected mountain forest.

The views are superb on the 90-minute drive.

Once at Bellavista, the hummingbirds will take your full attention! Large numbers hover constantly around the feeders, and it is easy to identify six to ten species at very close range.

After breakfast on arrival, a naturalist guide will take you on a hike for 2 to 2.5 hours into the forest.

Your guided hike will acquaint you with the exuberant vegetation of the Cloud Forest, its bird life, and the fascinating adaptations to life in this fascinating environment.

Every hike reveals something new, even for those that live in the forest every day!

After the hike, a hearty lunch is served in the circular restaurant in the dome, with breathtaking views.

After lunch, there is the option to relax and watch the hummingbirds and admire the constantly changing play of cloud and light, or go for a self-guided hike on the easy to follow trails, which are safe and well marked.

Your driver will expect you back at the dome at 3 pm for the return to your hotel in Quito.