Cotopaxi Bike Tour

Mountain bikers riding across the páramo below Cotopaxi Volcano A mountain biker among volcanic boulders in Cotopaxi National Park Cotopaxi Volcano above the golden páramo of the national park Limpiopungo Lagoon with Rumiñahui Volcano behind Hikers walking up to the José Rivas Refuge below the Cotopaxi glacier

Overview

Our Cotopaxi bike tour is a mountain-bike ride down Cotopaxi Volcano: from the parking lot at 4,600 m, down the volcanic road to Limpiopungo Lagoon and across the páramo, with a support vehicle behind you. Starts and ends in Machachi.

Itinerary

Start in Machachi

We meet in the morning at our office in Machachi, fit your bike and helmet, and load the bikes on the vehicle. If you add the pickup, your guide collects you at your hotel in Quito first.

Starts and ends: our office in Machachi
Pickup in Quito: available as an extra

Up to 4,600 m

The drive into Cotopaxi National Park and up to the parking lot below the José Rivas Refuge. If you feel well, you can first walk up to the refuge at 4,864 m.

The downhill

Bikes off at 4,600 m and down the zigzag road of volcanic sand and gravel, with Cotopaxi behind you. Ride at your own pace: the vehicle follows the group.

Limpiopungo Lagoon and the páramo

A flatter stretch to Limpiopungo Lagoon at 3,830 m and across the open páramo, among wild horses, with Rumiñahui Volcano in front of you.

Return to Machachi

Bikes back on the vehicle and the drive to Machachi, or to your hotel in Quito if you added the pickup. Prefer to ride a horse instead? See Cotopaxi Horseback Tours.

What's included

Included

  • Transport from and to our office in Machachi
  • Mountain bike, helmet and gloves
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Support vehicle during the ride
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Lunch (you can add it as an extra)
  • Pickup in Quito or other cities (you can add it as an extra)
  • Park entry fees, if any
  • Tips

Good to know

Riding level
You should be comfortable on a bike on gravel. The downhill isn't technical, but the volcanic sand is loose: your guide shows you how to brake on it before you start.
Altitude and cold
The ride starts at 4,600 m, where it can be cold and windy. Bring warm layers and a windproof jacket, and drink plenty of water.
The volcano
Cotopaxi is an active volcano. The park sometimes limits access to the upper areas; if that happens, we adapt the route.

How booking works

  1. Choose your date and group. The price per person drops as your group grows, and you see the total before you send anything.
  2. Check availability. Nothing is booked or charged yet; we confirm your date first.
  3. Pay and enjoy. Once confirmed, we send you a secure payment link by email or WhatsApp.

FAQ

Is the Cotopaxi bike tour hard?
Most of it is downhill or flat, so it's more about control than strength. If you ride a bike now and then, you can do it.
Can I stop riding at any point?
Yes. The support vehicle follows the group, and you can ride in it whenever you want.
Is there an entrance fee for Cotopaxi National Park?
Entry rules and fees are set by the park and change from time to time. We tell you the current ones when we confirm your tour, and your guide handles the registration at the gate. Bring your passport.
How long is the Cotopaxi bike tour?
About 8 hours from Machachi and back, with the drive up to 4,600 m, the downhill to Limpiopungo Lagoon and the ride across the páramo.
When is the best time for a Cotopaxi bike tour?
You can go all year. The drier months, June to September and December to January, usually bring the clearest views of the volcano, and the mornings are clearer than the afternoons, which is why we start early.
Can you pick me up in Quito?
Yes. Add the pickup in Quito when you check availability, or ask us about other cities. It has an extra cost.

More tours

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$140 per person
1 traveler
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