Explore Active Ecuador: Your 8-Day Adventure Tour in Quito (La Colmena)

Summary: This trip was one of the best I’ve ever taken. This was my first big solo trip, and as a queer female I was a bit nervous. I had just finished traveling with my partner, who enjoys a slower pace of traveling compared to my GO-GO-GO mindset and I found ActivExpeditions and thought this could be the perfect adrenaline and outdoor experience, and boy was I right. I signed up for the trip about 5 days in advance, and was informed I was the only traveler who had signed up thus far! Of course, I had to pay a bit extra because of this, but Christian (company owner) was still down to show me an adventure. I didn’t realize this adventure would be quite so personalized, however! My guide, Lobito (Andres), was so attentive, hilarious, and willing to make my experience as unique as could be! He knows the Banos area very well, and he coordinated with his boss to add experiences to our itinerary based on what I said I was interested in. My week with ActivExpeditions included downhill mountain biking two volcanoes, climbing up to 17,500 feet at Cotopaxi, kayaking down an amazing river in the amazon, seeing multiple waterfalls, swimming in rivers and hot springs, making chocolate from cocoa beans, and getting to know the LEGEND, Lobito. He is professional, knowledgable, and overall such an incredible human. I felt so comfortable just hanging out with him and hearing about Ecuador from his eyes. Thank you ActivExpeditions for such an unforgettable week

Summary: Christian is an amazing guide on all of these expeditions! I recently completed the Columbia 8 day multisport and it was fantastic! The cycling, rafting, and rappelling were so much fun and the instructors and other guides were extremely friendly and experts in what they do! Christian was so patient with our small group of ladies and always made sure we were happy and having a great time! I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an adventurous trip where you go to the local places and get immersed in the culture!

Summary: I had the best time on the Active Ecuador 8 day trip! I traveled solo and happened to be the only one signed up for the trip. Activexpedition will still run a trip even for one person! What an unbelievable week! Pre-trip: Communication was great, and the sales team was quick to respond to any questions. The company provided a detailed itinerary with a packing list. The actual trip was very well organized, and they pivoted quickly if anything came up. For example, some rains washed out some spots on certain roads and the guide (more on him below) diligently checked with other friends and colleagues and unofficial reports on road conditions to make sure it didn’t delay us or require a detour. They picked great and unique places to stay. Each one was very comfortable and enjoyable! It was also easy to send out for laundry service in Banos (about midway), so you can pack lighter (and only a few dollars per kg to have it done). Guide: Daniel was a phenomenal guide. He was professional, knowledgeable, and funny. He went out of his way to make sure I had the best experience. I felt extremely safe with him the whole time. He built in many special little details and went above and beyond. For example, I went during Halloween/the Day of the Dead, and Daniel arranged a traditional bread decorating and Colada experience for me. Activities: It is really hard to pick out what I liked most. I had so much fun doing everything. There is flexibility in many of the activities. For example, I am not a strong cyclist, so at my request, we started at the top of the mountain and skipped the initial uphill part (there is a safety car behind you the whole time). I am also an adrenaline junkie, so Daniel took me to one of the extreme swings in Banos. During caving, he gave me the option between regular cave and crazy cave, and the crazy one was incredible! Each night, he would brief me in detail on the exact schedule for the next day, including the timeline and what to wear/pack. He also built in more activities that weren’t on the itinerary, such as visiting a monkey island, where you saw different types of monkeys up close. Difficulty/Fitnesss: I was not in the best shape (desk job, “walking the dog” shape), and it wasn’t an issue. Physical activities were a fun challenge, but only 2-3 hrs a day, and doesn’t require peak physical fitness. So don’t let that stop you! And as mentioned above, they can tailor them to your comfort level. I have some prior knee injuries and wear a soft brace, and I didn’t have trouble with anything (Daniel would tell me which ones he recommended the brace for). I also get motion sickness, and Daniel would let me know which days involved taking windy roads so I could take Dramamine to prep. Food/drink: Ecuador has delicious food, and Daniel will make sure you get the opportunity to try different local foods and beverages. For example, he showed me around Banos and stopped at a local candy maker and pointed out different types of local candy. There’s fresh fruit juice at just about every meal. During one drive, Daniel randomly stopped at this unmarked house, and it turned out to be a small moonshine distillery where Daniel showed you how they made their fruit moonshine and you could buy a bottle (delicious). Final thoughts: I have traveled to over 20 countries (some with tours, some self-planned), and I would rank this as my favorite (or tied for my favorite). Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I’ll definitely be looking into their other trips in the future. Thanks so much Daniel and Activexpedition!