Public travel plan
A Month Cycling Ecuador’s Andean Highlands
A month-long southbound cycling journey through Ecuador’s highlands, largely following the Trans-Ecuador Mountain Bike Route. The stops below are ordered along the journey, but they are not a day-by-day schedule; allow…
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Useful context before you go
A month-long southbound cycling journey through Ecuador’s highlands, largely following the Trans-Ecuador Mountain Bike Route. The stops below are ordered along the journey, but they are not a day-by-day schedule; allow flexibility for altitude, weather, camping decisions and the demanding hike-a-bike crossing. Carry enough water to make use of promising campsites, and bring a way to filter water. Cold nights and exposed, windy camps make sheltered places valuable. Check current access and camping permission locally, confirm trail conditions before choosing the remote Inca Trail, and verify current prices before setting out. The route-planning resource can help with the broader route.
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Explore the route · Greg McCahon ↗ Creator link · may be an affiliate link
View the full route · Greg McCahon ↗ Creator link · may be an affiliate link
Itinerary highlights
What is in this plan
Days 1–30: Southbound across Ecuador’s highlands
Follow the route south through the highlands, from the northern reserve and mountain lakes toward Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Chimborazo, then on to Achupallas and Cuenca. These are route stages rather than assigned daily segments. Water supply, wind protection and the difficulty of the Inca Trail crossing can all affect how far a day’s ride takes you.
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El Ángel Ecological ReserveEl Ángel Ecological Reserve, Ecuador
Cyclists were allowed to camp inside the reserve for free. The first camp was chilly, and a roof offered welcome shelter. Ask about current camping permission and facilities on arrival.
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La Merced de Buenos AiresLa Merced de Buenos Aires, Ecuador
After wild camping did not work out, a simple village room provided a needed night’s rest. The room shown cost $7 at the time; treat that as a historical price, not a current rate. The accommodation was not identified by name, so ask locally about available rooms.
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Mojanda LakesLagunas de Mojanda, Ecuador
The ride climbs toward the lakes, where the creator looked for a sheltered camp among the trees rather than an exposed spot. A nearby stream was used as a water source with filtration; carry enough water for the approach and do not assume a lakeside campsite will be comfortable in wind.
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Cotopaxi National ParkCotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
The route enters the national park beneath the snow-covered volcano and continues toward Tambopaxi for a camping stop. Check current park access and camping arrangements locally.
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Tambopaxi LodgeTambopaxi Lodge, Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Tambopaxi was the camping destination on the approach to Cotopaxi. The hoped-for clear volcano view came the following morning. Check directly on current camping availability and arrangements before relying on an overnight stay.
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Quilotoa Crater LakeQuilotoa Crater Lake, Ecuador
Quilotoa is a volcanic crater lake. The rim was very windy, so the creator chose not to camp there and instead slept in a sheltered forest nearby. Treat that forest as an off-pin alternative rather than assuming a specific campsite at the lake.
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Chimborazo Ecological ReserveReserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo, Ecuador
At the reserve entrance, staff said camping for the night was allowed in a sheltered spot. Ask staff about current permission and where to camp rather than assuming the same arrangement will be available on every visit.
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AchupallasAchupallas, Ecuador
A room here gave the creator time to rest before choosing how to continue south. The alternatives were about 100 kilometers on the busy Pan-American Highway or the remote Inca Trail, roughly 36 kilometers. A cyclist who had completed the trail reported that it took three days and involved pushing the bike for much of the way; that is one rider’s experience, not a guaranteed duration. The crossing proved strenuous: the creator pushed the bike for nine hours during a ten-hour day, reached a 4,500-meter high point and camped in a relatively flat, wind-protected spot before sunset. Check conditio…
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CuencaCuenca, Ecuador
The ride reaches Cuenca, where the city’s bike lanes provide a useful orientation on arrival.