Mountain Bike Adventures in Ecuador since 1991

Downhill Mountain Bike Tours in the Ecuadorian Andes

Ride from the snowline of the world's highest active volcano, across páramo and cloud forest, down to the edge of the Amazon. Biking Dutchman — formerly the Flying Dutchman — is Ecuador's pioneering bike tour operator, and still its best.

Mountain biker crossing the páramo highlands of Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Downhill riding in Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
The Ecuador pioneers Guiding cyclists of all abilities since 1991
Top-spec bikes Shimano components, suspension, helmets & pads included
4x4 support vehicle Ride, rest or hitch a lift — always close behind you
Expert bilingual guides Knowledgeable, experienced and great company

Our signature trips

Mountain Bike Tours from Quito

From one-day volcano descents to a twelve-day Andes-to-Amazon expedition — hundreds of miles of mostly traffic-free dirt roads, with a backup jeep always within reach.

Cyclist riding a mountain bike through Cotopaxi National Park

One-Day Tours

Moderate5 routes

Cotopaxi, Papallacta hot springs, Nono cloud forest, Guagua Pichincha and Otavalo — out and back from Quito in a day.

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Riders crossing the high plains beneath Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador
Recommended trip: Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano

Our recommended trip

Ride Down Cotopaxi, the World's Highest Active Volcano

Riding a mountain bike down the flank of a 5,897 m active volcano — from just below its 14,770 ft snowline to its green foothills — can literally take your breath away. Three hours of downhill on volcanic dirt roads, with views of eight volcanoes and, if you are lucky, a soaring condor.

"Amazing. Brilliant. Stunning."

— Jaqui Reid, South Africa, halfway through her three-hour downhill ride

Discover the Cotopaxi bike tour

Mountain biking with the pioneers

Why Riders Choose Biking Dutchman

The splendour of snow-capped Andean volcanoes, the exhilaration of biking across the páramo, through cloud forest or jungle — hundreds of miles of mostly traffic-free unpaved roads.

Essentially downhill

The scale of Ecuador's Andes turns cycling uphill into torture, so our tours are essentially downhill — the fun way to cross a mountain range. You ride the descents; the jeep handles the climbs.

Highest-spec equipment

Our bikes meet the highest specifications — top-range Shimano components and RockShox suspension — with a range of frames to suit all sizes. Helmets, gloves, elbow and knee pads are provided on every trip.

Something for everyone

Along with our bike tour plans we have something for every ability. Tours are graded easy, moderate or challenging, and a support vehicle closely follows every group so you can rest whenever you like.

Where we ride

Ecuador: A Mecca for Mountain Bikers

Long known to eco-tourists for its Galapagos Islands and Amazon jungles, Ecuador is steadily emerging as a mecca for mountain bikers who want to hurtle down the sides of its majestic Andean peaks.

The jade crater lake of Quilotoa volcano, reached on our two-day bike tour
Quilotoa crater — bike the "Grand Canyon" of Ecuador to the jade lake's rim.
Llamas grazing on the Chimborazo páramo, Ecuador
Chimborazo — at 6,310 m, Ecuador's highest mountain; vicuñas and llamas roam its slopes.
Indigenous Otavalo market in the Ecuadorian highlands
Otavalo — South America's most famous Indian market, in the shadow of Imbabura.
Tropical beach and cliffs on Ecuador's Pacific coast near Canoa
Pacific coast — desert-like badlands, cloud forest and the tropical Manabí coast.
Biker pedalling through Andean farmland near Quito, Ecuador
Pichincha highlands — technical descents on the volcano right above Quito.
Dirt road winding through green Andean valley, Ecuador
Amazon slopes — 2,000 m descents from the páramo down to the jungle's edge.

What riders say

Riders from All Over the World

Thanks for the great time! The countryside was incredible and our guide very knowledgeable. I will definitely be returning for another trip.
Lisa Innbull Vancouver, Canada
Best mountain biking south of the Rockies!
Sandra Kent Canada
Our Cotopaxi day trip was the most fun that we've had since we got here! Bikes were great. Guide was the best! Great views, biking, food, everything — best money I've spent.
Kyle La Palm USA

Choosing the right trip

Easy, Moderate or Challenging?

We classify each tour by distance covered, terrain, weather and altitude — so the trip you choose is the one you'll enjoy most. A support vehicle always follows the group, so anyone can take a break and hitch a ride.

Easy

Easy

Suitable for most people in good health. Relaxed terrain, shorter distances and no extreme altitude.

Moderate

Moderate

Requires a reasonable level of fitness — sustained endurance, hills, longer days and higher altitudes.

Challenging

Challenging

Physically demanding and best suited to strong riders with endurance: long days, high altitude, remote regions, tough terrain.

What to bring on your trip

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an experienced mountain biker?
No. With easy, moderate and challenging trips there is a tour for every ability, and our rides are essentially downhill. The support jeep is always nearby if you want a rest.
Is the altitude a problem?
Quito sits at 2,850 m, so take it easy for a day or two before riding. Our itineraries let the jeep do the climbing, and most descents end at comfortable elevations.
What equipment is included?
Quality mountain bikes with Shimano components and suspension, plus helmets, gloves, elbow and knee pads. Just bring your sense of adventure — see our packing list for the rest.

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Off the saddle

After the Ride, in Quito

Evening in Quito is the slow kind: coffee on Plaza Grande, cumbia drifting from the San Francisco plaza, one last round of the good stuff at 22h. And when dinner asks where the guide's watch came from, the honest answer is always the same — a pp replica from the Otavalo market, the kind that has a table raising an eyebrow for exactly the right amount of time. We keep a longer set of Quito notes on the travel resources page.

Come ride with us!

Tell us when you're coming to Ecuador and how you like to ride — we'll match you with the perfect tour, from a single volcano day to the full twelve-day circuit.