Expedition
Highline Traverse
A multi-region gravity expedition across volcanic descents, high mountain corridors and the most representative riding zones of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Expeditions
Highline Traverse
Highline Traverse is Gravity Lines' most complete riding experience — a nine-day gravity expedition across Ecuador's central and northern Andes. The journey connects volcanic highlands, cloud forests, historic Andean routes and dry northern flowlines through carefully managed vehicle-supported transitions, allowing riders to experience multiple ecosystems, elevations and terrain styles without losing the rhythm of the expedition. From the slopes above Quito to the high-altitude descents near Chimborazo and the dry mountain lines of the Chota Valley, each stage reveals a different side of Ecuador's gravity riding.
Includes
- Shuttle-supported expedition with vehicle transitions
- Three carefully selected accommodation bases
- Shared occupancy accommodation (single-room upgrade on request)
- Breakfast daily, with picnic lunches on main mountain stages
- Selected dinners that support recovery and expedition flow
- Guide-led navigation, terrain and pace management
- Basic field repairs and mechanical assistance
- Local operational insurance coverage
- Arrival & departure from Quito (UIO)
Expedition flow
Highline Traverse
01
Arrival & Quito introduction
The expedition begins in Quito with flexible airport transfers, rider arrivals and a welcome briefing focused on expedition flow, acclimatization and riding preparation. The first riding day starts with a light introduction to Quito's historic center before moving above the city for the Casitagua ride — gradual acclimatization, cultural context and a first contact with Andean riding through loose dirt, dry-forest terrain and fluid downhill. The day continues near Mitad del Mundo and Museo Intiñán, connecting the start of the expedition with Quito's geography, altitude and position on the equatorial line.
02
Central Andes & historic descents
The route moves south into the central Andes toward Bolívar and Chimborazo. One defining stage is the Mamarumi descent — a historic mountain route connecting high Andean terrain with the subtropical lowlands through centuries-old trails. The next stage shifts dramatically upward into the high volcanic environment surrounding Chimborazo, where the Hieleros descent begins above 4,800 m / 15,750 ft and drops through raw Andean terrain, páramo and volcanic highlands in one massive sustained descent.
03
Cotopaxi & northern transition
As the expedition moves north again, the terrain opens into the volcanic plains surrounding Cotopaxi before transitioning toward the northern Andes and the Imbabura region — a geographical and riding bridge between the high central volcanoes and the faster, drier terrain of the north.
04
Northern Andes transition
The final riding stages move deeper into the northern Andes, where the terrain becomes drier, faster and more open. Long traverses connect volcanic ridgelines, cloud-forest corridors, agricultural terrain and open mountainsides above the Chota Valley. One defining ride crosses multiple ecosystems in a single day — beginning in cold páramo before descending through humid forest into dry mountain terrain shaped by heat, loose dirt and volcanic rock — and the expedition closes with faster, more expressive riding across open hillsides, natural flowlines and high-speed descents overlooking the northern valleys.
05
Return through the Andes
The final transition back to Quito passes through Otavalo and the northern highlands, leaving space to reconnect with the cultural side of the Andes before departure preparations and the expedition closing session in Quito.
Itinerary overview
Highline Traverse
Day 1
Arrival in Quito
Arrival in Quito, flexible airport transfers, hotel check-in, bike build, equipment preparation and welcome briefing. The expedition begins with time to rest, adapt to altitude and align on safety, logistics and the riding journey ahead.
Day 2
Quito / Casitagua / Intiñán
A light acclimatization walk through Quito's historic center introduces riders to the capital before the first ride above the city. Casitagua opens the expedition with a fun, fluid downhill through loose dirt and dry-forest terrain, followed by a lunch stop near Mitad del Mundo and a visit to Museo Intiñán.
Day 3
Mamarumi descent / high Andes transition
The route moves south into Bolívar Province for Mamarumi, a historic Andean route once connecting the coast and the mountains. After a long descent from high terrain into the subtropical zone, the journey continues upward toward the Chimborazo region for a remote high-Andean overnight.
Day 4
Hieleros descent / Chimborazo region
The day begins near Chimborazo, with the ride starting around 4,800 m above sea level. Hieleros descends through raw Andean terrain, páramo, volcanic surfaces and mountain landscapes historically connected to ice harvesters and local highland communities.
Day 5
Cotopaxi ride / transfer to Ibarra
The expedition moves north along Ecuador's volcanic spine, stopping for a ride in the Cotopaxi area if weather and access allow. After a lunch stop en route, the journey continues toward Ibarra and Laguna de Yahuarcocha, where the landscape shifts from high volcanic terrain into the warmer northern Andes.
Day 6
Northern flowlines / El Brutal
El Brutal is a full mountain traverse starting high in the páramo and descending through cloud forest, bamboo corridors, agricultural land and dry terrain above the Chota Valley. More than a downhill run, this is one of the expedition's most complete riding days — endurance, ecosystem change, local mountain corridors and major descent.
Day 7
Northern flowlines / Chota lines
The final riding day focuses on the dry Andean terrain around Aloburo and the Chota Valley. Natural flowlines, loose dirt, dry forest, ridgelines and fast expressive descents create a more playful closing stage after the physical depth of El Brutal.
Day 8
Return through Otavalo / farewell in Quito
With the riding complete, the route returns south through the Andes toward Quito, stopping in Otavalo, one of Ecuador's most important Indigenous market towns. The afternoon is reserved for rest and bike packing before a relaxed farewell at a local craft beer pub connected to Quito's riding scene.
Day 9
Departure from Quito
Final airport transfers and onward travel are coordinated to each rider's flight schedule. The expedition closes after crossing high volcanic terrain, historic routes, cloud-forest transitions, dry northern lines and some of the most representative riding landscapes of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Logistics & accommodations
Despite covering a large portion of the Ecuadorian Andes, the expedition is intentionally built around only three accommodation bases — minimizing unnecessary packing, constant hotel changes and logistical fatigue so riders stay focused on recovery, riding quality and overall flow. Accommodations are chosen not simply for location but for the role they play in the experience: comfort, warmth, quality food and proper recovery between riding stages. The expedition price is based on shared occupancy accommodation — riders are generally placed in shared twin rooms, depending on hotel configuration and group composition. Single-room accommodation may be arranged upon request, subject to availability and an additional single supplement. Vehicle support, equipment handling and daily transitions are managed to reduce friction throughout the trip, so riders spend less energy on logistics and more on the mountains.
Built to experience Ecuador through gravity riding — not simply ride through it.
Rider & expedition information
Riding style & difficulty
Advanced enduro and downhill-oriented riding. Designed for riders comfortable with natural mountain terrain, sustained descents, loose surfaces, changing conditions and repeated full riding days across remote Andean environments.
Fitness requirement
Moderate to high. Riders should be comfortable with repeated descending days, sustained time on the bike and riding at elevation.
Elevation
The expedition moves through a wide range of Andean elevations, from lower environments to high volcanic terrain above 4,800 m / 15,750 ft. Altitude exposure is progressive throughout the journey and forms part of the experience.
Weather & conditions
Conditions change constantly across regions, elevations and sides of the Andes — often within the same day. We read local terrain and adapt to real conditions rather than operating on a fixed season. Rain, fog and changing temperatures are part of riding here and don't automatically stop operations; route selection and daily flow may adapt to access, terrain quality and overall mountain conditions.
Food & recovery
Breakfast is included throughout, according to hotel schedules and departure times. Ride-day food support is included on the main mountain stages through practical picnic lunches — included during Mamarumi, Hieleros, El Brutal and Chota Lines. Selected dinners are included where they support recovery and expedition flow, including the Chimborazo region, the arrival night in Ibarra / Yahuarcocha and the evening after El Brutal. Some meals are intentionally left open. Alcoholic beverages, extra drinks, personal snacks and meals outside the planned food support are not included unless stated.
Safety & support
A controlled group structure with guide-led navigation, terrain management and pace coordination on every stage. On remote routes, riders follow guide instructions closely through descents and transitions; hydration planning and pacing are integrated throughout.
Mechanical support
Basic field repairs and mechanical assistance are available throughout. Riders are still expected to arrive with properly maintained equipment.
Medical & emergency
Emergency response and evacuation logistics are planned per riding zone and regional access. Due to the remote nature of some areas, response times may vary with terrain and location.
Insurance
Personal travel and medical insurance with mountain biking coverage is required. Gravity Lines also includes local operational insurance as part of the expedition; riders are responsible for ensuring their personal policy covers adventure sports, medical treatment and international travel.
Bike rentals
Performance-oriented enduro and downhill rentals can be arranged for riders traveling without equipment, subject to availability and advance reservation.
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- Location
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A compact but serious enduro expedition through Ecuador's central volcanic corridor, connecting Quito, Cotopaxi, Mamarumi and Chimborazo.
- Location
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- Duration
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