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| Introduction to Ecuador Tour |
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"Introduction to Ecuador Tour" (12 days)Ecuador is one of the most geographically, culturally, and biologically diverse countries in the world. Amazing landscapes encompassing rainforests,Andean mountain ranges, coastal ranges, deserts and tropical grasslands make this South American country a haven for astonishing wildlife, stunning panoramas as well as rich anthropological and cultural sites. This tour will take you to all of the best that continental Ecuador has to offer on this absolutely unforgettable trip.
One of the things that sets a motorcycle trip apart from other types of tourism are the scents, fragrances and aromas that you can experience while The tour will also take you off the beaten track to explore some of the wild areas of Ecuador. It is one of the most adventurous tours that you can do, giving you access to untouched wildlife and unforgettable insight into how native Ecuadorians have lived for centuries.
Features:
 Day 1Quito - San José de Minas - Cuicocha Lake - Cotacachi - Otavalo - Lake San PabloDistance covered: 120 kms / 75 miles -- 50% pavement 25% cobblestone 25% dirt/gravel roads.You’ll begin your twelve day “Introduction to Ecuador Tour" from our shop located in Quito, Ecuador - 2850 meters (almost 2 miles above sea level) in the Andes Mountains. Quito is the capital city of Ecuador with about 1.5 million residents and has some of the best examples of Spanish colonial architecture in Latin America. Quito was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the 1970's for having the best preserved and least altered historic centre in all of Latin America. On the morning of the tour departure, you’ll be outfitted with the motorcycle of your choice, a helmet and maps as well as a thoughtful presentation that will answer all your questions concerning local customs, rules of the road, etc. The route for this first day has been purposefully chosen in order to acquaint you with a taste of the wide variety of different kinds of roads in Ecuador and to allow you the time to get acquainted with your bike. You’ll visit the picturesque mountain town of Atahualpa via farm roads, before heading to the rainforest town of San Jose de Minas on high rainforest roads. Astonishing views all the way. Then, using ancient cobblestone roads you will ride to Otavalo and to the famous Indian artisan market, known for its brightly colored wool and cloth crafts. The afternoon will be spent in the town of Cotacachi (via dirt road) and then onto the indigenous town of Imantag. Your first night will be spent at a specially chosen hotel, the Hacienda Cusin, a restored 17th Century estate.
Day 2Lake San Pablo - Ibarra - Borbon - Esmeraldas - Atacames - TonchigűeDistance covered: 355 kilometers / 220 miles. 97% asphalt / 3% dirt roadYou will begin your ride today with a vist to the handsome Spanish colonial city of Ibarra, founded in 1606 and at an altitude of 2225 meters (7,300 ft). It still has a unique charm with white-washed colonial houses, cobbled streets and shaded plazas. You'll then head off the beaten path, on a sinuous, recently paved highway that gradually descends from the Andean mountains, through farms ofpapaya, mango and other exotic fruits. You will have entered Esmeraldas province, home to the majority of the Afro-Ecuadorian population. You will pass through miles of giant coastal mangroves and witness more incredible biodiversity. You will get a glimpse at the lively and noisy city of Esmeraldas, northern Ecuador's major port and coastal city. You can stop for lunch to try out some of the creole cuisine, unique to this part of Ecuador. Once past Esmeraldas you will pass the thatched roofs of the festive beach town Atacames. Keeping along the coast , you will end the day's ride at the Cumilinche Club. This French-owned resort has comfortable cabins and a private stretch of beach of unspoiled natural beauty. You will be able to go for a swim in the warm Pacific Ocean and explore the natural caves that surround the beach. You''ll partake in a gourmet Franco-Ecuadorian dinner. In the morning, you will want to take a walk to admire some of the incredible birds, crabs and other coastal wildlife along this isolated and quiet empty stretch of coast.  Day 3Tonchigűe - Daule - Pedernales - Jama - San Isidro - CanoaDistance covered: 290 Km / 180 miles - 85% asphalt / 15% dirt roads (with an optional challenging river crossingYou will start the day riding along miles of the Ecuadorian coast and past many shrimp farms and then through rolling hills of the tropical grasslands of the coastal lowlands. You will see that the preferred form of transport here is horseback. You will stop for lunch in the somewhat chaotic little city of Pedernales. Known as the capital city for shrimp harvesting and trade in Ecuador (the country's third most important export) here you can enjoy some of the great restaurants serving the freshest shrimp you will have ever tasted in your life! You will continue your ride down the unspoiled coastline of empty, sandy beaches and into the warm, friendly fishing village of Jama. Then, you will head inland for a ride on some of the serene, undisturbed countryside of Manahi, passing cattle farms. You will be challenged with a deep river crossing without using a bridge (optional). After passing through the isolated farming village of San Isidro, you will head towards the sunset, and onto the warm, sandy beach of Canoa. Canoa is home to a mixed population of native fishemen, transient surfers and expatriate retirees who are seeking sun and relaxation. You will settle into the comfortable Hostal Coco Loco and get ready for your day off from riding...  Day 4"Rest" Day in CanoaBreak Day! Relaxation and sunshine! Canoa has one of the best beaches on the Ecuadorian coast and is a very popular place for surfing (boards and lessons available from Canoa Thrills). You can rent a sea-kayak and explore the coastal caves. Other available activities include paragliding, whale watching, horseback riding or fishing. Or, you can just pull up a chair at some of the great hang-outs, beachside bars and restaurants and enjoy a restful day away from the bike.  Day 5Canoa - Bahia de Caraquez - Montechristi - Manta - Jipijapa - GuayaquilDistance covered: 260 km / 162 miles on 100% asphalt paved roads.With a day of rest behind you, you will head south, crossing Ecuador's newest and longest bridge that spans the Bahia de Caraquez and brings you into the new and modern city of the same name. You will stop in the town of Montechristi for a quick tour of a coffee roasting plant (another important Ecuadorian export). Montechristi is also famous for the fine straw hats they produce there - mistakenly known as a "Panama hat." You may be tempted to buy one of these hats, which can be folded into the size of a match case and carried with you on the motorcycle. Then, you'll head into the fishing and seafaring city of Manta, famous for its bustling seafood market, excellent restaurants and one of the few places in the world that still build wooden boats by hand. Then, you'll head inland, passing through the town of Jipijapa and surrounding rice paddies, cattle ranches and coffee plantations. You'll roll into Ecuador's biggest city, the port city of Guayaquil and park the bike at the lovely Manso Boutique Guesthouse. You'll have some time to stroll along the city's beautiful waterfront park (Malecon 2000) and to climb to the top of the Santa Ana Hill, known for its colorful houses and quaint streets and for the cool breeze at the top of the hill.  Day 6Guayaquil - Machala - Pasaje - ZarumaDistance Covered: 273 Km / 170 miles on 90% asphalt road / 10% unpaved gravel roadMore adventures ahead! You will head across the great river Guayas and roll across great coastal plains with plenty of fishing birds and rice paddies. You'll see the agriculture and landscape change as you enter El Oro Province. The smell of ripening bananas and cacao plantations will fill your senses. You will have a quick ride through the coastal city of Machala, known for being the "Banana Capital of the World" - where a large portion of Ecuador's banana trade and market activities occur. Onward, you will then head back inland, through mangroves and farmlands and into the hills that were once one of the wealthiest regions of the Spanish Empire. You'll end today's ride in the town of Zaruma. Zaruma was founded in 1549 and still boasts some of the finest examples of early colonial Spanish architecture in all of South America. Zaruma is also known for having the most beautiful women in Ecuador. You will find a nice, cozy room at the Roland Hotel.  Day 7Zaruma - Portovelo - Piñas - Cisne - VilcabambaDistance Covered: 242 km / 150 miles on 95% asphalt paved / 5% unpaved roadsHeading out from Zaruma, we'llstop in Portovelo to visit the gold mines there, some of the world's biggest and most productive. We will visit the mine by riding one of the carts used to transport the raw ore. Then, as you head back on your bike we ride changing landscapes on rural, mountainous backroads through dense forest. You will pass through the town of Pinas, known for its beautiful orchids. We will 'll climb in elevation once again, riding through the picturesque Spanish colonial towns of El Cisne, with its magnificent cathedral and the charming town of Catamayo. We will finish today's ride in the peaceful, hippy-mecca town of Vilcabamba in what is known as the "Valley of Longevity" because the population here is Since then the area has been known as the Valley of Longevity and has turned into one of the most popular destinations in Ecuador. Because most people come to Vilcabamba to relax, the town has managed to keep its small town appeal with only a cluster of small restaurants and internet cafes surrounding the sleepy town square. The tranquil atmosphere, perfect weather, and an endless array of outdoor activities has combined to create a place where people often come for a weekend and end up staying a month. We check into the comfortable award-winning (Best Hotel and Spa in Ecuador) Madre Tierra Eco Resort- a very well-managed, American owned and operated hotel and spa with beautiful grounds and spectacular pool. The rooms are very comfortable and the swimming pool is beautiful. They also offer great massages and spa treatments if you would like to un-do some of the effects of riding.  Day 8Vilcabamba - Loja - Saraguro - Tinajilla Pass - CuencaDistance Covered: 250 km / 155 miles on paved roadToday's ride is going to be in high altitudes so you will want to add an additional layer of clothing. We head north on the Panamerican highway and experience some of the beautiful high altitude vistas below the dark blue sky that are found only when above 10,000 feet. We ride through the gorgeous colonial city of Loja, full of Universities, cafés and plazas with street musicians. Then we continue north along one of the most scenic stretches of the Panamerican highway, with tremedous views and exhilirating curves and climbs. Once in the indigenous town of Saraguro, we stop and take a stroll through the famous market there. After a hearty lunch you are back on the bike, with breathtaking scenery fighting for your attention as you keep your eyes on the curves and swoops. You will climb to over 11,500 feet at the Tinajilla Pass as you cross the high altitude pampa. Keep a careful eye out for wild llama and try to capture them with your camera. On today's ride you will roll into Ecuador's third largest city and arguably its most charming -the city of Cuenca. Cuenca is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site as its historic centre is a well-preserved example of Spanish Colonial architecture. You will be staying in the luxury colonial Casa del Agula hotel -right in the historic center of this beautiful city. 
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We will visit all of the major regions of continental Ecuador - the Andes, the Coast and the Amazon Basin. We will have time to explore the major cities of Quito, Guayaquil, Loja, Manta, Esmeraldas and Cuenca, including many places declared "World Heritage Sites" by the United Nations. We will experience the various cuisines and cultures of Ecuador such as the creole cuisine in Esmeraldas, fresh coffee from plantations in Loja, fresh chocolate from the cacao plantations near Guayaquil and Manta and the unique cheeses made in Salinas de Guaranda.
riding - you can't experience these while travelling in a bus or car. Ecuador provides you with a feast for all your senses - you will pass through brilliant fields of multi-colored roses, see wild orchids in the rainforests, smell the eucalyptus and pine forests, ripening bananas, and ride through salty mist along the shore. You'll smell the fresh, wood-oven baked bread in colonial cities.
known to live very long lives. With lush green scenery, a mild year-round climate, and fresh mountain air, it is no wonder that Vilcabamba has been a popular vacation spot for hundreds of years. Once a retreat for Inca royalty, foreigners discovered Vilcabamba in the 1970s after a series of articles were published including one in "National Geographic" that highlighted the long lives of the locals.
The road takes us to the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador - Ingapirca. Otherwise known as Ecuador's "Macchu Picchu" - you can visit the ruins of this Incan Solar temple and marvel at their advanced irrigation techniques.
the bike to continue you ride along the Napo River.