Cloudforest, Coast & Craters Guided Motorcycle Tour

You'll begin this 7-day /6-night “Cloudforest, Coast and Craters” dual sport tour from our shop in Quito, Ecuador. In 1978, Quito became the first place on the planet to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for having the best-preserved historic center in Latin America. Quito is high on the Altiplano Plateau (the second highest in the world) in the Andes at 9,350 feet.  We suggest you arrive a day or two early to experience our magnificent capital city while getting acclimated to high elevation before beginning the tour.

During the first morning of the tour, you’ll be outfitted with the motorcycle of your choice and given a thorough orientation answering all questions concerning local customs, rules of the road, riding signals, Ecuadorian driver courtesies, and more. The first day’s ride purposefully includes a sampling of the different types of roads that will be ridden.   You will have the opportunity to safely become accustomed to asphalt, dry gravel, cobblestone, and dirt farm roads.  

Inti-ñan means “path of the Sun” in the Quechua language, and the Inti-ñan Museum is situated directly on the Equator. The indigenous peoples have revered this site for thousands of years. Our group will learn how ancient people understood that this was the center of the world centuries before the advent of modern geography or GPS devices. During our first stop directly on the “red line,” you will experiment with gravity, including witnessing how water drains either clockwise or counter-clockwise, depending on which side of the Equator you are standing. You will also have the opportunity to see how the indigenous populations of Ecuador live by visiting models of their homes. This will enable you to better understand the cultures and ways of life you will experience as we pass through the various regions.

Departing the Inti-ñan Museum, we are officially outside the Quito metropolitan region and have begun riding in the Northern Hemisphere. Our second stop is to view the beautiful Pululahua Crater Geo-Botanical Reserve, a crater formed by a volcanic eruption 2,500 years ago. From there, head onto the Andes' western slopes full of dense, green forests and steep mountains. The roads have been recently paved, and riding these sharp curves is sure to be exhilarating fun.  

We will have lunch in the garden of a fantastic restaurant in the heart of the cloudforest.   We'll watch in amazement as hundreds of colorful birds surround us as we enjoy our first Ecuadorian meal together.

Changing the pace a little bit, we take a left turn off the main highway and venture onto an unpaved, unmarked road that leads even deeper into the cloudforest. Here, at the world-famous Bellavista Cloudforest Bird Lodge, we take a break on their fantastic patio and watch hundreds of hummingbirds flitting around us.  These are all of a completely different species than the birds seen at lunch.  There is no other place on earth where many species of birds can be viewed.  Note that the unpaved section is optional - we can continue along the newly paved highway to Mindo if you are not comfortable riding on unpaved roads.

 Continue through the lush cloudforest along clear streams with cascading waterfalls to the funky, eclectic town of Mindo. Mindo is situated in a warm microclimate cloudforest that’s known for its natural beauty and great restaurants. We will visit the Yumbos chocolate factory for a tour that entertains us while educating us about the farming and processing of organic cocoa and how it is turned into chocolate and formed into bars.   You will want to sample this chocolate, as Ecuador produces some of the best chocolate in the world.

After we visit Yumbos Chocolate, we check into the carefully selected accommodations for the night deep in the cloudforest setting at the charming Septimo Paraiso Cloudforest Reserve Lodge, winning several awards from many travel publications.

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After a hearty breakfast, hop on your bike, and we will head out of the Septimo Paraiso Cloudforest Reserve. We first climb in elevation and then begin to descend along the western slope of the Andes. Expect fog as we pass through the cloudforest and down into the tropical rainforest. From San Miguel de Los Bancos, we continue a long, gradual descent towards the Pacific coast. The temperature begins to rise as we decrease our altitude, rolling through sweeping corners, crossing roaring rivers, and experiencing breathtaking views.

Palm trees appear, and the leaves of “junglesque growth” along the road grow in size the farther west we travel. Crossing the coastal savannah of Manabi Province, we notice that horses are a more common mode of transportation than cars or buses.

We stop to take a short hike into the rainforest for a swim in one of the most beautiful swimming holes in Ecuador - the Blue Lagoon (Laguna Azul) with its serene, deep, warm water and cascading waterfall.  

After your swim, we will cross over a wire suspension bridge (photo above) that will take us to an island in the Caony River for a wonderful lunch stop in a beautiful rainforest setting.

La Concordia is a commercial city and trading center for the area’s most prominent crop: palm oil. The palm groves that surround this city appear almost magical.

On the Pacific coast, Pedernales, sometimes referred to as the "Wild Wild West," -- is known for its chaotic markets, plentiful restaurants, nightclubs, and fun-loving residents. The closest beach to Quito, this resort town is Ecuador’s shrimp capital, and naturally, we will stop at one of the ocean-side restaurants for a taste. Expect to enjoy the freshest and most delicious shrimp you’ve eaten in your life.

We ride south along the coastal road from Pedernales, passing wild, undeveloped beaches and shrimp farms. We will pass through the quiet town of Jama, a throwback to a simpler time where the tides and fishermen set the pace.

Our day ends in the town of Canoa. This town is home to a mixed population of native fishermen, transient surfers, and expatriate retirees seeking sun and relaxation. Our carefully selected accommodations are at the Canoa Beach Hotel, right on the beach, with a great atmosphere thanks to its friendly, helpful, and fun staff.

Enjoy a last swim on the beautiful beach in Canoa and a filling breakfast. Our morning ride will continue down the coastal road, also known as "Ruta del Sol." After crossing the Bahia de Caraquez and through the city of the same name, we’ll begin to climb on high cliffs that overlook the beautiful Chone River and the mangroves of El Corazon Island.

We'll cross through cattle farms, rice paddies, cacao plantations, and the towns of Calceta, Quiroga, and Tosagua.   Here we will see many of the majestic Ceibo Trees.  The ancient people fabled these trees as the Earth's ties to the spiritual world.  Since the only place they grow in the world is along the equatorial belt, their bare branches were thought to be roots that kept the world attached to heaven.  They flower only once every five years and can store thousands of liters of water in their massive trunks.

We'll cross over a bridge over the serene Santa Teresa reservoir, full of fishing birds.  Then we'll pass through a dense rainforest full of twists and curves and small farms growing exotic fruits and coffee.

This part of the country is full of South American squirrels that live in the wild.  You will hear - and may be lucky - to glimpse the famous howling monkey.  

The population in this area of Ecuador makes their living from agriculture, mostly rice, cacao plantations, and cattle. We will spend the night at the Olimpico Hotel in Quevedo.  Quevedo was the first Chinese settlement community in Ecuador, and many of the Chinese restaurants date back to the 1920’'s.  We will have a Chinese feast at the best Ecuadorian-Chinese restaurant in the world.  

Today's ride may not be very many kilometers long but will be somewhat challenging as it includes unimproved dirt roads. We will start the ride leaving the bustling city of Quevedo through miles of palm, cacao, and banana plantations. The fragrances of ripening bananas and cacao beans roasting in the sun will waft through your helmet.  We will climb in elevation on spectacular country roads, arriving in the small town of El Corazon - where they brew and bottle their unique moonshine - flavored alcohol that is quite good, yet inexpensive. El Corazon is an amicable town and we know the place to get the best chicken you will ever taste in your life.  

From El Corazon, you will again face some challenging dirt roads that wind through thick jungles and arrive in the picturesque, isolated village of Facundo Vela, a place that seems like it hasn't changed much over the past 100 years. The town is usually full of horses with not a single car to .be seen.  You may feel like you have ridden into a time warp, which is now 1922.

Taking the dirt road out of Simiatug, we will continue to ride and gain altitude on a series of switchback cobblestone trails.  The air through this section of the cloudforest is scented with wild orchids and tropical plants and will get cooler and more relaxed as we continue the climb.  In this part of Ecuador, farming is still done without modern machinery. You'll see plenty of oxen, horses, alpaca, and donkeys.  The indigenous inhabitants wear colorful, traditional dress and enjoy a simple life here.  They are usually pretty surprised to see foreigners come through their villages.

Once you've crossed over a towering mountain pass, you'll arrive in the quaint town of Salinas de Guaranda. It might seem peculiar to some people but this place also has Swiss roots! One thing you can't leave without eating is their famous cheese - so don't forget to order it for dinner at one of the local restaurants here! At Kachi Yacu, there are plenty of rooms available with views overlooking the serene little village from above - it's perfect for getting some rest and relaxation after an exciting day exploring all there is to see.

You will wake up in the high-altitude "Swiss" village of Salinas - you should have some additional layers ready for today's ride - you will be riding through some extreme temperature and climate changes - so be prepared.  

After a hearty breakfast, we will get a tour of this unique town.   We'll see how the locals bring their fresh milk on alpacas, donkeys, and horseback to the cooperative cheese factory.  We will learn how they turn this milk into Gruyere, Parmesan, Swiss, and Gouda cheese.  

Then we will see the yarn mill where they shear the sheep and alpaca and run the raw woold through `100-year-old machines that are hand-me-downs from New England's closed mills in the USA.  We'll also see how they make soccer balls by hand, and then we'll visit the chocolate factory to get a taste of the incredible chocolates made here.   Then, we will head out on paved farm roads through the rolling green pastures surrounding Salinas.

With fantastic scenery at all times, we turn onto the Avenue of Volcanoes to ride around the Chimborazo Volcano, which soars above at the height of 6,310 meters (20,702 feet).  Father or "Taita" Chimborazo is the father of all Ecuadorian mountains, according to local folklore. It is the highest mountain in Ecuador and the highest landmass on earth when you consider its proximity to the Equator.

Our ride around Chimborazo will take us through the Chimborazo wildlife refuge, where if you hadn't gotten a glimpse of wild llamas earlier, you will surely see plenty here today!  There are also wild guinea pigs and other wild animals. You will be at about 14,500 feet (4,350 meters) - so be sure to have your warm gloves on.  The views will be stunning!

We will then cross through the colonial city of Riobamba and continue eastward, following the Chambo River and scenic valleys.  The road will become a dirt road for about 15 miles but easy to ride and a completely different terrain of shifting faultlines and high cliffs.

 We will then arrive in the town of Banos - one of the world's best adventure capitals.   We will be sure to soak away the day's ride in the volcanic baths that are kept at varying temperatures before we head to one of the town's excellent restaurants with an outdoor garden.   Our carefully selected accommodations for tonight are at the friendly and comfortable Posada del Arte Bed & Breakfast Inn.

This morning, we can take the time to have another soak in the town's volcanic spring baths before heading out on the road. The morning will be spent riding some curvy, narrow, paved country roads that take you past dairy farms and vistas above the city of Ambato. 

We will pass through the beautiful colonial city of Latacunga with its Spanish colonial historical center and then ride westward, up into the mountains.  You have now begun riding on the famous "Quilotoa Loop." The Quilotoa Loop is known for its beautiful scenery and friendly indigenous people. We will stop in Pujilli, which has a great indigenous market - not very touristy - but with great textiles and other useful but inexpensive goods.  This stop is a great chance to chat with local people.

You will steadily rise in altitude again and have a chance to see more llamas and alpacas grazing in the highlands pampa.  If just looking at them doesn't satisfy you-you can enjoy some llama meat at the Llama cafe just before you get to the town of Tigua.  Tigua is known for its colorful paintings and ceramics, and this small village has a fantastic gallery - worth a stop at least to see some of the fine art created in this part of the world.

Once in the town of Zumbahua, we will turn north and ride through a beautiful valley to the Quilotoa Crater Lake. This amazing lake was created by a collapsed volcano that left behind minerals that now give the deep crater lake an odd blue-green color.

From Quilotoa Lake, the road will wind through some incredibly picturesque countryside. We will stay for the night at Mama Hilda's Hostel.   The staff at Mama Hilda's will serve you a delicious, family-style Ecuadorian dinner with pots and pots of food.  

We will enjoy a hearty breakfast with fresh fruits and juices and then head out on the road.  We will take unpaved through tranquil villages and valleys.

We will stop in the town of Isinlivi to visit a local carpentry shop focused on teaching kids the art of woodworking.  Their Italian designs and beautiful South American wood produce some of the best-looking, high-quality furniture that will astound you.  After a series of switchbacks and other small indigenous villages, we will stop to visit a rose farm where you will see how roses are planted, cultivated, and prepared for export around the world.  You'll have a chance to send home flowers to your loved ones and a meager price.

We will wind through some dizzying switch-back roads, climbing first in elevation and then descending into the town of Saquisilli.  Saquisilli is famous for its large indigenous market.  

From Saquisilli, we will head north towards Quito on the Pan-American highway, otherwise known as the Avenue of Volcanoes.  You will be surrounded by towering snow-capped volcanoes along this highway - with the Cotopaxi Volcano on one side and the Illiniza on the other.  

You will finish your "Cloudforests, Coast and Craters" Tour where you began - at our offices in the fashionable Carolina neighborhood of Quito. You can relax at our shop, take a shower, and enjoy a relaxing soak in our jacuzzi before heading out on the town to celebrate. Now that you have finished your tour, we hope you have some memories to last a lifetime.