Andes Twist Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

The Andes Twist is built for riders who want the good stuff without getting dragged through a boot-camp vacation. This seven-day self-guided motorcycle tour starts and ends in Quito and follows a carefully designed paved route through the Andes, the Amazon Basin, cloudforest, hot springs country, and some of Ecuador’s best highland towns. The riding is plenty fun, but the pace leaves room to stop, take photos, walk around, meet people, eat like a civilized human being, and actually enjoy the places you came all this way to see.

You’ll ride independently, but you won’t be left to figure everything out as you go. Each day you’ll have a detailed route sheet, a GPS programmed with the day’s route, and a local phone so you can contact Ecuador Freedom if you need help along the way. The roads, overnight stops, and major highlights have already been researched and organized so you can concentrate on the ride while still having the freedom to set your own pace.

The route kicks off in the Andes with volcano views, highland farms, historic haciendas, Indigenous markets, and the famous Quilotoa Loop, where the road twists through deep canyons and small mountain villages before reaching the blue-green crater lake. You’ll get the big scenery Ecuador is famous for: Chimborazo, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, high passes, and wide-open Andean valleys. But this tour is not about grinding out endless hours in the saddle like some deranged mileage contest. It is about riding great roads at a smart pace, then having enough time and energy left to enjoy the culture, the food, the views, and the weird little roadside surprises that make Ecuador so addictive.

Because you’re riding self-guided, you decide when something is worth a longer stop. Stay a little longer at a viewpoint, pull over for coffee in a small town, spend extra time at a market, or stop simply because the road ahead looks too good to rush. The route gives you structure without turning the day into a schedule.

From the high Andes, the tour drops into the Amazon Basin, where the air gets warmer, the vegetation gets thicker, and the whole country changes character in a matter of hours. You’ll ride through jungle roads, river valleys, waterfall country, cacao-growing areas, and lively little towns before climbing back toward Papallacta’s hot springs and the green folds of the cloudforest. It is still a proper motorcycle trip, with curves, altitude, weather, volcanoes, jungle, and plenty of personality, but it is designed for riders who want the adventure without feeling like they accidentally enlisted.

Ecuador Freedom has already done the route work. You get the motorcycle, the programmed GPS, the daily route information, and a direct way to reach us if something comes up. Then the rest of the experience is yours.

Day 1

Quito – Avenue of the Volcanoes – Chugchilán (Quilotoa Loop)

Your adventure begins in Quito, Ecuador's capital and the first city in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sitting at 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level, Quito is surrounded by volcanoes and steeped in history, with one of the best-preserved colonial centers anywhere in Latin America. Ecuador Freedom's offices are located in the modern La Carolina district, within walking distance of excellent hotels, restaurants, cafés, and parks. We recommend arriving a day early to explore the city and acclimatize before the ride begins.

Before setting off, you'll receive a detailed pre-ride briefing from someone who knows the route firsthand. We'll walk you through the entire tour, day by day, explaining the roads you'll be riding, the places worth stopping, attractions and experiences along the way, suggested timing, fuel stops, restaurants, hotels, and the practical details that help each day run smoothly. You'll have a chance to ask questions and get familiar with the journey before you ever leave Quito.

We'll also review your daily route sheets and programmed GPS, show you how to operate the GPS, and make sure you understand how the route information works together. You'll be provided with a local phone so you can contact Ecuador Freedom if you need assistance along the way. We'll also explain what to do in an emergency and, for riders traveling alone, how to configure the GPS incident-detection feature so that we can be alerted to a possible accident. By the time you leave our office, you should have a clear picture of the journey ahead and the tools you need to navigate it confidently on your own.

Leaving Quito behind is surprisingly easy. Within minutes the city gives way to open farmland, and the enormous peaks of the Ecuadorian Andes begin appearing on every horizon. This is the legendary Avenue of the Volcanoes, a name given by the explorer Alexander von Humboldt almost two centuries ago. Cotopaxi, Rumiñahui, the Illinizas, and other great Andean peaks accompany you throughout the day, rising above fertile valleys where Indigenous families have farmed these lands for generations.

One of the recommended stops along today's route is the magnificent Hacienda La Ciénega, one of Ecuador's oldest working haciendas and an excellent place for lunch. Dating back to the seventeenth century, its thick adobe walls, peaceful courtyards, antique furnishings, and centuries-old chapel transport you to another era. Presidents, explorers, scientists, and Alexander von Humboldt himself have passed through these doors. Today, it remains one of Ecuador's finest examples of colonial hospitality and a memorable place to enjoy traditional Ecuadorian cuisine.

The afternoon brings another experience few visitors to Ecuador get to see: a behind-the-scenes visit to one of the country's world-famous rose plantations. Ecuador's combination of equatorial sunlight, cool Andean temperatures, volcanic soils, and high elevation produces roses with exceptionally long stems, vivid colors, and remarkable longevity. Walking through acres of greenhouses, you'll see the different stages of production—from cultivation and harvesting to grading and packaging—before the flowers begin their journey to markets around the world.

Your daily route information will help you plan these stops while keeping an eye on the day's timing. The Andes Twist has deliberately manageable riding days, giving you time to enjoy the experiences along the route without turning the day into a race. You are responsible for navigating the route and reaching the night's accommodation, so the route sheets include the practical information you need to decide when to linger and when it is time to get back on the motorcycle.

From here, the road becomes the star of the show. The famous Quilotoa Loop twists through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Ecuadorian Andes. Endless switchbacks climb and descend between patchwork farms, deep canyons, and remote Indigenous villages. Every corner reveals another panorama, making this one of the country's most rewarding motorcycle roads. This is exactly the type of riding the Andes Twist was created for—technical enough to keep you engaged, with enough time built into the day to stop occasionally and absorb the landscape.

As evening approaches, your programmed route leads you into the small Andean village of Chugchilán and Mama Hilda's Lodge. More than simply a place to spend the night, Mama Hilda's has become legendary among travelers for its genuine hospitality. Family-style dinners feature hearty Ecuadorian recipes prepared from fresh local ingredients. Surrounded by crisp mountain air and the quiet of the high Andes, it's a fitting end to your first day on the road.

Day 2

Chugchilán – Quilotoa Crater Lake – Pujilí – Chimborazo Mountain Lodge

The road leaves Chugchilán already twisting. Cool morning air moves through the valley as the pavement wraps around steep mountainsides carved into tiny fields of potatoes, barley, and corn. Shepherds guide flocks of sheep across the road, smoke rises from scattered farmhouses, and every switchback opens another view across the high Andes. This is the Quilotoa Loop at its best: quiet pavement, constant elevation changes, and a rhythm of corners that begins before breakfast has had time to settle.

The climb continues toward Quilotoa Crater Lake, topping out at nearly 12,800 feet. The enormous caldera was formed by a violent volcanic eruption more than 800 years ago, leaving behind a crater almost two miles wide. Mineral-rich water fills the basin far below, changing from deep blue to turquoise and green as clouds move across the rim. Park the motorcycle, walk to the viewpoint, and let the scale of the place sink in. Wind sweeps across the crater, the air is thin, and the silence feels bigger than the landscape.

From Quilotoa, the route drops through a rapid succession of bends toward Tigua. This small Indigenous community has become famous for paintings created on stretched sheepskin, a tradition that began as decoration on drums and evolved into a distinct school of Andean folk art. Local artists fill their work with volcanoes, village markets, harvests, festivals, animals, and stories drawn from Indigenous mythology. After miles of high-altitude curves, the workshops offer a worthwhile place to stop, stretch your legs, and see how life in these mountains is translated into color.

The road carries you onward through Pujilí, a busy highland town where vendors, farmers, buses, and pedestrians crowd the streets around the market. Women in bright shawls and felt hats sell produce, grains, tools, and household goods while the surrounding countryside funnels into town for the day. It is a burst of noise and movement before the route opens again and the ride settles back into the mountains.

Beyond Ambato, the road begins one of the strongest riding sections of the entire tour. It follows the canyon carved by the Río Ambato, climbing from roughly 8,000 feet toward the high volcanic plateau surrounding Chimborazo. The pavement rises through cattle country and isolated ranches, alternating between tight canyon bends and broad sweepers that expose the mountains ahead. Traffic thins, the vegetation becomes sparse, and the scale of the landscape grows with every mile.

By afternoon, the route climbs above 14,500 feet and Chimborazo Volcano takes over the horizon. Its enormous mass rises to 20,548 feet, with glaciers cutting white lines across the dark volcanic slopes. Wild vicuñas graze beside the road, seemingly untouched by the altitude, while the weather can change from sharp sunshine to freezing mist, hail, or snow within minutes. The pavement across this high plateau is fast, exposed, and unforgettable—one of those roads that makes you stop simply to look back at what you have just ridden.

A break at the Kunuyacu Hot Springs offers one of the day’s most unusual rewards. These natural volcanic pools sit at roughly 14,000 feet, surrounded by páramo grassland and the massive slopes of Chimborazo. Warm water loosens cold hands and tired muscles while the mountain dominates the view. Fresh trout from the cold highland streams makes a fitting meal before the final stretch to the lodge.

The day ends at Estrella del Chimborazo Lodge, set high on the volcano’s lower slopes. After hours in the cold, thin air, stepping inside to a large fireplace and a hot meal feels well earned. The lodge attracts climbers, motorcyclists, and travelers drawn to Chimborazo, and evenings naturally turn into an exchange of road stories around the fire. Outside, alpacas and wild vicuñas move through the grasslands while the mountain disappears into darkness.

Day 3

Chimborazo Mountain Lodge – Colta – Sangay National Park – Macas

The day begins high on the slopes of Chimborazo, where the morning air is cold enough to bite through riding gloves and the mountain often disappears behind fast-moving clouds. After a hot breakfast beside the lodge fireplace, you'll load the motorcycle and follow your programmed route down through the vast volcanic grasslands. Wild vicuñas, grazing sheep, and isolated farmhouses break up the open landscape as the pavement runs downhill through long curves and wide views.

The transition away from Chimborazo is gradual but unmistakable. Stark páramo gives way to green pastures divided into irregular fields, each one cut by cold streams carrying water from the high Andes. Farmers work steep hillsides where machinery is often useless, and herds occasionally spill across the road, forcing you to slow down and fall into the unhurried rhythm of rural Ecuador.

Near Colta Lake, roadside stalls begin appearing with baskets woven from local totora reeds and one of Ecuador's oldest highland foods roasting over open flames: cuy, or guinea pig. It is a traditional meal throughout the Andes, often served for celebrations and family gatherings. Your route information points out the worthwhile stops in this area, giving you the opportunity to try it here or simply stop for a look at this very different side of highland Ecuador.

Nearby stands Balbanera Church, the oldest Catholic church in the country. Built in 1534, shortly after the Spanish entered the region, its weathered stone façade carries nearly five centuries of history. The church was constructed near an important Indigenous settlement and reflects the complicated meeting of Spanish Catholicism and the beliefs of the Puruhá people who already considered this landscape sacred. Its carved stone figures, heavy wooden doors, and modest scale make it far more compelling than its size might suggest.

Beyond Colta, the programmed route begins climbing again toward one of the most remarkable riding sections in Ecuador. The pavement threads between glacial lakes, steep rock walls, and high grasslands before reaching the remote Laguna Atillo region. These dark mountain lakes sit beneath jagged peaks where clouds move quickly and visibility can change by the minute. The road has little traffic, an endless sequence of bends, and the kind of scenery that makes it difficult to decide whether to keep riding or stop for another photograph.

The route then enters Sangay National Park, one of Ecuador's wildest protected regions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The road cuts across an extraordinary range of environments, beginning in cold high-altitude grassland before plunging into wet cloudforest. Waterfalls pour from black cliffs, mist hangs above the pavement, and dense vegetation presses closer with every kilometer. On clear days, viewpoints along the route can reveal Sangay Volcano, one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes, rising above the eastern Andes.

This is the road that defines the Andes Twist. It loses thousands of feet of elevation in a relatively short distance, following smooth pavement through tight bends, tunnels of vegetation, open lake country, and steep river valleys. The temperature rises steadily as you descend, visors fog less, layers begin coming off, and the smell of damp soil and jungle replaces the dry scent of the páramo. Few motorcycle roads deliver such a complete change of climate, altitude, and scenery in a single afternoon.

Your daily route sheet gives you the information you need for the important stops along the way while helping you keep track of the day's progress. There is plenty of time built into today's route to enjoy Laguna Atillo, the waterfalls, viewpoints, and other highlights, but you are responsible for managing your time and reaching Macas before evening. With the route already programmed into your GPS, you can concentrate on the riding and the remarkable transition unfolding around you.

By the time the road reaches the Amazon foothills, the transformation is complete. The air is warm and heavy, broad-leafed plants crowd the roadside, and rivers rush toward the lowlands. The final stretch into Macas follows the edge of the powerful Upano River, with green mountains rising sharply on the opposite bank.

The day ends at Arrayán y Piedra Lodge, where private stone cabins are arranged around a large swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens. After beginning the morning in the cold heights beneath Chimborazo, the pool and warm Amazon air make the change in climate especially satisfying. The lodge also has a welcoming bar area and an excellent restaurant overlooking the Upano River, with a cheerful staff who know how to make the evening fun. It is a comfortable place to settle in, have a good dinner, and enjoy your first night in Ecuador's Amazon region.

Day 4

Macas – Hola Vida Waterfall – Mirador Indichuris – Puyo – Puerto Misahuallí

The ride leaves Macas with the Andes rising like a wall to the west and the Amazon opening ahead. The road is smooth, warm, and fast-flowing, built from long sweepers threading through dense green valleys. Broad-leafed plants crowd the roadside, mist hangs above distant ridges, and the air carries the smell of damp earth, river water, and tropical vegetation. After the cold, exposed roads of Chimborazo and Sangay, this feels like an entirely different country.

Rivers define this part of the ride. The route crosses one after another, each rushing down from the eastern Andes toward the Amazon Basin. Some run clear and fast through narrow channels; others spread wide beneath steel bridges, carrying the force of the mountains with them. These waterways attract rafters and kayakers from around the world, but from the saddle they also shape the rhythm of the road—climb, curve, bridge, river, repeat.

One of the day's defining experiences begins when you park the motorcycle and trade riding gear for walking shoes. Your route information points you toward the trailhead for Hola Vida Waterfall, where a short hike leads into the Amazon jungle. The trail crosses suspension bridges and passes beneath a dense canopy alive with the sounds of birds, insects, and running water.

The smells of wet leaves, rich soil, and tropical flowers hang in the warm air as the path works its way farther from the road. After roughly fifteen minutes, the forest opens around a tall waterfall dropping into a near-perfect jungle pool. The water is clear and refreshing after a warm morning on the bike. A swim beneath the canopy resets the body for the miles ahead, and the sound of the waterfall drowns out everything beyond the jungle.

From Hola Vida, the route continues to Mirador Indichuris, a hilltop lookout with an uninterrupted view across the Amazon Basin. A short walk brings you to the edge, where the forest spreads toward the horizon in every shade of green. Rivers cut pale lines through the canopy, clouds gather over the distant foothills, and the true scale of the Amazon becomes visible for the first time.

Indichuris is also a place where Kichwa culture and the landscape remain closely connected. Local families maintain the site and share the hilltop with visitors, while monkeys and tropical birds move through the surrounding forest. The lookout is far more than a photo stop; it gives the day a sense of scale and makes clear just how far you have descended from the high Andes.

Back on the motorcycle, the route turns north toward Puyo. The pavement continues in a broad, flowing rhythm through rolling jungle country, with enough bends to keep the ride engaging without demanding constant concentration. Puyo is the commercial heart of this part of the Amazon, busy with markets, cafés, river walks, and traffic moving between remote communities and the Andes. It is a convenient place to stop for fuel, lunch, or a short break before continuing deeper into the lowlands.

The final section follows the foothills north before turning toward the Napo River, one of the great tributaries of the Amazon. The road becomes quieter as it approaches Puerto Misahuallí, where jungle, river, and small-town life come together. The warm air settles in, the vegetation grows denser, and the day closes far from the cold mountain roads of Chimborazo.

Tonight's stay is at El Jardín Misahuallí Lodge, set near the banks of the Napo River and surrounded by tropical gardens. The private cabins blend into the forest and include shaded verandas, comfortable interiors, and private plunge pools or jacuzzis. After a day of warm roads, suspension bridges, jungle trails, and sweeping views, slipping into the water outside your cabin feels like the right way to end the day.

Dinner combines Ecuadorian and Amazonian ingredients, while the sounds of frogs, cicadas, birds, and the river replace the traffic and wind of the road. The lodge offers a rare balance of deep jungle atmosphere and comfort. By nightfall, the Andes are far behind and the Amazon has completely taken over.

Day 5

Puerto Misahuallí – Jumandi – Paccari Chocolate Experience – Baeza – Papallacta

Before the motorcycles even leave the lodge, the day begins on the water. After breakfast, you'll meet a local Kichwa guide and board a motorized canoe for an excursion along the Napo River, one of the Amazon's great tributaries. Depending on river conditions, weather, and local circumstances, the morning may include a hike through rainforest, a visit to an Indigenous Kichwa community, a wildlife sanctuary, or a hidden waterfall where you can cool off beneath the jungle canopy. The exact adventure may change, but the idea remains the same: spend the morning experiencing the Amazon with someone who knows the river and forest firsthand.

Back in Puerto Misahuallí, the town's resident capuchin monkeys roam freely through the riverfront and surrounding trees, keeping a close eye on visitors and anything edible they may be carrying. The town sits where road and river travel meet, and the busy waterfront offers one last look at everyday Amazon life before you get back on the motorcycle and begin working your way toward the Andes.

The route takes you through Jumandi and the warm agricultural country around Tena, where cacao, plantains, yuca, tropical fruits, and other crops thrive in the humid climate. This is still very much the Amazon, with broad rivers, dense vegetation, small roadside communities, and the eastern wall of the Andes waiting in the distance.

One of the day's highlights is the Paccari Chocolate Experience. In a small Indigenous community, you'll see where some of Ecuador's finest chocolate actually begins. Community members explain how cacao is grown and harvested, then take you through the process of fermenting, drying, roasting, and grinding the beans.

This is a hands-on experience rather than a factory tour. You'll work with the cacao yourself and discover how much time, knowledge, and labor separates a fresh cacao pod from the chocolate most of us recognize. You'll also share a traditional lunch prepared with local Amazonian ingredients, making the stop as much about the people and food of the region as the chocolate itself.

Then comes one of Ecuador's great motorcycle roads. Leaving the tropical lowlands behind, the route turns west and begins climbing the eastern slopes of the Andes through an almost continuous sequence of curves. Dense rainforest gradually becomes cloudforest, waterfalls tumble down steep green cliffs, and the temperature begins dropping as quickly as the elevation rises.

The transformation happens remarkably fast. Warm tropical air gives way to mist and cool mountain temperatures, broad-leaf vegetation becomes moss-covered cloudforest, and the road keeps climbing through one beautifully linked corner after another. This is one of those stretches where Ecuador seems purpose-built for motorcycles.

By the time you reach Baeza, there's an important stop waiting for you at our friend Gina's. Gina served as Governor of Napo Province and seems to know absolutely everyone. Spend ten minutes in her café and you'll probably see half the town come through the door. Some are old friends. The others soon will be.

We always send our riders here because the next part of the day involves a serious climb back into the Andes. In roughly the next hour, you'll gain more than 8,000 feet (2,450 m) of elevation. Strong coffee is highly recommended. So is Gina's chocolate cake — thick, rich, and made with locally grown Amazonian cacao. After the morning's Paccari experience, it seems only appropriate to conduct a little additional cacao research before heading into the mountains.

Gina's café is also a gathering place for hardcore whitewater kayakers who travel from around the world to paddle the legendary rivers nearby. Adventure motorcyclists tend to get along with them immediately. They wear helmets, disappear into remote places, spend unreasonable amounts of money on specialized equipment, and regularly have to explain to friends and relatives why any of this seems like a good idea.

Leaving Baeza, the road begins the final climb toward Papallacta. Waterfalls tumble beside the highway, the air cools with every switchback, and the thick green vegetation gradually gives way to the open páramo of the high Andes. Within a remarkably short distance, you've ridden from the Amazon Basin through rainforest and cloudforest and back into cold mountain country.

The day's destination is Termas de Papallacta, one of South America's great mountain hot-spring resorts. Set above 10,000 feet in a valley surrounded by cloud-covered peaks, the resort's thermal pools are fed by naturally heated volcanic water rising from deep beneath the Andes.

After starting the morning in a canoe on the Napo River and finishing the afternoon high in the mountains, sinking into the steaming pools is difficult to beat. Cool mountain air settles over the valley while hot water works on muscles that have spent the afternoon carving through the eastern Andes. Dinner, a comfortable room, and another soak give the day exactly the ending it deserves.

Day 6

Papallacta – El Quinche – Guachalá – Cayambe – Ibarra – Aloburo

The morning begins slowly in Papallacta, with steam rising from the thermal pools and cool mountain air drifting down from the surrounding peaks. A final soak before breakfast loosens the muscles and gives the day an unusually civilized start. Once the motorcycle is loaded, however, the road wastes no time reminding you that this is still the Andes Twist.

The climb toward Papallacta Pass begins almost immediately. The pavement rises through open páramo toward the Continental Divide, topping out at roughly 13,500 feet. Cloud banks move quickly across the road, the air becomes sharply colder, and the landscape opens into broad valleys carved by glaciers and mountain rivers. From the summit, the road begins a long, flowing descent, trading exposed highland curves for greener valleys and warmer air with every mile.

The first major stop is the Basilica of El Quinche, one of Ecuador's most important pilgrimage sites. Every November, thousands of people walk here through the night to ask the Virgin of El Quinche for healing, protection, or a miracle in their lives. Inside and around the basilica, plaques testify to prayers that believers say were answered.

El Quinche is also closely tied to travel. Ecuadorians regularly bring cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles here to be blessed before a major journey or after buying a new vehicle. You can take part in the same tradition, asking for safe passage before continuing north through the Andes. Whether approached through faith, curiosity, or respect for local custom, it is a powerful place to pause in the middle of a motorcycle journey.

Back on the road, the route joins a fast, sweeping stretch of the Pan-American Highway. The pavement runs through fertile farmland with long views toward the surrounding volcanoes before reaching Hacienda Guachalá, established in 1580 it is Ecuador's oldest hacienda. Its thick walls, stone courtyards, and weathered buildings carry more than four centuries of history.

Once a major sheep farm and textile operation supplying cloth to the Spanish Empire, the hacienda still preserves tools, furnishings, and architectural details from its long working life. It is an excellent place to stop for lunch and spend some time wandering through one of Ecuador's most historic properties before continuing north.

A few miles farther north, the ride reaches the Quitsato Sundial, positioned directly on the Equator. The enormous circular monument demonstrates how Andean civilizations understood the movements of the sun, seasons, and stars long before modern instruments or satellite navigation. Standing on the line with one boot in each hemisphere is a lighthearted moment, but the astronomical knowledge represented here is far more serious.

Beyond Quitsato, Cayambe Volcano rises above the valley. It is the only place on Earth where the Equator crosses permanent snow and ice, a geographical fact that seems almost impossible when viewed from the warmer farmland below. The town of Cayambe is also known for bizcochos, crisp, buttery biscuits traditionally served warm with fresh cheese and coffee. Watching them come from the ovens and tasting them at the source makes for one of the day's simplest and most satisfying stops.

The route then continues through a broad agricultural valley known for dairy farms, embroidery, and handworked textiles. Fields spread across the lower slopes while the road moves between small villages and open countryside. The riding is less technical here than the mountain passes earlier in the day, but the views remain wide and the volcanic skyline never disappears for long.

By afternoon, the ride reaches Ibarra, known as Ecuador's White City for its bright colonial buildings. Cobblestone streets, plazas, and low white façades give the city a distinct character beneath the surrounding mountains. This is also the place to try helado de paila, fruit ice cream traditionally churned by hand in a copper basin set over ice. Cold, sharp, and intensely flavored with local fruit, it is particularly welcome after a warm ride through the valley.

The final stretch leaves Ibarra behind and climbs into the dry, rugged mountains toward Aloburo. The landscape changes again as the green agricultural valley gives way to steep, arid slopes and dramatic views across northern Ecuador. The last approach is part of the adventure, leaving the main road for the cobblestone route to Hacienda Piman, hidden high above the valley floor.

Hacienda Piman combines the seclusion of a mountain retreat with warm, traditional hospitality. Its rooms, terraces, and dining spaces look across the dry northern landscape, while the evening silence settles beneath a sky largely free of city lights. After crossing the Continental Divide, visiting the Equator, riding beneath Cayambe, and moving through centuries of Ecuadorian history, it is an appropriately peaceful place to end the day.

Motorcyclist's Note

Day 6 crosses two of Ecuador's defining geographical lines. The ride begins by crossing the Continental Divide at Papallacta Pass, then reaches the Equator at Quitsato. Between them are fast mountain pavement, volcanic views, historic haciendas, and one of Ecuador's most meaningful traditions: having your motorcycle blessed at El Quinche before continuing the journey.

Day 7

Aloburo – Salinas – Cotacachi – Otavalo – Mitad del Mundo – Quito

The final day begins with the rough cobblestone road leading away from Hacienda Piman and a last look across the dry northern valley. Morning light catches the pale hillsides while warm air rises from below, giving this part of Ecuador a climate that feels closer to Southern California than the high Andes. Once the cobblestones end, the route settles into smooth, open pavement and you begin the final ride south toward Quito.

The road winds through a landscape of dry hills, irrigated farmland, and deep ravines before reaching Salinas. This region has a distinct rhythm, shaped by agriculture, small communities, and the rail line that once connected the northern valleys with the rest of the country. The riding is fast and fluid here, with long sightlines and broad bends that make it easy to settle into the road.

One of the stops we've built into the route is a hacienda-gallery showcasing the work of local artist Camilo Andrade. His paintings draw heavily from the landscapes, people, animals, and mythology of northern Ecuador. After spending a week riding through these valleys, many of the scenes are immediately recognizable—volcanoes, farms, villages, and mountain light translated into vivid color.

From Salinas, the route threads through backroads lined with vegetable fields, rose farms, dairy pastures, and small towns before reaching Cotacachi. The town is widely known for leather, but one of the most interesting places to see is far removed from the polished shops on the main street. Inside a working tannery, hides are stacked with salt, workers scrape away fat and fur by hand, and the heavy smell of leather fills the air. The methods are old and physical, giving you a raw look at the process that comes long before a finished jacket, bag, or pair of boots.

A short ride brings you into Otavalo, home to the famous Plaza de los Ponchos. The market spreads through the center of town in a dense mix of woven blankets, scarves, embroidered clothing, hats, jewelry, and carved goods. Otavaleño families have traded here for centuries, and although visitors now come from around the world, the market remains deeply connected to the textile traditions and commercial skill of the local Indigenous community.

South of Otavalo, the Pan-American Highway begins one of the day's most scenic stretches. Lake San Pablo lies beneath Imbabura Volcano, its blue water framed by farmland and steep volcanic slopes. The route eventually drops toward the drier country around Jerusalem, where green fields abruptly give way to cactus, dusty hills, and sunbaked rock. In less than an hour, the climate shifts again—a final reminder of how quickly Ecuador changes around the motorcycle.

The road narrows as it approaches the Guayllabamba River canyon. Tight switchbacks climb from the canyon floor, each corner gaining elevation and opening wider views across the valley. This is one last serious piece of mountain riding before Quito: steep, technical enough to stay interesting, and especially satisfying after a week spent finding your rhythm with the motorcycle.

Near the capital, the route brings you to the Intiñan Solar Museum at Mitad del Mundo. Exhibits explore Indigenous understandings of the Equator, astronomy, solar movement, and Ecuador's position at the center of the world. Standing with one boot on either side of the Equator makes for a fitting final stop after a week spent crossing Ecuador's mountains, climates, and geographic boundaries.

From Mitad del Mundo, the programmed route leads you through the final stretch back into Quito and Ecuador Freedom's La Carolina headquarters. After seven days of high passes, cloudforest, Amazon roads, volcanic plateaus, fast sweepers, cobblestones, and canyon switchbacks, rolling back into the city is a satisfying moment. The motorcycle that was unfamiliar on the first morning has become an old friend, and roads that were lines on a map now have waterfalls, villages, meals, people, and stories attached to them.

We'll be waiting for you when you return to the shop. Hand over the motorcycle, drop the riding gear, grab a cold drink, and settle into the Freedom Riders' Lounge. If you're leaving Quito that evening, you're welcome to relax here until it's time to go, take a hot shower, soak in the jacuzzi, reorganize your luggage, and get ready for the next part of your trip. If you're staying in Ecuador, our staff can help point you toward your hotel or whatever destination comes next. After seven days of navigating your way across the Andes and Amazon and back again, the lounge gives you a comfortable place to come off the road before moving on.

The Andes Twist finishes the way it began: with the motorcycle at the center of the experience and Ecuador providing far more variety than seems reasonable for a country this compact. You have crossed the Continental Divide, ridden above 14,000 feet, dropped into the Amazon Basin, soaked in volcanic hot springs, crossed the Equator, followed jungle rivers, climbed canyon roads, and found places along the way that most visitors to Ecuador will never see.

This self-guided motorcycle tour begins at our offices in Quito’s upscale and secure La Carolina neighborhood. Before departure, one of our staff members who knows the route firsthand will sit down with you for a detailed pre-ride briefing. We’ll walk you through the entire seven-day tour, day by day, explaining the roads you’ll be riding, places worth stopping, recommended starting times, fuel availability, local conditions, and practical considerations that will help you get the most from each day.

You’ll also receive your Road Book, which contains practical information for traveling independently in Ecuador along with a separate, highly detailed daily route sheet for each day of the tour. The route sheets contain the kind of information that a line on a map cannot provide: worthwhile stops, local attractions, cultural highlights, useful road information, suggested places to eat, and details we have learned from years of riding these routes ourselves.

Your motorcycle is equipped with a GPS programmed specifically for this tour using the information we have gathered and refined over years of riding the Andes Twist on our guided tours. During your briefing, we’ll show you how to operate the GPS, explain how the programmed routes work, and show you how to interpret the projected arrival time displayed by the unit. Combined with the recommended starting times discussed during your briefing, this gives you an easy way to judge your progress during the day and enjoy the planned stops while still reaching your destination at a comfortable hour.

You’ll also be provided with a local phone so Ecuador Freedom is only a phone call away if you have a question or need assistance along the route. We’ll review what to do in the event of an emergency and make sure you know how to reach us before you leave. Riders traveling alone can also configure the GPS incident-detection feature so that we can be alerted to a possible accident.

On the morning of departure, you’ll receive the adventure-ready motorcycle of your choice, equipped with a waterproof luggage system, an optional tank bag, tools, and everything needed for the journey. Once the motorcycle is fitted, the Road Book is packed, the GPS is ready, and your briefing is complete, you’ll head out on your own and begin experiencing a route we have spent years exploring, riding, testing, and refining.

The Andes Twist follows some of Ecuador’s finest paved backroads, linking outstanding motorcycle riding with places we think are worth getting off the bike to experience. Your Road Book and daily route sheets help you find historic haciendas, markets, artisan workshops, viewpoints, hot springs, waterfalls, cultural sites, and other experiences we have built into the journey. The days are deliberately manageable, giving you enough time to enjoy the route without turning the trip into a mileage contest. You are responsible for navigating the route and reaching each night’s destination, but much of the planning and local research has already been done for you.

On the Andes Twist, breakfast and dinner are included every day. Lunch is not included, giving you flexibility during the riding day, but we provide recommendations for some of our favorite lunch stops along the route. These are places we have discovered and returned to while operating our guided tours, so even where the choice is yours, you benefit from years of firsthand experience. Other included activities and services are detailed in the What’s Included section of this page.

Participants are also encouraged to take part in our Ride for a Purpose program, developed in partnership with Pack for a Purpose. Riders may bring school supplies, sports equipment, art materials, and other requested items that are delivered directly to children in remote rural schools. It’s a meaningful way to make a contribution to the communities you’ll be riding through. Before you travel, we encourage you to review the program page for the current list of requested supplies.

The route follows winding paved backroads selected to avoid heavy traffic whenever possible. Along the way, you’ll have opportunities for photographs, visits to small villages, local markets, artisan workshops, and encounters with people living well beyond Ecuador’s usual tourist routes. The self-guided format gives you the independence of traveling on your own motorcycle while the Road Book, programmed GPS, prearranged accommodations, and local support remove much of the guesswork that normally comes with planning this kind of journey yourself.

The itinerary on this page is a general outline of the planned journey. Weather, road conditions, closures, local events, your riding ability, and other circumstances can occasionally require changes. Ecuador Freedom is available throughout the trip if something unexpected comes up or you need local advice along the way.

When you return to Quito, you’ll have access to our Freedom Riders’ Lounge™, including our honor bar, jacuzzi, hot shower, and luggage storage. If you’re leaving Quito that evening, you’re welcome to shower, change, reorganize your luggage, and relax at the lounge until it’s time to go. If your travels continue elsewhere in Ecuador, our staff can help you make the transition to your hotel, the airport, or whatever destination comes next.

Weather and Temperatures

Ecuador’s weather patterns remain remarkably consistent throughout the year because of its equatorial location. Passing showers are common in the highlands, although an entire day of rain is unusual. Longer periods of rain are more likely on the western slopes of the Andes during March, April, and early May, and on the eastern slopes and in the Amazon Basin during June and July.

During this tour, elevations range from approximately 1,400 feet in the Amazon Basin to over 14,500 feet in the high Andes, where temperatures can approach freezing. Dressing in layers is strongly recommended. Our detailed Weather in Ecuador Guide explains seasonal weather patterns, regional climates, and what to expect throughout the ride.

Accommodations

Throughout the tour, you’ll stay in carefully selected boutique hotels, colonial haciendas, mountain lodges, rainforest retreats, and family-owned inns that are comfortable, welcoming to motorcyclists, and connected to the places you’re riding through. We choose accommodations that add something to the journey rather than generic chain hotels. Your accommodations are reserved in advance, so at the end of each riding day you already know where you’re going and a room is waiting for you. Should availability require it, Ecuador Freedom reserves the right to substitute accommodations of comparable quality and will notify you in advance whenever possible.

Packing List and Preparation

Before your trip, Ecuador Freedom will provide detailed preparation information to help you get ready for your adventure. We also recommend reviewing our comprehensive Motorcycle Tour Packing Guide, which covers recommended riding gear, clothing, electronics, luggage, travel documents, and other useful items for Ecuador’s wide range of climates and elevations.

• Unlimited-mileage motorcycle rental for the full Andes Twist route
• Saddlebags or hard luggage system
• Comprehensive pre-ride briefing covering the entire tour day by day, including recommended starting times, fuel stops, important stops and attractions, local riding conditions, GPS operation, and how to interpret the projected arrival time displayed by the GPS
• Ecuador Freedom Road Book with practical information for traveling independently in Ecuador
• Detailed daily route sheet for every riding day, with information gathered and refined through years of riding these routes ourselves
• Programmed GPS with the complete Andes Twist route based on years of experience operating our guided tours
• Local cell phone for contacting Ecuador Freedom during the tour
• Daily monitoring and tracking while you are riding for added safety and support
• Ecuador Freedom assistance throughout the tour if you have a problem, question, or need local advice along the way
• Pan-American Highway tolls with our electronic toll payment system
• Single-occupancy accommodations in the hotels, haciendas, lodges, and inns described on this page
• Breakfast every day
• Dinner every day
• Lunch during the Paccari Chocolate Experience
• Suggestions for some of our favorite lunch stops on the other riding days
• Paccari Chocolate Experience
• Amazon Basin excursion with a native guide
• Rose plantation tour
• Pre-tour preparation information and packing guidance
• Luggage storage and locker usage while riding
• Souvenir Ecuador Freedom T-shirt
• Souvenir tour decal
• VIP access to the Freedom Riders' Lounge™ with hot shower, jacuzzi, luggage storage, and honor bar
• 20% discount on high-quality riding gear from Klim

• 100% refundable security deposit to cover any damage to the rental motorcycle
• Airfare to and from Ecuador
• Airport transfers before or after the tour
• Hotel accommodations in Quito before and after the tour
• Fuel
• Lunches, except for the lunch included with the Paccari Chocolate Experience
• Alcoholic beverages
• Trip cancellation, medical, and emergency evacuation insurance
• Gratuities for Ecuador Freedom staff
• Gratuities for hotel, restaurant, and activity staff
• There are no taxes when you purchase a tour package in Ecuador (non-residents only)

Want to spend more time exploring Ecuador? You can extend the Andes Twist with any of the options below. Each extension has a fixed add-on price that includes the additional motorcycle rental days along with the accommodations, meals, activities, and other items indicated in the individual extension description.

The extension price is the same regardless of which motorcycle you choose, which can make these additions especially attractive if you are riding one of our higher-priced motorcycles.

You do not need to decide on an extension before you begin the booking process. During online booking, you can review the available extensions, select the ones you want to add, and see your updated total price before completing your reservation.

Book your self-guided Andes Twist online in just a few steps.

You can book this tour solo or with a group of friends, and self-guided departures are available throughout the year except on dates when we already have a Guided Andes Twist departure scheduled.

Our reservation system provides up-to-date availability and pricing. Simply enter your preferred dates, select your motorcycle, and choose any tour extensions you would like to add. The system will calculate the exact price of your tour based on your selections.

You can also extend your trip with any of the tour extensions listed below. Add them during the booking process and the reservation system will automatically include them in your itinerary and calculate the updated tour price.

If more than one passenger will be traveling in a 4x4 support vehicle, please contact us so we can arrange the appropriate room-sharing configuration and provide accurate pricing.

We can also customize the Andes Twist if you would like to modify the itinerary, add extra days, combine it with other destinations, or create a more personalized version of the tour. Contact us and we can discuss the possibilities with you.

Our booking system asks for an identification number as part of the reservation process. You may use your passport number, driver’s license number, national ID number, or another government-issued identification number.

If you prefer not to enter that information online, or if you have any difficulty completing the payment, just contact us. We can take your credit card information over the phone and process the payment for you.

You may also select the “Request PayPal Invoice” option at checkout. We will send you a PayPal invoice that can be paid with any major credit card. No PayPal account is required.

If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, we can provide our banking instructions upon request.

If you have any questions, need help configuring a booking for several riders or passengers, or would like to discuss a customized version of the tour, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click the chat button below.