OFFROAD Pacific Discovery Guided Motorcycle Tour

The OFFROAD Pacific Discovery Tour is a seven-day guided ride through remote parts of Ecuador’s Pacific region, using a mix of rural dirt roads, farm tracks, river crossings, forest routes, and coastal sections. The riding can be demanding in places, so it is best suited to riders who already have some off-road experience and are comfortable adapting to changing surfaces and weather.

The route passes through protected forests, wildlife areas, tropical farmland, small fishing villages, and quiet stretches of coast that receive few international visitors. One of the highlights is a ride along the beach, along with stops at waterfalls, local farms, and communities where daily life is still closely tied to agriculture, fishing, and the sea.

Guides share the route through people and places they have come to know over years of riding in the area. Along the way, riders meet farmers, fishermen, artisans, and local families, while off-bike visits include the Tulipe archaeological site, a palm-growing and processing operation, the Intiñan Solar Museum, and a surfing lesson.

Accommodations are selected for their comfort, character, and location along the route. The result is a full week of substantial off-road riding, coastal exploration, and direct contact with parts of Ecuador that are rarely included in conventional tours.

Day 1

Quito – Intiñan – Nono – Mindo

The adventure begins at Ecuador Freedom's headquarters in Quito with a thorough rider orientation covering Ecuadorian traffic customs, local riding etiquette, group procedures, and what to expect over the coming week. Day One is intentionally designed to introduce you to the variety of surfaces you'll encounter during the tour. Before lunch you'll ride pavement, cobblestones, dirt roads, and easy off-road tracks, giving everyone the opportunity to settle into both the motorcycle and Ecuador's unique rhythm.

Our first stop is the Intiñan Solar Museum, located directly on the Equator. Rather than simply standing on a painted line, you'll discover how the ancient peoples of the Andes understood the significance of this place centuries before modern surveying equipment existed. Interactive demonstrations, traditional homes, and exhibits about Ecuador's Indigenous cultures provide a fitting introduction to the regions and people you'll encounter throughout the week.

Leaving the Equator behind, we stop at the rim of the spectacular Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, one of the world's few inhabited volcanic calderas. Rich volcanic soils support farms scattered across the crater floor, while the surrounding ridges offer sweeping views before the route drops onto the western slopes of the Andes.

Here the character of the ride changes. Asphalt gives way to dirt as we head toward the tiny village of Nono and into the cloudforest. The roads become narrower, greener, and quieter as they wind through one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth. This protected forest is home to the Andean Spectacled Bear, countless orchid species, brilliantly colored frogs, and well over 500 species of birds.

One of our favorite stops is Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge. We shut off the motorcycles, sit quietly for a few minutes, and simply watch. Hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and dozens of other species gather around the feeders, often just a few feet away. It's a peaceful contrast to the riding and a reminder of just how alive these forests are.

The road continues downhill toward the laid-back town of Mindo, where the warm, humid air carries the scent of orchids, wet earth, and cacao. We stop at a small organic chocolate producer to learn how Ecuador's prized fine-flavor cacao is transformed from fresh pods into award-winning chocolate before continuing deeper into the valley.

Tonight we stay beside the Mindo River at the Mindo Garden Lodge, surrounded by lush cloudforest. The sound of the river replaces the sound of engines as the first day comes to a close, setting the tone for a week that blends challenging riding with remarkable landscapes and memorable encounters.

Did You Know?

• Pululahua is one of the few inhabited volcanic calderas in the world, with farms still operating inside its fertile crater.
• The Chocó cloudforest is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, home to thousands of plant species and hundreds of bird species found nowhere else.
• Ecuador produces some of the world's finest Arriba Nacional cacao, prized by premium chocolate makers for its complex floral and fruity flavors.

Day 2

Mindo – Tulipe – Pacto – Mashpi Reserve – Cielo Verde

After breakfast and fresh tropical fruit juice, the morning begins with a visit to Mindo’s butterfly sanctuary. Inside the warm, humid enclosure, butterflies move freely among flowers and tropical plants while chrysalises hang in different stages of development. Seeing the complete life cycle up close gives the day a quiet beginning before the motorcycles return to the backroads.

The next stop is a small coffee farm, where the process is followed from the growing plant to the finished cup. You will see how ripe cherries are selected, pulped, dried, roasted, and packed, while learning how elevation, shade, soil, and careful processing affect the quality of the bean. A freshly brewed second cup provides a useful start before the road leaves Mindo behind.

The ride then enters the Sacred Valley of Tulipe, once home to the Yumbo people. This sophisticated trading culture connected the Andes with the tropical lowlands through a network of trails, settlements, ceremonial sites, and sunken roads cut through the forest.

At the Tulipe archaeological site, large stone-lined pools form geometric and symbolic shapes, including one commonly interpreted as the outline of a jaguar. Their exact purpose remains uncertain, but archaeologists believe they were associated with ritual bathing, celestial observation, and ceremonies connected to water and the night sky.

When filled, the pools may have reflected the stars above, allowing Yumbo spiritual leaders to observe the heavens while standing within the water. The site offers a rare glimpse into a culture that once controlled important trade routes but left relatively few monumental remains behind.

From Tulipe, the route descends toward Pacto through mist-shrouded forest filled with giant anthuriums, mosses, ferns, and towering trees. A short hike leads to a waterfall and clear natural pool where the group can cool off before continuing deeper into the lowlands. Locally grown tropical fruit provides a simple and welcome refreshment after the walk.

The riding becomes more demanding as the route enters the forests around Mashpi. Natural dirt roads pass through humid vegetation, with mud, ruts, embedded rock, and slick sections depending on recent rain. These roads require attention and controlled momentum, so the group stops regularly to regroup and appreciate the forest without rushing through it.

This is one of the most immersive riding sections of the tour. Wild orchids grow beside the road, brightly colored birds move through the canopy, and waterfalls appear unexpectedly between the trees. The sense of isolation increases as the route travels farther from paved roads and populated areas.

One of the day’s defining moments is a water crossing directly above a waterfall. The crossing is approached carefully and managed according to the depth, flow, and surface conditions on the day. Water moves over the rock beneath the motorcycle while the forest drops away nearby, creating a memorable section that combines technical concentration with an extraordinary setting.

The crossing is not treated as a stunt. Your guide checks the conditions, explains the line, and helps riders pass through one at a time. It is the kind of experience that demands focus while it is happening and produces broad smiles once everyone is safely across.

Later, the group visits the remarkable exotic fruit farm and research center created by our friends Jim and Mimi. For decades, they have collected and cultivated more than 600 species of fruits, herbs, and spices from around the world on their remote forest property.

When they first settled here, reaching the nearest road required a six-hour walk through dense vegetation, and the property had no electricity. They built a rustic wooden home, grew much of their own food, and gradually transformed the land into a living collection of rare and unusual plants.

The visit is practical, informal, and unlike a conventional farm tour. Colorful fruit and bags of seeds are stacked throughout the open wooden buildings, ready for tasting, planting, or shipment. You will sample unfamiliar fruits, test your sense of smell by identifying herbs and spices, and see how ingenuity and self-reliance made it possible to build a life in such an isolated place.

The farm reflects exactly what this tour is designed to reveal: people who have created something extraordinary far from Ecuador’s main roads, in places most travelers would never find independently.

The day ends in the small village of Cielo Verde, at approximately 1,200 feet / 365 meters, where the warmer air and thick vegetation make the descent from Mindo feel complete.

Tonight’s accommodation is Cielo Verde Lodge, with comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, jacuzzis, and private access to a clear river beach. After the mud, forest tracks, waterfall crossing, archaeological site, and fruit-farm visit, the river and pool provide an ideal place to cool down before dinner.

The evening meal features regional ingredients and traditional local cooking, served in a setting where the sound of the forest and river remain close. It is a comfortable end to a day that combines archaeology, agriculture, challenging riding, swimming, and full immersion in one of Ecuador’s most biologically rich regions.

Did You Know?

The Yumbo people built an extensive network of trade routes linking the Andean highlands with the tropical lowlands. The ceremonial pools at Tulipe may have been used for ritual bathing, astronomical observation, and ceremonies in which the stars were reflected across the water.

The exotic fruit collection created by Jim and Mimi includes more than 600 species of fruits, herbs, and spices. Their farm developed in a location that once required a six-hour walk to reach the nearest road, making it an extraordinary example of long-term experimentation and self-sufficient living in the rainforest.

Day 3

Cielo Verde – Golondrina – Quinindé – Cumilinche Club

The day begins with one last chance to jump into the clear waters of the Huanduriaco River before breakfast and departure from Cielo Verde. The route heads deeper into Ecuador’s tropical lowlands, where warm air, dense vegetation, working farms, and lightly traveled roads replace the cooler cloudforest of the previous days.

The first major stop is the award-winning Mashpi Chocolate farm, created by Alejandro Solano and Agustina. Their cacao trees grow beneath the natural forest canopy, allowing the farm to produce exceptional chocolate while preserving habitat for the extraordinary wildlife of the region.

Alejandro is also one of the area’s most knowledgeable birders. He can often recognize a species from a distant call, locate it among the leaves, and have everyone looking in the right direction before the bird moves on. His knowledge gives the visit another dimension, connecting the cacao growing beneath the trees with the birds, plants, insects, and forest that surround it.

The farm cultivates Ecuador’s prized Nacional cacao, valued for its floral aroma and complex flavor. During the visit, 

You will see how ripe cacao pods are harvested, fermented, dried, roasted, and transformed into artisanal chocolate. The tasting makes it clear how much the forest shade, local soil, humidity, and careful processing influence the finished bar.

The route continues through tropical farmland and communities where agriculture remains the foundation of daily life. Fields of cacao, fruit, bananas, and palms spread across the lowlands, while small roadside settlements provide a close look at a part of Ecuador rarely included in conventional tours.

Much of the riding follows rural dirt roads used by farmers and local families rather than recreational trails. Conditions can include loose soil, embedded rock, ruts, mud, shallow water, and rough sections shaped by weather and agricultural traffic. The terrain requires concentration and good motorcycle control, but the route remains scenic and rewarding rather than relentlessly technical.

The roads wind through isolated farms, forest edges, and small communities where passing adventure motorcycles remain unusual. There is little traffic, and the pace allows time to notice the landscape, greet people along the way, and enjoy the sense of moving through a working countryside rather than a prepared tourist route.

At Quinindé, a busy agricultural town known for tropical fruit and produce markets, the route returns to pavement. The road toward the coast opens into broad sweepers through warm river valleys and low green hills, giving tired arms a chance to relax after the dirt sections.

This part of Esmeraldas Province has a strong cultural identity shaped by Afro-Ecuadorian, Indigenous, and coastal traditions. Music, food, conversation, and community life tend to be expressive and social, and riders are often greeted with curiosity and easy warmth as the group passes through.

The route skirts the larger coastal population centers before continuing toward a far quieter section of the Pacific. The air becomes salty, seabirds begin appearing above the road, and glimpses of blue water open between forested hills as the day approaches its destination.

The night is spent at Cumilinche Club, a private coastal conservation property established in the 1990s by our late friend Didier, from France, and his Ecuadorian wife, Consuelo. Together they protected this beautiful piece of coastline and placed only a handful of cabins across the property, allowing the forest, cliffs, beach, and wildlife to remain the defining features of the place.

The seven cabins are scattered among the trees rather than concentrated in a conventional hotel block, giving the property a quiet, private atmosphere. Lizards move through the gardens, birds fill the trees, and foxes are sometimes seen around the grounds. Down at the small private beach, brightly colored crabs climb from the sand and rocks as the tide changes.

When the water recedes, it is possible to walk beneath the cliffs and explore the exposed rock pools. Small fish, crabs, shells, sea urchins, and other marine life appear among the stones, offering a close look at the coastal ecosystem that is usually hidden beneath the Pacific.

We love Cumilinche Club because it feels unlike anywhere else on the coast. It is peaceful, personal, and rooted in the conservation work and hospitality of the family who created it. After a long day of dirt roads, tropical heat, and changing terrain, the cabins provide a comfortable place to slow down and listen to the ocean.

Dinner is another reason the stay is memorable. The kitchen combines French techniques with Esmeraldine cuisine, using fresh seafood, coconut, herbs, tropical ingredients, and local flavors in dishes that reflect both Didier’s French background and Consuelo’s Ecuadorian roots. It is a combination found nowhere else on the tour and a fitting conclusion to a day shaped by forest, farms, culture, and the Pacific coast.

Did You Know?

Nacional cacao is one of Ecuador’s most celebrated heritage varieties, prized for its floral aroma and nuanced flavor. Growing cacao beneath an existing forest canopy helps protect bird habitat and allows farmers to produce chocolate without clearing the surrounding ecosystem.

Cumilinche Club was established as private conservation land in the 1990s. Because so little of the property was developed, the cabins remain surrounded by coastal forest, wildlife, tidal rock pools, and a small beach that still feels largely untouched.

Day 4

Cumilinche Club – Galera – Pedernales – Canoa – San Clemente

The morning begins slowly at Cumilinche Club, with time to explore the caves, rock pools, and marine life exposed beneath the cliffs when the tide is low. After a breakfast that may include a fresh shrimp omelet, the motorcycles return to the road for one of the tour’s longest and most varied coastal days.

The route continues through the Galera–San Francisco Marine Reserve, one of the least developed stretches of Ecuador’s Pacific coast. Forested hills drop toward small coves, rocky headlands separate long beaches, and isolated communities remain connected by a mixture of pavement, dirt roads, and narrow local tracks.

The landscape often feels more like a vast tropical garden than a coastal highway. Flowering plants, palms, fruit trees, and dense vegetation crowd the roadside while glimpses of the Pacific appear between the hills. Traffic is light, horses remain common transportation, and the roads are used mainly by fishermen, farmers, and families traveling between small villages.

Surface conditions change repeatedly throughout the morning. Some sections are paved and flowing, while others include natural dirt, loose stone, ruts, mud, and short climbs shaped by weather and local traffic. The riding requires concentration and stamina, but the remote scenery and constant views of the ocean make the effort worthwhile.

By midday, the group reaches Pedernales, a lively and somewhat chaotic coastal city closely tied to Ecuador’s shrimp industry. Trucks, markets, motorcycles, seafood stands, and local commerce fill the streets, creating a sharp contrast with the quiet coastline crossed earlier in the day.

Lunch focuses on seafood landed or harvested nearby. Ecuador is one of the world’s major shrimp exporters, and Pedernales is an excellent place to taste it at its freshest. A bowl of shrimp ceviche, grilled prawns, garlic shrimp, or rice piled with seafood provides exactly the kind of substantial meal needed before the afternoon’s riding.

Leaving Pedernales, the route follows the coast toward Jama, passing broad beaches, fishing settlements, and raised causeways running between shrimp ponds. Herons and frigatebirds circle above the flat water while workers tend the ponds and fishing boats rest along the shore.

The road then turns inland through the rolling countryside of Manabí. Cattle farms, dry coastal forest, ceibo trees, and quiet dirt roads replace the shrimp ponds. These rural sections are lightly traveled and provide another look at the farming culture that supports the small communities scattered behind the coastline.

After passing through the fishing and surfing village of Canoa, the route crosses the estuary at Bahía de Caráquez and approaches the day’s defining section: an extended ride directly along the Pacific beach.

This is not a quick photograph or a short detour onto the sand. When tides and conditions permit, the route follows approximately 18 to 20 miles of coastline beneath the cliffs. The surface varies between firm wet sand, softer dry patches, scattered stones, and occasional rocky sections, requiring steady momentum, relaxed control, and careful attention to the line ahead.

The beach stretches into the distance with the Pacific on one side and cliffs rising on the other. Fishing birds circle above the surf, crabs scatter away from the motorcycles, and there are long sections where no buildings or vehicles are visible. Few places still allow such an extended coastal ride, making this one of the most distinctive experiences of the entire tour.

The guide monitors the tide and beach conditions carefully, adjusting the route when necessary. Riding on sand can be physically demanding, particularly after a long day, but the group moves at a sensible pace with time to stop, regroup, take photographs, and enjoy the unusual freedom of traveling along an otherwise empty shoreline.

The day ends in the beachtown of San Clemente at the Palmazul Hotel & Spa. After the heat, dirt roads, traffic in Pedernales, and long beach section, the spacious grounds, inviting pool, and comfortable rooms provide a welcome place to recover.

Dinner features the coastal cooking of Manabí, where seafood is combined with ingredients such as plantain, peanuts, yuca, coconut, lime, and local herbs. The meal closes one of the fullest days of the tour: protected coastline, remote villages, shrimp country, rural dirt roads, and a beach ride that few motorcyclists will ever have the opportunity to experience.

Did You Know?

The Galera–San Francisco Marine Reserve protects coastal forest, rocky reefs, beaches, and marine habitat along one of Ecuador’s least developed stretches of shoreline. Its relative isolation has helped preserve wildlife and small fishing communities that remain closely tied to the sea.

Beach riding depends heavily on the tide. Firm, recently exposed sand can provide excellent traction, while dry or deeply churned sections demand more momentum and careful control. The long coastal section on this day is timed and managed according to current conditions rather than treated as an ordinary road.

Day 5

Rest Day in San Clemente

After four full days of dirt roads, river valleys, tropical heat, remote coastline, and a long ride along the beach, today is yours to use as you please. San Clemente is an easy place to slow down, recover, and enjoy the Pacific without packing the day with obligations.

You can spend the morning beside the pool, walk the beach, book a massage, or settle into one of the nearby restaurants for a long seafood lunch. Beach bars and casual cafés make it easy to enjoy the coast at your own pace, with no schedule beyond whatever feels right.

Riders who still have energy can take the motorcycle out to explore the quiet backroads of Manabí Province. The surrounding countryside includes small farms, coastal hills, fishing communities, and lightly traveled rural roads that make a relaxed local ride possible without committing to another full touring day.

Another worthwhile option is a boat excursion to Isla Corazón, a heart-shaped mangrove island in the Chone River estuary between Bahía de Caráquez and San Vicente. The island is managed as a community ecotourism project, with local guides leading visitors through narrow mangrove channels and explaining the wildlife, plants, and importance of this fragile ecosystem.

Isla Corazón is especially known for its birdlife. Frigatebirds, herons, egrets, pelicans, and other coastal species gather in large numbers among the mangroves, while crabs, fish, and shellfish depend on the estuary’s sheltered waters. Visiting with a local guide helps support the surrounding community while contributing to the protection of the mangrove forest.

Whether you choose a boat trip, a short ride, or a completely lazy day beside the Pacific, this pause gives tired muscles time to recover before the tour turns inland again. Sometimes the best way to appreciate a place is to stop moving long enough to let it come to you.

Did You Know?

Isla Corazón is a community-managed conservation project created to restore and protect mangrove habitat in the Chone River estuary. Local residents serve as guides and caretakers, turning conservation into a source of income while protecting one of Manabí's most important bird habitats.

Mangroves act as natural nurseries for fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish. Their intricate root systems also protect the shoreline from erosion and provide shelter for an extraordinary variety of birds, reptiles, and marine life.

Day 6

San Clemente – Chone – Valle Hermoso

The morning begins with a final breath of Pacific air before the route turns inland for one of the tour’s longest and most demanding days. The beach disappears behind us, the landscape dries out, and the unmistakable shapes of ceibo trees begin rising above the hills and pastureland of Manabí.

Pronounced “SAY-bo,” these strange coastal giants look as though they were designed by Dr. Seuss after a rough night. Their thick, swollen trunks store water through the long dry season, while heavy branches twist outward in every direction. Some stand alone above cattle farms; others rise from the forest like enormous pale sentinels.

Ceibo trees also produce silky fibers known as kapok. Naturally buoyant and resistant to water, kapok was once used around the world in pillows, mattresses, seat cushions, dolls, life preservers, and flotation equipment before synthetic materials largely replaced it.

The ride reaches Chone, a noisy, energetic regional town with a fierce local identity and some of Manabí’s most satisfying roadside food. Vendors sell hot pan de yuca, a chewy bread made with cassava starch and cheese that makes an excellent snack before the serious dirt begins.

More adventurous riders may also try morcilla, a dark, rich sausage made with pork blood, rice, onions, herbs, and spices. It is usually grilled or fried and served with ripe plantain. The flavor is deeply savory, the portion is filling, and it comes straight from the rural cooking traditions of this part of Ecuador.

Once Chone falls behind, the pavement ends and the ride becomes distinctly more serious. Remote farm roads climb and descend through cattle country, fruit farms, dry forest, and isolated settlements. Expect natural dirt, loose stone, embedded rock, ruts, dust, mud, stream crossings, and traction that can change from one corner to the next.

These are not recreational trails prepared for visiting riders. They are working roads used by farmers, horses, cattle trucks, and local families, shaped by weather and repaired only when necessary. The challenge is part of what makes them rewarding. Good line selection, steady momentum, and relaxed control matter far more than speed.

There is almost no traffic, but the terrain keeps everyone busy. Riders concentrate through the rough sections, then stop where the views open across broad valleys and rolling farmland. Children wave from roadside homes, farmers pause to watch the group pass, and horses remain a normal part of daily transportation.

Lunch brings the group into the home of a local farming family for traditional chicken tonga. This is not a restaurant meal dressed up as folklore. Tonga belongs to the working countryside of Manabí and is still prepared for farmers, ranch hands, family gatherings, and long days spent far from a kitchen.

The meal combines rice, seasoned chicken, plantain, peanuts, and other regional ingredients, wrapped tightly in banana leaves and slowly steamed. The leaves protect the food, help retain its heat, and contribute a faint earthy aroma to everything inside. For generations, workers carried these bundles into the fields and opened them hours later when it was finally time to eat.

When the banana leaves are opened, warm steam rises from the rice and chicken, carrying the smell of herbs, peanuts, plantain, and slow-cooked meat. Sharing the meal with the family who prepared it gives the stop its meaning. There is time to talk, learn about the farm, practice some Spanish, and understand something about the people whose roads we have been riding all morning.

This is where the OFFROAD Pacific Discovery Tour earns the word “discovery.” The difficult roads are not there simply to make the day harder. They lead to families, farms, meals, and communities that would otherwise remain invisible from the paved highway.

Back on the motorcycles, the dirt route continues toward the calm waters of the Santa Teresa reservoir. A narrow floating bridge carries the bikes across, its surface shifting slightly beneath the tires as the water moves below.

The crossing requires balance, smooth throttle control, and a straight line. It looks dramatic from the shore and feels even more unusual from the saddle, but riders take it one at a time under the direction of the guides. Once across, there is usually a moment to stop, look back, and enjoy the satisfaction of having done it cleanly.

Herons and kingfishers move through the reeds while green hills reflect across the still reservoir. The setting feels completely removed from the busy coast left behind that morning, with no major road, city, or conventional tourist stop anywhere nearby.

The route then pushes farther inland through rolling hills and a constantly changing patchwork of farms. Rice fields, cattle pastures, banana plants, tropical fruit trees, and protected forest appear along the way as the motorcycles alternate between rough farm roads and brief stretches of curving pavement.

By late afternoon, the dry coastal landscape begins giving way to heavier vegetation. The air becomes more humid, the forest closes in, and the first slopes of the Andes begin rising ahead. After hours of dust, heat, dirt, crossings, and concentration, the change in climate feels immediate.

The day ends at the remarkable Kashama Hotel & Spa, hidden in the rainforest near the base of the Andes. The property is built directly around a waterfall, so the sound of rushing water follows guests through the gardens, common areas, and into the night.

Kashama offers comfortable rooms, lush grounds, excellent food, and a setting that feels far removed from the exposed coastal roads of the morning. The nearby region is also home to the Tsáchila people, whose culture, plant knowledge, and history remain an important part of this area.

After a full day of remote dirt roads, stream crossings, tonga with a farming family, the floating bridge, and the long transition from coastal dry forest to rainforest, the waterfall and comfortable surroundings provide exactly the kind of ending the day has earned.

Did You Know?

The swollen trunk of the ceibo tree stores water, allowing it to survive the long dry season along Ecuador’s coast. Its lightweight kapok fibers were once widely used in life jackets and other flotation equipment because they are naturally buoyant and resistant to water.

Tonga developed as practical field food for farmers and ranch workers in Manabí. Rice, meat, plantain, peanuts, and seasonings were wrapped in banana leaves so the meal could be carried into the countryside and remain protected until lunchtime.

Day 7

Valle Hermoso – Río Blanco – Chiriboga – Quito

The final day begins beside the waterfall at Kashama, with time for an early swim before breakfast and departure. The route immediately begins working its way into the foothills of the Andes, passing coffee plants, tropical fruit farms, dense vegetation, and small roadside communities.

The opening pavement is tight, fast-moving, and packed with curves. After the slower farm roads and technical sections of the previous day, the smooth surface provides a chance to settle into an enjoyable rhythm while gaining elevation through the green hills.

The road then drops toward the valley of the Río Blanco, a powerful river known among kayakers and whitewater rafters. Water rushes through the forest below while the route follows the contours of the valley toward Cascada La Sucia, a popular local swimming hole surrounded by simple food stalls and family-run restaurants.

The waterfall offers a final opportunity to cool off in the lowlands before the serious climbing begins. Depending on timing and conditions, the group can stop for a swim, a snack, or a strong cup of coffee while preparing for the long return to the high Andes.

From the Río Blanco valley, the pavement gives way to remote unpaved roads through one of Ecuador’s best-known birding regions. The route climbs steadily through cloudforest where hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and other tropical species move between the canopy and steep green slopes.

This is no gentle final roll back to the shop. The road gains thousands of feet through dirt, loose rock, damp corners, ruts, and changing traction. Waterfalls spill beside the track, clouds move across the hills, and the air becomes noticeably cooler and thinner with every mile.

The route passes through Chiriboga and other isolated cloudforest settlements scattered along the western slopes of the Andes. These communities are surrounded by steep farms and dense forest, linked by roads that can change considerably with rain, landslides, maintenance, and local traffic.

The riding demands concentration even after nearly a full week on the motorcycles. Riders must manage momentum through climbs, remain alert for washed-out sections, and adapt quickly as the surface moves between packed dirt, stone, mud, and occasional cobblestones. By this point, however, the group has developed the rhythm and confidence needed to handle the terrain together.

Regular stops provide time to catch a breath and look back across the valleys below. The humid lowlands gradually disappear beneath layers of forest and cloud as the route climbs toward elevations above 11,400 feet. In a matter of hours, tropical heat is replaced by cold Andean wind.

Near the final pass, the cloudforest begins to thin and the enormous Quito valley appears ahead. On a clear day, the city stretches across the high plateau with volcanic peaks rising beyond it. After days spent on remote coastal roads and isolated forest tracks, the scale of the capital comes as a surprise.

The descent into Quito follows the mountains above the city before entering its historic center. Colonial churches, plazas, tiled roofs, and narrow streets mark a dramatic return to urban life. Quito’s old town was among the first places designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 because of its remarkably preserved architecture and historic layout.

The guide leads the group safely through the city and back to Ecuador Freedom’s headquarters. Side stands come down after seven days of cloudforest, archaeological sites, waterfalls, mud, tropical farms, remote coastline, beach riding, floating bridges, local meals, and high mountain tracks.

The final day captures the character of the OFFROAD Pacific Discovery Tour particularly well. It asks riders to remain focused until the final miles, but rewards the effort with one last major climb, broad Andean views, and the satisfaction of riding back into Quito under their own power.

Did You Know?

The forests along the western slopes of the Andes are among Ecuador’s richest birding regions. Rapid changes in elevation create overlapping habitats, allowing highland and tropical species to live within a relatively small geographic area.

Chiriboga was once an important stopping point on routes connecting Quito with the Pacific lowlands. Today, its quiet mountain roads offer one of the most direct and dramatic ways to climb from tropical forest back onto the Andean plateau.

This guided motorcycle adventure begins at the Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental headquarters in Quito’s convenient La Carolina neighborhood, close to hotels, restaurants, parks, museums, shopping, and nightlife. We recommend arriving one or two days early so you can enjoy Quito, adjust to the altitude, and complete the necessary paperwork before departure. This allows Day One to begin smoothly, with your attention focused on the ride ahead. You can learn more about our facilities on the Our Shop page.

Orientation, Motorcycles & Support

On the morning of departure, your guide will provide a detailed pre-ride orientation covering Ecuadorian traffic laws, local driving customs, road courtesies, riding signals, group procedures, safety protocols, and what to expect from the terrain. Riding in Ecuador has its own rhythm, and this briefing is designed to help the group move predictably and confidently from the first mile.

You will receive the adventure motorcycle of your choice, equipped with a waterproof luggage system and an optional tank bag. For groups of more than five riders, a support truck will normally accompany the tour to carry luggage, bottled water, tools, and emergency supplies. The truck provides valuable logistical support but is not intended as a passenger vehicle for riders who simply decide to skip part of the route.

For smaller departures, a support truck may not be provided. In that case, riders carry their personal belongings in the saddlebags or luggage system supplied with the motorcycle. Secure storage is available at our Quito headquarters for luggage and other items you do not need during the tour.

The Route & Riding Experience

The OFFROAD Pacific Discovery route is the result of years spent exploring, testing, and repeatedly riding Ecuador’s western cloudforest and remote Pacific region. Your guide knows where surfaces change, where mud tends to collect, where water crossings may deepen, and where the best views, meals, and local encounters are found.

This is a substantial off-road tour rather than a paved journey with a few easy dirt sections added. Expect natural, unimproved farm roads, loose rock, ruts, mud, stream crossings, sand, steep climbs and descents, rough cobblestone, and changing traction. The beach ride also requires balance, momentum, and confidence in soft or uneven sand. Conditions vary considerably with recent rain, tides, road maintenance, and agricultural traffic.

Riders should arrive with previous off-road experience and be comfortable controlling a loaded adventure motorcycle while standing on the pegs. Some sections require stamina and sustained concentration, especially when heat, humidity, mud, or a long riding day are added to the terrain.

The goal is not to pressure riders into taking unnecessary risks. Your guide will assess conditions, explain difficult sections, help with line selection, and manage the group at a sensible pace. The challenge is real, but there is still time to stop, take photographs, swim beneath waterfalls, meet local families, and appreciate the places the dirt roads allow us to reach.

The people encountered along the way are an essential part of the experience. Your guide acts as a cultural bridge, introducing riders to farmers, fishermen, craftspeople, conservationists, and families living in areas rarely visited by international travelers. These relationships turn the route into far more than a collection of challenging roads.

After the Ride

When the tour returns to Quito, you will have access to our honor bar, jacuzzi, hot showers, and comfortable facilities. Our staff can also assist with transportation, hotel arrangements, airport logistics, or planning your next destination in Ecuador.

Weather & Temperatures

Ecuador’s general weather patterns remain fairly consistent throughout the year, but this route crosses several climates and a wide range of elevations. Temperatures may approach 90°F / 32°C in the tropical lowlands and along the coast, while the highest Andean sections can fall into the 40s°F / 4–9°C. Heat and humidity can make the lower off-road sections physically demanding, while rain can quickly alter traction and road conditions.

Passing showers are possible throughout the highlands and cloudforest. Longer periods of rain are more likely on the western slopes of the Andes during March, April, and early May. Dressing in layers is essential, and riders should bring waterproof outerwear, warm gloves, breathable riding gear, and quick-drying clothing. Please review our Weather in Ecuador guide before traveling.

Accommodations

Throughout the tour, you will stay in distinctive, carefully selected hotels, lodges, and inns chosen for their comfort, character, hospitality, and access to the route. These range from riverside cloudforest cabins and a private coastal conservation property to an oceanfront hotel and a rainforest lodge built around a waterfall.

The accommodations are part of the experience rather than simply places to sleep. Ecuador Freedom may substitute a property of comparable quality when necessary because of availability or operational conditions, and guests will be notified of any significant change.

Packing List & Preparation

Before departure, Ecuador Freedom will provide detailed preparation information, practical riding advice, and a recommended packing list. Please review our Packing Guide and arrive with riding equipment suitable for heat, rain, cold mountain air, mud, and changing conditions.

No knowledge of Spanish is required. Your guide speaks English and Spanish fluently and will assist with communication, logistics, and local interactions throughout the tour.

• Unlimited Mileage Motorcycle Rental 
• Knowledgeable, Experienced, Local Resident Guide
• Saddlebags or hard luggage system
• Luggage storage and locker use while riding
• Guaranteed departure policy (we go even if only one participant signs up - we do not cancel tours on you!)
• Support Vehicle (5+ motorcycles)
• Single occupancy (your own private room at no extra charge)
• All meals on riding days
• Tolls
• Fuel
• All activities and tours listed in the itinerary (and other surprise activities not listed)
• Pre-tour 20% discount on any high-quality riding gear from Klim
• Souvenir T-Shirt
• Souvenir Decal
• VIP access to the Freedom Riders' Lounge with a hot shower, gym, library, jacuzzi, and honor bar.

• 100% Refundable security deposit to cover any damage to the rental motorcycle
• Hotel accommodations before and after the tour in Quito
• Trip cancellation, medical, and emergency evacuation insurance
• Any activity not described in What's Included
• Meals not listed
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Gratuities

Click on a tour date above to begin the booking process.

Book your tour online in just a few steps.

To reserve your place, simply click the tour date you would like to ride. Our reservation system will guide you through the booking process, including your rider information, motorcycle selection, optional extras, and deposit payment.

Our booking system operates under Ecuadorian banking regulations, which require an identification number when making a reservation. You may enter your passport number, driver’s license number, national ID number, or another government-issued identification number. If you are uncomfortable entering that information online, you may enter any number in that field and we will collect your identification securely before finalizing your reservation.

If you prefer to pay by PayPal, you can request a PayPal invoice at checkout by clicking the “Request PayPal Invoice” button.

If you have any questions or need help with your reservation, 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.

If you would like to request a tour date that is not yet listed on our calendar, please let us know by clicking the button below.