Andes, Amazon & Pacific Guided Tour

Day 1

Quito - Mitad del Mundo - Mindo

You'll embark on this nine-day/eight-night motorcycle tour from our shop in Quito, Ecuador. UNESCO granted the city the title of World Heritage Site in 1978 because it has preserved its historical centre which is one of the best preserved in Latin America. It is located high up on the Altiplano Plateau at an altitude of over 9,350 feet. We recommend you arrive a few days early to get used to the high elevation and adjust before starting your 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 sampling the different types of roads we will be riding.   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 visit will enable you to understand better 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 amazing 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 so 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 Yumbo chocolate makers for a tour that entertains 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 Yumbo Chocolate, we will check into the carefully selected accommodations for the night - deep in the cloudforest setting at the charming Septimo Paraiso Cloudforest Reserve Lodge, a beautiful lodge deep in the rainforest with individually decorated rooms, a heated pool, a spring-fed pool, jacuzzi, and billiards room.  You'll fall into a deep sleep with the beautiful cacophony of the cloudforest.

Day 2

Mindo - Cascadas Verdes - Canoa

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 cloud forest and down into the tropical rainforest. From San Miguel de Los Bancos, we continue a long, gradual descent towards the Pacific coast. The temperature rises 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 biggest crop: palm oil. The palm groves that surround this city appear almost magical.

On the Pacific coast, Pedernales has been dubbed the Wild Wild West for its chaotic markets, plentiful restaurants, nightclubs, and fun-loving residents. The closest beach to Quito - this resort town is Ecuador's shrimp capital - 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 ever tasted in your life!

We ride south along the coastal road from Pedernales, passing wild but undeveloped beaches; past shrimping factories on either side. We'll pass through small towns like Jama, reminiscent of a simpler time when waves crashing against cliffs were all that mattered. 

Our day ends in the town of Canoa. This 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 Suites Hotel right on the beach, with a great atmosphere thanks to its friendly, helpful, and fun staff.

Day 3

"Rest Day" in Canoa

Break Day! Relaxation and sunshine! Canoa has one of the best beaches on the Ecuadorian coast and is a trendy place for surfing.  Other available activities include paragliding, whale watching, horseback riding, or fishing.

You can also take the bike out and explore the beautiful backcountry of Manabi Province.   Or take a boat expedition to explore the famous bird-watching mecca of El Corazon Island.  Corazon Island is a haven of mangroves, located between Bahia de Caraquez and San Vicente in the Chone River estuary in Manabi. Inside, there is a path through the mangroves where native guides interpret the mangrove's life and its rich biodiversity. It is a community ecotourism project that seeks to educate and preserve mangrove resources through its inhabitants and visitors' education.

Or, you can pull up a chair at some of the great hang-outs, beachside bars, and restaurants and enjoy a restful day away from the bike.

Day 4

Canoa - Tosagua - Quevedo

Enjoy a swim at the beautiful beach in Canoa and a filling breakfast. We'll enjoy some extra time at the beach this morning and head out on the road at lunchtime. Today's objective is to get to the base of the Andes so that tomorrow we can ride into the high elevations in the morning when we are fresh. We designed this tour (and all of our tours) with safety in mind, as riding into high elevations when tired can cause a lack of concentration and confusion.

This afternoon's ride will continue down the coastal road known as "Ruta del Sol."  After crossing the Bahia de Caraquez, we’ll begin to head away from the coast. We will climb on a cliff with fantastic views of Isla de Corazon below.

This part of the country is full of fishing birds of all types, and a natural forest kept intact by the locals, where hundreds of South American squirrels 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 and cattle. 

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 will pass through the tranquil countryside of Los Rios Province.  Here you will see the landscapes change as you enter the flood plains.   The farming changes here, and you will see plantations of bananas, teak, and chocolate - crops that require abundant water and sunlight.

We will spend the night at the Olimpico Hotel in the city of Quevedo, not far from the base of the Andes and a perfect place to start our day tomorrow.  Quevedo was the first Chinese settlement community in Ecuador, and many of the Chinese restaurants date back to the 1920’'s. We will swim and perform a high dive in their Olympic pool and then have a Chinese feast at the best Ecuadorian-Chinese restaurant in the world.  

Day 5

Quevedo- Quilotoa Crater Lake - Mulaló

On the first part of our ride, we'll be crossing expansive chocolate plantations and palm tree groves in the lower elevations.  We'll stop to visit a banana plantation to see how the bananas are cultivated and prepared for their journey, including those little stickers that go on the bananas.

The tremendous Andes mountains begin to tower above as we enter the foothills and climb in altitude, passing through - and then popping above-the clouds.  Again, you'll be treated to several spectacular waterfalls that line this road.

The air will begin to cool as you start a series of downshifts and hairpin turns to finish our climb from near sea level to over 13,400 feet.  The views are stunning along this climb, and we will stop on a few occasions to marvel at the scenery below, capture some great photos, and add additional layers of clothing. After crossing the scenic high-altitude village of Pilaló, we descend into Zumbahua, known for its Indigenous market in the center of town.

From Zumbahua, we are now on the famous "Quilotoa Loop" - famous for its incredible scenery and the astonishing Quilotoa Crater Lake.  We will stop at the lake to admire its odd blue-green color from the minerals left after a catastrophic volcanic eruption created it only about 800years ago.  The indigenous people are friendly here and wear their traditional dress.  They farm potatoes, sheep, llama, chickens, and dairy cows here.

Once past the lake, we will ride on newly paved roads that wind through several indigenous villages and past peaceful family farms. We'll need to watch out for crossing herds of sheep, cows, and llamas.  

 We'll pass through the town of Sigchos, an early Spanish settlement built upon an ancient indigenous trading post.  It is another series of switchbacks down into a lush valley. Then, up again and across a wide paramo where we will catch our first glimpses of the world's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi.  We will be riding towards Cotopaxi and through other towns dedicated to the art of growing roses. 

We will stop to visit a rose plantation that produces 30,000 roses a day for export around the world. We'll learn how the flowers are selected, harvested, and prepared for their flights to Europe, the Middle East, and North America.   

We will pull into the beautiful stone driveway of the Hacienda Hato Verde, a historic hacienda turned small boutique hotel.  We'll enjoy dinner here, stunning views of Cotopaxi, and the elegant decor of the hacienda.

Day 6

Chugchilan - Chimborazo Wildlife Refuge - Baños

You wake up in the crisp mountain air surrounded by a breathtaking view of the Cotopaxi volcano. You will have an excellent Ecuadorian country breakfast served up in the Hacienda. It will be a long day in the saddle, so eat well.  The early morning sun in this part of the country lights up the canyons and farmlands so beautifully.  You will see the snowcapped Illiniza and Cotopaxi volcanoes in the distance as you ride.

With fantastic scenery at all times, you turn onto the Avenue of Volcanoes.   This stretch of highway is where the peaks of the Andes are at their most dramatic. The road takes you between 13 different volcanoes.  Our lap around the Quilotoa loop continues with a visit to the indigenous market in Saquisilli. 

Taking backroads further around, we will come to the indigenous town of Pujili, also known for its colorful markets. Brocolli is the major crop in these fertile farmlands. We will turn onto an ancient cobblestone road that leads us up even higher, through the highlands where shepherds are kept busy with their flocks.

We ride through the city of Ambato, known for its flower growers and fruit growers.  It has several excellent restaurants for lunch. From Ambato, we follow along the Ambato River canyon.

 This is "canyon carving" at its most outstanding, and this road will twist and turn among cliffs and take us from about 8,000 feet in elevation to over 14,000 feet.   You'll see the "King of the Andes" - Chimborazo Volcano - as it comes into view.  Here we stop at the Kunuyacu Hot Springs - a place of relaxation for the hardworking Ecuadorian cowboys or gauchos that tend to their cows, horses, and sheep in this area.

Volcan Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and the highest landmass on Earth when you consider its proximity to the equator. (Yes, go ahead and google it!).   The Earth bulges at the Equator, meaning Chimborazo's peak is technically closest to the sun and furthest from the planet's core!

Our ride around Chimborazo will take you through the National Wildlife Refuge, where you'll be sure to see the rare wild vicuña. Vicuña are the llama and camel's lighter, faster, higher elevation cousin.   There are also condors, wild guinea pigs, and other wild animals. We 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 then cross through the colonial city of Riobamba and continue eastward, following the Chambo River and scenic valleys.  We'll climb and twist on a newly paved road that carves through the sides of the mountain and gives you spectacular views of the active Tungurahua Volcano.

We then arrive in the town of Baños - one of the best adventure capitals of the world.   We will be sure to soak away the day's ride in the volcanic baths. They are kept at varying temperatures.  The baths close daily to change the water, so getting there at the right time means a smaller crowd and cleaner water!  We make sure to get there at the right time.

Once we have soaked away the road's effects, we will sit down for a meal at one of the town's fantastic restaurants. Our carefully selected accommodations for tonight are at the beautifully decorated and charming  Posada del Arte. This 16-room inn is a combination art gallery/bed and breakfast. They and their staff will take good care of us for the next two nights.

Day 7

"Rest" Day in Banos

Today is another chance for some additional great adventures! Baños is one of the world's best centers for adventure and extreme sports. With so many inexpensive, experienced guides and tours available, we strongly encourage you to take full advantage of them to experience the incredible natural beauty that surrounds this town.

You can go for a day of rafting or kayaking on some world-class rapids, do some bungee jumps, go canyoning (rappelling down waterfalls), take a jungle tour, hike some magnificent trails, rent an ATV, ride down a volcano on a mountain bike or improve your rock-climbing skills.  Contact our friends at GeoTours for more information on these activities.  If none of those activities appeal to you, Baños has some great hangouts, restaurants and bars and exciting nightlife, too. This is the perfect spot for a rewarding rest day, no matter what you choose to do.

Day 8

Baños - Paillon del Diablo - Puerto Misahuallí

Take another steamy volcanic bath and enjoy a full breakfast at the comfortable Posada del Arte hotel before we head back on the road.   We will head you eastward and downwards on what is known as the "Route of the Waterfalls" through the eastern slopes, which will eventually descend into the Amazon River Basin.

On the way down the Eastern Slopes, we will have several opportunities for exhilarating zip lines across the Pastaza River Gorge.  You can also try one of the "swing jumps," which is like a bungee jump but with a normal rope.  The idea is to jump out off a high bridge and then fall while swinging under the bridge.   It will give you a great surge of adrenaline!

In the town of Rio Verde, we stop to view the tremendous "Pailon del Diablo" or "Cauldron of the Devil" waterfalls.  The falls crash about 250 feet into a hole that has been bored into the rock over centuries.  To get the best view of the falls, we will take a small hike and cross over a suspension bridge, which leads to steps that will bring us down into the "cauldron."  The falls draw photographers from around the world, and they will amaze you.

Again,  you will see the vegetation and cultures change dramatically on today's ride.  The air will become warm as you arrive in Puyo - and you are now officially in the Amazonia region.   We will be riding north, and with a great view of the Sierra to our left as we ride the comfortable, newly paved road with rolling hills and plenty of sweeping curves to keep it fun.

We take a right, turning onto a road that follows the Napo River, and go deeper into the Amazon jungle.  The Napo River is the fifth largest tributary to the Amazon River.

We arrive at the El Jardin Misahualli Lodge (an Ecuador Freedom exclusive), and you will check into your private cabin for the night.  Each cabin is built in harmony with the surrounding rainforest.  All cabins are equipped with a private plunge pool, a private veranda with reclining chairs to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of Ecuador's Amazon.  You can swim the sandy banks of the Napo and get in rhythm with life on the river.

We'll enjoy a gourmet dinner at their restaurant, known as one of the best in Ecuador's Amazonian region.  The lodge will show you how luxury and comfort can be relaxed and casual.  You'll enjoy a night of the pure sounds of the Amazon jungle.   

Day  9

Puerto Misahuallí - Papallacta - Quito

You will be treated to a full breakfast at the lodge with fresh fruits, juice, and eggs in the morning. Then, to the boathouse where you will be fitted with a life vest and rubber boots.  We'll board a long, motorized canoe that will take us up the Napo River.  You will go for a short hike through the secondary forest with a native guide who will point out several plant, animal, and insect species in this Amazon jungle rainforest.  He will explain their traditional uses and herbal remedies.   Then we go for a swim in the beautiful Cascada de las Latas. This fantastic waterfall has a natural rock waterslide and a water pit for bathing.

To get back to the Lodge, we float down the Napo River on inner tubes and enjoy the serenity of the jungle. (please note that the excursions provided by the lodge are subject to change due to weather conditions or other factors that we cannot control)

Back on the bike, we head east a few miles and cross a one-lane metal bridge into the town of Puerto Misahualli.  This is the western-most navigable port of the Amazon river basin.  Puerto Misahualli has a mischievous monkey population that loves to play with the local dogs and tourists.  Be sure to bring your camera!

Further up the road are the Jumandi Caves, created by the river currents.  There are guides there that can show you around the caves, but you will need to wade through water - so be sure to have a pair of shorts handy.

We pass through the rainforest town of Baeza and start the climb back into the Sierra.  Then we can have another stop and opportunity for bathing and swimming in the thermal springs of Papallacta before heading over a high (and chilly) mountain pass at 4,200 meters (about 13,400 feet) and a smooth ride back into the magnificent capital city of Quito via the funky bohemian neighborhood of Guapulo.