Self-Guided Introduction to Ecuador

Day 1

You’ll begin your tour from our shop located in Quito, Ecuador - 2850 meters (almost 2 miles above sea level) in the Andes Mountains, on the Equator, in South America. Quito was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the 1970s for having the best preserved and least altered historic center in all of Latin America. We suggest you arrive a day or two early to experience this amazing town and to get used to the altitude before your ride.  Quito was the second capital of the Inca Empire after Cusco, Peru.

On the morning of the tour departure, you’ll be outfitted with the motorcycle of your choice and given a thoughtful presentation that will answer all your questions concerning local customs, rules of the road, and how to operate your pre-programmed GPS. We'll provide a "Road Book" with details on the route and details on points of interest for each day. We will provide an "emergency kit" containing a pre-paid cell phone, first aid kit, tools, and other items to ensure your ride goes smoothly.

The first day's ride is intended to give you a sampling of the different types of roads you will be riding. You will have a chance to ride on asphalt and just a few miles of ancient Incan cobblestone roads. These roads are not to challenge you or to push you - it is there so that you become accustomed to your motorcycle quickly.

Your first stop will be in the middle of the world. The Inti-ñan museum is situated right on the Equator. Inti-ñan means "path of the sun" in Quechua, a native language of Ecuador. Take a tour of this magical site, a place that the indigenous peoples have revered for thousands of years. You will learn how the ancient people came to understand that this was the center of the world, centuries before "modern" geography or GPS devices. Play with gravity here and perform some experiments to learn about the Coriolis effect caused by the Earth's rotation. You will also get to know how the indigenous populations of Ecuador live and visit some typical homes. This tour will give you some excellent background information on Ecuador so that you will better understand the cultures as you pass through various regions of Ecuador over the next ten days.

After the visit to the Inti-ñan museum, you will be riding in the Northern Hemisphere. First, pass through a desert canyon road that will bring us into a deep gorge. You will then ride out of the canyon into a lush green patchwork of fields of vegetables, roses, and dairy cattle. Stop in the charming little town of San José de Minas with its beautiful stone church and well-manicured central park.  This high road will be your first taste of the remarkable diversity of terrains and climates that you will experience on this ride.

From San José de Minas, climb in altitude on back roads giving grand vistas of the serene farmlands and forests below. You will experience great aromas as you pass through eucalyptus and pine forests.

You might want to stop to add a layer of clothing as you ride up to a height of over 12,000 feet (3714 meters) to view the majestic Mojanda Lake surrounded by the Fuya-Fuya volcano which guards the lake. 

From there, ride down through the colonial city of Otavalo, famous for its expansive indigenous market.

You will finish today's ride enjoying the local music and delicious local fare at the 300-year-old Hacienda Pinsaqui - one of the oldest haciendas in Ecuador and famous as the site of the Pinsaqui Treaty which brought lasting peace with neighboring Colombia. Simon Bolivar was a frequent guest of the Hacienda. Dinner is included with the tour.

After a hearty breakfast of fresh juices, baked loaves of bread and eggs, you'll start the day by riding to the indigenous market in Otavalo. For hundreds of years, the indigenous people have brought their animals, crafts and produce down from the surrounding hills to sell in the market here. Don't worry - this market has very little to do with typical knick-knacks and tourist dollars. The Otavalo Market is the real thing.  

You'll witness the frenzy of the animal market - one of the most authentic experiences you'll find anywhere.  We'll also have time to explore the Plaza de los Ponchos- a maze of hanging tapestries, weavings and handmade garments.  A second animal section of the market deals with fowl, cuyes (guinea pigs), rabbits, puppies, and kittens.

Cotacachi is internationally known for its talented leather artisans.  Many of the world's designer clothing brands manufacture their leather goods in this beautiful Andean city. You'll get a chance to acquire a belt, wallet or jacket here at excellent prices.  From here, we'll ride a series of beautiful ancient Incan cobblestone roads that are still maintained the old fashioned way.  Don't worry - these roads have no traffic, and the stones are very easy to ride on.

You'll then head off the beaten path, on a twisted, recently paved highway that gradually descends from the Andean mountains, through farms of papaya, mango, and other exotic fruits.   You will have entered the beautiful Pacific province of Esmeraldas.  You will pass through miles of giant coastal mangroves and witness more incredible biodiversity.

You will get a glimpse at the lively city of Esmeraldas, northern Ecuador's principal port and coastal city.  You can stop for lunch to try out some of the Creole cuisine, unique to this part of Ecuador.

Keeping along the coast, end the day's ride checking into your private, beachside cabin in the Cumilinche Club complex.  This lodge has comfortable cabins and a secluded stretch of beach of unspoiled natural beauty. You will be able to go for a swim in the warm Pacific Ocean and explore the natural caves that surround the beach. The location is stunning.

In the morning, you will want to take a walk to admire some of the incredible birds, crabs, and other coastal wildlife along this isolated and quiet empty stretch of coast.

You'll have some extra time this morning to enjoy the beautiful, private beach at the Cumilinche Club.  Go and explore the rocky cliffs along the coast and check out the teeming sea life scurrying around the rocks and in the sea puddles.

You will start the day riding along miles of the Ecuadorian coast and past many shrimp farms and then through rolling hills of the tropical grasslands of the coastal lowlands.  You will see that the preferred form of transport here is horseback. A good stop for lunch is in the somewhat chaotic little city of Pedernales.  Known as the capital city for shrimp harvesting and trade in Ecuador (the country's third most important export) here you can enjoy some of the great restaurants serving the freshest shrimp you will have ever tasted in your life! 

You will continue your ride down the unspoiled coastline of empty, sandy beaches and into the warm, friendly fishing village of Jama. We'll take a short jaunt off the main road to ride a causeway through the shrimp farms to take in the beauty of this region.  Then, you will head inland a little for a ride on some of the serene, undisturbed countryside of Manabi, passing cattle farms. Then we'll head towards the sunset, and onto the warm, sandy beach of Canoa.

 Canoa is home to a mixed population of native fishermen, transient surfers and expatriate retirees who are seeking sun and relaxation.   You will settle into the comfortable Canoa Beach Hotel and get ready for your day off from riding...

Break Day!  Relaxation and sunshine!   Canoa has one of the best beaches on the Ecuadorian coast and is a very popular place for surfing.  You can rent a sea-kayak and explore the coastal caves. Other available activities include paragliding, whale watching, horseback riding, fishing or a boat tour of Corazon Island and the mangrove areas which is fascinating.

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

 Day 6

More adventures ahead! You will head across the vast plains with plenty of fishing birds and rice paddies.  We'll cross through the Churute mangrove national wildlife area - known for its beautiful mangroves and alligators.

You'll see the agriculture and landscape change as you enter El Oro Province.  The smell of ripening bananas and cacao plantations will fill your senses.  This area is known for being the "Banana Capital of the World" - where a large portion of Ecuador's banana trade and market activities occur.

Onward, you will then head back inland, through mangroves and farmlands and into the hills that were once one of the wealthiest regions of the Spanish Empire.  The Canari Indians died here, deep in the gold tunnels of Ecuador's Andes. First the Incas, then the Conquistadores, working the Indians till they dropped. It is a rugged yet strikingly beautiful region of Ecuador, known as the gold province.

You'll spend the night in the gold mining town of Zaruma.  Zaruma was founded in 1549 and still boasts some of the most excellent examples of early colonial Spanish architecture in all of South America. Zaruma is also known for having the most beautiful women in Ecuador.  You will find a nice, cozy room at the Roland Hotel.

Heading out from Zaruma,  stop in Portovelo to visit the gold mines there, some of the world's biggest and most productive. You may visit the mine by riding one of the carts used to transport the raw ore.

Then, as you head back on your bike, ride changing landscapes on rural, mountainous backroads through dense forest.  You will pass through the town of Piñas, known for its beautiful orchids.

You will climb in elevation once again, riding through the picturesque Spanish colonial towns of El Cisne, with its magnificent cathedral and the charming city of Catamayo.  This road has non-stop curves.  We have tried to count them, but each time we try, we lose count.  It must be in the thousands!  Here on this road is where you'll want to make sure you don't scrape off the ends of your footpegs.

You will finish today's ride in the peaceful, hippy-mecca town of Vilcabamba in what is known as the "Valley of Longevity" because the population here is known to live very long lives.  With lush green scenery, a mild year-round climate, and fresh mountain air, it is no wonder that Vilcabamba has been a popular vacation spot for hundreds of years.  Once a retreat for Inca royalty, foreigners discovered Vilcabamba in the 1970s after a series of articles were published including one in "National Geographic" that highlighted the long lives of the locals.

Since then the area has been known as the Valley of Longevity and has turned into one of the most popular destinations in Ecuador. Because most people come to Vilcabamba to relax, the town has managed to keep its small-town appeal with only a cluster of small restaurants and internet cafes surrounding the sleepy town square. The tranquil atmosphere, perfect weather, and an endless array of outdoor activities have combined to create a place where people often come for a weekend and end up staying a month.

Check into the comfortable award-winning (Best Hotel and Spa in Ecuador) Madre Tierra Eco Resort- a very well-managed, American owned and operated hotel and spa with beautiful grounds and spectacular pool. The rooms are very comfortable, and the swimming pool is gorgeous.   They also offer great massages and spa treatments if you would like to undo some of the effects of riding.

Today's ride is going to be in high altitudes so you will want to add a layer of clothing.

You head north on the Panamerican highway and experience some of the beautiful high altitude vistas below the dark blue sky that are found only when above 10,000 feet.  We ride through the gorgeous colonial city of Loja, full of Universities, cafés, and plazas with street musicians.  Then continue north along one of the most scenic stretches of the Panamerican highway, with tremendous views and exhilarating curves and climbs.

Once in the indigenous town of Saraguro, stop and take a stroll through the famous market there.  The Saraguro are a unique ethnic group who were brought to Ecuador from Bolivia by the Incas to work on the Royal Road.  Their distinct dress sets them apart and makes them proud, productive people.

After a hearty lunch, you are back on the bike, with breathtaking scenery fighting for your attention as you keep your eyes on the curves and swoops.   You will climb to over 11,500 feet at the Tinajilla Pass as you cross the high altitude pampa.  Keep a careful eye out for wild llama and try to capture them with your camera.

On today's ride, you will roll into Ecuador's third-largest city and arguably its most charming -the city of Cuenca.   Cuenca is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site as its historic center is a well-preserved example of Spanish Colonial architecture.  You will be staying in the luxury colonial Hotel Victoria -right in the historic center of this beautiful city.  Consider adding an extra rest day to explore Cuenca and the nearby Cajas national park.  We've made it very easy and affordable to add an extra day here.  See "extensions" on this page for details.  For a list of things to see and do in Cuenca, click here.

This will be a long riding day, so be sure to get up early in the morning and get on the road after a great buffet breakfast.  You will head out on the Panamerican highway towards the north, first passing through dense pine and eucalyptus forests. The scent of these forests will be something that will stay with you long after the ride.  Continue on these mountain roads, passing through high altitude paramo and crossing chilly high altitude mountain passes at 11,000+ feet.  After breathtaking views, turn right onto a road that takes you through scenic farmlands. It was once part of the Incan Royal Road during the reign of the Incan empire.  The people along this road still use centuries-old farming techniques.  It is a ride through the past.

The road takes you to the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador - Ingapirca.  Otherwise known as Ecuador's "Macchu Picchu" - you can visit the ruins of this Incan Solar temple and marvel at their advanced irrigation techniques.

Then, arrive in the Andean town of Alausi, which is known for its warm and welcoming indigenous population who wear brilliantly colored clothes.  The town is also known for its architecture.  The town has a very active market and some great restaurants serving fresh trout, locally grown produce, and other regional specialties.  Alausi is a perfect place for lunch.

With permanent glaciers at its peak, Chimborazo is the highest point in Ecuador and is the highest point on Earth.  This relatively unknown factoid is because the Earth bulges at the Equator and Chimborazo's peak is the furthest piece of land from Earth's core. It's just another way of saying that this is literally the closest place to Heaven on Earth.

The road crosses through the Chimborazo National Wildlife Refuge, home to thousands of wild vicuña, the smaller lighter faster cousin of the llama and camel.  Ecuador has one of the best-protected vicuña populations in the world, and we will be sure to see these majestic creatures as we wind around the gigantic mountain.  We'll reach an altitude of over 14,500 feet (4.500 meters), and here, the weather is unpredictable.  Be ready for bright sunshine, freezing rain, hail or even snow!  

This area will make you feel like you are on another planet.

Ride through the outskirts of Ecuador's fourth largest city, Ambato, and head through lush farmlands and valleys, dropping to an elevation of 5,000 feet in the adventure tourism mecca of "Baños de Agua Santa," famous for its health-giving thermal springs. The town is set in the shadow of the mighty Tungurahua Volcano, which is a very active volcano that occasionally erupts with pyroclastic emissions and thick ash.  Baños is located in what is known as "magnetic vortex," a unique place where the planet's four essential life elements - Air, Earth, Water, and Fire - are found.   You will check into the Posada del Arte Hotel and enjoy access to the great restaurants, hot springs, and activities that Banos has to offer.

Day 10

¨Rest¨ Day in Baños

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, ride down a volcano on a mountain bike or improve your rock-climbing skills. If none of those activities appeal to you, Baños has some great hangouts, restaurants and bars and an exciting nightlife, too.

Baños is the perfect spot for a rewarding rest day no matter what you choose to do.

Take another steamy volcanic bath and enjoy a full breakfast at the comfortable Posada del Arte hotel before we head back on the road.   You will head you eastward and downward 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, you will have several opportunities for exhilarating zip lines across the gorge of the Pastaza River.  You can also try one of the "swing jumps" which is like a bungee jump but with an ordinary rope.  The idea is to jump out off a high bridge and then fall while swinging under the bridge.   It will give you a significant surge of adrenaline!

In the town of Rio Verde, 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 draws 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.

Take a right onto a road that follows the Napo River on its southern bank and go deeper into the Amazon jungle. The Napo River is the fifth largest tributary to the Amazon River.

Arrive at the El Jardin Puerto Misahualli Lodge (an Ecuador Freedom exclusive), and you will check into your private cabin for the night.  Each bungalow is built in harmony with the surrounding rainforest. All bungalows are equipped with a private bathroom, a private veranda, a private plunge pool or jacuzzi and reclining chairs in which to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of Ecuador's Amazon.  You can have a swim in the sandy banks of the Napo or walk into the friendly village of Puerto Misuahualli just a few hundred feet away.

You'll enjoy a gourmet dinner at their award-winning on-site restaurant with ingredients sourced from the surrounding jungle and farms.   El Jardin will show you how luxury and comfort can be so relaxed and comfortable.  

You'll enjoy a night of the pure sounds of the Amazon jungle.