Ecuador: A Journey Across Worlds

We leave Macas to cross the Amazon in the cool of the morning in search of the best beaches. Riding through the Amazon Rainforest, we enjoy the views of flowing rivers and small neighbouring communities before climbing in altitude towards the Andes. We spot waterfalls cascading through lush, green valleys. We take a short break in a village where we get the chance to meet some locals before heading back on the road towards Cuenca, a colonial city known as the gem of the Andes. Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel in the town centre.

On leaving Cuenca, we cross El Cajas National Park. It is home to wonderfully diverse landscapes, from crystal-clear lakes to Alpine grasslands and lush cloud forests. From there we start our descent from 4000 m altitude to sea level by riding through the Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve to arrive at the heart of banana, cacao and pineapple plantations. Thanks to its thriving farming industry, this region has made Ecuador the world’s biggest banana exporter. We spend the evening in the port city of Guayaquil and stay at a modern, comfortable hotel.

Today, we experience a complete change of scenery! We ride to Puerto Lopez along the Ruta del Sol which takes the coastal roads. We pass through beautiful distinctive villages, then at the first opportunity we divert onto side roads with much better views of the beaches and some tracks. The Manabi region is renown for their fresh fish and seafood, especially their ceviche, so upon arriving in Puerto Lopez you will have the opportunity to sample some of their finest dishes.. You’ll also be able to enjoy a dip in the sea or the the hotel swimming pool! Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel.

This well-deserved rest day is perfect for exploring the village and its lively fishing port. There are also other options, like excursions, visits or just relaxing. For those who like boat trips, we recommend exploring Plata Island, similar to the Galapagos Islands and home to many animal species. For those who prefer, we can organise a turtle-spotting snorkelling session. You can also make the most of the protected idyllic beaches of Machalilla National Park, which will tempt you to relax or go for a stroll. Or why not visit Agua Blanca? It’s a pre-Inca community and museum full of archaeological remains with a sulphur lagoon and mud baths. And there’s nothing like ending the day with a platter of freshly caught seafood with the sun setting as your backdrop. We spend the evening in the town. Overnight stay at the hotel.

We follow the Pacific Ocean a little further north along the famous Ruta de Spondylus, which takes us through small fishing villages and past paradise beaches. We then take the road through rice paddies and exotic fruit plantations. Let the sweet smell of pineapple and dragon fruit captivate you. You may even be able to ride on the beach between San Clemente and Bahia de Caraquez, depending on the tide and the group’s preference. At the end of the day, we reach Canoa, a small fishing village turn popular surfing spot. An iced coconut or a cocktail watching the sunset will make you want to stay forever. Overnight stay at a comfortable hotel.

We start the day riding along the coast, weaving between exotic fruit plantations and panoramic views over the Manabi beaches. At a village crossroads, we venture onto trails that meander through prawn farms. We take a break en route at Pedernales beach, where we cross the equator’s invisible line for the first time. We sample some local sweets made of coconut, peanut and sugar cane. We leave the coast behind us and gradually find ourselves surrounded by more greenery, forests and humidity as we cross the Manabi “savannah” between hills and typical Montubio towns – the people from Ecuador's coastal countryside region. We continue our ascent and reach the cloud forest region at 1100 m altitude. Overnight stay in an atypical hotel.

The adventure is not over. The cloud forest and Mindo National Reserve are full of surprises and it’s a real treat to explore their long, winding roads. The region is rich in biodiversity with a huge variety of hummingbirds, but it is also the cradle of excellent artisan coffee and chocolate factories. On crossing the equator as we head to to the capital, we'll find a monument marking the location of the line and an interactive museum that we take the time to visit. The only thing left to do now is to get back Quito city centre.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to spend a few hours in Quito. You’re transferred to the international airport.