FROM THE SNOW-CAPPED ANDES TO THE AMAZON JUNGLE
ECUADOR – COLOMBIA 17 DAYS (maps)
- Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh – Incheon – New York
- NY – Quito
Upon arrival in Quito, our vehicle will pick up the group and transfer to the hotel. You’ll have free time to rest and recover from the long flight and adjust to the time zone, climate, and altitude of South America.
- Meals: Free
- Accommodation: Black Sheep Inn
- Quito – Important briefing day
9:00 AM: Group meeting for itinerary briefing, travel regulations, and essential notes. We will also answer any questions from members.
Vehicle handover, inspection, and setup.
In the afternoon, we will ride around Quito to get familiar with the bike and traffic.
In the evening, welcome dinner party for the group.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation: Black Sheep Inn
- Quito – Avenue of the Volcanoes – Isinlivi – Chugchilan, 160km (50% off-road)
We begin our Ecuador – Colombia adventure with diverse road types and conditions, serving as a first test to understand everyone’s capabilities.
Departing Quito, we head south on the famous “Avenue of the Volcanoes,” where the Andes mountain ranges converge spectacularly. This scenic route runs between two massive ranges, offering stunning views of Cotopaxi and Illiniza volcanoes.
We then veer off into one of Ecuador’s most beautiful routes – the renowned “Quilotoa Loop.” Climbing in elevation past farms and villages, the path is flanked by pines, eucalyptus, and rose plantations. A quick stop at a rose estate offers insight into rose farming and global export. We’ll leave the cobbled road for an ancient hand-built path leading us to 4,115m, where panoramic views await.
Stop by local woodworking artisans and take in views from pucará – ruins of an ancient Incan fortress. Then descend into a lush valley before climbing again to Isilivi and Sigchos – a town with pre-colonial trade history, now lively with local markets and charming cliffs.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Black Sheep Inn
- Chugchilan – Angamarca – El Corazon – Salinas de Guaranda, 220km (90% off-road)
Today’s long and challenging route will test your endurance and stamina.
We ride along winding dirt roads beside deep canyons, through small villages, and conquer the climb to the Quilotoa crater rim at 3,901m. Formed by an eruption 800 years ago, the crater contains a bottomless lake (244m deep, 3.2km wide).
Ride into Zumbahua, where locals wear colorful traditional outfits and speak Quechua. Snack on empanadas before climbing to the Quilotoa rim.
Cross the Pampa plateau at 4,115m with wild llamas, sheep herds, and condors. Locals still live self-sufficiently in traditional huts. Steep switchbacks lead to remote Angamarca, where horses and llamas remain primary transport. Enjoy lunch featuring Andean produce.
In the afternoon, ride cliffside dirt roads with breathtaking valley views. We visit El Corazon, nestled on the Andes’ western slope with sugarcane plantations, and a distillery producing “aquadiente.” Then ascend to picturesque Salinas de Guaranda at 4,200m. Tonight’s Andean feast includes local cheeses and sausages crafted in Swiss traditions. Swiss aid efforts have helped produce top-tier cheeses like Andean Gruyère, Parmesan, Emmental, and Tilsit. The community also makes footballs, textiles, premium chocolates, teas, marmalades, and herbal remedies.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Kachi Yacu Hotel
- Salinas de Guaranda – Chimborazo National Wildlife Reserve – Baños de Agua Santa, 155km (25% off-road)
Enjoy an Andean breakfast overlooking Salinas, visit some local enterprises before hitting the dirt trail to Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve. Ride through isolated self-sufficient villages before reaching 4,420m.
At this height, you feel like you’re on another planet. Sparse vegetation surrounds Mount Chimborazo (6,268m), perpetually snow-capped. Measured from the Earth’s center, Chimborazo is actually the highest point on Earth (6,384.268m), making it “the closest place to Heaven on Earth.”
Temperatures hover near freezing with frequent snow and hail – layer up. This protected reserve is one of the last places to see wild vicuñas. We’ll likely spot and photograph these elegant animals.
We descend through Riobamba’s colonial architecture and follow the Chambo River.
Approaching Baños, the road is unpaved due to active geologic shifts at the base of Tungurahua Volcano – with a high chance of witnessing eruptions.
We check into Posada del Arte hotel in Baños, then stroll town and soak in the famed natural thermal springs.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Posada del Arte Hotel
- Baños – Free Day
Baños is a global hub for adventure sports and nature experiences. With expert guides and affordable tours, you should take full advantage of the surrounding beauty.
Spend the day white-water rafting or kayaking, bungee jumping, canyoning, jungle trekking, hiking scenic trails, or renting ATVs. If not, enjoy vibrant cafes, restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
- Baños – Paillon del Diablo – Puerto Misahuallí, 150km (paved/cobblestone)
Today we descend the eastern Andes. This winding road offers stunning cliffs and waterfalls. Paillon del Diablo, one of Ecuador’s most dramatic falls, plunges nearly 100m into a rocky cavern, creating strong reverse winds. View from hanging bridges or descend for a closer look.
This morning also offers opportunities for road-side adventure sports.
Following the Pastaza River, the air grows thicker and more humid with wild orchid scents. We’ve entered the Amazon basin.
After lunch featuring Amazon produce, we continue downhill to Puerto Misahuallí – the westernmost navigable port of the Amazon. Here, life revolves around the river and jungle wildlife. A troop of playful monkeys and exotic dishes await.
Stay at El Jardin Misahualli Lodge – one of the Amazon’s finest accommodations.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: El Jardin Misahualli Lodge
- Puerto Misahualli – Rio Coca (160km by boat exploring the Amazon)
Enjoy an Amazonian breakfast with fresh fruits and grains. Depart Puerto Misahuallí – the Amazon’s westernmost port. From here, one can sail to the Atlantic via Peru and Brazil. This river-centric lifestyle defines the jungle culture.
Pack a lunch and load our large bikes onto boats.
Today, we enter the Amazon. There are no roads – only the river connects us to the outside world. We’ll visit an indigenous community to learn their customs and lifestyle.
Over the 160km journey, we drop from 450m to 150m above sea level. Spot locals fishing, hunting, or panning for gold along the river.
We arrive in Rio Coca, Ecuador’s fastest-growing city, thanks to its rich oil reserves.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Gran Hotel del Coca
- Rio Coca – La Bonita – Tulcan – Ipiales Colombia, 330km (40% dirt roads)
Facing dramatic changes in elevation, climate, and culture ahead, we start early with a hearty breakfast.
We cross the Amazon plains to the Andes’ foothills. Twisting roads intensify as we approach majestic mountains on the Ecuador–Colombia border.
The paved road ends as we climb a remote border trail. Security is solid, with Ecuadorian military outposts. Be prepared to show ID at checkpoints. Waterfalls stream from the mountains. This pristine wilderness is rare. We’ll swim in a gorgeous waterfall to refresh before climbing into thin air.
Lunch in La Bonita – a charming village with hospitable locals. Enjoy a hearty mountain stew.
In Carchi province, we ride unpaved and cobblestone farm roads through enchanting forests and scenic villages. We end the day checking in at the modern and comfortable Palacio Imperial in border town Tulcan.
After checking in, we’ll take a taxi into Colombia (no border procedures) for a Colombian dinner in Ipiales. Visit the famous Las Lajas Sanctuary, a breathtaking cliffside church and pilgrimage site. We’ll then return (again, no border process) to Ecuador for the night.
Puente International – Mocoa (Colombia), 280km
Proceed to Puente border gate for Ecuador exit and Colombian entry. Usually no strict controls here.
- Mocoa – Popayán, 270km
- Popayán – Pasto, 240km
Home to one of the world’s most dangerous airstrips.
- Pasto – Tucal (Ecuador) – Hacienda Primavera, 250km
Re-entering Ecuador.
- Primavera – La Merced de Buenos Aires – Cotacachi – Otavalo, 140km (75% off-road)
- Otavalo – Lake Mojanda – San José de Minas – Intiñan Solar Temple – Quito, 160km (30% off-road)
- Quito – NY
- NY – Incheon – Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh
TOUR PRICE: