We double check our motorcycle bug-out bags, making sure they’re all in order. Everything for the trip is packed in carry-ons to avoid arriving without gear. Some travelers plan ahead in order to avoid potential problems, while others obsess over the tiniest details. In my opinion, over-planning is a source of stress that often hinders the experience. But there’s an alternative—a guided tour may better suit if you’re looking for structure, or don’t have the time to plan a trip….

I’ve never been huge on group riding. For me, motorcycling is a somewhat personal thing, but when Court Rand, the owner of Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental, invited us to join their nine-day Andes, Amazon and Pacific Coast Tour, how could we refuse? It would be a South American ride of a lifetime covering a thousand miles of twisting roads winding past white sand beaches, through dense rain forests and among active volcanoes on the highest mountain passes.

My wife, Marisa, and I arrived early to get the bikes packed and ready, flying into Quito, Ecuador’s capital at an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet. I’d be riding a Triumph Tiger 800XC and she a BMW F800GS. Court briefed the group on the route and Ecuadorian road etiquette before we set off. The chaotic Quito traffic calmed as we made our way out of town.

In Mitad del Mundo, after lunching on roasted chicken and cuy (guinea pig), we turned onto a gravel road that ascended into a cloud forest. The Tiger was a treat as almost every curve gave way to increasingly stunning Andean views. Near an inn perched on the steep mountainside we paused to observe a swarm of hummingbirds feeding. Then into the town of Mindo to check out a chocolate factory and learn about the entire process while being treated to their fine, fresh, dark delights. Our final stop for the day, El Septimo Paraiso, was a paradise in the middle of the rain forest, and we took time for a few cervezas along with an outstanding dinner before turning in.

The following day’s temps rose as we made our way westward toward the coastal town of Canoa and the hot, humid weather I expected when I booked a trip to the equator. Along the coast our group stopped to visit a school where English is taught as a second language. Ecuador Freedom is a member of Pack for a Purpose, a worldwide organization that teams up with travelers to get needed supplies to remote towns and villages. While there, we delivered school supplies for the children. Afterwards it was lunch of fresh seafood followed by surfing and paragliding lessons. A hard day of relaxing was rewarded with a stunning sunset over the Pacific Ocean before we were back on the bikes heading inland through rice fields.

Next stop Vinces, where we stayed on a banana, teakwood, and cocoa plantation and were treated to an informative talk by the plantation’s manager before another delicious dinner, followed by a refreshing swim. Next morning, after a breakfast of fresh fruit and eggs that fueled a walk in the banana groves, we hit the road, climbing into the thinning air toward the town of Sigchos. As we ascended, the curves seemed to contract as the temperature dropped, so we stopped to layer up and grab some hot coffee to warm our chilled bones.

Climbing even higher, we passed through several small villages nestled into the mountainsides. Locals in traditional clothing looked up from their work to wave as we passed. The farmers use every inch of the land possible. Crops are even planted into the extremely steep slopes. The scenery was a quilt-like patchwork of farm fields as we rode the Quilotoa Loop, an asphalt ribbon that undulates through the mountains on the way up to Quilotoa Crater Lake—an immense blue-green gem wedged into the dull-colored earth.

The asphalt ended near Sigchos and, with the sun low over the mountains, we made our way down toward our hotel for the evening, arriving just as the big yellow ball slipped behind an impossibly high ridge. Without any doubt, this was one of my most memorable days on a motorcycle.

The views were no less stunning the next day as the tour took us higher yet into the Andes. We rode past the major volcano, Cotopaxi, a widely known mountaineering destination, and continued climbing to 14,500 feet to witness Chimborazo. At 20,564 feet, Chimborazo is Ecuador’s tallest snowcapped volcano, with a summit closer to the sun than anywhere else on earth. Up there, the cold wind blows hard, making it difficult to keep the bikes upright. Riding on, we spied wild vicunas, a South American camelid which resembles a llama and lives in the high alpine areas of the Andes. The road then wove its way down toward the city of Banos, a perfect place for adventurous types and where our group decided to spend a rest day white water rafting on the Pastaza River followed by a soothing soak in the hot springs.

Our next destination was the Amazon rain forest. The road continued twisting through Puyo as the climate turned hot and humid once again. The Catacocha Amazon Lodge has small cabanas along the Nabo River, a large tributary of the Amazon River. Dropping our gear off there, we boarded a motor canoe to a small town with a large population of monkeys. They were a blast to watch but one particularly ornery fellow decided to lift Court’s lighter, climbing with it to the top of a nearby tree where he proceeded to strike it while amusingly trying to eat the flame. One of our group hinted that it might be wise to leave, so we made our way into town for ice cream and to browse the shops for local handicrafts.

Waking early the next day, we were back to the canoe for a venture up river that stopped at a trailhead where a guide showed us local wildlife during a hike to a large waterfall. From there we floated downriver on tubes to enjoy our last lunch with the group.

I was happy to climb back aboard the Tiger, which had so reliably carried me through this stunning country. We had an afternoon head start back to Quito along roads that followed the contours of the valleys. Since the first day of this tour we’d experienced nothing but nonstop breathtaking views; now we were filtering back through the Quito traffic toward Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental. Our journey was ending far too soon. Nine days had flown by, riding over gorgeous mountain passes, by towering waterfalls, through corridors of banana plantations, and along the white Pacific coast beaches. Nine weeks wouldn’t have been enough time to experience this exceedingly diverse country. Ecuador had not disappointed.

For anyone with limited time, the guided tour offers the most bang for the buck. You’ll find yourself traveling to places you probably never knew were there, trying restaurants you wouldn’t have known about, and riding scenic roads you might have never discovered. Court and Sylvan, our knowledgeable guides, did an excellent job showing us around. And Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental offers guided tours, self-guided tours, and rentals.

It’s nice to just get on a bike and ride in a foreign land without worrying about finding places to go or things to do. All you have to do is ride, soak up the beautiful scenery, and enjoy the Ecuadorian culture. We can’t wait to go back!

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