Motorcycle trip

Ecuador

Embark on a motorbike tour across Ecuador. Nestled between Colombia and Peru, it’s one of South America’s smallest nations, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in richness. A volcanic land with snow-capped peaks, high-altitude pampas, steamy rainforests, and coastal mangroves—Ecuador will surprise you with its stunning diversity of landscapes and cultures.

Often nicknamed the “Little Switzerland of Latin America,” Ecuador is split in two by the Andes. The Sierra divides the Amazon to the east and the Pacific coast to the west. Along the so-called Avenue of the Volcanoes, you’ll find the major cities: Quito, Riobamba, and Cuenca. Towering over the landscape are Ecuador’s highest peaks: Chimborazo (20,702 ft), Cotopaxi (19,347 ft), Cayambe (18,996 ft), and Tungurahua (16,480 ft).

The volcanic activity has shaped incredible terrain, including brilliant blue crater lakes. On your Ecuador motorcycle tour, you’ll ride through the Andes’ foothills and verdant forests like those near Mindo, where tropical vegetation and mild temperatures reign. In the countryside, banana, coffee, cacao, and sugarcane plantations stretch as far as the eye can see. The richness of the land makes every detour a new sensory experience.

Ecuador is a world within a world. From the Pacific to the Amazon, and across the Andes, a motorcycle tour in Ecuador is a ride through time. Before the Inca Empire, ancient civilizations like the Yumbos, Quitus, and Puruhas thrived here. The Incas didn’t arrive until 1515, with Atahualpa, son of Huayna Capac and a princess from Quito, ruling until the Spanish conquest.

In 1533, the Spanish took Quito and later founded Guayaquil. Colonial rule saw crises and epidemics weaken the empire, until General Sucre—with the help of Simón Bolívar—won the Battle of Pichincha in 1822, liberating Quito. Ecuador became independent in 1830.

Gabriel Garcia Moreno, a major figure in the country’s history, served as president from 1860 to 1875. The modern era brought political instability, but stability has largely returned since 2007 with Rafael Correa’s presidency.

Riding through Ecuador is not just about landscapes. It’s about experiencing stories. From ancient civilizations to colonial cathedrals and revolutionary leaders, each stop on your Ecuador motorcycle tours is steeped in meaning. Let history and nature guide your journey through one of South America’s most extraordinary nations.