HIDDENGEM OF SOUTH AMERICA… ECUADOR Here’s howtocondense atripofalifetimeintoa manageable, Ecuador-shaped,chunk otorcycling across South Ourman in Ecuador America is abucket list goal for manyadventureriders, but while Founder of Ecuador Freedom, Court the entirecontinent is worth Rand is alifelong motorcycle exploring, fewofuscan take off addict,adventurerider and tour weeksormonths to ride. If you designer passionate about Monlyhave aweek or 10 days to showcasing the best that South sparefor an adventureofalifetime, Ecuador,ahidden America hastooffer to fellow gemofSouth America,might be your best bet. This small riders. Usuallyfoundonremote Andean country sandwiched between Colombiaand Peru backcountry roads scouting new packsapunch: the Pacific Coast, the Andes and the routes, Court knows Ecuador inside Amazon rainforest areall within reach here, and youcan and out and can recommendthe getarealtaste of allthat South America has to offer in best places to see. ashort amount of time. TOURING&ADVENTURE Starting off inQuito, thecountry’scapital nestled in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes, youcan ridethe golden sand beachesand explore small, sleepyfishermen’s villages on thecoast, loop acrossthe looming Andean rangepassing active volcanoes andhighplateaus, and find yourself in the Amazon basin enjoying naturalhot springs andjungle toursbeforeheading back to the capital following the countless twistieswith breathtaking viewsaround every corner. Ecuador hasawell developed road network offering plenty of thrillingmountain roads with perfect tarmac,aswell as countless off-road trails leading to placeswell off the beaten path.Immersing yourself in the localway of life is an added bonus as you traverse Ecuador on amotorcyclevisitingindigenous communities,colourful local markets, and colonialtowns brimming with fascinatinghistory and culture. Readytoride?Here’s what’s not to miss on your two-wheeled adventureinEcuador… Avenue of the Volcanoes Ecuadorisamong the most bio-diverse countries in South America, and its stunning natural beauty is what makes the riding heretrulyunforgettable. One of the most adventure-filled routes in Ecuador is the Avenue of the Volcanoes, a200-mile stretch south of Quito connecting Ecuador’s sevenvolcanoes –two of them among the most activeinthe world –and offering magnificentvistas of snow-capped Andean peaks, unique wildliferoaming free in the mountains, and local loresurrounding the volcanoes. Riding from Quito to Cuenca along the PanAmerican Highway,you’ll spot the Cayambe, Iliniza, and Cotopaxi volcanoes. Alittle further south, the towering Chimborazo Volcano slowlyrevealsits glacier-covered summit shrouded in clouds. This 20,565-foot sleeping giant is the tallest mountain in Ecuadorand, owing to the equatorialbulge, is the highest mountaininthe world when measuredfromthe centreofthe Earth. It’s worth taking aday or twotoexplorethe Chimborazo National Reserve, riding the remote off-road trails crisscrossing the regionand staying in the small Andean villages to experience the local cultureand hospitality. Further south still, takeadetour to Baños de Agua Santa, atownonthe Eastern side of the Andes known When to go? as the adventurecapital of Ecuador.Baños boasts Because of its location right on the equator,Ecuadorenjoys mild weatheryear action and adventuresportsgalore, ranging from zip round. The warmestand driest months in the Andean regions areJune through to lining and whitewater rafting to hiking around September.However,Ecuadorcan be enjoyedatany time of the year.Its capital Tungurahua, one of Ecuador’s most activevolcanoes, as Quito is often called the City of Eternal Spring as it does not see much of the well as afamousnatural hotspringsspot ideal for seasonal changes in its climate. relaxing afteralongday’s ride. www.mslmagazine.co.uk 83 Insider information SAFETY arestaurant meal is between $6-8, Ecuador is one of the most stable and and fuel is around $1,50 per gallon. hospitable countries in South America Riding two-up or travelling with friends with awell-developedinfrastructure often makes budgeting easier as most makingitsafeand easytotravel. The hotels and tour operators arehappyto trafficconditions aren’t challenging as offer dealsand discounts forgroups. Ecuadoriansare courteousdrivers, and motorcycles areanextremelypopular LANGUAGE means of transport here. Learning afew basic phrases in Spanishgoes alongway in Ecuador. BUDGET However,most locals in the bigger Ecuador’s official currencyisthe US cities and towns speak English, making dollar,and the prices hereare low communication easy, andifitcomes compared tothe Westernworld. A to it, the universal languageofusing basichotel staywillcostaround $20, your hands and feet workshere, too! The Avenue of the Volcanoes ends in Cuenca,a beautiful colonial town worth spending aday in exploring on foot and enjoying deliciouslocal cuisine or visiting local markets andtasting canelazo, an Andean specialty of hot aguardiente with canesugar and cinnamon. Quilotoa Loop Amust-see in Ecuador, Quilotoa crater lakeisasight to behold. Hidden away deep in the Andes, the Quilotoa crater formsaturquoise-bluelakereflecting the skies. It’s shrouded in local indigenous legends telling of a love-strickenQuilotoa volcano which erupted as aresult of aheartbreakand filled the crater with tears,giving it the bright blue colour.Whether the folktale is trueor not, the crater lakeoffers incredible views as well as plenty of excellent off-road trails surrounding the area and takingyou off thebeaten path and into the wildernessofthe Andes Mountains. There are several mountain lodges to staynear Quilotoa, and it’s an easy day’s ride from the capital Quito. Gateway into the Amazon The Amazon basin in South America is avast and largely untamed region of impenetrable rainforest, oftenonlyaccessible by boat.In Ecuador,however, youcan ride your motorcycle all the waydowntothe Napo River and explorePuerto Misahualli, asmall Amazoniantownoffering jungle treks, nature-inspired eco lodges, and delicious local food. Cheeky capuchinmonkeyscan be seen all overtownattempting to extortfood tidbits from travellers, and if you’replanning arest dayhere, take a boat trip down the Napo to visit the indigenous TOURING&ADVENTURE communities living in the rainforest and learn about the local way of lifeinthe tropics. The best way to gettoPuerto Misahuali from Cuenca is by crossing the Sangay National Park, aspectacular Andean region of emerald green cloud forestsand cascading waterfalls carved by twisty mountain roads and byways. From Quito, take Route E20 via Papallacta, another awe-inspiring road descending down the eastern slopes of the Andes. What’s the best way to do it? Ecuadorisasafeand friendlycountry to travel, andif riding solo is your kind of thing, simplyjumponyour rental bike andgoexplore. Self-guidedEcuador tours are designed to giveyou ataste of adventurewhile providing youwith pre-programmed GPSroutes as well as prepaid hotels, informativedaily route sheets and back-office monitoring. It's the best waytogoifyou or agroup of friends want thefreedom of arental but don’t have the time to do all the research, hotel bookingsand route planning. Youcan optfor the self-guided tour and come out looking like astarplanner with severaloff-the- beaten-path places, activitiesand hidden gems to explore that no LonelyPlanet guide would tell youabout. Fullyguidedmotorcycletours can be afantastic option if youprefertohave an experienced local guide and a planneditinerary packed with great riding, exploring the hidden gems of Ecuador,and unique local experiences fewtourists everget to enjoysuch as meeting Ecuador’s EcuadorFreedom guitar makers, leather artisans and rose farmers, or going Located in the historic capital cityofQuito, Ecuador FreedomBikeRental is the on chocolate and cacao tours. country’s first motorcycle tour operator,founded in 2009. Workingwith professional When it comestobikechoices,thereisavariety of local guides, theydesignand outfit tours foradventure enthusiasts who wish to large adventuremotorcycles,off-roadcapable dual exploreEcuador’shidden gems. Theysay theyoffer South America’slargest sports, andmid-rangebikes available. On or off the road, selection of rental motorcycles, allavailable with alow-price guarantee. exploring Ecuador on two wheels is an experience notto www.freedombikerental.com be missed while in South America. www.mslmagazine.co.uk 85.