Andes to Amazon: Cycling in Ecuador

After a quick breakfast and a trip to the shop to stock up on sufficient water for the journey, set off early in order to enjoy some stops throughout the day. It is wise to ensure your bike is fully functioning before you hand over any money, given the variable quality of hire bikes.

As soon as you leave town you will be struck by the intense green of the valley, which drops suddenly off the edge of the road. Follow the sinuous road as it hugs the valley walls, passing through a series of tunnels and marvel at the series of waterfalls that can be seen on the other side.

The road from Banos to Puyo is sometimes called the Waterfall Route, and you will soon realize why. Some of the myriad waterfalls are accessible by foot from the road, including the Devil’s Cauldron, and if you left Banos early enough it is a treat to bathe in one of the rock pools.

Various companies offer zip lining across the valley, and the more adventurous among you might consider bungee jumping from a bridge en route, but the scenery is the main event. Swooping down the valley affords amazing views of the rushing river below and the waterfalls which feed it.

Toil through a rare uphill section before being rewarded with a panorama which shows the previously narrow valley opening out into the Amazon plain, waterfalls cascading from a plateau above. From here, drift slowly down into the tropical heat of Puyo before catching a bus back to Banos.

The entire route from Banos to Puyo covers a distance of 60 kilometers, but it is quite a leisurely affair with most of the ride downhill. It is easy to keep a fairly steady pace and still make it back to Banos by nightfall.