Routes thru Ecuador.

[RickMcD]

I received so much great info on my query about routes thru Costa Rica and Colombia that I am going to ask again about routes thru Ecuador. According to the maps there seems to be two likely routes south from Quito to Peru. Quito straight south thru Latacunga, Ambato, Rio Bamba, Cuenca, Loja, then the border at Macara. The other is Quito, northwest to Santo Domingo, then south thru Quevedo, Guayaquil or Milagro, Machala, then the border at Huaquillas. Anyone have suggestions (and why), first hand/recent information, border crossing info, etc. TIA.
Rick

[Smellybiker]

The border at Macapa is nice & simple....gets my vote.

[RickMcD]

Originally Posted by Happy Hacker

The border at Macapa is nice & simple....gets my vote.

Hey thanks for the info. Any input on the routes I suggested. This one from Quito to Macara (bacisally straight south) seems to be in the mountains as opposed to a lower elevation closer to the coast.
Rick

[maja]

I agree about the border post at Macara, very quiet, very fast and very friendly. The route through the hills is very scenic but you are high and if the cloud lowers it is very very thick with about 3 metres viz., honest and the local buses drive like local buses. There are some sections where you wonder if you are still on the main road, in good weather, good ripio but if it's wet, slippery. Lots of kids by the ripio sections road with bits of string pulled across the road doing a mini toll gate 'cos they fill in the holes, wave and ride by then hunch up small 'cos some of them are good shots. In Macara, good restraunt/bars in the town square but make sure that your valuables are secure in the hotel. Ride safe.

[RickMcD]

Originally Posted by maja

I agree about the border post at Macara, very quiet, very fast and very friendly. The route through the hills is very scenic but you are high and if the cloud lowers it is very very thick with about 3 metres viz., honest and the local buses drive like local buses. There are some sections where you wonder if you are still on the main road, in good weather, good ripio but if it's wet, slippery. Lots of kids by the ripio sections road with bits of string pulled across the road doing a mini toll gate 'cos they fill in the holes, wave and ride by then hunch up small 'cos some of them are good shots. In Macara, good restraunt/bars in the town square but make sure that your valuables are secure in the hotel. Ride safe.

Wow, exactly the kind of information I was looking for. You didn't mention the road conditions on the alternate route. Can you give me some info on that route? One could go that way then inland a bit south of Machala to Macara. Let me know some more if you have the info. Thanks in Advance!
Rick

[Livotlout]

Hi Rick

Last year took the route dead south from Loja, black top ends near Vilcabamba (home of some of the oldest people in the world), from there to Jaen it could be slippy if wet and the route takes some finding , but well worth it for the remoteness and quietest border ever. This route avoids the large desert by the coast and will lead you towards Chachapoyas and the not to be missed mountain top pre-inca fortress of Kuelap. Some off-road skills would be useful!

regards Alec

[RickMcD]

Originally Posted by Livotlout

Hi Rick

Last year took the route dead south from Loja, black top ends near Vilcabamba (home of some of the oldest people in the world), from there to Jaen it could be slippy if wet and the route takes some finding , but well worth it for the remoteness and quietest border ever. This route avoids the large desert by the coast and will lead you towards Chachapoyas and the not to be missed mountain top pre-inca fortress of Kuelap. Some off-road skills would be useful!

regards Alec

Alec. Thanks for the great information. I love those quiet out-of-the way roads and places. Where did you cross the border? It looks like it might be Namballe. Are there border facilities there? Also I don't seem to find the Kuelap ruins on the map. Do you have more info? In looking at my map earlier, I had figured that I would go east at Loha to Velacruz then south to Macara. That is the border crossing that everyone seems to like but the smaller, easier, and faster the better. Any input on doing that? If you have any other info on routes all the way to Tierra del Fuego and would care to share, I would appreciate the info. Thanks In Advance.
Rick