Interview with William, Planet Ride’s motorcycle travel expert in Ecuador

Motorcycle travel in Ecuador is one of those rare combinations riders chase for years: big altitude in the morning, warm valleys at lunch, and the edge of the Amazon by nightfall—on a country that’s compact enough to keep transfers reasonable. William, Planet Ride’s long-time partner on the ground, has been building routes here since 2010. We asked him about his path, what makes Ecuador so workable on two wheels, the bikes he trusts, and the places that still stop him mid-ride.

“I came for work, I stayed for the country.”

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

I’m William. I’ve been creating motorcycle trips in Ecuador since 2010—the year my colleague Christophe founded the agency that became what we operate today.

Why did you choose Ecuador as your home base?

I arrived in 1998. My first career was in telecommunications, and that’s what brought me here. Over time I got attached to the country’s raw beauty, and eventually I decided to settle, build a life, and make Ecuador my home.

“Paper guides can’t replace reconnaissance rides.”

Does your agency have something that sets it apart locally?

It’s our depth of knowledge—earned in very different fields (industry, NGOs, fair trade, contemporary art) and reinforced by yearly reconnaissance trips with the team. That’s what lets us handle unusual requests and fine-tune a route to match what riders actually want. You simply can’t get the same result by planning from a paper guide.

“Roads changed the game. Access did too.”

What’s your story—how did you end up focusing on motorized travel?

Ecuador went through an economic boom that accelerated road development. The network improved dramatically—there are trade-offs, of course—but the upside is access: you can reach places that used to be slow, remote, or unknown, and then push further off the usual paths. It’s also a “manageable” country for a self-guided ride, and guided travel makes even more sense when you want to benefit from local knowledge. The motorcycle is the symbol of that freedom.

Micro-detail riders feel immediately: in a single day you can move from Andean passes into warmer inter-Andean valleys, with real changes in temperature and oxygen. It’s a destination where pacing matters more than mileage.

Bikes, terrain, and what actually works here

What motorcycles do travelers ride with you and Planet Ride?

It ranges from a KTM 1050 Adventure to Suzuki DR200 or DR650 depending on taste and budget. We also use BMW F700 and G650 models.

Why these machines?

Most of them fit Ecuadorian terrain well—don’t forget we’re in the Andes. Maintenance and access to spare parts also drive the choice.

Planet Ride pro tip: in Ecuador, plan your days by hours on the bike rather than kilometers. On mountain roads, 200–300 km can already be a full, satisfying day. A good rhythm is to keep the “real riding” to roughly 6–8 hours, and leave time for weather, viewpoints, and altitude breaks.

Freedom isn’t a slogan—it’s stopping exactly where you want

For you, what’s the real difference between a simple trip and a motorized trip?

Clearly: freedom—and the pleasure of owning your time. You stop when you want, and you can sink into an Andean landscape with snow-dusted volcanoes all around you.

What’s the biggest advantage of doing a motorized trip in Ecuador?

With the exceptional road quality, you can get into the heart of the country and reach areas that see fewer visitors. And you can adapt the route on the fly depending on the day’s real “favorites.”

William’s favorite place in Ecuador

Your favorite spot?

I love San Pablo Lake, before arriving in Otavalo, north of Quito. It’s a place of Indigenous resistance to the Inca invasion. You could see totora reed boats like on Lake Titicaca, and condors still fly overhead.

Concrete stop idea: this area is an easy addition on a northern loop out of Quito. It works well as a half-day ride with time to walk the shoreline and continue toward Otavalo.

A ride memory that says a lot about Ecuador

Your best ride memory?

Southern Ecuador—strangely enough, in the company of Ecuadorian military, visiting communication sites.

What makes Ecuador “unmissable” as a motorcycle destination?

Ecuador by motorcycle is still relatively new. With a modern road network, you can be among the first to experience this way of traveling in a country synonymous with adventure. And on a small territory you have the Amazon, the Andes, and a wild, beautiful coast.

Planning a motorcycle trip in Ecuador (2026 updates that matter)

• Connectivity: riders increasingly rely on eSIM solutions; still, plan for offline navigation because mountain sections and remote valleys can drop signal unexpectedly.
• Offline essentials: download maps before you leave Quito and carry a backup power bank—especially for long days between fuel stops.
• Altitude and weather: expect fast shifts—sun, wind, rain can rotate in the same day across the Andes. Pack layers and waterproof gloves.
• Reservations: on popular weekends and holiday periods, book key nights early (especially around high-demand Andean hubs). Flexibility is easier mid-week.

Want to ride Ecuador with William?

If you want to plan a ride in Ecuador with William and Planet Ride, you’ll find his current trips on the original page: https://www.planet-ride.com/fr_FR/voyage-moto/equateur/articles/interview-william-expert-voyage-moto-equateur/

FAQ

Is Ecuador better as a guided or self-guided motorcycle trip?

Both work. Self-guided is feasible thanks to the road network; guided shines when you want local access, cultural context, and faster adjustments to weather or road conditions.

How long should I plan for a first motorcycle trip in Ecuador?

To connect the Andes with either the Amazon edge or the coast without rushing, many riders aim for roughly 8–15 days, with moderate daily riding hours.

What’s the #1 mistake riders make in the Andes?

Over-stacking kilometers. Altitude, curves, and frequent stops make “short-looking” stages feel long. Build days that leave room for breathing—literally and figuratively.