The team at Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental has been working to turn a small Andean nation into a new Mecca for motorcyclists.

Ecuador has emerged as one of the most exciting and intriguing destinations for motorcycle tourists with thousands of visitors each year experiencing its twisty roads, high Andes Mountains, Pacific Coast and Amazon jungle on two wheels.

This year, the Quito-based tour operator will partner with hotels and haciendas to offer A Lap of Luxury, a new self-guided tour of the country.

The 11-day, 1300-mile lap of the country is designed for 'adventurous spirits, curious minds and worldly travellers' who enjoy the finest standards in hospitality while enjoying world-class motorcycling on some of the best roads in the Western Hemisphere.

Riders are provided a map and GPS navigation system with pre-programmed routes for each day.

There is also luxury, 5-star hotel to aim for each night and plenty of time to experience unique cultural and gastronomical stops along the way.

Ecuador Freedom provides a fully-equipped adventure on motorcycle or 4x4, plus a Road Book with day-to-day information including descriptions of local highlights, history, and hidden gems that aren't common knowledge.

Participants will use this information to tailor their days' rides, including as much or as little as they like, all the while having the support of the country's most experienced and largest motorcycle and 4x4 tour operator.

The included accommodations along the way will introduce motorcyclists to Ecuador's diverse cuisines and its rich historical and natural heritage.

At the Tanusas Retreat in the coastal town of Boca de Cayo, Alain Ducasse-trained chef Rodrigo Pacheco takes clients on a short hike along the Pacific coast and in the bordering rainforest to source natural ingredients for the evening's repast.

In the towering Andes, large estates built by the upper-class, mostly Spanish-descendant aristocracy, some going as far back as the 16th century, have recently opened to upscale travellers as elegant accommodations.

Hacienda San Agustin de Callo, owned by the Plaza family who provided Ecuador with 2 presidents and a vice president, is built on the remains of a former Inca palace.

Mansion Alcazar - winner of two Condé Nast awards – is a restored president's mansion in the UNESCO world heritage city of Cuenca is another overnight stay.

Useful links

www.bit.ly/EcuadorLuxury