I left Pasto and drove the short steep windy Pan-American highway drive to Rumichaca (the border crossing near Ipiales, Colombia and Tulcan, Ecuador) but first stopped at the pastiche church of Las Lajas. A 10 minute walk down the overly-tourist heavy path (it is the beginning of Semana Santa) and then some bad chorizo and I continued to the border.

Las Lajas Cathedral, Ipiales, Colombia

The border crossing was easy, 15 minutes line for immigration and 20 minutes of friendly/relaxed time with the Aduana (bike import permit) and I was driving through much bigger valleys and mountains than in Colombia. I ran into a Canadian couple on KLR650′s who had driven from Argentina in 5 weeks or so.

Ontario Motorcycle Couple Heading North, Ecuador-Colombia Border

Passed within view of the second highest peak in Ecuador, Cayambe at 5,790m.

Cayambe Volcano 5,790m, Ecuador

Driving a bit foolishly fast as I wanted to make it to Quito before it was fully night. Still I had time to stop at the Equator-line and take a touristy picture.

GPS (almost) at the Equator, Ecuador

Equatorial line, Ecuador

Pasto Semana Santa Procession, Colombia	South of Pasto, Colombia	South of Pasto, Colombia	South of Pasto, Colombia
Las Lajas Cathedral, Ipiales, Colombia	Ontario Motorcycle Couple Heading North, Ecuador-Colombia Border	View overlooking valley 90kms before Quito, Ecuador	Cayambe Volcano 5,790m, Ecuador
Canyon en route to Quito, Ecuador	At the Equator, Ecuador	At the Equator, Ecuador	GPS at the Equator, Ecuador
Quito Old Town	Quito Old Town	Quito Old Town	Quito Old Town
Quito Old Town	Quito Old Town	Quito from Secret Garden Roof Terrace	Quito at Night, Ecuador
Above Quito, Ecuador	Above Quito, Ecuador

Pasto to Quito, Ecuador

The drive was all on the Pan-Americana, into tight valleys with some rockfall, big curves and mountains. Loads of cyclists riding from Pasto to Las Lanas church all over the road. Ecuadorian drivers were wilder and faster than the Colombians. Too many SUV’s.