If you are going to take the long way around,check the weather first. I rode for 7 hours to Baños and five of it was in the rain and fog. The last bit made it worthwhile except for going through pitch black tunnel of waterfalls with my sunglasses on so couldn’t see anything and couldn’t stop to take them off as a bus was right behind me. They call the road the Avenue of Waterfalls.
Sorry about the suggestion Annette! It’s supposed to be the dry season, and on a clear day its one of the most amazing roads in all of Ecuador. Safe journeys, and hope my other suggestions have been better. All the best,
