Price: From £4205/person
EXPLORE THE WILDLIFE OF NORTHWEST ECUADOR
Day 1: Arrive at Quito
Welcome to Ecuador! On arrival, your driver will be waiting for you at the airport and will transfer you to your hotel—free time for leisure for the rest of the day.
Overnight near the Airport.
Meals included: None
Day 2: Travel to Maquipucuna Reserve
After a good breakfast, you will travel to Maquipucuna Reserve, near Mindo. This Reserve is located in the “Choco Andino Biosphere Reserve” and is known for its high biodiversity. The area has a vast flora and fauna, 150 species of birds live here, and 15% of Ecuador’s mammals can be found here. After lunch, enjoy your first excursion in the cloud forest. Keep an eye on many hummingbirds, tanagers, trogons, flycatchers, toucans, amphibians and reptiles.
Overnight in Maquipucuna Reserve.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Explore the Cloud Forest
Wake up early and start the day with some birdwatching. Discover the birds of the forest with your guide on a 2-hour activity. The rest of the day will be spent in the forest; you will learn about the native vegetation, visit the orchid garden and enjoy a hike to a waterfall in the afternoon.
Overnight in Maquipucuna Reserve.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Travel to an Eco Farm in Atahualpa
After two days in the cloud forest, you continue to the North-Center of the highlands. Drive through some rural towns before you reach the green valley. This Eco Farm is located at the edge of the protected forest of Piganta. Enjoy the views and the friendly hospitality the Farm offers. The highlights of the area are Andean Eagles, Jays and Tanagers.
Overnight in Atahualpa. (Glamping-style)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Explore the Forest
Wake up to the songs of birds ad enjoy your homemade breakfast. Enjoy a walk in the protected forest of Piganta. Your guide will help you spot the rare Andean Eagle and may other birds. The ecosystem is a bit different compared to Maquipucuna as you are nearly 1000m higher. After lunch, visit the family’s organic farm, including the fruit and vegetable gardens.
Overnight in Atahualpa. (Glamping-style)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Visit Parque Condor
Today you will be taken to Otavalo and stop at “Parque Condor”. Discover this bird rescue centre where rescued condors are kept. Many individual birds were rescued from illegal captivity.
After the Parque Condor, continue towards Northern Ecuador to visit a spectacled bear reserve. Spectacled bears are the only bear species found in Latin America. Learn about their habitat and behaviour. If you are lucky, your guide may spot one of these shy animals. You will stay in tents for overnight.
Overnight in Northern Ecuador. (Glamping-style)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Observe Spectacled Bears & Drive to Puembo
You will have the opportunity to spot spectacled bears at dawn. These mammals can only be seen either early in the morning or before sunset. Breakfast by a local family, then you will be driven to Puembo. Visit the Equator Monument en route and try local “bizcochos” (pastries) in Cayambe.
Overnight in Puembo.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Visit Antisana National Park
Today you will visit the beautiful Antinasan National Park. The national park lies over 4000 m elevation; you will enter a totally different ecosystem compared to the previous days. Enjoy the snowcapped Antisana volcano’s views, discover the Mica Lagoon, and observe gliding condors in the distance. You might also have the chance to see Caracaras, Hares, Andean foxes, Andean Gulls, Hawks, Falcons, Deer.
Overnight in Puembo.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Fly to Coca & Discover the Ecuadorian Amazon
A morning flight brings you to the little town of Coca, located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. A 3-4-hour speed boat and canoe transfer will take you along the Napo River to your lodge. Your accommodation is situated in the middle of a primary rainforest next to a lake. Enjoy a short introductory walk in the forest on arrival.
Overnight in Yasuni National Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Discover the Amazon Rainforest
After breakfast, your bilingual guide and native guide take you to the “Wangana” trail. Lunch is served back at the lodge. In the afternoon, enjoy a paddle boat trip on the Yaturi Lake. Both activities will provide you with opportunities to spot monkeys, birds and other wildlife. You may see Giant Otters, Spider Monkeys, Capuchin Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, River Dolphins, Caimans, Spiders and Insects.
Overnight in Yasuni National Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Discover the Amazon Rainforest
Today’s excursion takes you deep into the jungle. You will follow the “Otorongo” trail, and your guide shows you medicinal plants and explains their use. You will spot monkeys, and you may see the rare Horned Screamer along this long walk in the primary forest. A picnic lunch will be served in the rainforest. Return by canoe to the lodge. Paddling on the Yuturi River and Lake will give you the chance to spot Giant Otters and River Dolphins.
Overnight in Yasuni National Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Fly to Quito & Transfer to Guango Lodge
Wake up early and take the speed boat transfer back to Coca. Your breakfast will be served on the boat. Fly back to Quito, and then your driver will take you to the Eastern slopes of the Andes, where you will have the opportunity to observe the Torrent Duck In its natural habitat.
Overnight at the Eastern Slopes of the Andes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Departure Day
Enjoy a final birdwatching activity in the morning. Breakfast will be served in the lodge, and then depending on your flight schedule, your driver will transfer you to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
Puembo
Hacienda Las Cuevas Terra Lodge (Standard)
This lodge is located only 30 minutes from Quito’s International Airport. It is an old hacienda with traditional but stylish rooms. It is surrounded by nature between the magical mountains of the Andes. It is a perfect place to start your adventure in Ecuador!
Maquipucuna
Maquipucuna Ecolodge (Standard)
This rustic Ecolodge is nestled in the cloud forest of the Choco-Andino biological hotspot. The lodge is protecting 14.000 acres of forest which is home to many rare mammals and birds. They offer comfortable rooms and great local food and endless activities in the forest.
Yasuni National Park
Eden Amazon Lodge (Standard)
“El Eden” is a nice, comfortable lodge in the buffer-zone of Yasuni National Park. It is located around a 3-4-hour boat-ride away from Coca city. The lodge is leading in conversation and offer great options to get to know the local flora & fauna.
Guango Cloud Forest
Guango Lodge (Standard)
The lodge is located near the hot springs of Papallacta. It is a heaven for birdwatchers, especially for those who are interested in hummingbirds. It offers cosy, comfortable accommodation in the middle of a beautiful setting in the cloud forest.
Prices & Inclusions
|
Travel Period |
Holiday Price |
Single Supplement |
|
15th January 2023 – 31st December 2023 |
||
| Based on 2 people | £4205/person | £825/person |
| Based on 4 people | £3435/person | £825/person |
Inclusions
- Private transportation throughout the holiday
- English speaking licensed and experienced guide
- 12 night accommodation in mentioned hotels, glamping
- Return Quito – Coca- Quito flight
- 4 day/3 night Amazon Rainforest Excursion with English speaking native guide (all meals and excursions, rain poncho and wellington boots are included)
Exclusions
- International Flights
- Meals that are not listed
- Beverages
- Tips
- Travel Insurance
Your
Next Holiday
Ecuador is located on the southwestern part of South- America. It lays on the Equator; this is where its name comes from. One of the smallest countries on the continent holds a fantastic variety of landscapes; from the lowland rainforests of the West to the high Andean peaks to the Amazon on the East.
Ecuador has 11 National Parks, 9 Ecological Reserves and 4 Biological Reserves.
The country is a wildlife hotspot; there are more than 1600 species of birds living in this area, 300 of them are endemic to the region.
The cloud forests are full of hummingbirds; the rainforests give shelter to parrots, caimans, and the elusive jaguar; the paramos of the Andes are home to the Andean fox the endangered Blue-throated Hillstar. Ecuador is an excellent travel destination which combines the options to visit these unique ecosystems and some beautiful colonial towns like Quito ad Cuenca.
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