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Ecuador Voyage: Amazon Jungle Express

from

USD

662

/ person
  • 1
  • 6 Days
PRICE

Gabor Csizmadia

EcoAndes Travel

We are dedicated to the operation of high quality tour packages in Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Peru.

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Ecuador Voyage: Amazon Jungle Express

from

USD

662

/ person
  • 6 Days

Ecuador Voyage: Amazon Jungle Express

Explore the Capital city of Ecuador: Quito, the amazing Amazon Jungle, and enjoy of some relaxing time in an amazing mountain spa on your way back in this short but awesome journey, ideal for short weeklong vacation breaks.

Arrival to Quito

Arrive to the amazing city of Quito, where our guide will be waiting for you at the airport. Head to the hotel of your choice, and enjoy of a delicious dinner.

Quito

Quito Historic Center & Equator

Your adventures begin in Quito, where we will visit the old town with its beautiful narrow streets and the colonial churches of San Francisco, La Compañia, and may more interesting landmarks of the Colonial Center. This visit is followed by a short stop at the top of El Panecillo hill from where we get a spectacular view of the city. In the afternoon, we visit the Equator monument the Ethnographical museum, and a representation of the colonial towns or past centuries. Breakfast included. Read more

Quito

Quito - Yacuma Ecolodge

This morning, we will depart towards the Amazon Rainforest. From Tena, the Capital of the Province, we will drive for approximately one hour and a half more until we reach the community of San Pedro de Sumino, a small jungle town located in the banks of the Napo River, one of the main effluents of the great Amazon River. We will get a chance to buy the last required things at the local shop (batteries, candy, snacks, etc.) before hopping in the fresh water canoe to head deep into the Yacuma Natural Reserve. A 20-30 minutes ride will take you to the small Chontayacu River, where Yacuma EcoLodge is located. Depending on the time of the year and the amount of water running through the rivers, the boat ride can turn into a fun activity, as collectively, we all push the canoe through sand banks and up river to get to the lodge. The Yacuma Forest Reserve totals 275 hectares of Primary rainforest, bordering the Chontayacu River next to the cabins, and going deep into the jungle surrounding the cabins. This natural heaven will be your home for the next few days, as you explore and connect with nature and the communities of the jungle. At the lodge, you will be welcomed with a glass of the traditional beverage called “Guayusa” this tasty beverage has a lot of caffeine and vitamins in much larger concentration than coffee, making it an ideal drink for the morning to have a very productive day in the jungle. After a short welcome talk, you will be taken into your comfortable traditional style bungalows. Solar panels provide hot water in the showers, as well as ambient lighting for the night. After a short rest, we will have a short navigation to the “hidden Lagoon”, where we will do a short hike ideal for bird watching in their natural surroundings, such as: King Fishers (martin pescador), Great Egrets (garzas de rio), Great Blue Herons (garzas reales), and perhaps one of the most strange and interesting birds of the amazon, the Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoatzin), that have a blue face and a punk-hairdo. The smell is quite pungent, giving it the nickname of the stinky bird. In this place we will also try fishing for the legendary Piranha, which you can have for dinner at the lodge if you catch one! We will go back to the lodge, for dinner, and if everyone feels in good conditions a night walk for about 40 minutes can also be arranged after dinner. Breakfast and Dinner Included. Read more

Yacuma Ecolodge

Yacuma: Full Day Jungle Activity

After a nice hearty breakfast we will begin a hike deep in the primary jungle of the Yacuma forest reserve. For this activity we have various alternatives. The first alternative is a short 2 hour walk in which the native guide will show us various species of birds, medicinal plants and their usage in shamanic healing rituals, and if we are lucky animals such as monkeys, tapirs, or capybaras. A second alternative of 4 hours across streams and different types of terrain will take us through various species of trees and plants with the objective of reaching the Tutapishco Cave, a.k.a. “the Bat Cave”. We will also get to see many species of plants used for healing as well as food and shelter within the deep primary rainforest. Within the cave, which has not been fully explored yet, a very interesting display of the inhabitants of the cave can be seen: The exiting dance of the amazon Bat (Saccopteryx Bilineata). This cave is considered sacred by the locals, and as the locations where the Shaman will come to renew energy for their sacred rituals. Many animal and birdlife can be observed in this walk, and with some luck, some very interesting mammals from the deep jungle such as monkeys, rodents, etc. exploring the primary rainforest is a very gratifying and fulfilling experience for all travelers. We will return to the camp for a delicious, locally produced lunch, and after resting for a short period, we will visit the home of one of the members of the Kichwa Chontayacu community, where we can appreciate their simple and calm lifestyle. During the walk travelers can learn interact and observe the various crops that grow within the jungle of secondary forests of The Napo Basin. Crops such as Coffee, Bananas, cacao, cassava, papaya, pineapple and oranges are some of the locally produced agricultural products that provide sustenance for the inhabitants of the jungle. Visitors can also observe and buy the locally produced handicraft such as vases, small pots, necklaces, bracelets and many more beautiful crafts. The traditional Chicha drink will also be explained and passed around for everyone to try. If time permits, we will do some fun water based activities such as kayaking or tubing in the river. Conversely we can head back to camp and have a nice bonfire with music and enjoyment after dinner. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included) Read more

Yacuma Ecolodge

Yacuma Ecolodge - Papallacta Hot Springs

For those interested in bird watching, an early start is offered to catch the different species of birdlife rising for the day. At 5:30 am we will go up to the viewpoint close to the lodge to observe the jungle come alive. An impressive view of the amazon jungle from the same levels of the canopy is also very grand from this location. We will return to the lodge for breakfast. We will say goodbye to our friends after breakfast, and we will board our canoe to go back to San Pedro de Sumino. From here, we will begin our ride back to the capital. On the way, we will stop at the famous Papallacta Hot Springs in order to take a refreshing dip after the jungle adventures. Breakfast Included. Read more

Papallacta

Papallacta - Quito

Head back to Quito after a relaxing night in Papallacta, in time to grab your flight back home.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Quito
Hotel Fuente de Piedra 2 or Similar
Day 3
Location Amazon Rainforest
Hotel Yacuma Ecolodge
Day 5
Location Papallacta
Hotel Pampallacta or Similar
Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Quito
Hotel Anahi Boutique Hotel or Similar
Day 3
Location Amazon Rainforest
Hotel Yacuma Ecolodge
Day 5
Location Papallacta
Hotel Termas de Papallacta or Similar
Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Quito
Hotel Swissotel or Similar
Day 3
Location Amazon Rainforest
Hotel Yacuma Ecolodge
Day 5
Location Papallacta
Hotel Termas de Papallacta or Similar

TRIP PACKAGE

Package includes

  • Private transportation
  • double room accommodation with private facilities
  • English/Spanish Speaking guide services
  • Meals as indicated
  • All inclusive while at Yacuma
  • All entrance fees

Package excludes

  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Beverages
  • Extras
  • Personal Travel Insurance (Mandatory)
  • Airfares

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