Amazon & Andes Adventure – 9-Day Example Tour Experience

Arrival in Quito

Arrival to Quito’s international airport and transfer to selected hotel.
Overnight Casa Gangotena / Illa Experience Hotel

Quito City Tour

Today we will have a walking tour of Quito, Ecuador’s mountain capital and the second highest capital city in Latin America. Quito is considered one of South America’s most beautiful cities. The city lies in a narrow valley at the foot of Pichincha Volcano. We will visit some of the main sites, including the Plaza de la Independencia, the cultural heart of the colonial city, La Compañia and San Francisco churches. We will also climb the nearby Cerro Panecillo that has one of the best views across the city and the surrounding mountains.
Overnight Casa Gangotena / Illa Experience Hotel

Napo Wildlife Center Amazon Lodge

Today we will depart from Quito for a 30-minute flight to El Coca over the eastern Andes mountain range. After landing, about mid-morning, a 5 min transfer will take you to “La Mision” Port, where you will embark onto a comfortable covered motor boat. Here we start a canoe ride along the Napo River for about 2 hours. Box lunch is provided in route. Along the way, birds like herons, kingfishers and others can be spotted. After arriving at NWC’s entry dock we disembark for restroom then take a majestic and peaceful 2-hour paddle canoe ride surrounded by trees, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. Chances to spot some species of monkeys as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival to Napo Wildlife Center with an overwhelming view of the Añangu Lagoon, and a welcome drink followed by a briefing of the local manager.
Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center Amazon Lodge

Napo Wildlife Center Amazon Lodge

Early wake up to reach the easiest access parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge, guests reach there just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between 7:30 to 8:30. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. Later, hike along forest trail to visit the Kichwa Interpretation center “Kuri Muyu” handled by the women of the community, who are also known as “mamakuna”, to learn about the kichwa culture, crafts, customs and traditional use of natural resources. Return to the creek and hike through a Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive to the second parrot clay lick where if the weather conditions help will be able to find different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws. Lunch. You will be paddled back to the lodge, where you arrive at late afternoon for a delicious dinner.
Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center Amazon Lodge

Napo Wildlife Center Amazon Lodge

After early breakfast, we leave the lodge to experience an amazing view of the rainforest from a 36m. tall canopy tower, a great way to see the life above the ground of the forest. This is the second tower at the Napo Wildlife Center (the first is attached to the dining hall and allows great views of the lake). The tower is located about 30 minutes from the lodge deep within the terra firme forest. As you ascend the 12-floor tower, you pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually built into the tree and experience the view formerly reserved only for the birds. The metal tower itself was constructed to the highest standards, galvanized, and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is the priority. The platform at the top of the tree was constructed by tree platform specialists as well. From top to bottom, there is no finer canopy experience in Eastern Ecuador.

Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-and yellow Macaws fly past, in nearby trees Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy opens before you. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center!! Lunch served at the lodge. Afternoon visit to a terra firme trail, hike along primary forest to discover the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manakins or the unique and endemic Golden mantle tamarin monkeys. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe with great possibilities of running into a Giant otter family.

Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center Amazon Lodge

Napo Wildlife Center Amazon Lodge / Hacienda Zuleta

Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. Transfer to the motorized canoe in order to return back to El Coca, arrival approximately after a 2-hour boat ride in order to check-in for Coca – Quito flight, schedule to be announced according to departure details and arrangements. Once we have arrived to Quito’s airport, we will be transferred to Hacienda Zuleta near Otavalo.
Overnight at Hacienda Zuleta

Around Hacienda Zuleta

Escorted by your own private guide, you will explore the beautiful Hacienda Zuleta and the surrounding areas. You can choose from different activities like 2-hour horseback riding, hikes around the Hacienda’s trails, condor preservation projects or Zuleta’s own cheese factory. Other activities may have an additional cost.
Hacienda Zuleta

Otavalo Market / Cuicocha Crater Lake

This morning we will explore the small market town of Otavalo. The Otavalo Market is one of South America’s most important areas for ethno- tourism and its regular markets attract traders and artisans from as far away as Peru and Bolivia. The market is a rich confusion of goods and styles from across the region, with jewelry, rugs, woven linen bags, woodcarvings and leather goods on display.

After the visit to the Market we will visit Cuicocha, a turquoise crater-lake located 30 minutes away from Otavalo and at a height of 3100 meters over sea level. Located in the Western Cordillera of the Andes, at the foot of Cotocachi volcano, this lake has a beautiful scenery. We may have a walk along a segment of the trail that goes around the lake (1.5 hours).

Overnight at Hacienda Zuleta

Otavalo / Home Destination

After breakfast transfer to Quito’s airport for flight back to home destination or connections to the Cuenca, Guayaquil or the Galapagos Islands.