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11 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America

Pristine Amazon and wildlife conservation

A stay dedicated to discovering the Ecuadorian Amazon. This tour promises a total reconnection with nature for an almost immediate “green” experience.

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MélanieFlorentine

By Mélanie and Florentine

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Easy
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish, French

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Quito

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Indigenous culture

Meet local people

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Amazon rainforest

2

Wildlife

3

Nature

4

Off the beaten track

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Quito Airport - Quito

Welcome to Ecuador !

A proverb says "Traveling leaves you speechless at first, before turning you into a storyteller"

... Let the adventure start in the country of the middle of the world ! Chulla vida !


Reception at the airport by an english-speaking guide.


Private transfer with spanish-speaking driver from Quito airport to your hotel.


Night at Ikala hotel in Junior Suite room.


Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Ikala Quito Hotel
Day 2

place Quito Historic Center - Quito - Banos

English-speaking guide in a private transport.


Quito stands out for its topography spread out from north to south, in an Andean corridor flanked by the Pichincha volcano and the valley where the airport is located. But it is above all the largest and most preserved colonial city on the continent.


Then you will visit the colonial and republican center of Quito :

  • the Panecillo, the statue of the Virgin of Quito, located on top of a hill overlooking the city;
  • the Church of the Society of Jesus (of the Jesuits), the most gold-laden church in South America;
  • the Church of San Francisco (of the Franciscans) and its convent/museum;
  • the Plaza Grande where the Presidential Palace (Carondelet) and the Cathedral of Quito are located;
  • the district of La Ronda for its craftsmen.


You will take the Panamerican Highway, going south down the Andean Corridor. You will turn east to reach Baños, on the way to the Amazon.


Night at La Floresta hotel in Standard room.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Hotel La Floresta
Day 3

place Pailon del Diablo - Banos - Fatima

English-speaking guide in a private transport.


You will visit the "Pailón del Diablo", the most famous waterfalls in the country. You will discover them by descending to a viewpoint where you can appreciate this powerful waterfall, which is made up of three sections, the highest of which is 80 metres high. From its vertiginous stairs try to find the shape of the face of the devil who gave the name to the waterfall.

Further on the road, following the inca style, you can use a suspended basket called locally tarabita to cross the Pastaza and reach a waterfall called "Manto de la Novia".


Visit of about an hour to the Mama Tungurahua family project of organic and artisanal soaps. You will be able to discover the whole process of making a soap, with local fair trade ingredients.

The flagship product is an exfoliating soap made from the ashes of the Tungurahua volcano, near the town of Baños!

A great initiative!


You will take the road to Fatima just after Puyo.


Vegan dinner and night at the Yapas Reserve hotel in Standard room.


You will participate in a 1h30 yoga class at the Los Yapas Reserve.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Los Yapas Holistic Center
Day 4

place Fatima

English-speaking guide in a private transport.


Visit around plants and reforestation :

You will spend the day at the Los Yapas Reserve and will discover the species of orchids and bromeliads saved from the surrounding work sites as well as endemic trees in danger of extinction and replanted for their survival.

Lunch at the Reserve, with a vegan menu.

Then, you will take part in solidarity reforestation activities such as weeding, fertilizing and/or planting a tree. This in order to better understand this complex environment that is the Amazon and the fragile balance of these ecosystems threatened by human activities. It will be a way to make your contribution to this fundamental struggle.

The Los Yapas Reserve was founded in 2007 with the objective of preserving endemic species of plants and trees by reforesting and protecting highway construction sites or plots razed by real estate developers.


Vegan dinner and night at the Yapas Reserve hotel in Standard room.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Los Yapas Holistic Center
Day 5

place Fatima - Archidona

English-speaking guide in a private transport.


You will go farther to the Amazon doors.


Rafting day on the Jondachi river.

The Jondachi canyon is one of the most beautiful Amazonian surprises and experiences. The tour begins at the foot of a huge cliff pierced by a cave inside which a waterfall flows. The canyon is then a wild gorge with waterfalls and lush vegetation. The route is more technical, and obviously depends on the water level.


NOTE: Class IV river (> 14 years old) - Duration: about 5 hours. Mandatory safety instructions at the beginning of the day.


Night in Kuyana Lodge.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Day 6

place Archidona - Coca - Mandari Panga

English-speaking guide in a private transport.


You will then take the road to Coca, a route that will take you to the deep Amazon.


From Coca, you will take a vehicle to reach the Tiputini River.

From there you will pass by on a motor canoe. The immersion is immediate because this river is very little frequented.

You are on the border with the mythical Yasuni reserve, one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world.

You will pass the community of Mandari Panga and reach your lodge.

A fully equipped tent awaits you there.


Once settled and familiarized with these places where adventure and safety go hand in hand, you can then opt for a new outing on the river to enjoy your first Amazonian sunset.


Overnight at Mandari Panga Lodge


NOTE : ground transportation: 2 hours. River transportation: about 1h30.


NOTE 2 : your activities during your stay in the Amazon Rainforest may be subject to change depending on weather and group conditions.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Mandari Panga Yasuni Jungle Expeditions
Day 7

place Mandari Panga

After breakfast, you will take the pirogue to reach the Maquisapa trail. This walk will allow you to observe some mammals including howler monkeys with an impressive cry.

The forest conceals an immense genetic heritage, especially concerning medicinal plants. In addition, a native guide will accompany you. Also do not hesitate to question him because his knowledge in the use of these plants is unique.


Return to the camp for lunch.


You'll have time to relax in your hammock or tent, walk around the camp, and even cool off with a swim in a peaceful tributary of the Tiputini River. You will also enjoy a pleasant ride in a traditional canoe in the Pishña Lagoon for approximately 2 hours. This black water lagoon is a fascinating ecosystem, a black water lake where unique species live. You will enjoy the sunset before returning to the lodge for dinner.


Night at Mandari Panga Lodge


NOTE: 4 to 5 hours trek, Difficulty: medium. If your boots size is over 43, please remember to bring your own boots.


NOTE 2 : your activities during your stay in the Amazon Rainforest may be subject to change depending on weather and group conditions.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Mandari Panga Yasuni Jungle Expeditions
Day 8

place Mandari Panga

After breakfast, you will board your kayak for approximately 3 hours of excursion.


Through this walk, you will probably have the chance to see an anaconda and many other species from the Amazon region.


A box lunch is planned that day that you will enjoy on a river beach. After a short rest, you will return to the lodge. This will be the time to witness the magnificent sunset with the chance to discover the incredible night sky of the Amazon as well as its nocturnal fauna.


Night and dinner at Mandari Panga Lodge


NOTE: 4 to 5 hours trek, Difficulty: medium. If your boots size is over 43, please remember to bring your own boots.


NOTE 2 : your activities during your stay in the Amazon Rainforest may be subject to change depending on weather and group conditions.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Mandari Panga Yasuni Jungle Expeditions
Day 9

place Mandari Panga

Early in the morning, you will start your journey along the Tiputini River in a traditional wooden canoe and have breakfast during this ride while enjoying the sunrise. You will have many opportunities to observe birds and wildlife, monkeys and other mammals.


Return to camp for a refreshing drink and lunch.


In the afternoon, you will leave by motorized canoe for the Casa de la Abuela (Grandmother's House), a traditional house where the founding grandmother of the community still lives. You will learn how to make traditional chocolate. You'll enjoy stunning views of the sunset from this hilltop home before heading back to camp.


After dinner, you will take a night walk along a short trail known as the Tucán Trail near the camp; this walk takes about an hour.


Night and dinner at Mandari Panga Lodge


NOTE : Activities during your stay in the Amazon may be subject to change depending on weather and group conditions.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Mandari Panga Yasuni Jungle Expeditions
Day 10

place Mandari Panga - Coca - Loreto - Baeza - Papallacta

After your breakfast early in the morning, you will leave the camp to reach Coca.



English-speaking guide in a private transport.


You will then take the road again to reach the area of Papallacta and its thermal springs.


Rest in the hot springs of Papallacta. A bath in the warm waters with a stimulating air can only win colors.

Keep in mind, however, that sometimes it can be cold and that if you are afraid of sudden changes in temperature, it will be better to abstain. In this case, a restaurant-cafeteria will serve as a refuge to admire the beautiful vegetation of this corner.


Night at Mamallacta hotel in Standard room.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Mamallacta Paramo Lodge
Day 11

place Papallacta - Quito Airport

English-speaking guide in a private transport.


Trek "Agua y Vida":

You leave your vehicle at the Antennas of Papallacta, at the entrance of the Cayambe-Coca park. Then, you take the path called "of water and life", here begins your hike. You will pass by several small lagoons. If the weather allows it, it is possible to see the Antisana volcano.


Difficulty: easy trek: sunday sportsmen, welcome!

Estimated time: 2 hours - Elevation: +150 m. - Max. altitude: 4160 m. - Distance: 3 km.


Free time and then back to Quito airport, passing by a mountain pass that will make you discover an impressice landscape of paramo.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Mandari Panga Yasuni Jungle Expeditions
  • Ikala Quito Hotel
  • Hotel La Floresta
  • Los Yapas Holistic Center
  • Kuyana Amazon Lodge
  • Mamallacta Paramo Lodge

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (10)
  • Dinner (6)
  • Lunch (6)

Extras expand_less

  • All includes (hotels, transportation, guides, meals, entries) mentioned for each day;
  • Hotel taxes and tourist services;
  • Assistance from our team 24 hours a day during the stay;
  • Fees and taxes related to land, sea and air transportation;
  • Expenses of the guides and/or drivers.

Not Included expand_less

  • International flight round trip
  • Insurance (cancellation / repatriation / comprehensive / etc). Please contact us for more informatio
  • Meals, drinks and snacks not mentioned
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • You are responsible for anticipating migrations visa and specific requirements to travel in Ecuador

About Mélanie

TEAM LEAD

+1 Local experts

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Expertise: 

Hiking

Rafting

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Yoga

Wellness retreat

Detox

Culture & History

Kayak & Canoe

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

Purposeful Travel

Water & Coastline

From the Paris region and curious to discover the world, it is finally in Ecuador that Mélanie has decided to settle, after having traveled all over Europe and for two years in Latin America. As a nature lover, Ecuador had everything to please her.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$3,854.00 USD