Cultural & Adventure : Amazon Tour

napo-wildlife-center

Know the region most unexplored region of Ecuador. The Amazon region is the place to combine culture and adventure in a single tour.

Day 1 : Arrival In Quito

Upon arrival at Quito airport, you will meet with your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel.

Situated in a circle of Andean peaks, Quito is the world’s second-highest capital, with arguably one of the finest settings in the world. Originally settled by the Quitu tribe in the first millennium, Quito was an important part of the Inca Empire, before being destroyed and re-founded by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Benalcázar in 1534.

The colonial center – declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 – is one of the largest and best-preserved in Latin America. It is home to excellent museums, churches, and art galleries.

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El Panecillo - Quito

Photo: Fabricio Burbano

Day 2 : Quito Six Senses City & Equator Line Tour

Your day starts exploring the bustling streets and squares of the largest historical center in the Americas in a unique adventure for the senses. Together we will uncover traditions, history and local life of this enchanting city.

Our route takes us through the street of the seven crosses. We enjoy views of the facades of old colonial homes and churches on our way to the main Square or Indpendece Square in which is located the Goverment Palace.

As we continue through these historic streets we get a chance to meet a local family that makes their living by creating traditional sweets called Colaciones!

We walk deeper into the heart of Quito, passing by historic buildings made of volcanic stones. The stunning views of the sculpted Compania Church will leave you longing for a visit of its interiors.

To learn more about this and other churches we make our way to the workshops of the master craftsmen from “The Escuela Quiteña”. These artists keep the secrets of the colonial art in Quito’s churches and museums, they are the people who have been in charge of restoring the altars and painting in these historic gems. They will share their secrets with us and allow us to try our artistic skills to create our very own crafts.

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Quitena School Art

Photo: Adobe Stock – Pablo Fernández

ur next stop will be at La Ronda, a historical and bohemian neighborhood of the city. It is a traditional street, associated with the art, crafts gastronomy and fun of Quito. It is also the oldest street in Quito.

Over there we will also enter at a traditional coffee shop to try some interesting ice cream flavours or a traditional sweet (depending on the weather).

Finally you will visit “Panecillo” hillside with its breathtaking views of the old and modern city surrounded by the rolling Andes Mountains. And on the top is located one of the most iconic monument of Quito: the Panecillo Virgin. It is built of nearly seven thousand pieces of aliminum and what makes this representation so unique are the wings: it is the only Virgin Mary that has wings in the world.

As an addition to the Quito Six Senses City Tour, you will go to the “Equatorial line” complex. Its monument is located at the latitude 0º 0´0″ and provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to straddle both hemispheres or hop between the two in the blink of an eye.

The monument forms the focal point of a park and leisure area with gift shops and restaurants. The site occupies an important place in the solar-based Andean cosmovision since ancient Andean people were aware of its significance many thousands of years ago. The Ethnographic Museum at the complex provides a fine overview of Ecuador’s varied cultures and geography.

At the end of the day you will return to your hotel.

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The Virgin of Panecillo

Photo: sgoodwin4813

Day 3 : Napo Program

On this morning your guide will tke you to Quito Airport to take a 30 minute flight to Coca over the eastern Andes mountains.

his is the beginning of this amazing experience. After landing, a short 5 minutes ride to the river port, in the Napo River, will take you to a comfortable covered motor boat. Here we start a boat ride along the Napo River for approximately 2 hours. Some aquatic birds can be spotted on the way.

Upon arriving to the NAPO CULTURAL CENTER, visitors are warmly welcomed with a refreshing traditional drink and immediately taken to their cabins, between the wildlife found in one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth.

In the afternoon, enjoy a short walk down to the Napo riverbank to appreciate a beautiful sunset on the beaches and natural islands. There, we have our Amazon kayak activity, be part of a great adventure with this kayaking expedition through the Napo River, while spotting the nature around with the help of the eyes of a Community member. In your kayak you will discover birds and mammals.

The you will return for traditional typical dinner

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Napo Wilde Life Center

Photo: Adobe Stock – alfredo

Day 4 : Napo Program

We get up at 4: 30 am in the morning to share one of the ancient customs of the Kichwa culture, making Wayusa infusions to energize the body, listen to the kichwa songs think about important issues in a peaceful and unique way; then you will be back for breakfast.

After a buffet breakfast, experience the life above the forest floor visiting the 36- meter canopy tower. This tower is located about 30 minutes from the lodge deep within the forest. Get a very good sample of the 567 species recorded so far, with a close look at colorful tanagers, macaws, toucans, flycatchers and even Spider or Howler Monkeys feeding themselves on the nearby trees.

The canopy tower opens a whole new world to the guests.

Then, head to the NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER, while experience a mesmerizing paddleboat trip, along the Añangu Creek. After a short induction, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian lunch in this lodge. When finished, we continue with the activities such as: climb to the lookout platform for more birds, or just relax in your hammock. In the afternoon, hike through a marvelous terra- firme forest to discover the diversity around, ecology and the role of plants in the complex world of the Tropical Rain-Forest: vines, ancient trees, bromeliads, orchids stand out in this impressive natural garden. After the hike, explore the surrounding creeks with possibilities of finding a Giant otter family.

Dinner is served at 7:30 PM.

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Papamoscas Verdín

Photo: SzymonBartosz

Day 5 : Napo Program

This morning we visit the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador!!! Early start and paddle downstream on the Añangu creek as far as the welcome area. Then, take the motor boat for a 10 minute ride for a wonderful view of thousands of parrots such as Amazon-Mealy, blue-headed, orange –cheek, among others, we can watch these birds landing on earth to eat the clay.

Later, back to the welcome area and a short hike to the parakeets’ clay lick, where hundreds of cobalt-winged parakeets remain on the top of the trees searching for the best time to eat the salts, chemicals and minerals contained in the organic matter. Lunch in the welcome area.

In the afternoon, visit the Kuri Muyu Interpretation Center to see the traditions of the ancestral Kichwa community of Añangu and share a traditional ceremony with the Yachak Warmi, the interpretation center is a social project developed by the women of the Community. The women of the Community collect seeds of the forest, to create the handicrafts you can see in the Interpretation Center. This handicrafts sale, assist the different social, cultural and educational projects leaded by the Women’s Association of Kuri Muyu (Golden Seed).This project promotes the equality of gender, which promotes a better and prosper economy for the Añangu Community. Besides supports the conservation of Yasuni National Park.

After the visit to the interpretation center, we go back to the lodge late in the afternoon where you’ll be welcomed back with a refreshing fresh juice and dinner at 7:30pm

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Cultural dance

Photo: © Comunidad Añangu

Day 6 & 7 : Napo Program

DAY 6 NAPO PROGRAM

This morning we hike along the Tiputini trail and its terra-firma forests and swamp forests, searching for more wildlife such as Golden-Mantled Tamarins, WhiteFaced capuchin monkey, two and three toed sloths, pigmy squirrels, carnivores and their tracks on the forest floor.

Back to the lodge for lunch and a welldeserved rest.

In the afternoon paddle canoes will take you to explore deeper areas in the surrounding creeks with more possibilities of seeing unique wildlife.

After dinner, a video about the community and Napo Wildlife Center will be shared with you.

 

DAY 7 NAPO PROGRAM

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.

Entry docking area, use of restrooms and embarking on motorized canoe in order to return back to Coca, arrival approximately after 2 hours boat ride up river, in order to check for Coca – Quito flight, schedule to be announced according to departure details and arrangements.

In Quito you will meet your guide again and he will drive up to your hotel.

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Giant otter

Photo: Oscar Espinosa

Day 8 : Quito - Airport

On this day, you will be transfered to the International Airport Quito for your Galapagos or international flight.

Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre

Photo: quitoinforma


Duration
8 Days

Included

  • Accommodation in double rooms
  • Indicaten Meals
  • B=Breakfast / L=Lunch / D=Dinner
  • Transportation
  • Bilingual naturalist guide
  • Scheduled Visits
  • Air Ticket (Quito – Coca – Quito)

Not Included

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Meals not described in the program
Additional Information

Program Hotels

Quito:

Luxury: Illa Experience Hotel or Similar

First Class: Patio Andaluz

Tourist Superior: Ikala or Similar

Napo:

  • Napo Cultural Center
  • Napo Wild Life Center

Notice: For security reasons, swimming into Añangucocha (lagoon) is forbidden.

Please Note: The rain forest itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, security and interests or groups. Changes and additions are made in order to maximize wildlife sightings, cultural exchange with the community and stay in a biologically rich region like the Yasuni National Park.