Quito and the Amazon

For people short on time who wish to experience something truly fascinating, we have created this weeklong tour covering highlights of Ecuador’s lovely, historic capital, along with a visit to the country's largest and most colorful indigenous market at Otavalo. This is one of the most important markets in the Andes dating back to pre-Incan times and is a delight to the senses as you wander the tightly packed streets filled with an amazing variety of goods and produce. A visit to a luxurious jungle lodge at Napo, deep in the Amazon rainforest follows. This is located in the Yasuní National Park, one of the most bio diverse places on the planet. The lodge is set in a spectacular jungle setting on the beautiful Añangucocha Lagoon, where expert guides from the local Kichwa community will show you wildlife that you would never be able to see without their expert knowledge. Easy jungle trails, birdwatching, jungle canopy tours and river life are some of the many activities here. This is truly an amazing place and offers a rare opportunity to visit remote jungle without sacrificing any comforts.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Quito (-)

Upon arrival at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by your guide and driven to your hotel Quito for a three-night stay.

Day 2 - Quito City Tour, Equator (B)

Today you will be escorted on a private tour of Quito’s colonial historic center. Declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Quito is a delightful city to enjoy walking around the Independence Plaza, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipality, and the Carondelet Government Palace. You will have the opportunity to visit the lovely church of La Compañía as well as the Convent of San Francisco. Later you will be taken to “El Panecillo”, a small hill in the middle of the city with a fabulous view of the 45 km long and 4 km wide city and the surrounding snow-capped volcanoes. This afternoon we will visit the Equator, which is located only 30 minutes from Quito. From here you can jump from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere. At the visitor’s center, you will be able to visit the fascinating Intiñan Museum where you will be introduced to many of the indigenous cultures of Ecuador

Day 3 - Quito - Otavalo and Cotacachi (B)

This morning, following an early breakfast in your hotel, you will depart from Quito to the North on the Panamerican Highway to the neighboring province of Imbabura, to visit the sprawling Otavalo market, one of Latin America’s largest and most colorful indigenous markets. You can try your hand at haggling for handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, leather products, rugs, "shigras" (colorful straw or linen woven bags), as well as hand-carved wood products and countless other indigenous crafts, while admiring the indigenous local Andeans dressed in their traditional clothing. After a short drive from here you will arrive at the small artisan town of Cotacachi, which is famous for its leather products. Return to Quito and enjoy your final night there, perhaps sampling one of the excellent restaurants found near your hotel.

Day 4 – Flight to Coca and River Boat to Amazon Lodge (B,L,D)

This morning you will be met in your hotel by your guide who will escort you to Quito’s airport and assist you with the check-in formalities for your flight to the Amazon. The flight will take around 40 minutes, and on a clear day you will see the change in the landscape as you leave the Andes mountain range and enter the Amazon Jungle. Upon arrival in Coca, you will be escorted to the port located on the river Napo, a tributary of the Amazon River. Here you will board a motorized boat for a journey of approximately two and a half hours. During the trip you will have the opportunity to observe several different bird species as well as the lush jungle bordering the river. Upon arrival at the welcome center of the Napo Wildlife Center you will transfer to a canoe for a trip of about an hour up the Añanguyacu River to Napo Lodge. This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of staying at Napo, as the river is packed full of wildlife and spotting birds, caymans, monkeys and other jungle fauna are practically guaranteed. You will check in to the lodge for a three-night stay.

Day 5 – Wildlife Spotting in the Amazon (B,L,D)

This morning you will awaken to the sounds of the jungle surrounding your cabin. After enjoying breakfast overlooking the beautiful jungle lagoon in front of the lodge, you will travel to one of the lodge’s parrot clay licks. If conditions are right you may see up to a thousand brightly colored parrots at close range. This visit is followed by lunch and a fascinating insight into the local Kichwa indigenous tribe who inhabit this region of the Amazon. You will learn about their way of life as well as their customs and the threats to their survival. Another canoe ride up the Añanguyacu River to spot more wildlife will bring you back to Napo Lodge for the evening.

Day 6 – Jungle Observation Tower, Jungle Hike (B,L,D)

After breakfast this morning, you will leave the hotel in the morning towards the observation tower situated in the river Napo. The tower is over 100 feet high and is located a 15 minute canoe ride followed by an easy 15 minute walk on a well maintained jungle trail from the hotel. There are spectacular views over the jungle canopy from the top. Your keen-eyed guide will assist you in spotting numerous tropical bird species, as well as monkeys and other animals that make the jungle their home.

This afternoon you will follow a jungle trail with your guide, looking for lizards, birds, insects, sloths and several species of monkey. The jungle’s rivers are full of wildlife and you may be lucky enough to spot the elusive giant river otter as well as aligators. Enjoy a final dinner in the jungle overlooking the beautiful Añanguyacu Lagoon.

Day 7 – Return to Quito, Fly Home (B)

This morning you will reverse the journey you took from Quito to reach here. An easy canoe ride down the black water Añanguyacu River will take you to the Napo Wildlife Welcome Center from where a motorized boat will return you to the town of Coca after approximately two and a half hours in order to connect with your flight to Quito and home.

Hotels listed below are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Quito - Luxury - Anahi

The Anahí Boutique Hotel brings together the perfect balance of comfort and style. It has been meticulously designed to satisfy the needs of the most demanding traveler, offering fifteen suites that have been tailored with unique and luxurious details. Located in the north-center region of the city, Anahi is close to the most exciting and lively part of the city, yet only a short taxi ride away from the city’s beautiful historic center.

Quito - Deluxe - Swissotel

Swissotel Quito is one of the city's top five-star luxury hotels. Each of the 232 elegant guest rooms and 43 executive apartments are air-conditioned and feature stylish, contemporary design. Luxurious amenities include state-of-the-art technology and free wifi.v Executive rooms and the Swiss Executive Club lounge provide additional luxury and exclusivity. Five excellent restaurants offer a wide variety of international cuisine: Japanese, Swiss, Mediterranean and Ecuadorian: a menu to suit every palate.

Amazon Jungle - Luxury - Napo Wildlife Center

Amazon Jungle - Deluxe - Napo Wildlife Center

Napo is the Amazon’s leading luxury Eco-Lodge. Located by the Añangu Lake, South bank of the Napo River, it is the only lodge within Yasunì National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the largest tract of intact rain forest in Ecuador. The lodge offers the finest accommodations and privacy of all lodges in Ecuador and one of the best in the entire Amazon. 16 large, individual luxury cabañas each feature private lake and jungle views. Napo offers unrivalled nature attractions and biodiversity, with numerous wildlife viewing facilities including a spectacular 100-foot high canopy observation tower. It is an amazing place, a visit to which will never be forgotten.

Pricing

From $2995 per person (Luxury Hotels) or $3395 per person (Deluxe Hotels), for a private tour based on two people traveling in low season sharing a room.

Hotels listed on the Hotels Tab are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Price Includes:

All hotels as described in the itinerary
Services of Blue World Journeys’s representatives while in Ecuador
All transportation as described in the itinerary in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver / guide
Domestic flights Quito-Coca-Quito
Private sightseeing and entrance fees
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled water in the vehicle during all transfers 

Price Excludes:

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Sightseeing other than described in the itinerary
Additional room charges of a personal nature in hotels (eg: room service, laundry, phone calls, etc.).