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Ecuador
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© Keith Sloan/Nature Portfolio  The magnificent Cotopaxi |
With options including the stunning scenery and cloud forests of the Andes, and a stay amongst the forests of Amazonia, a tour to mainland Ecuador can encompass a huge range of habitats, in one of the most diverse of tropical countries.
Ecuador is one of South America's smallest countries - but it is absolutely crammed with wildlife species! Straddling the Andes, the amazing habitat variety encompasses temperate cloud-forest, dry 'paramo' grassland, rocky volcanic slopes, down to the fabulous biological riches of the Amazonian rain-forest. The scenery is absolutely awe-inspiring, the distances are not that great, and the country is most welcoming to tourists, with a good infrastructure. Itineraries also include some of the fascinating local Indian markets for which the Ecuador highlands are renowned. Below are itineraries for Ecuador Mainland which can be arranged either before or after a Galapagos or on its own. Of course all of our sample itineraries can be adjusted to suit your personal travel arrangements. If you have your own itinerary in mind, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your own personal requirements. We can also offer specialist birding itineraries, with one of Ecuador's top guides, similar to our fixed departure itinerary. |
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Day 2 (B,L) A full day excursion exploring the colonial heart of Quito, having lunch in a typical Ecuadorian restaurant and visiting the Equator Line. Overnight Quito Day 3 Private transfer to Quito airport for Galapagos flight See Galapagos Itinerary for day 3-10 |
© Keith Sloan/Nature Portfolio  Quito street scene |
| HIGHLANDS DE LUXE |
© John Muddeman/Nature Portfolio  Septimo Valley |
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Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Quito, to be met and taken to your hotel Overnight Patio Andaluz, Quito Day 2 (B,L,D) A half day city tour exploring the colonial heart of Quito. Private car and driver to transfer you to Hacienda San Agustin near Cotopaxi in the afternoon. Overnight Hacienda San Agustin |
© Keith Sloan/Nature Portfolio  Sasquisili Indian market |
Day 3 (B,L,D) Day at leisure Overnight Hacienda San Agustin Day 4 (B, L) Car, driver and guide arrive early to take you to Saquisili Indian market, one of the largest and best of the markets along the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes'. Enjoy lunch at the historic Hacienda La Cienega, then return to Quito late afternoon. Overnight Patio Andaluz, Quito |
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Day 5 (B) Private transfer to Quito airport for Galapagos flight See Galapagos Itinerary for day 5-12 Day 12 On arrival back from Galapagos, you will be met and taken north to the delightful Hosteria Cusin, a restored 17th century Andean estate at 8,500 feet near Otavalo. Stay in a Garden Cottage all with garden and mountain views. Delicious meals are available. Overnight Hosteria Cusin |
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Day 13 (B) A day at leisure to enjoy the Hosteria Cusin, there are many activities available, or you can just relax and enjoy the several acres of ever-blooming gardens which include belladonna, bougainvillea, agapantha, acanthas, foxgloves, orchids and palms that attract over 50 species of birds. Alternatively you can visit the world famous Otavalo Craft Market, open daily 8am - 4pm. Overnight Hosteria Cusin |
© Keith Sloan/Nature Portfolio  A hummingbird visits a flowering palm |
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Day 14 (B) Car and driver will take you back to Quito in the afternoon for time at leisure. (Or we can arrange an excursion today if you wish - Cuicocha Crater Lake, or craft villages) Overnight Patio Andaluz, Quito Day 15 (B) Private transfer to Quito airport for return flight back to the UK, or start of other services Notes: Suite at San Agustin Private cottage in the grounds at Cusin Delicious meals are available at Cusin There will only be a guide where mentioned. Otherwise car and driver (not necessarily an English speaker) but one of our local agents' staff, and he will know exactly where to go. £ 775.00 Prices are per person, based on twin share. Meals included as detailed. |
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HIGHLANDS ADVENTURE
Itinerary Day 10 On arrival back from Galapagos, you will be met by car and driver, and taken down the Avenue of the Volcanoes to the historic Hacienda La Cienega. From here Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano, makes a truly stunning sight on a clear day. La Cienega is one of Ecuador's oldest haciendas, built around 1580, and makes a fascinating and elegant place to stay. Here you can watch Giant Hummingbirds flit amongst the flower-rich gardens. Overnight Junior Suite at Hacienda La Cienega |
© John Muddeman/Nature Portfolio  Violet-tailed Sylph |
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Day 11 (B, L) Guide, car and driver will arrive early to take you for a guided day excursion in Cotopaxi National Park, with its high forests, lakes and paramo grassland. Here can be found some high-altitude specialities, including Andean Lapwing and Andean Gull in a small lake amidst stunning surroundings at the foot of the volcano. Overnight Junior Suite at Hacienda La Cienega Day 12 (B, L) A guided visit to an Indian market. Then drive on to Riobamba to visit this town in the Highlands and onto Hosteria Abraspungo, a comfortable and peaceful lodge in countryside surroundings. Overnight Hosteria Abraspungo Day 13 (B, L) An early start to take the train from Riobamba round the Devils Nose to Alausi, one of the world's most famous train rides, your car will be waiting at Alausi to drive you on to Ingapirca for a picnic lunch and a guided visit to this fine Inca site. Then on to Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site and considered to be the cultural capital of Ecuador. Overnight Hotel Crespo, Cuenca Day 14 (B, L) A guided morning tour to explore Cuenca., with the afternoon at leisure. A late afternoon flight back to Quito, and private transfer back to your hotel. Overnight La Rabida, Quito Day 15 Private transfer to Quito airport for return flight back to the UK, or start of other services £ 960.00 Prices are per person, based on twin share. Meals included as detailed. |
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AMAZON OPTIONS
NAPO WILDLIFE CENTRE |
© John Muddeman/Nature Portfolio 
Western Emerald Hummingbird
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Itinerary
Day 1 (L,D) Depart Quito for a domestic flight to Coca on the Napo River, after a short drive to the dock, you will board a large, motorized, covered canoe for a two-hour trip downriver. Upon arriving at the entrance to the Napo Wildlife Centre Reserve, you switch to smaller, dugout canoes and are paddled up the blackwater creek to the lake and lodge (no motorized transport is allowed on the creek so that wildlife isn't disturbed). This paddle can take anywhere from one to three hours, as on the creek you might see Giant Otters, potoos, kingfishers, Hoatzins, jacamars, hawks, and monkeys. You eat lunch en route and arrive at the lodge by late afternoon. The accommodation is in large rooms, which include private bathrooms with on-demand hot water showers, private porches with lake view, 24-hour electricity with plenty of lights and 120v outlets and ceiling fans and secure screens for plenty of bug free ventilation. Overnight Napo Wildlife Centre Days 2 - 3 (B,L,D) Two days at leisure to enjoy the 82 square mile private nature reserve. The Napo Wildlife Centre has the two most accessible parrot clay licks in Ecuador. There are viewing blinds so you can comfortably watch as hundreds of parrots and parakeets come to eat the clay. You may also see the Giant Otters that thrive in the lake and streams that surround the Napo Wildlife Centre. At the end of the day you can enjoy a hot shower, tasty dinner and a cold beer. Overnight Napo Wildlife Centre Day 4 (B) Depart Napo Wildlife Centre for the return canoe journey to Coca for a domestic flight back to Quito. £ 496.00 Prices are per person, based on twin share. Full board (except drinks) and flights and transfers as mentioned and all activities included. Operation days Friday - Monday, other start days are available except Sunday, when there are no flights. |
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AMAZON OPTIONS
SACHA LODGE |
© Sacha Lodge  The Lakeside Bar at Sacha Lodge |
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Itinerary
Day 1 (L,D) Depart Quito for a domestic flight to Coca where you will be met by a bilingual guide to board a covered motorized canoe for a two hour trip down the Napo River. During the ride it is easy to spot handsome shore birds such a herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys between the scattered native huts as you travel steadily away from civilization. Upon arrival to Sacha Lodge's 5000-acre (2000-hectare) private reserve, our guests will take their first walk along a raised boardwalk through dense flooded palm forest where several species of monkeys are often sighted. The path leads to Pilchicocha Lake, a blackwater paradise where you'd least expect to find any sign of people, but dugout canoes (and even paddlers) await to carry you even farther. As you cross the lake, the cries of tropical birds lead you to your final destination and home base for an exciting jungle experience. The cabins have high thatched roofs and private shaded terraces, and are constructed with traditional materials. Each of the 26 rooms provides a private bathroom with a flushing toilet and hot shower. All cabins are screened against insects and contain ceiling fans. Guests may also enjoy the jungle view from a hammock in their own cabin. Overnight Sacha Lodge Day 2 - 3 (B,L,D) Sacha's guests will be divided into groups no larger than six people. Each group will be led by a bilingual naturalist guide, and a native Quichua guide with ancestral knowledge of the rainforest. A typical day at Sacha begins at sunrise, in order to take advantage of the cool morning hours when animals are most active. In the afternoon excursions begin between 3.00 and 4.00 and often continue into the early evening. A night activity is offered every evening. Sacha's special attractions include a 43-metre observation tower, a canopy bird walk and one of Ecuador's largest butterfly farms. Overnight Sacha Lodge Day 4 (B) Depart Sacha Lodge for a domestic flight back to Quito. £ 535.00 Prices are per person, based on twin share. Full board (except drinks) and all activities included. Operation days Friday - Monday, other start days are available except Sunday, when there are no flights. 5 day/4 night stays available, please enquire for prices. |
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AMAZON OPTIONS
LA SELVA |
© Andy Bradley/Nature Portfolio  Your transport awaits! |
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Itinerary
Day 1 (L,D) Depart Quito for a domestic flight to Coca where you will be met by an English Speaking Naturalist who will escort you on the two hour canoe trip down the Napo River. When you get to La Selva's isolated dock, a half mile boardwalk of bamboo slats keeps you above a vast mysterious palm swamp as you make you way to the lake. The boardwalk ends at Garzacocha Lake, the haunt of Agami and Zigzag Herons, where paddle canoes wait to take you across. A quarter mile along, the lodge begins to peek out at you. It is your first expedition of discovery in what will be a vacation filled with marvel and wonder. The accommodation is in cabanas of native design: rustic, authentic and comfortable. The cabanas include a private bathroom with hot water, a hammock and mosquito netting in each bed. Overnight La Selva Day 2 - 3 (B,L,D) Two days to enjoy and discover the jungle. La Selva has many staff to make small group and many, many options. From leisurely to gruelling, you can see the spectacular sights of the jungle at your own pace. After dinner each night you discuss the options and then decide. From the bar you can watch Hoatzins clambering about in the trees just outside, and, as dusk falls, the evening flight of Sand-coloured Nighthawks wheeling about in flocks over the lake. We won't pretend that forest birding is easy here - it requires patience and quietness along the wet and slippery trails and rickety boardwalks. But the excitement of finding tricky species like Amazonian Umbrellabird here in the company of one of the lodge's amazing local guides is surely one of the world's best birding experiences! Some delightful primates can also be found here, and include both the splendid Golden-mantled Tamarin and the diminutive Pygmy Marmoset. Overnight La Selva Day 4 (B) Depart La Selva for a domestic flight back to Quito. £ 535.00 Prices are per person, based on twin share. Full board (except drinks) and all activities included. Operation days Wednesday - Saturday, other start days are available except Sunday, when there are no flights. 5 day/4 night stays available, please enquire for prices. |
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CLOUD FOREST OPTIONS
BELLAVISTA (Western Slopes) |
© Keith Grant/Nature Portfolio  Green Honeycreeper |
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Itinerary Day 1 (L,D) Depart Quito for a private transfer down an old Nono-Mindo road. Arrive at The Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, 700 hectares in the buffer zone of the Mondo - Nambillo Protected Forest. At an elevation of 1650 to 2350 metres, with plunging valleys and tall trees festooned with Orchids and bromeliads, Bellavista is a perfect place to discover the beauty of a cloud forest. The elevation is too high for malaria to survive, and there are no hidden dangers on the forest. Restricted range birds such as the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, the Toucan Barbet and the rare Tanager-Finch live here. Accommodation is rustic style with some offering en-suite facilities. There are a variety of rooms to chose: please enquire for further details. Overnight Bellavista Day 2 (B,L,D) A day at leisure at Bellavista to enjoy the 10km of trails, ranging from easy to genuine adventure with guided hikes, with the emphasis on general natural history, birds or botany. Unique lodging, gourmet food, good wines and personalised service provide the ingredients for your own individual experience. Overnight Bellavista Day 3 (B,L) Depart Bellavista for a private transfer back to Quito. Prices from £ 230.00 Prices are based on per person, twin share. Full board (except drinks) and some activities included. For longer stays we recommend you having your own guide (birder or naturalist) with you to enable you to fully explore the area and flora and birds. Prices on request. |
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CLOUD FOREST OPTIONS
SEPTIMO PARAISO (Western Slopes) |
© John Muddeman/Nature Portfolio  Green-crowned Woodnymph |
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Itinerary Day 1 (L,D) Depart Quito with a Specialist Birding Guide with their own car, to Septimo Paraiso, with birding opportunities en route. Arrive at Septimo Paraiso, a private ecological protected area, managed by the Green Mindo Foundation which is in charge of studying and protecting its 420 hectares of premontane and montane cloud forest. The reserve has one of the largest bird counts of the Northwestern area of Pichincha with around 340 species of birds, several species of mammals have been found such as puma, spectacled bear, coati, armadillos, white and brocket deer, two toed sloth (to name some) an incredible amount of species of reptiles and amphibians plus an overwhelming number of plant species. The Hosteria offers 19 luxurious rooms with private bathroom, with hot water from their own spring and an old country style accommodation. Overnight Septimo Paraiso Day 2 (B,L,D) A day at leisure at Septimo Paraiso to explore the well maintained trails and observation platforms designed for easy access to the forest and specially configured for bird watching. Hosteria Septimo Paraiso offers national and international home made food in a country style restaurant as well as a casual and relaxed bar area, as well as a gift shop, a heated spring water pool and Jacuzzi and solarium are, and even a small gym in case you need a workout. Overnight Septimo Paraiso Day 3 (B,L) Depart Septimo Paraiso in the afternoon for a private transfer back to Quito £ 555.00 per person Price per person based on twin share, however the price will be reduced if there are a group of 4 or more. |
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CLOUD FOREST OPTIONS
PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS HOTEL |
© John Muddeman/Nature Portfolio  Rufous-tailed Hummingbird |
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Itinerary Day 1 (L,D) Depart Quito for a private transfer to the Papallacta Hot Springs Hotel, located in the Cloud Forest Area, not far from Papallacta Pass. An ideal location to relax - either on arrival in Ecuador or at the end of your holiday. Accommodation is in rooms with private bathroom and hot water. Overnight Papallacta Hot Springs Hotel Day 2 (B,L,D) A day at leisure. The Papallacta Hot Springs Hotel offer walks with our native guides as well as self-guided ones through ecological trails, allowing nature lovers to appreciate the unique endemic species of flora and fauna. This area provides an ideal place for ornithologists who would be able to watch more than 160 different species of birds, including hummingbirds, tangaras and occasionally the great Andean Condor. In addition, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Exploratory research and interpretation center, which offers audiovisual information on those species only found around Papallacta. The Terra Foundation which currently manages the center also watches over the protected area. This foundation is a private non-profit organization whose aim is to carry out research that will contribute to improve the quality of life of the poor communities of the area, thus harmonizing economic development with nature conservation. You can also enjoy the thermal pools or spa treatments (charges will apply). Overnight Papallacta Hot Springs Hotel Day 3 (B,L) Depart Papallacta Hot Springs Hotel in the afternoon for a private transfer back to Quito £ 150.00 per person Prices per person, based on twin share. Guided services are available on request and spa treatments are extra. | ||
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