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Title image - BAI takes you to:  Ecuador's Amazon Basin

Ecuador's Amazon Basin Adventure – Trip Itinerary

The statue of the Virgen de Quito

The statue of the Virgen de Quito

Our trip begins in the city of Quito in the high Andes surrounded by beautiful valleys and spectacular mountains. Its historical, cultural and contemporary heritage makes Quito one of the world wonders. In 2004, the city was named the Cultural Capital of the Americas.

After some sightseeing in the bustling city of Quito and a visit to the Otavalo market, we head to the countryside to stay in the beautiful Hacienda Cusin. From there we head into the heart of the jungle, in the Amazon Basin. A flight from Quito takes us to the small town of Coca from which we depart for our lodge by boat. There are no roads where this trip takes us! Prepare to be thrilled by some of the best and most intimate wildlife viewing this jungle has to offer.

Day 1 – International flight to Quito, Ecuador. Arrive in Quito where you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel, the Quito Marriott Hotel.

  • Overnight Quito

Day 2 – After breakfast and some sightseeing in Quito, we head north to Otavalo. This is a town known for its famous market which is one of the largest in Latin America and is unsurpassed for its food and culture. We will stop for lunch at a beautiful hacienda; a restored 17th-century Andean estate.

  • Breakfast included.
  • Overnight at Hacienda Cusin

Day 3 – Today we will have the opportunity to hike at the beautiful Guinea Pig Lake, a spectacular crater lake. From here we will have astounding views of the lake and the surrounding Ecuadorian landscape. There will also be an option to do some other activities such as horseback riding, a visit to a condor reserve, museums, antique shops, and mountain biking.

  • Breakfast included
  • Overnight at Hacienda Cusin
The Imbabura volcano in Ecuador's highlands

The Imbabura volcano in Ecuador's highlands

Day 4 – Early morning return to Quito and depart for a 30-minute flight to Coca over the eastern Andes mountain range. After landing, about mid morning, we embark on a comfortable covered motor boat. Next we take a canoe ride along the Napo River for about two hours, enjoying a boxed lunch en route. Along the way, birds like herons, kingfishers, and others can be spotted.

After arriving at our lodge's entry dock, we disembark, freshen up, and then take a majestic and peaceful one-hour dugout-canoe ride. We are surrounded by trees overhead, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. There will be a good possibility of seeing monkeys of various species as well as large birds like toucans, parrots, or even macaws.

Late in the afternoon, we arrive again at our wonderful lodge, with an overwhelming view of the Añangu lake. After dinner there will be an optional cayman (alligator) observation tour around the lake. The natural sounds that can be heard on the water at night will be a memorable part of your experience.

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
  • Overnight at Jungle Lodge

Arriving at our Jungle Lodge

Day 5 – We wake up early to experience one of the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about one hour boat ride from the lodge.

We reach the clay lick just before parrot activity kicks off between 7:30 to 8:30am. A wide variety of parrots, parakeets, and macaw species can be seen.

Later, we will hike along a forest trail to visit to the Quichua community of Añangu and spend some time with a local family to share and learn about their daily activities. We then return to the creek and take a short hike through a terra firme forest to a second parrot clay lick observatory. We will enjoy a well-deserved box lunch here and then return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
  • Overnight at Jungle Lodge
Vivid views at a parrot clay lick

Vivid views at a parrot clay lick

Day 6 – After an early breakfast, we will depart from the lodge for a trip to one of the finest canopy towers on the Napo River. This 120ft/36m high canopy tower is located about 20 minutes from the lodge, deep within the terra firme forest. As you ascend the 12-story tower, you will pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree, where you'll be treated to a view formerly reserved only for the birds.

On the water Our charismatic guide

Left: On the water; Right: Our charismatic guide

Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree. Blue and yellow macaws fly through the canopy. 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 are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence.

Squirrel monkeys

Squirrel monkeys

After enjoying lunch back at the lodge, we hike along primary forest where we may come across lizards, colorful manakins, and (with some luck) we may catch a glimpse of the unique and endemic Golden Mantle tamarin monkey. After the hike, there will be time to explore the lake and creeks in a dugout canoe.

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
  • Overnight at Jungle Lodge

Day 7 – Early morning departure as we board our canoe and head back to the Napo River. The creek may reveal new sightings such as a family of otters, Monk Saki monkeys, and many other rare birds. Arrive back at the dock, and from there, head back to Coca on our motor boat. Catch the scheduled flight back to Quito.

  • Breakfast included
  • Overnight Quito

Day 8 – Flight to home country.

  • Breakfast included