- Day 1
Arrive in Quito
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this enchanting city at your own pace. Situated at the foot of the volcano Pichincha, Quito is well known for its colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and carvings as well as its magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish and Moorish architecture.
- Day 2
Quito
After breakfast at your hotel, join in a full-day tour of the city beginning in the historic district, or “Old Town” where you will see the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Monument dedicated to the heroes of 1809 who fought for independence from Spain. On the way to San Francisco Square, visit the Jesuit church of La Compañia, before heading to the Equatorial Line Monument called the “Middle of the World” where you can stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. (B)
- Day 3
Quito| Lake Pilchicocha
Begin your adventure in the morning with a departure from Quito Airport and enjoy a breathtaking 30-minute flight across the Andes to the vibrant Amazon town of Coca. After a light lunch, step aboard a private canoe for a scenic two-hour journey down the river. A short, guided walk through the lush rainforest brings you to Lake Garzacocha, where local paddlers wait to escort you across the tranquil waters to the lodge. Settle into your rainforest retreat with a choice of relaxing or adventurous activities such as birdwatch from the mini-tower, wander through the butterfly house, or enjoy a refreshing swim in the blackwater lake. After dinner, join your naturalist guide for a magical night walk or silent canoe ride, where you may encounter nocturnal wildlife including caimans whose eyes shimmer under the starlit sky. (B, L, D)
- Day 4
Rainforest Walks
Begin your morning early with a guided walk along the Liana Chica Trail leading to the spectacular Canopy Walk. A 36-meter-high, 275-meter-long suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the rainforest treetops. Continue your exploration along the Liana Grande and Higuerón trails, where you’ll discover a variety of forest habitats, towering kapok trees, and fascinating uses of medicinal plants, all interpreted by expert naturalist guides. After lunch, choose your afternoon adventure: enjoy a leisurely walk along the Río Napo, or opt for the more adventurous Leoncillo Trail, with a chance to spot the shy dusky titi monkey. All routes conclude with a peaceful boardwalk stroll and canoe ride back to the lodge. (B, L, D)
- Day 5
Lake Lagartococha
After breakfast, venture along the Lagartococha Trail, where your guide will share the rich spiritual traditions of the region’s Indigenous communities—from ancestral tree legends to tales of the elusive duwende. Arriving at Lake Lagartococha, drift quietly by canoe through a wildlife-rich swamp, home to anacondas, caimans, capybaras, and vibrant birdlife. Continue on foot in search of capuchin and squirrel monkeys swinging through the canopy. Return to the lodge for a refreshing swim or a relaxing hammock break. Later, try your luck at piranha fishing with your native guide on a safe, fun, and unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, glide through the lodge’s flooded forest on a silent canoe ride, a guest’s favorite. Watch for squirrels, capuchins, and howler monkeys, and keep an eye out for river otters or even a three-toed sloth hidden among the branches. Your journey concludes at the lodge’s 135-foot observation tower, built around an enormous kapok tree. Enjoy close-up encounters with dazzling birdlife and, on clear evenings, take in a breathtaking sunset over Mount Sumaco with the snowcapped Andes shimmering in the distance. (B, L, D)
- Day 6
Flight back Coca | Quito
After breakfast, you’ll begin your return journey with a final stroll along the boardwalk to the river. From there, enjoy a scenic canoe ride back to Coca, where you’ll catch your short flight to Quito. Arrival in the city will be around midday, with schedules subject to change. (B)
- Day 7
Return Home
After breakfast, you will take a 60-minute canoe ride back to Coca harbor. From there, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito for your connecting flight back home. (B)
Discover the cultural treasures of Quito and the natural wonders of the Amazon on this immersive multi-day journey. Begin in Ecuador’s historic capital, exploring its beautifully preserved colonial architecture, iconic churches, and vibrant plazas. Stand at the famed Middle of the World before flying deep into the Amazon Basin, where your rainforest adventure begins. Settle into a peaceful jungle lodge on Lake Pilchicocha and spend your days exploring canopy walkways, medicinal plant trails, wildlife-rich swamps, and serene blackwater lakes. Guided hikes and canoe excursions reveal a spectacular array of wildlife from playful monkeys and colorful birds to caimans and capybaras while evenings offer magical night walks beneath star-filled skies. Experience Indigenous traditions, try yo...
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