Take a journey through Ecuador’s varied landscapes to see the best of the country’s wildlife. Immerse yourself in the cloud forests of Mindo and follow hiking trails to see colourful tanagers and hummingbirds, before spending a few days in the Amazon jungle, home to an astonishing repertoire of wildlife.
From volcanoes and snow-capped mountains to green valleys and impressive city sights, this itinerary is designed to show off the best of Ecuador’s prolific bird and wildlife, including maybe the Andean condor and elusive jaguar.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Quito
Fly from London to Quito, arriving later the same day. On arrival you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz, 2-nights
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Day 2:
City tour of Quito
Today you will explore Quito’s colonial quarters on a half-day city tour - a journey through art and architecture as you uncover this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Day 3:
Mindo Cloud Forest
Today you'll depart Quito and travel to Mindo Cloud Forest, first stopping at the brim of the crater of the dormant Pululahua Volcano, just north of the equator. The next stop will be Bellavista, deep in the heart of the cloud forest, where you'll immerse yourself in the cloud forest, along hiking trails that wind through this natural sanctuary. During the hike you can see brightly coloured tanagers and the mountain toucan. Enjoy lunch watching the hummingbirds hover around the feeders, and then continue to your lodge, where there is a chance to take an optional hike to observe a lek of the very attractive cock-of-the-rock.
Accommodation: Septimo Paraiso Lodge, 1-night
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Day 4:
Mindo Cloud Forest, return to Quito
On your second day at Mindo, a one-hour hike will lead you on a trail through lush, epiphyte-laden cloud forest, before continuing downhill by car to the Valley of Mindo and on to the Butterfly Vivarium, housing 25 varieties of butterflies.
After lunch, drive to El Pahuma Reserve for a short nature hike alongside a lively, sparkling creek to the Pacaya waterfall. After your visit, drive back to the Quito for an overnight stay, stopping on the way at the Equator, on the site where the original monument marks Latitude Zero.
Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz, 1-night
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Day 5:
Visit Papallacta region
Depart Quito for Papallacta Pass, travelling on the Cinnamon Trail, the route the Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Orellana took in 1542, when he crossed the Andean mountain range in search of spices and gold, only to discover the Amazon River. Enjoy walks on marked trails, or visit Papallacta's thermal spring pools.
Accommodation: Guango Lodge, 1-night
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Day 6:
Visit Papallacta region, return to Quito
After spending more time exploring the Papallacta area, return to Quito for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz, 1-night
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Days 7-9
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Amazon
Transfer to Quito airport and fly east to the town of Coca. A short transfer takes you to the river port where you board a motorised canoe for your journey down the mighty Rio Napo into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon forest. The final stretch of your journey will be Indian dugout that will take you right to the your lodge.
Once at your chosen lodge you will explore on foot and by boat in the company of a knowledgeable naturalist guide, and learn about the rainforest. Among the birds you may see are harpy eagle, the world’s second largest bird of prey, many tiny multi-coloured hummingbirds, as well as parrots and toucans, with their brilliantly-coloured plumage and typically long bills.
Accommodation: Sacha Jungle Lodge, 3-nights
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Day 10:
Return to Quito
Return to Quito for a final night on your Ecuadorian Odyssey.
Accommodation: Hotel Patio Andaluz, 1-night
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Day 11:
Depart Quito
Transfer to the airport for an overnight flight back to the UK.
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Day 12:
Arrive UK
