We offer two jungle itineraries, one staying in a lodge and one cruising the river. Both itineraries include 3 nights in the jungle and offer the opportunity to follow jungle trails, visit lakes, see the wildlife and get an insight into the jungle way of life.
Jungle Lodge Itinerary
Sacha Lodge, Rio Napo
Day 1 (Wednesday)
Flight from the UK to Quito (3 nights).
Day 2 (Thursday)
Optional Colonial Quito excursion.
Day 3 (Friday)
Optional Otavalo excursion.
Day 4 (Saturday)
We drive south of Quito, passing
Cotopaxi, to Latacunga. After visiting the market,
we carry on to Chimborazo National Park, driving
to the refuge at 4,800m on the highest mountain in
Ecuador. We carry on to Riobamba (1 night).
Day 5 (Sunday)
We catch the early morning train from
Riobamba to the Devil’s Nose and Alausi. From here,
we continue on the beautiful road to Cuenca, visiting the Inca site of Ingapirca if time allows (2 nights).
Day 6 (Monday)
In the morning, take a short tour of
Cuenca, including a visit to a Panama hat factory.
Day 7 (Tuesday)
A free day in Cuenca, before flying back
to Quito in the afternoon (3 nights).
Days 8 & 9 (Wednesday & Thursday)
Two free days in Quito.
Take an optional excursion to the Bellavista Cloud Forest, Papallacata volcanic springs or trek on the rim of the amazing Quilotoa crater lake.
Day 10 (Friday)
Morning flight to Coca, then a two-hour motorized canoe ride down the Napo River to the Lodge on Pilchicocha lake, arriving in time for a swim. Visit the mini-tower to observe birds and watch the sun set. After dinner, take a walk to explore the forest after dark.
Day 11 (Saturday)
A morning visit to the canopy walkway to observe the jungle canopy and the varied birdlife. Walk through an igapo forest, where native guides explain the medicinal use of many plants. After lunch, continue through the forest, perhaps seeing the dusky titi monkey.
Day 12 (Sunday)
Take a canoe ride on Lagartococha lake, home to anacondas, caimans and capybaras. After lunch, fish for piranhas, then a silent canoe ride through the flooded forest, looking for sloths. A climb of a wooden tower built around an ancient kapok tree gives splended sunset views. We return to the lodge by canoe, taking an amazing ride through the night-time flooded forest.
Day 13 (Monday)
Return to Coca before flying back to Quito (1 night).
Day 14 (Tuesday)
Flight to the UK.
Day 15 (Wednesday)
Arrival in the UK.
Please note, jungle excursions may vary due to weather conditions.
Board
Jungle Lodge: Full board
Quito: Bed and Breakfast
Riobamba: Bed and Breakfast; lunch is included on Chimborazo volcano; a packed lunch is provided for the Devil's Nose train.
Cuenca: Bed and Breakfast
Jungle Cruise Itinerary
Manatee Amazon Explorer, Rio Napo
Day 1 (Wednesday)
Flight from the UK to Quito (3 nights).
Day 2 (Thursday)
Optional Colonial Quito excursion.
Day 3 (Friday)
Optional Otavalo excursion.
Day 4 (Saturday)
We drive south of Quito, passing
Cotopaxi, to Latacunga. After visiting the market,
we carry on to Chimborazo National Park, driving
to the refuge at 4,800m on the highest mountain in
Ecuador. We carry on to Riobamba (1 night).
Day 5 (Sunday)
We catch the early morning train from
Riobamba to the Devil’s Nose and Alausi. From here,
we continue on the beautiful road to Cuenca, visiting
the Inca site of Ingapirca if time allows (2 nights).
Day 6 (Monday)
In the morning, take a short tour of
Cuenca, including a visit to a Panama hat factory.
Day 7 (Tuesday)
A free day in Cuenca, before flying back
to Quito in the afternoon (3 nights).
Days 8 & 9 (Wednesday & Thursday)
Two free days in Quito.
Take an optional excursion to the Bellavista Cloud Forest, Papallacata volcanic springs or trek on the rim of the amazing Quilotoa crater lake.
Day 10 (Friday)
A morning flight from Quito to Coca,
from where you take a motorized canoe ride down
the Napo River to Manatee Amazon Explorer. The
boat then navigates down the river and the guides
will explain the Amazon’s ecosystem.
Day 11 (Saturday)
An early excursion to the banks of
the river, where different species of parrot gather
at a clay lick. The Manatee then sails upriver, and
you walk through the jungle to Limoncocha Lake,
where over 470 species of birds have been recorded.
You can also try piranha fishing here. At night, it is
possible to spot black caimans on the lake, before
returning to the Manatee.
Day 12 (Sunday)
Today you can row a canoe on a tranquil tributary of the Rio Napo to a native settlement to learn their way of life. Take a walk under the jungle canopy, where the enormous Kapok tree can grow to over 40m tall. There is also a fascinating Amazon museum visit, showing how people used to live in the rainforest.
Day 13 (Monday)
A final look at the jungle as the
Manatee sails upriver, before you fly back to Quito
(1 night).
Day 14 (Tuesday)
Flight to the UK.
Day 15 (Wednesday)
Arrival in the UK.
Please note, jungle excursions may vary due to weather conditions.
Board
Jungle Cruise: Full board
Quito: Bed and Breakfast
Riobamba: Bed and Breakfast; lunch is included on Chimborazo volcano; a packed lunch is provided for the Devil's Nose train.
Cuenca: Bed and Breakfast