Natural History Extravaganza

Ecuador is blessed with some of the most diverse eco-systems on the planet. On this tour, you’ll visit the unique alti-plano surrounding Cotopaxi National Park and then immerse yourself for five days in the tropical Amazon rainforest. Next you have a short break to enjoy Quito and the spectacular sites and beauty of this colonial gem nestled high in the Andes. Your next excursion takes you to the special cloud forests and transition zones of the Mindo-Nambillo forest. For nature lovers, this tour is a dream-come-true.

As an added bonus, we’ve included a visit to the Machalilla Nacional Park, located on the central coast. Visit Isla de la Plata for great marine life, snorkeling options and a chance to see migrating humpback whales. Trips into the tropical dry & moist forests and local beach areas offer more marine & shore-bird sightings.

2007 Departures:

• Saturdays
• Minimum of 2 passengers

2007 Prices: 

• 3 star Quito hotel $2595
• 4 star Quito hotel $2660
• 5 star Quito hotel $2775

• Plus Local Airfares
• Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
• Single supplement available on request

Note: This tour is a suggested, customized itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget.

Itinerary

Day 1/Sat: Arrive Quito and transfer to your selected hotel.

Day 2/Sun:Cotopaxi National Park by rail “Chiva Express”. Surrounding Cotopaxi Volcano is the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 36,000 hectares (88,920 acres), especially attractive for nature lovers, with the treeless vegetation of the Andean moorlands or páramo. You may see herds of llamas and perhaps deer, rabbits, frogs and lizards. Bird life includes the Andean gull, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and with some luck, the condor.

The adventure starts at the old train station of Quito, where the "Chiva Express", a one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart towards the south. As the Chiva Express advances along the ancient railway, the mood aboard makes you adjust to another tempo, and leisurely enjoy the way of traveling of past centuries. One of the highlights of the trip is to "ride the roof" with a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. Disembark at El Boliche Recreational Area at Cotopaxi, and then enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant of the area. Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park is not included (currently $10). Late afternoon return to your Quito hotel. (B, L)

Day 3/Mon: Amazon Rainforest. You’ll be picked up at your hotel, and transferred to the airport where you’ll check in for your flights to Coca, the gateway to the Ecuador’s Amazon basin. On arrival, you’ll be met by a representative of your lodge, who will transfer you to the dock in town, where you’ll board a comfortable, covered motor-boat for the two hour ride to your lodge. You will spend the next 5 days/4 nights at either Napo Wildlife Center, or the Sacha Jungle Lodge (Kapawi Jungle lodge can be used on request, additional transportation charges will apply). Lodging is in comfortable cabins with private baths, flush toilets and hot-water showers.

During your stay, you’ll enjoy guided excursions each morning and afternoon. Nocturnal outings are also possible. You’ll be able to visit parrot clay licks, canopy tower and/or walkways, canoe through lakes and creeks, hike forest trails, and experience some of the most spectacular bird-watching in all of Ecuador. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in this region, which is more than 1/3 of all the Ecuador birds.  On each of your outings, your professional naturalist guide will point and explain the details of the reptiles, mammals, and flora that you encounter. All meals are included during your stay. (B, D)

Day 4, 5 & 6-- Tues/Wed/Thu: Days in the Amazon rainforest. (B, L, D)

Day 7/Fri: You’ll return to the Coca airport for your scheduled flights back to Quito. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your select hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure. Your flights are generally scheduled to arrive around 1:00 PM, but they can be delayed. If you have free time today, you may wish to visit the local botanical gardens. There is also a permanent handicraft market near to your hotel, as well as interesting art galleries and specialty stores. (B)

Day 8/Sat: Quito Scenic tour + Teleferiqo ride. This morning you’ll be picked up at your hotel for your private tour. First, enjoy a visit to downtown Quito to relish in this urban jewel and its treasures of art and architecture. Quito’s colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stroll starts at the Independence Plaza, flanked by the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit the temple of La Compañía de Jesús and its awesome gilded interior. Continue on to the Monastery of San Francisco, one the of great religious buildings of the New World; its impressive façade and atrium that lead to its Baroque interior influenced by Moorish style, with the winged Virgin of Quito at its main altar. The tour ends at a lookout point with a great view of Quito. Continue to the departure point for Quito’s newest attraction—a ride up to the top of Pichincha Volcano. The 8-minute ascent is made in 6 passenger cars with panoramic windows. You start at 3045 meters, finishing at the summit at 4050 meters, on Cruz Loma. The view from the top is spectacular, covering the city of Quito, the surrounding valleys and snowcapped volcanoes. Your guide will take you to the various lookout points surrounded by Andean shrub forests. There are also several coffee shops & places for a snack, where you can enjoy the incredible views. You can also visit the area of handcraft and souvenir shops. Return down the mountain, and transfer to your hotel.

The Quito Scenic tour is a walking tour at an altitude of 2800 meters (9200 feet) and involves climbing stairs. Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat). Women should not wear shorts nor miniskirts as visits to churches are included. Take a sweater and warm coat (for the teleferiqo) even if the day is warm and sunny. Rain protection advised in the afternoon. Sun protection (SPF 40). Good walking shoes. For the teleferico: Guests who have claustrophobia, vertigo or problems with high altitude should carefully consider if this tour is appropriate for them. Cost of Express Entrance Fee is included. (B)

Note: Optional full day group tour today to the Otavalo Indian market, located about 2 hours north of Quito. This tour includes time to explore the bustling Saturday market for textiles and local handicrafts. After lunch at a local hacienda, you return to Quito and your hotel.

Day 9/Sun:2 day/1 night Cloud Forests of Mindo. This private tour explores the region of Mindo. located within the protected Mindo-Nambillo forest, a short two-hour drive to the northwest of Quito. Mindo cloud forest has an incredible diversity of avian fauna, particularly hummingbirds, as well as butterflies. This area of primary forest with an immense biodiversity also has some of the highest rates of plant endemism in the world: orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, ferns, vines, mosses and lichens grow in abundance here. Specially trained guides introduce guests to the mysteries of the Mindo Cloud Forest, pointing out the unique flora and fauna and leading excursions along nature paths flanked by crystalline rivers.

Day one starts with a stop at El Pahuma Reserve for a 45-minute nature hike on a trail through lush, epiphyte-laden cloud forest, alongside a lively, sparkling creek to the 40-meter (135 foot) Pacaya waterfall. A snack is served at the waterfall. El Pahuma Reserve is a privately owned forest of an Ecuadorian family who is searching for a viable economic alternative to destructive activities such as logging or cattle ranching, and protects over 600 hectares (over 1500 acres) of tropical forest.

Next visit is to Bellavista, deep in the heart of the cloud forest, where lunch is served among clouds that come and go creating an aura of mystery and magic, while at close range, a multitude of hummingbirds hover around the feeders. After lunch, don rubber boots and rain ponchos and get ready to immerse yourself for one hour in this natural sanctuary where the sight of brightly colored tanagers and the Mountain Toucan will thrill nature lovers; your guide will assist you to spot the wildlife and the vast variety of birds that inhabit this area of Ecuador. There are binoculars for rent at Bellavista. At the end of the day arrive to a comfortable lodge of the area for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 10/Monday: Today starts early for nature lovers who fancy an early outing on their own in the surroundings to find nature's undiscovered treasures, when the birds are most active, or, for those really serious birdwatchers, a very early (still in darkness) one-hour hike to arrive at dawn and observe a lek (a place of courtship of birds) of the very attractive cock-of-the-rock. Starting with the first light of the day, the lek lasts for about an hour with loud calls, and up to 12 birds flying from one branch to another displaying their red feathers to attract the females —an awesome and seldom seen sight! After breakfast, its downhill to the Valley of Mindo for an introduction to the many types of orchids of the area right in the quaint little village of Mindo.

Then, visit the Butterfly Vivarium, housing 25 varieties of butterflies. Flight areas simulate the outside forest with water streams, mineral deposits, and a wide range of wild flowers. Hundreds of caterpillars feed on their host plants in their natural environment to assure the best development of pupae and butterflies. A snack is served.

On the way back to Quito, a stop is made at the brim of the crater of the dormant Pululahua Volcano, just north of the equator, and considered by the natives as the Earth’s navel. It is a physical and energy-filled planetary center, probably responsible for the Pululahua's (meaning cloud of water) quasi mystical power of attraction. Its huge crater, with its own microclimate, is inhabited and its rich soil farmed in colorful patches; it suddenly disappears from view among the clouds, only to appear a few minutes later. This is an overwhelming experience. Perched literally on the edge of this spectacular crater, at El Crater Restaurant, enjoy lunch featuring traditional Ecuadorian and international cuisine. Arrive to Quito late afternoon, and check in to your hotel. (B, L)

Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat). Bring your bathing suit. Binoculars are a must! Rain ponchos and rubber boots are provided. This tour includes walking at altitudes between 2,700 to 1,400 meters, (8,800 to 4,600 feet). Sun protection (SPF 40). Hat or cap. Good walking shoes and extra pairs of socks. Rain occurs throughout the year, although the climate is driest from May to September.

Temperature: Day, average 15° to 28° C / 59° to 82° F.Night, average 10° to 15° C / 50° to 59° F (B, L, D)

Day 11/Tue:Wonders of Machalilla-4 days. This morning you’ll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the Quito airport for your flights to Manta. Arrival and overland transfer towards Machalilla National Park with en-route visits to Montecristi, an antique historic town founded in 1628. This small town is best known as the birthplace of the “Panama” hats, which although historically produced in Ecuador, were first widely distributed from Panama. Afternoon visit to the excellent local archaeological Museum of Salango. Archaeological ruins and evidence of thousands of years of human presence in this area are abundant. Solango and Agua Blanca are among the best community museums in the country. Check in to the Mantaraya Lodge for a three night stay. (B, D)

Day 12/Wed: Isla de la Plata. After breakfast, transfer to Puerto Lopez to board a small yacht and sail to Isla de la Plata. Located 45 Kms (28 miles) off the coast, this island is a seabird sanctuary, home to many of the same species found in the Galapagos Islands. A trek toward Punta Machete allows you to observe birds such as blue-footed, red-footed & masked boobies, red-billed tropic birds and a large colony of frigate birds (Apr-Nov). Colonies of sea lions and migrating humpback whales (Jun-Oct) can be seen in the vicinity. Year-round you’ll find several species of dolphins, as well as sperm whales, Pilot Whales and False Killer whales. You’ll hike the trails of the island, and also have an opportunity to snorkel in the only coral reefs off mainland Ecuador. (snorkeling equipment provided). Return in the late afternoon to your hotel. Entrance fee to Machalilla National Park is not included (currently $20). (B, L, D)

Day 13/Thu: Agua Blanca & Los Frailes Beach. After breakfast, travel by car to the community of Agua Blanca. This tiny town’s name (white water) refers to the natural spring of sulfurous water near one of Ecuador’s oldest archaeological sites: the ruins of Salangome. Excavations can be observed both in situ and in the small community-run museum. Level of Difficulty: uphill walk on dirt trail

Lunch is included. This town is located in a tropical dry forest, with an active bird population. Afternoon visit Los Frailes Beach, a secluded stunning cove, one of the area’s nicest beaches in the Pacific Coast. Swimming and snorkeling from the beach. (bring your own snorkeling gear). Possibility of a one mile trek along the tropical dry forest observing the bird life, the forest and the scenery. Nesting Frigate birds and blue footed boobies are found in this area. Return to your hotel for dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 14/Fri: Ayampe River. After breakfast, travel by car to the tropical humid forest on the banks of the Ayampe River. A great variety of bird life is found along the banks of the small Ayampe river. The vegetation is a mixture of rain forest and coastal species. This tour includes a ride on dirt road with stops for short walks. Lunch. Afternoon drive to Portoviejo or Manta to take the flight back to Quito. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B,L)

Day 15/Sat: Departure. Transfer to the airport, or continue with more sightseeing. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Trip notes:

• This trip begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.
• Prices for a 3 star hotel in Quito stay at the Hostal La Rabida, 4 star hotel is the Mercure Alameda; and 5 star is the Hilton Colon. Other hotels can be substituted and will be charged the corresponding rate.
• Domestic flights Quito-Coca-Quito, and Quito-Manta-Quito are required for this itinerary. These tickets will be confirmed by our local office along with your tours. Current cost is $250 round-trip, subject to change.
• Weight Limit for the commercial flights in Ecuador
  Passengers on flights Quito – Coca, and Quito-Manta are allowed to check in a maximum of 20 Kg per person (44 lbs) plus a carry on – hand luggage with reading material, camera, binoculars and personal documents. Additional or excess baggage is charged directly by the airline by pound.
• For your travels to the Amazon, Mindo Cloud Forest, and Machalilla, we request you plan to leave behind all un-needed items in luggage storage at your hotel
• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America.
• Combine this trip with a Galapagos cruise, Amazon adventure, or add a few extra days in Quito to explore the city, or visit the museums and art galleries.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.