the amazon
Exploring the Amazonian Rainforest …
Quito | The Galapagos Islands | Private yacht Charters | Land Based Safaris
Mainland Safaris (the amazon)
The Amazon
ECUADOR MAINLAND SAFARIS
Galapagos & Amazon Jungle
The best of Ecuador’s natural wonders: a Galapagos Islands cruise and Amazon jungle rainforest tour.
Sacha Lodge amazon extension
Located two hours downstream from Coca on the Rio Napo, Sacha Lodge has been a long-time favourite base for exploring the jungle and discovering the animals that live there. Some of the highlights include 3 observation towers and a 275 meter-long, hanging canopy walk, butterfly farm and parrot clay lick excursion.
4 Days / 3 Nights
Mashpi cloud forest extension
HIdden in a private reserve, Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge is a luxurious hideaway in the clouds, exclusive only to guests staying at the lodge. One of the many highlights is exploring the rainforest via the Observation Tower and the Canopy Gondola (Sky Bike Bike), which glides through some of the most active areas of the canopy for a monkey’s eye view of the lush scene. Visit the hotel website.
3 Days / 2 Nights
La selva lodge amazon extenSion
La Selva Lodge offers guests the chance to explore the jungle by canoe from a remote outpost on the border of Yasuni National Park. Options for activities include trips to observation towers above the trees for bird watching, visits to local indigenous communities, and kayaking on Lake Garzacocha.
4 Days / 3 Nights
exploring the amazonian rainforest
In Partnership with our friends at Sacha Lodge
Welcome to the Amazon…
One of Sacha Lodge’s many highlights is their 130-foot observation tower, which allows guests to climb into and above the rainforest canopy for a magnificent view of the surrounding area. From the tower’s ample platform it is possible to observe toucans, parrots, and dozens of other colorful bird species in the treetops. With some luck, noisy howler monkeys or the gentle three-toed sloth may also be seen, especially with the aid of a powerful telescope provided by your guides. The tower may be reached on foot via a half-hour walk through terra firma forest, although no one can miss out on at least a one-way trip to or from the tower along Orchid Creek, Pilchicocha Lake’s natural black water runoff to the Napo River. In a dugout canoe guests may follow this winding stream through untamed palm forest for about an hour, a trip that you will never forget!
Sacha Lodge has over 500 species of birds, and from the tower platform their bird specialist guides have on several occasions reported seeing over 80 species in a single morning! Sacha Lodge is home of one of the largest butterfly farms in Ecuador. Designed as a live exhibition conservatory, the Butterfly House is now successfully breeding nearly 40 local butterfly species. Guests will be shown how these beautiful insects are bred and raised, and later be free to wander through “the flying room”, where hundreds of colorful butterflies including spectacular blue morphs flutter from flower to flower. A short distance from Sacha Lodge is Ecuador’s most accessible parrot lick, an exposed clay bank where brightly colored parrots of several different species gather in the early morning. In ideal conditions (sunny and dry), the parrots will often perch on and eat the exposed clay. On an ideal morning thousands of parrots can be seen gathering around this bank between 7 and 8am for a spectacular show of sound and color. The lick is located on the edge of Yasuni National Park, which may be reached from Sacha by a one half-hour motorized canoe trip down the Napo River.
additional nights in ECUADOR
Explore the Northern Highlands of the Andes, spend a few night in Quito (UNESCO) or add a few nights in Guayaquil.
hacienda zuleta andes extension
Located in the Northern highlands of the Andes, Hacienda Zuleta is a working farm and historic home of the family of former president Galo Plaza Lasso. Activities include exploring the surrounding hillsides by horseback, mountain biking, and hiking to the ancient Caranqui mounds on the hacienda’s property. The hacienda has a condor reintroduction project on the grounds that’s worth a few hours exploring.
additional nights in quito
Tucked away high up in the Andes you’ll find Quito, Ecuador’s beautiful capital city. A place of old-world charm, stunning architecture and some astounding views; Quito deserves so much more than a rushed tour before you head out to the Galapagos. Let us introduce you to one of South America’s most special wonders. Day trips from Quito include the hot springs of Papallacta or the colorful Otavalo Market for artisan handicrafts.
Additional nights in guayaquil
Ecuador’s largest and most populous city, Guayaquil get’s less attention than Quito as a tourist destination, but this bustling metropolis on the River Guayas lends itself to fun days of urban exploring. We can help arrange luxury accommodation and activities that highlight the city’s main interesting sights.