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From the serene Andes down to the vibrant Amazon jungles, this Ecuadorian adventure highlights the ethnobotanical secrets of the highland Indians and tropical forest dwellers with unique wildlife observation in the rainforest. Accommodations range from hotels and haciendas to jungle lodges and deluxe cruise cabins on board the exciting new Manatee Amazon Explorer. See Colonial Quito, private museums, cloud forests, healing ceremonies in the jungles and mountains, treks into the rainforest, fabulous sunsets, feel welcome inside real native homes, shop at colorful markets and more! All in one easy-to-visit country, this expedition is for young and old - a truly fun experience that will change the way you see the world.
DAY 1: Arrival transfer to Quito, Ecuador. Welcome Hotel Sebastian.
DAY 2: Visit colonial Quito, first Cultural World Heritage site (1978) and a private museum straddling latitude zero with lunch at the brim of a volcanic crater. Welcome dinner and introductory lecture. Hotel Sebastian (BLD)
DAY3:
Travel over the Andes to the cloud forest as you approach the immense Amazon basin, passing deep canyons, rushing streams and waterfalls. Canoe and trek into a native community and be greeting by their shaman chief. Overnight at native lodge (BLD).
DAY 4: Optional pre-breakfast soak in the thermal springs at the base of Mount Tungurahua. Bike down the Pastaza Visit sacred cascade and learn about native ethnobotany. Evening special healing ceremony. Overnight at native lodge (BLD.
DAY 5: A second chance to enjoy the thermal springs of Baños before breakfast. Visit to the ceramists of Pujili and Enjoy a day of relaxation and cultural interaction. Overnight at native lodge (BLD).
DAY 6: Morning departure back to Rio Napo and further downriver, visiting gold panners on the way and other interesting sites. Afternoon arrival to a cacao research station and special Indian hospital project run by a local community (by special arrangement). Here you will have again running hot water and other creature comforts! (BLD).
DAY 7:
Continue downriver and reach to region of Coca and board the Manatee Amazon Explorer adventure vessel, ready to take you on a rare journey packed with nature study, cultural interaction and even more of the magical wonders of the largest unexplored wilderness on earth. Navigation starts promptly during lunch until mid-afternoon to disembark to visit a local community at Pompeya, with its on-site archaeological museum for a lecture on the anthropology of the region (BLD).
DAY 8: Eke your way through a network of black water streams to a flood forest habitat, fish for piranhas and spot some of the hiding wildlife. With luck, you might be able to see fresh-water pink dolphins. Enjoy a jungle barbecue and Amazon hammock siesta, a refreshing swim and back to our vessel in time for dinner and a lecture at the terrace-bar of the Manatee. Note: Optional overnight at an Indian camp under the star-filled sky and multiple nocturnal noises of the jungle, centered round an inviting campfire (BLD).
DAY 9: After breakfast, get a great terrace view of the jungle before disembarking to admire a superb parrot salt lick and trek into the interior rainforest, containing 70% of all pharmaceutical compounds, and native Indians that live symbiotically with this unique ecosystem. Arrival for lunch at a native campsite. Refreshing afternoon swim at a lake and some optional fishing before returning by paddle dugout through black water creeks to our vessel. Evening lecture at our inviting terrace-bar (BLD).
DAY 10: Terrace breakfast for early-birds while the Manatee journeys upriver as hundreds of parrots and macaws start their morning flight. Take a dugout journey through winding streams, bordered by native huts and abundant flora, the canopy towering over our heads. Our silent approach offers incredible sounds coming from the rainforest's interior. Return to the Manatee in time for lunch. Afternoon visit to a native house on stilts and surrounded by locally cultivated plants. Learn how pineapples, bananas, tapioca, naranjilla, cocoa, coffee and other tropical fruits are grown that you normally see already packed at supermarkets! We will share an unforgettable encounter with these gracious people and learn about their unique lifestyles, traditions and medicinal plants. We then climb a hill for a magnificent view of the immense rainforest below. Upon returning to the ship and after a rewarding hot shower and relaxation on the terrace deck, our chef will delight us with a traditional farewell buffet, including a "surprise" dessert (BLD).
DAY 11: Arrival to Coca and return flight over the immense rainforest and midday landing in Quito. We then continue to the northern region of Otavalo with great stops along the way to see the local native Indian villages will with handcrafts and unique culture. By special arrangement, healing session with Andean shaman. Overnight at colonial hacienda (BLD).
DAY 12: Visit world famous market at Otavalo plus a special stop at the home of a prominent Otavalenian celebrity. Afternoon return to Quito. Evening special farewell dinner and presentation of diplomas. Overnight Hotel Sebastian (BLD).
DAY 13: Departure transfer to airport for return flight home (B).
General Information
Rated: Easy
Departure dates
„« March 16 to 28, 2004
„« July 20 to August 01, 2004
„« November 09 to 21, 2004.
Limited to 26 lucky participants.
| Fixed Departure | |||||||||
| 4 to 8 persons | 9 to 14 persons | 15 to 22 persons | 23 to 26 persons | ||||||
| Price dependant on total number of passengers | per person | S Supp | per person | S Supp | per person | S Supp | per person | S Supp | |
| USD | $ 2366 | $ 198 | $ 2073 | $ 198 | $ 1945 | $ 198 | $ 1886 | $ 198 | |
| EUR | € 1964 | € 165 | € 1721 | € 165 | € 1614 | € 165 | € 1566 | € 165 | |
| GBP | £ 1325 | £ 111 | £ 1161 | £ 111 | £ 1089 | £ 111 | £ 1056 | £ 111 | |
Included:
all entrance fees, overland and river transportation, internal flight Coca to Quito, English speaking naturalist guide specialized in ethnobotany, shamanism and natural history, lectures, transfers, accommodations, meals as indicated, and professional instruction.
Not included:
drinks with meals, laundry, phone calls, tips, airport exit tax out of Ecuador (US$ 25 pp), plus any other personal items.
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