Nature

Birdwatching / Natural Areas


Mindo river, Mindo  [69.8 kbytes]

Mindo river, Mindo

Closed to Quito we have a big variety of Rainforests and natural protected areas. you will began to feel the beneficial effects of the life giving, diaphanous air wich originates in a singular meeting of the Amazonian winds with the rocks, forest and water of the high Andean mountains The Biodiversity of Ecuador is huge and we can find thousands of species of flora and Fauna like birds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, orquids, flowers, medicinal plants, and others.

These natural places contains, rivers, thermal waters, waterfalls, rainforest, and much more. These wonderful places are: Mindo Rainforest, Pasochoa Volcano reserve, Papallacta hot springs, Bellavista reserve, Puerto Quito.

  • Pasochoa Andean Forest 1 Day
  • Papallacta Hotspings 1 Day
  • Papallacta Hotspings 2 Days
  • Mindo Tropical Rainforest 1 Day
  • Mindo Tropical Rainforest 2 Days
  • Bellavista Reserve 2 Days

Jungle / Rainforest

Parrot, Yuturi lodge  [38.7 kbytes]
Parrot, Yuturi lodge

The Ecuadorian jungle has more diversity than any other ecosystem, and covers around 45% Of the total area of Ecuador. There are impressive varieties of animal species like birds, insect, reptiles, as well as a very large Flora and wonderful plants can be found.
In the Jungle you can experience wonderful hikes through the Virgin forest, canoe trips, visits to the indigenous communities, and much more ....

Sacha Lodge

Imagine yourself drifting down a narrow, winding creek surrounded on all sides by a lush, endless sea of tropical greenery. All that separates you from the deep black Amazon waters is a canoe hand-carved out of a single tree trunk. As you maneuver around a bend something unidentified crashes off into the underbrush, and you catch a glimpse of two magnificent, colorful macaws startled into flight. Suddenly, the forest erupts with a roar so loud that all you can imagine is some giant, fierce predator on the prowl. But as you turn to face your destiny, the menace is revealed as a family of furry red howler monkeys huddled together in a treetop. With a sigh of relief you continue onward, deeper into the unknown.

Facilities

  • Sacha Lodge takes pride in the international quality of its meals, and our chefs will be happy to prepare special dishes for vegetarians.
  • The lodging at Sacha was carefully designed to offer comfort to the traveler yet preserve the environment and rainforest ambience. Each of our 10 double cabins, with high thatched roofs and private shaded terraces, is constructed with traditional materials and nestles well concealed in the lush surroundings.
  • Guests may use free time to enjoy a raised lookout above our bar and lounge, which offers a scenic view of Pilchicocha Lake and excellent opportunities to birdwatch.
  • Electricity is provided from 4:30am until 10:00pm by a distant, nearly inaudible generator.
  • Private, modern bathrooms provide hot showers.
  • All cabins are screened against insects and contain two comfortable double beds.

Tours

  • Several trails lead through pristine terra firme forest, where 150 foot kapok trees tower above and roots form huge buttresses to give trees support..
  • Others follow strategically raised boardwalks in seasonally flooded forests, where walking on the ground would be nearly impossible during most of the year due to groundwater.
  • One trail many choose to follow even leads across fallen tree trunks and a steel cable zip-line through rich swampland!
  • A favorite activity of our guests is to paddle dugout canoes along tannin-rich black-water creeks and lakes, where luxuriant lianas, bromeliads and palm trees thrive.
  • Swimming and piranha fishing are also activities not to be missed... but don't worry! Piranhas are scavengers and the guides will prove that swimming is perfectly safe!

Casa del Suizo

In the eastern skirts of the Andes Mountains and on the shore of Ecuador's Napo River, one can find Ahuano, a small but growing Quichua Indian village. It was here in this Amazon hamlet that Swiss expatriate Beny Ammeter decided to open a general store in 1985. In those days, when foreign travelers found their way to Ahuano and needed a place to stay, they were inevitably directed to 'La Casa del Suizo': The Swiss Man's House. Happy to receive visitors from afar, Beny warmly welcomed them into his home. Within a short time, his residence became so popular that he decided to construct several cabins to better accommodate the steady flow of travelers. This was the beginning of La Casa del Suizo, which today offers first class accommodations and international fame.

Facilities

Each of our comfortable rooms offers 24-hour electricity, hot water, a refreshing ceiling fan and an exquisite view that may be peacefully absorbed from the privacy of one's own terrace. With a magnificent panorama of the Napo visitors may enjoy our swimming pool, outdoor dining area and pool bar, which offers an array of delicious tropical drinks. The hotel's dining rooms offer a wide variety of both Ecuadorian and international dishes, and our buffets cater to vegetarians. International telephone service is conveniently available in our reception area.

Tours

  • Each morning our guests may trek, paddle and swing through the lush, primary rainforest which surrounds the Lodge. The native guides posses vast knowledge of the diverse local fauna and flora, as well as the medicinal uses of many plants.
  • A variety of activities are available: One of our hikes ends with a balsa raft adventure down the Napo river and back to the Hotel.
  • Our guests may also visit a local Quichua Village, where one can watch amazing blowpipe demonstrations and the preparation of chicha, a local alcoholic beverage.
  • Most outings end at noon and guests are brought back to the hotel for lunch. However, for those activities that last all day box lunches will be provided.

Hosteria JATUN SHUNGO

HOSTERIA JATUN SHUNGO is located in the Amazonian region of Ecuador in the province of Napo, 23 km. the city of Tena, Ahuano next door to the ecological reserve Jatun Sacha
The Amazon region of Ecuador has one of the great variety of fauna and flora of the world.

The facilities offer the following services:

  • 2 suites with private bath.
  • 2 double rooms with private bathroom.
  • 8 double rooms with private bathroom.
  • Accommodation for 60 people.
  • Restaurant
  • Playgrounds.
  • Canopies.
  • Tours by foot and canoe down the river Napo.
  • Private parking. .

Activities

Tour in the forest: we need

Use long pants and shirt or cotton shirt with long sleeves.
Bring water poncho, cap or hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, bathing suit and towel.

In Tours can be observed:

Tropical flowers.
Tropical Trees, primary cedar, laurel guayacán, sangre de drago raft, ceibo
Palmas
Epiphytes
Birds: carpenter, orioles, parrots, toucans and many birds.
Animals: monkeys, toucans, gloves, Guatuso, butterflies and insects.

Paradise huts

Paradise Huts is located only 3 ½ hours from Quito in a very isolated places which has access only by canoe. Paradise Huts has wonderful natural resources and it is composed by 110 acres of private jungle.

Specifications

Paradise Huts accommodates up to 36 people in 6 individual guest lodges; each lodge has a three double bedrooms, each one with its own private bathroom and shower. Additionally a spacious balcony is incorporated into each lodge with hammocks and comfortable seats. The main lodge is centered around the spacious dining area and includes the kitchen and bar.

Program

DAY 1: Morning flight from Quito to Lago Agrio. Reception at the airport followed by lunch. Transfer by bus to Chiritza then your transportation in by motorized canoe down the Aguarico river until you reach PARADISE HUTS. Evening meal. Nocturnal Hike optional.

DAY 2: After breakfast hiking in the 110 acres forest owned by Paradise Huts to see the great variety of species of plants, trees and animal life. Lunch back at the lodge is followed by a visit to the home of an indigenous family to see a demonstration and participation of the use of blowpipes, typical musical instruments and the elaboration of woven goods. Evening meal.

DAY 3: Breakfast followed by a visit to San Pablo, the largest Secoya tribe community in the region to learn of their customs and way of life. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon try your hand at paddling an indigenous canoe o the Aguarico river. Evening meal (farewell cocktail for those on the four-day tour).

DAY 4: After breakfast, departure for Seguayas to visit the local shaman who will lead a small hike revealing secrets of jungle life, medicinal plants and their uses.
Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon a journey by canoe up the Shushufindi river for an excellent opportunity for bird - watching. Evening meal and farewell cocktail.

DAY 5: Early breakfast and departure to Chiritza by canoe and then by bus to lago Agrio to catch the flight back to Quito.

Incluides:

Accomodation in a lodge, all meals, naturalist guide, bilingual guide, tour by canoe, transportation from Lago Agrio to Paradise Huts, rubber boots and life jackets, airline ticket QUITO - LAGO AGRIO - QUITO

Does Not include:

Alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses.
Entrance fee to San Pablo community usd$ 2,00 per person. It has to be paid locally.

Yuturi Lodge

Day 1: Flight from Quito To Coca. Transfer to a motorized dugout canoe and navigation along the Napo and Yuturi rivers. During the trip a light lunch will be served. We shall arrive approximately at 5 p.m. After dinner a night hike around the Parahuaco Lake to observe nocturnal animals completes the day's activities.

Day 2: Get up early. Canoe trip through Yuturi Lake in order to observe the transition between the terrestrial and aquatic vegetation, the diversity of birds and their morning concert. Nearly 500 species of birds have been found in the area. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards, canoe trip through the rain forest where you will have the opportunity to observe the exhuberant vegetation, some plants like 'chontillas', anthuria, and a diversity of aquatic birds. In the afternoon, piranha fishing and dinner.

Day 3: After breakfast, walk by the way of Huarmi Yuturi in order to observe many plants and animals. We will visit the indigenous community called Samona Yuturito learn about their customs and traditions. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, native guides will show you how to use a blowgun. Afterwards visit the Chorongos Island (monkey island). Dinner.

Day 4: Starts after breakfast with an adventure walk ( about 3 hours ) to see medicinal plants and learn from the guides how they have been used traditionally. Observation of bird life: caciques, toucans, parrots, iguanas, and the forest: orquids, bromeliads, palms, lianas, and a great diversity of insects. In the afternoon visit to the Canopy tower. After dinner, nocturnal canoe trip to observe reptiles, and nocturnal birds.

Day 5: Early departure to Coca. Breakfast will be served in the canoe. Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Quito. Arrival time in Quito is approximately 1:30 PM.

Yarina Lodge

Day 1. Morning flight from Quito to Coca (45 minutes). One hour a motor canoe trip follows down the Napo and Manduro rivers from the town of Coca until the YARINA JUNGLE LODGE. Upon arrival enjoy a short walk around the Cotinga path to observe insects, reptiles and nocturnal rodents.

Day 2. Morning canoe trip through the Manduro River in order to observe the transition between the land vegetation to the aquatic, the diversity of birds and their morning concert. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards walk through the Socali path where it is possible to observe exuberant vegetation, some plants like 'chontillos', anturios and the diversity of aquatic birds. Lunch in the jungle. In the afternoon enjoy piranha fishing, and then a canoe trip through the Napo river, stop on the border of this nice river where the passengers will take a fresh bath while amazing the beautiful scenery. Return to the lodge for dinner. Day 3. After breakfast walk inside the jungle through the Tucan trail to observe a large variety of medicinal plants and animals. We will visit the
'Canelo Quichuas' indigenous community to learn about their customs and traditions. Continue towards a small lagoon where the native guides will demonstrate the gold panned process.

Day 4. Starts after breakfast with an adventure walk by the Capibara way to see medicinal plants and learn from the guides how they have been used traditionally. Observation of bird life: caciques, toucans, parrots,iguanas, and the forest: orchids, bromeliads, palms, lianas, a great diversity of insects. In the afternoon visit to the Canopy Tower, from there it is possible to enjoy the beautiful landscape and also take good photographs. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, native guides will show you how to use the known 'cerbatana' the blowgun most traditionally used by the Indians. After dinner night canoe trip in search of caimans.

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