Compare Amazon Wilderness Experience - Independent (5 days Sacha Lodge) by Peregrine Adventures vs Meet the Locals: Quito, Otavalo & Patate by Great Value Vacations

Day 1 Quito - Amazon Jungle Lodge

Welcome to Quito, Ecuador. The joining point for this trip is the Quito hotel of your choice. Please ensure you give your booking agent the details of your hotel at least 15 days prior to this trip's starting date. Alternatively, we can also assist you to book additional accommodation in Quito if needed. The evening before this trip starts, you'll be met at your hotel by your Peregrine representative by 6 pm. Your Peregrine representative will provide you with vouchers and extra information that you'll need for the next four days. If you arrive after 6 pm, this information will be left in an envelope at the hotel's front desk. If you have any questions in this regard, please contact the emergency number provided in the Essential Trip Information. At 7 am on Day 1 of this trip, you'll be met by your transfer driver in the lobby of your hotel, who will then drive you to the airport. The flight over the Andes to the river port town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana (Coca) will take approximately 45 minutes. From here, a local guide will meet you and transfer you to the town docks, where a covered, motorised canoe will take you on a two-hour journey down the Napo River to the Sacha Lodge (or Napo Lodge - refer to 'Other Information' for more details). Upon arrival, walk along a raised boardwalk for around 30 minutes through dense forest to Pilchicocha Lake, where dugout canoes await to take you to the lodge - arriving in the afternoon at around 4 pm. There's time this afternoon to take a walk, a swim or to explore the surrounding jungle and its wildlife. After dinner tonight you may want to accompany your naturalist guide into the jungle for a night walk or perhaps a canoe ride on the lake (great for spotting the glowing eyes of caiman).

Day 2 Amazon Jungle Lodge

Rise early this morning and begin activity between 6 and 7 am. Take the walking trail of Liana Chica (approximately 30 minutes) and arrive at the canopy walk for spectacular views of the rainforest canopy and various species of exotic birds. Designed to be a self-standing, rigid suspension canopy walk, it's one of only a few in the world. Two of the three towers have observation decks every 12 metres, making towers accessible for everyone. The canopy walkway is set at 36 metres high and 275 metres long, giving guests a panoramic view of the rainforest. After the canopy walk, h through terra firma and igapo forest habitats where native guides will explain many different species of medicinal plants that have been being used in their culture for hundreds of years. Liana Grande will turn into the trail Higueron, which will take you through primary forest with huge Kapok and Fig trees towering hundreds of feet above your head. After lunch, you may choose to take a leisurely hike along the Rio Napo, or choose a little more challenging hike on the trail Leoncillo to try and spot the elusive dusky titi monkey. Either way, the trails will lead you back to the main boardwalk for your final hike and canoe ride back to the lodge.

Day 3 Amazon Jungle Lodge

Leaving the lodge after breakfast, begin your hike on trail Lagartococha. This trail offers you the chance to learn more about the native people and their relationship with the forest. Learn about the trees where native people believe the spirits of their ancestors live, and the mysterious “dwende” or devil-man of the forest. After arriving at lake Lagartococha, take a tranquil canoe ride through a natural swamp, which home to anacondas, caiman and capybaras. After the canoe ride, a walk on the other side of Largatococha may give you the opportunity to spot capuchin or squirrel monkeys. Return from the walk or canoe ride and head back to the lodge for a refreshing dip in the lake, or a nice relaxing nap in your personal hammock on your private balcony. After lunch, your native guide will teach you how to fish for the infamous razor-toothed piranha. Keep in mind that piranhas will never attack a person and swimming at the same time is perfectly safe. In the afternoon you will begin what many think is the best trail at Sacha, a silent canoe ride through the flooded Amazonian forest. Keep your eyes peeled for the shy and elusive river otter, as well as the camouflaged three-toed sloth. After your ride through the flooded forest, arrive at Sacha´s 135-foot wooden tower that's built around an ancient Kapok tree. Spot wildlife and watch the sunset, with an amazing view of Mount Sumaco. A canoe ride back through the flooded forest at night is unforgettable. Watch for several species of bats flying over your heads and caiman in the water below.

Day 4 Amazon Jungle Lodge

Leaving Sacha Lodge at 6 am, you'll head to the clay licks this morning for the chance to see four different species of parrots. Take a 30 minute motorised canoe ride down the Napo river to Yasuni National Park, arriving at the licks for around 7.30 am. Once there, you'll be able to get close up views of the parrots eating the clay to neutralize the acids, which they get from eating their many different types of fruits and leaves. Arriving back at the lodge around 11 am gives you plenty of time to swim or relax before lunch is served. Visit the butterfly house once again to make sure you've captured the right image. For your afternoon activity, Pantano is the trail to take, offering you several different types of rainforest habitats. An excellent trail for monkeys and birds in the afternoon, your naturalist and native guides will intrigue you with their knowledge of the jungle and its inhabitants.

Day 5 Quito

Today you'll be transferred by boat back to Coca for your flight to Quito, where your trip ends upon arrival at Quito Airport. Flights usually arrive back in Quito at around 1 pm, but there's always the likelihood of your flight being delayed. This being the case, you may wish to book an additional night's accommodation in Quito and also a transfer from airport to hotel at an additional cost. These should be booked at the same time you book your trip. If you're planning to depart Quito today, we advise you not to book a departure flight until at least 4 pm. At Peregrine we're always looking for ways to improve our trips and your feedback is invaluable to us and to our tour guides. It tells us what we're doing right, what you believe could be done better and what improvements you feel could help future travellers choose and enjoy Peregrine. At the end of your trip we ask that you to take a few minutes of your time to complete our on-line feedback form. We’d love to hear what you have to say!

Day 1 Welcome to Quito!

Arrive in Quito and enjoy a transfer to your first accommodation. Set at the foot of the volcano Pichincha and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Quito is easy on the eyes. The city is known for its colonial churches, monasteries, paintings, sculptures and the magnificent blend of Spanish, Flemish and Moorish architecture. Quito has 86 churches and monasteries, giving it the name “Convent of America.

Spend your first night in Quito trying the local cuisine like hornado (roasted pork) or for the more adventurous eaters, cuy (guinea pig)!

Day 2 Quito

Wake up and enjoy a 6-hour tour of Quito's highlights including Panecillo Hill and the “Middle of the World” - the Equatorial Line. 

Later, head to Calle La Ronda, one of Quito's oldest streets. The cobblestone alley features restored historic buildings and a lively bar scene in the evening.

Day 3 Quito

In the morning, drive to the community of Yunguilla located one hour from Quito. This community is focused on the development of sustainable economic alternatives and improving the quality of life through managing natural resources. 

Upon your return to Quito, head to Plaza Santo Domingo to watch the street performers along with quitenos (as Quito's residents are known). This plaza is absolutely breathtaking at night!

Day 4 Quito - Otavalo

Take an approximately 2-hour bus ride today to Otavalo. The road descends into the spectacular Guayllabamba gorge and village. With a bit of luck, you will get to see the snow capped Cayambe, which is the highest worldwide point on the Ecuadorian line. On the way, make a stop at Cochasquí, the largest Pre-Columbian archaeological site in Ecuador.

You'll then get to explore Otavalo, a town in the Andes that hosts a famous crafts market dating back to pre-Incan times.

Day 5 Otavalo

Today you will have a full day exploring the area around Otavalo. Visit a school in the village of Peguche, Peguche Waterfall and several indigenous families. 

Day 6 Otavalo - Quito

On your way back to Quito, visit the town of Cotacachi and Laguna Cuicocha. 

Upon your return to Quito, consider visiting Ecuador's National Museum (Museo Nacional) to see magnificent works of pre-Hispanic and colonial religious art.

Day 7 Quito - Patate

Depart Quito for the approximately 3-hour journey south to Patate near the foothills of the still active Tungurahua volcano. On the way, stop at Cotopaxi National Park where you'll see the perfectly conical Cotopaxi volcano!

Day 8 Patate - Baños - Patate

Today, take a short drive to Baños de Agua Santa (commonly referred to as Baños). Known as the gateway to Ecuador's Amazon, the city is a major tourist center for its natural beauty (it is home to more than 60 waterfalls) and its plethora of adventure activities. While here, you'll enjoy a bird watching excursion and a visit to the Pailon del Diablo waterfall. 

Day 9 Patate - Quito

Depart Patate today for your last journey back to Quito. On the way, visit Salasaca village between Ambato and Baños. Admire the local handicrafts in the village and listen to traditional Salasaca music. 

Spend your last night in Ecuador dining on the local cuisine and strolling the historic center of Quito. 

Day 10 Depart Ecuador

Squeeze all your souvenirs into your bag and enjoy a comfortable transfer to the airport. Board your plane and spend your relaxing flight home dreaming about your next adventure.