Compare Ecuador: Amazon Jungle Short Break by Intrepid Travel vs Explore Ecuador Highlands & Haciendas by Walking Connection

Day 1 Quito / Amazon Jungle

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador! Your trip starts with an early pick up from your preferred Quito hotel. Flight times to the Amazon Jungle will vary according to the day of departure. The flight time and pick-up time from your hotel will be confirmed at your pre-departure meeting the evening before your trip starts. Please check this with reception upon arriving the day before. Your early morning transfer takes you to Quito airport in time for a 30 minute flight over the Andes to the river port town of Coca. A lodge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the river port. Here you’ll board an 18 metre (57 foot) motorized canoe for a 1-hour trip upriver. Life vests are provided. A box lunch is served as you navigate one of the largest tributaries to the mighty Napo. The Napo River is the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazonia and as you cruise along the water it is easy to spot a number of shore birds including herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys. At the lodge, you’ll receive a warm welcome from our local staff, who’ll give you a refreshing beverage and snack while you’re introduced to the facilities. You’ll be issued with a pair of rubber boots to use for the duration of your jungle stay. In the afternoon, and once you've settled at the lodge, your guide takes you on a short hike to a panoramic point for rainforest views that extend as far as the eye can see in every direction. Dinner at the lodge is normally served at 7pm.

Day 2-3 Amazon Jungle Lodge

The next two days are packed with activities. These may vary depending on the time of the year and weather, however they normally include wildlife spotting, canoe rides and jungle walks, with the opportunity to learn from a local guide about the many resources the Amazon provides – from medicine, to construction and food. Depending on what days of the week you are at the lodge, you may have the opportunity to meet an indigenous family of the Quichuas del Oriente community. You can learn more about their culture and their relationship with the forest. Jungle walks can be up to 3 hours long – we recommend bringing a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Please see the ‘Amazon specific’ detailed packing list in the 'What to Take' section. Whatever you do, you’ll be surrounded by one of the most magnificent landscapes on Earth, teeming with wildlife, incredible plant species – from the tiniest flower to the tallest tree – and providing an unforgettable experience in the heart of the greatest forest on the planet.

Day 4 Quito

After a hearty breakfast, travel back to Coca airport for your return flight to Quito. You are scheduled to arrive into Quito Airport at approximately 12pm, however flight delays are not uncommon in this part of the world. If you have an outbound flight today we recommend you fly after 4pm. If you are unsure about a flight time, please check with us. Your trip finishes upon arrival to Quito airport. If you need assistance with extra accommodation and transfers in Quito please contact your booking agent for assistance.

Day 1

Meals included today: Dinner

You arrive at Zuleta in the afternoon after a drive with your private guide through lush pasture lands. With some luck you will have stunning views of the snowcapped volcano, Cayambe, which is just a few miles away from Zuleta.

With a warm personal welcome upon arrival you will be shown to your lovely guest suite. Once settled, one of the family owners or managers will personally tell you about the activities the hacienda offers and find out about your personal preferences, needs or questions over tea or coffee.

After planning your stay with your guide, you will be shown around the main building. You will learn more about Zuleta’s history, see ex-President Galo Plaza Lasso’s private library, our chapel and wander through the beautiful gardens.

As the sun sets, it gets chilly at Zuleta, so enjoy some wine and our farm made cheese in front of the fireplace while reading from our vast libraries prior to dinner.

Day 2

Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

If you are an early morning person you might want to enjoy a short walk around the property prior to breakfast. There is a profuse variety of bird life that is attracted to the gardens, and adjacent to the main courtyard, the milking barn is usually full of activity right at daybreak as some of the more than 300 Holstein dairy cows are being milked by the Hacienda staff.

After an exquisite farm fresh breakfast of eggs, pancakes, muesli, fruit and homemade bread we suggest a guided visit to the cheese factory in order to learn more about Zuleta´s semi-aged handmade cheeses, how the process has changed throughout history and where the cheeses are sold both domestically and internationally.

As mornings are usually sunny throughout the whole year, it is best to take advantage and use the morning to hike to the Condor reserve. In the morning, you are more likely to see a wild condor flying. The reserve is located 3 km from the guesthouse directly in a native forest valley. Learn about the foundation’s efforts, see rescued condors in the aviary, and visit the nearby trout farm. You will travel back through pastureland walking between ancient monuments of the Caranqui culture; seeing both small burial mounds dating back to 700 A.D. and giant ceremonial truncated pyramids from the 13th century.

At lunchtime enjoy freshly caught trout, then have coffee on the patio while admiring the giant hummingbirds that come frequently to feed.

In the afternoon there will be an option for a more challenging hike up to Condor view where you have a nice overview of the area with the possibility of seeing a family of Spectacle Bears.

Or if you would rather, unique to Hacienda Zuleta are options to experience the work of the Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation; sustainable development projects carefully designed for the needs and context of the local community and environment:
“The Embroidery Workshop” where we are working with the local indigenous population in conserving their cultural identity and artistic expression through providing a sustainable income from their hand produced embroidery.
“The Zuleta Libary” where local children receive after school tutoring and homework assistance while extending traditional academic subjects to include workshops on organic agriculture, responsible citizenship, recycling and sustainable living.

Either way at the end of the day, the hot tub will give your day a lovely finish where once again you will say, “ahhh I am so glad I am here!”

Day 3 – Departure day

Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch

After another unbelievable feast you will be on our way to Laguna de Cuicocha for a hike around the orchid lined deep blue lake with spectacular views of the volcano. You will then visit the colorful bustling outdoor markets of Otavalo and rub shoulders with indigenous Otavalenos, renowned for their musical talents and woven crafts.

Enjoy lunch and wandering the grounds of the Hacienda Pinsaquí. Originally constructed in 1790, this lovingly restored colonial home once hosted General Simón Bolívar, who spent nights here on his way back and forth to Bogotá. In fact, an important treaty between Colombia and Ecuador was signed under its roof. In addition, the Hacienda Pinsaquí was the site of a textile workshop, employing nearly one thousand local weavers and spinners, producing the region’s famous textiles and weavings, destined for the Otavalo market and beyond. The hacienda boasts spectacular views of the Imbabura Volcano from its 200-year old gardens. Late afternoon return to Quito