Itinerary Expand allQuito to Quito Day 1 Depart Galapagos and fly to Quito via Guayaquil.Our Galapagos cruise on the Cachalote Explorer comes to an end this morning and we fly to Quito via Guayaquil.Accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 2 Free day to relax or explore Quito and its surroundings.Today is free to relax and explore the fascinating city of Quito. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, standing at 2850m on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals of South America. Because of the altitude visitors to Quito are advised to take it easy at first.Accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Fly to Coca and then transfer to the Napo Wildlife Centre by canoe.Transfer to the airport this morning for a 40-minute flight from Quito to Coca. A short drive takes us to the dock where we board a large motorized canoe for a two-hour ride down stream. At the entrance to the Napo Wildlife Reserve we transfer to smaller, paddled dug-out canoes so as not to disturb the wildlife. This paddle can take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on what is sighted enroute (a chance of spotting Giant otters, whilst monkeys and countless bird species including toucans, parrots and macaws are often seen). Finally, we cross the spectacular Anangucocha Lake and arrive at the lodge to receive a welcome drink and briefing.Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Centre Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Days 4-5 At Napo Wildlife Centre.Choice and flexibility is the key at the lodge. Rather than fixed programmes, the guide will design the most suitable programme to match the groups physical condition and personal interests. Very early starts are necessary to get the best wildlife viewing. The lodge has the most easily accessed and one of the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador. Being just an hour away, we can arrive at the lick before the parrot activity kicks off fully - around 7-8am. The 36m-canopy tower offers a fantastic insight into the various vertical layers of the jungle and its inhabitants. The panoramic view from the top is magnificent, as is the bird viewing. Spider monkeys also frequent the higher canopy searching for fruit. Numerous trails from the lodge offer hikes amongst the primary rainforest and we will head out during the day to learn about the trees and the forest and at night time in search of caiman and other nocturnal creatures. Exploring the lake and creeks by dug-out canoe is a highlight and one of the best ways to see larger animals. Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Centre Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Fly to Quito.We return to Quito the same way we came - paddled canoe down the creek, motorised canoe back up the river to Coca and then a quick drive to the airport for the flight to Quito.Accommodation: Vieja Cuba Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 End Quito.You are free to make your own arrangements at any time today. Meals included: Breakfast
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EcuadorBritish passport holders do not need a visa for Ecuador. Very few other nationalities need a visa for Ecuador, but if you are in any doubt you should contact the nearest Ecuadorian Embassy.
EcuadorThere are no mandatory vaccination requirements, however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of Yellow Fever prior to arriving in Ecuador you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. Recommended vaccinations are: Typhoid and Hepatitis A.If you will spend any time in the Amazon Rainforest we recommend a Yellow Fever vaccination. Please note that your certificate of vaccination may be inspected on arrival to this region.Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a doctor for more advice. Dengue fever and/or Chikungunya are known risks in places visited on this trip. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. PLEASE NOTE: All visitors to Ecuador will be required to show valid medical insurance on arrival and cannot enter the country without it.
Hotel & Lodge In Quito we stay at the Vieja Cuba, a comfortable small hotel in the Mariscal District.The rest of the programme is located at the Napo Wildlife Centre, a luxury eco-lodge with sixteen cabins, each of which is spacious, comfortable and clean. All cabins have private balconies looking onto the lake and surroundings, and feature hot water, king and twin beds, 24/7 solar electricity and mosquito nets/screened windows. Ceiling fans are also provided in each cabin.Please be aware that a compulsory single supplement may apply due to the accommodation set up at the lodge. Occasionally shared accommodation is available at Napo in which case this supplement can be completely waived - please enquire with our sales team if interested.
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Reviewed May 2019 Barbara BakerMonkeys, caiman, snakes, giant otters, sloth and multiple birds! A great extension to our Galapagos trip. We used the extra time in Quito to see more of the city and visit the Equator - found it easier and cheaper to use a hotel booked taxi than the official tours. The journey from Coca is very much part of the experience - lots to see especially when you transfer to the paddled canoe for 2 hours along small blackwater creek to the lodge. Parrots aren’t guaranteed at the licks but we were lucky enough to see a troop of peccaries instead! All the activities, apart from the night hike, involved a trip in our canoe from where there was always lots to see. Our guides were helpful and brilliant at spotting animals in the mass of green, but there is also plenty to see around the lodges.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Definitely the wildlife including a baby anaconda, 6 types of monkey including grumpy capuchins, rare woolly, and iconic golden mantled tamarin; a family of giant otters resting by the creek, a pair of roseate spoonbills and the noisy prehistoric “stinky turkey birds”.What did you think of your group leader? Both leaders were excellent- Jose was the bilingual guide, he also ate with the group of 6 and helped paddle; Shayan the local who spotted things we needed binoculars to see- and also helped with photos and paddled. William was the official paddler - and also helped with spotting. It was good to have the same team from arrival in Coca to departure.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It’s hot and humid, rains most days but the wildlife is fantastic- not as close to you as Galapagos but much more varied. Take binoculars if possible and long lens (waterproof) They loan you wellingtons for all the off site activities- if you don’t fit standard size such as muscular calves then consider taking your own! And take long socks. Long sleeves and trousers are best but I was bitten through the material at the parakeet lick - use plenty of deet even where covered. No mosquitoes at the lodge as the lake is too acidic for them to breed. Leave a suitcase in Quito if returning to same hotel - everything is paddled up river.Is there anything else you would like to add? If you have the time then do it!