East Ecuador. From the Andes to the Amazon Rainforest Expedition.
August 15 - August 23, 2012
9 days / 8 nights
registration deadline June 15, 2012
Ecuador sits among a region with the highest concentration of terrestrial life forms on the planet! The snow-capped Ecuadorian Andes reach a height of 20,565 ft / 6,268.2 m above sea level crossing the country from North to South. In the West, the Andes face the Pacific Ocean, creating an array of unique microhabitats and a high level of endemism.
Led by award-winning wildlife photographer and biologist, Alexander (Sasha) Vasiljev this trip is designed to explore a wide range of habitats in Eastern Ecuador and to experience its cultural heritage. Our trip starts at a highland paramo, an environment dominated by dwarf cushion-like vegetation at 13,776 ft (4,200 m) above sea level. We continue to where the tree line begins and visit the mountain cloud forest at 8,858 ft (2,700 m), further descending to about 6,726 ft (2,050 m) above sea level to the picturesque Cosanga Valley. A sharp contrast to the flora, fauna and landscape of the mountains, we then travel to the lowland Amazonian forest at 500-1000 ft (152-305 m) above sea level. A highlight of our trip is a visit with indigenous Kichwa and Huaorani people of the Amazon. Our tour ends in the highlands with an indulgent stay at a mineral hot springs resort.
Sasha will provide you with a wealth of information about the natural and cultural history of this country. For those interested in photography, Sasha will conduct workshops on specific techniques and tricks of the trade. You will leave Ecuador with an exceptional photo portfolio from this exciting tour.
| GROUP SIZE | PRICE/PERSON IN DBL |
|---|---|
| 4 - 10 | USD $ 2,740 |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT USD $ 350 |
|
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival to Mariscal Sucre International Airport, Hotel Quito
Arrival to Ecuador. Meet our representative at Mariscal Sucre International Airport for a transfer to the Hotel Quito. Hotel Quito has one of the most remarkable views of the capital. At 9,186 ft / 2,800 m elevation, the city of Quito is the second highest capital in the world.
Hotel Quito, free Internet access, swimming pool, sauna, no meals included
Day 2 - Hotel Quito to Guango Lodge via Papallacta Pass
We meet at the hotel’s restaurant for an early breakfast before our departure to Guango Lodge. Our road trip takes us through the hilltops to Papallacta Pass, at an altitude of 13,776 ft (4,200 m) above sea level. This place offers amazing landscape photography opportunities with views of the snow-topped volcano Antisana at 18,875 ft (5,753 m). At this elevation, paramo, the high altitude carpet-like vegetation, dominates. Here it is possible to see the Many-striped Canastero, Ecuadorian Hillstar, Tawny Antpitta, Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and Giant Conebill among others. We continue the trip and arrive at Guango Lodge, elevation of 8,858 ft (2,700 m), before lunch to spend a relaxing afternoon observing and photographing swarms of hummingbirds attending the lodge’s feeders. It is guaranteed that we will see the Long-tailed Sylph, Sword-billed Hummingbird, as well as the Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, White-Bellied Woodstar, Tourmaline Sunangel, among over a dozen other species. We can take an optional walk on the trails around the lodge in search of many mountain birds, especially the Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Turquoise Jay, Torrent Duck, and many Mountain Tanagers like Scarlet-bellied, Lacrimose, Buff-breasted and Hooded.
Hotel Quito (B), Guango Lodge (L,D)
Day 3 - Guango Lodge to Cabañas San Isidro, Cosanga Valley
After breakfast we depart to Cabañas San Isidro, situated at about 6,726 ft (2,050 m) above sea level in Cosanga Valley. The lodge is surrounded by picturesque views of the mountains, blanketed with a virgin cloud forest. We will be able to see some amazing landscapes of the Cosanga Valley. In the afternoon, we take a walk on the lodges trails, through the primary mountain cloud forest with tall trees laden with epiphytes, to the Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek. With a little luck we will observe this bird’s amazing mating ritual. The rest of the day is to relax or take an optional walk on the lodge's grounds to photograph the Masked Trogon, Inca Jay, “San Isidro” Owl, Highland Motmot, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Long-tailed Antbird, among many others.
Guango Lodge (B), Cabañas San Isidro (L, D)
Day 4 - Cabañas San Isidro, San Rafael Waterfalls
After breakfast we depart to visit the tallest waterfall in Ecuador – San Rafael Waterfalls. A short walk through the cloud forest will bring us to an outlook with impressive views of the waterfall in all its beauty and a perfect chance to use your wide-angle lens. Also it is possible to see here Andean Cock-of-the-rock among several other bird species. On the way back to the lodge we stop to visit another exciting waterfall on the Malo River. Not quite as tall but very mighty, we will be able to come close to it to feel its power and take photos. We arrive back to Cabañas San Isidro before dinner to relax and unwind.
Cabañas San Isidro (B, D), box lunch
Day 5 - Cabañas San Isidro to Shaman Lodge
In the morning, we enjoy feeding and photographing White-bellied Antpitta that comes to the lodges ground. After breakfast we depart for the lowland rainforest of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Leaving the mountains you will observe a dramatic climate change as we arrive to our next destination - Shaman Lodge. After lunch we visit the indigenous Kichwa tribe to be introduced to their lifestyle. We tour their food and medicinal plants gardens, and observe the process of making chicha, a fermented beverage made from yucca. After dinner we meet the Kichwa shaman to experience an optional ritual and an explanation of the plant’s medicinal properties, use and effects.
Cabañas San Isidro (B), Sachatamia Lodge (D, B)
Day 6 - Shaman Lodge, Huaorani Private Reserve
After breakfast, we take a short drive to the Huaorani Private Reserve. We hike through the primary lowland rainforest of the reserve; where it is possible to spot the Harpy Eagle, Pavonine Quetzal, Fiery Topaz, Red-necked Woodpecker, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Gilded Barbet, Great Jacamar, and Striped Manakin, among many others. After lunch we meet with the indigenous Huaorani people to learn about their culture and their way of living in the virgin jungle of the Amazon. The tribe will offer their handcrafted art for sale. We will be back at Shaman Lodge in time for dinner and a Kichwa tribal dance performance.
Shaman Lodge (B, D), box lunch
Day 7 - Shaman Lodge to Termas Papallacta
After breakfast we take a ride to Amazonico Rescue Center, where some Amazonian animals are being rehabilitated, to be later released back to the forest. After lunch at the Shaman Lodge we depart the Amazon region and return to the highlands, where we will stay at the Termas Papallacta, this unique thermal bath resort is located along the Papallacta River. There are nine hot thermal mineral pools and three cold-water pools on the resort grounds for you to enjoy.
Shaman Lodge (B,L), Termas Papallacta (D)
Day 8 - Termas Papallacta to Hotel Quito
After breakfast we visit Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. Its habitats range from mountain and dwarf elfin forests to paramo, and are great places to observe and photograph highland birds of the eastern slope.We come back for some more of the hot mineral pools before lunch and our departure back to Quito. We have some time to rest before our farewell dinner.
Termas Papallacta (B, L), Hotel Quito (D), swimming pool, sauna
Day 9 - Hotel Quito, departure
Private transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport for your departure.
Hotel Quito, swimming pool, sauna, free Internet access, no meals included
End of Services
- Lodging as specified
- Meals as specified
- Entrances and fees for all described activities
- Private transfers from and to the airport on first and last days
- Professional driver, private transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned tour bus
- Two professional bilingual photo/nature/culture guides
- Photography workshops and informal photography instruction
- Assistance with caption and identification for your images
- Taxes on all services listed above
- International airfare
- Airport departure tax
- Traveler’s insurance
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Gratuities and tips
- Non-meal time snacks
- Non-meal time soft drinks and bottled water
- Souvenirs