Ecuador > Amazon Rainforest
The most vibrant, complex and diverse ecosystems on earth, tropical rainforests cover just 6% of the Earth's land surface and yet are believed to contain at least half of all the species on the planet.
Just a short flight across the Andes from Quito, Ecuador's corner of the Amazon Rainforest is home to some of the best lodges in the Amazon Basin, including Kapawi, Sacha Lodge, La Selva and a number of smaller excellent family run lodges. Below we outline the details of a visit to the award winning Napo Wildlife Centre as an example, though all lodges we work with offer a similar level of excellent service and spectacular wildlife viewing.
For our five and six day Amazonia extensions
The Napo Wildlife Centre enjoys a great location by the side of a secluded lake, with an incredible bird list of 568 species, spectacular parrot lick's and a network of trails.
One of the highlights of your stay will be the 36 meter high Canopy Tower that gives superb access to the forest canopy, where around half of all life in the rainforest lives. An early morning spent in the tower is an awe inspiring experience, with the chance to enjoy some superb mixed-species feeding flocks of tanagers and cotingas as well as amazing sightings including Black-faced Hawk, Crested Eagle, and Harpy Eagle.
The lodge also offers some wonderful mammal sightings, with upwards of six species of monkey observed from the Dinning Hall tower area in a single afternoon. Giant Otters are also frequently seen and Capybara come into the lodge compound almost every night.
On other excursions you can paddle through exquisite flooded creeks in traditional dugout canoes to observe the biodiversity rich forest. There is also the chance to spend time with the Anangu indigenous community where you can join some families on their daily activities, providing an insight into their lives and a unique opportunity to learn from their remarkable knowledge of the forest.
5-day extension from £620 per person
6-day extension from £695 per person.
The price is based on two people sharing and includes a return domestic flight to Coca, all meals and lodging in the rainforest, the services of an expert guide, accommodation and breakfast in Quito and transfers to and from the airport.
