Ultimate Ecuador

Day 1 Arrive Quito

Day 2 Volcano Biking

Day 3 Bellavista Cloudforest

Bellavista protects 1800 acres of endangered cloudforest on the western slopes of the Andes. Bordering the Choco bio-region, the forest is part of something that scientists refer to as a biodiversity "hotspot" - a place of extreme biodiversity in danger of extinction. Today you'll explore the miles of trails at Bellavista, passing by waterfalls, steep ravines, and thick gardens of hanging epiphytes in search of some of the 320 bird species recorded here. You'll learn more about the area's complex ecology, what Bellavista is doing to protect it, and about the endangered mammals such as the spectacled bear, mountain lion, Andean coati, and others that take refuge here.

Day 4 Whitewater Rafting

Time to hit the Class III+ rapids of the best whitewater in the Western Andes! During the winter months, you'll be on the Rio Blanco and in the summer you'll paddle the Rio Toachi. On these exhilarating rides, you'll pass through forested canyons and isolated villages as you descend towards the Pacific lowlands. This afternoon, it's back to Quito to get ready for tomorrow's trek into the high Andes.

Days 5-7 Cayambe-Coca Trek

This morning you'll depart Quito and head high into the Andean paramo to the Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. Each day will include trekking for 4-6 hours at 3800-4200 meters in some of the most isolated and unique terrain in the Andes. You'll be hiking through an area of alpine grasslands, lakes, wetlands, high cliffs and waterfalls. The reserve also boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna including giant rosette plants, cushion plants, orchids, Andean Condor, foxes, dwarf dear and even the shy spectacled bear.

Each morning you'll rise early and try to spot the Andean condor, cara-caras, spotted ducks and more as you pass by a chain of small lakes. As your trek continues, you may stop for a moment to reflect on the impressive granite walls, patched with waterfalls. In the distance, the Antisana and Puntas volcanoes command the horizon. On your last day you'll descend from the grasslands of the high paramo into the warm lushness of cloudforest. The spectacular valley walls are covered in dense vegetation that will remind you of your days at Bellavista. Tonight and the next day, pamper yourself at Papallacta, enjoying the thermal pools and the optional spa treatments at the resort - a well deserved reward for your high altitude trek!

Note: This is a strenuous hike and travelers should come prepared for cold and often wet conditions of hiking over uneven terrain. The rewards for completing the trek are experiencing one of the world's most unique and precious ecosystems and remote landscapes that only the lucky few have the chance to venture.

Day 8 Papallacta/ Quito

Enjoy your morning at the hot springs of Papallacta. Legend says that Inca royalty would travel to Papallacta to soak in its thermal waters. It's easy to see why Inca royalty traveled so far to enjoy this place. Nestled between steep mountains blanketed by lush vegetation, Papallacta provides the perfect setting to soak away your sore muscles before returning to Quito.

Day 9 Into the Jungle

A morning flight carries you over the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes and down into the Amazon basin to begin your Amazon tour. A three-hour drive will take you to your put-in on the Shiripuno River and the start of your amazing journey. You'll meet your Huaorani guide and spend time in a local community were you'll have the unique experience of learning about the Huaorani people, their traditions, their history and their commitment to preserving the natural treasures of the region. Tonight's campsite is hosted by a local Huaorani family - enjoy a campfire dinner.

Day 10 Huaorani Community and Shiripuno Paddling

Following breakfast, visit the nearby Noneno Community where the local Huaorani share more traditions and aspects of daily lifestyle. After our visit we'll continue kayaking down the Shiripuno - you'll have nearly 25 km of river kayaking to do-- a challenging trip, but along the way you will be treated with the wonders of the Ecuadorian Amazon. This incredible region boasts some of the world's highest biodiversity and sustains the traditional lifestyle of numerous indigenous groups. On your silent journey downriver you'll have an excellent chance of spotting monkeys, capybara, toucans, macaws, tapir and maybe even the elusive jaguar. There will be plenty of short stops to stretch and rest your muscles. Expect a late arrival to this evening's campsite.

Day 11 Kayaking and Hiking

Today you'll paddle to the remote Shiripuno Jungle lodge; the wooden buildings and thatched roofs blend into the surrounding landscape. In the evening, enjoy a hike into the forest as the wildlife becomes more active, where your naturalist guide teaches you about the complex ecology of the rainforest. Relax and overnight in the rustic jungle lodge.

Day 12 Rainforest hiking and lake exploration

A short trip upriver in motorized canoe will take us to the start of our rainforest hiking adventure. We'll explore old-growth and flooded (varzea) forest. We'll hike for 4-5 hours, keeping an eye out for monkeys, white-lipped peccaries, and jaguar tracks. During our walk the expedition guide and Huaorani guide explain their practical, medicinal and spiritual relationship with the Amazon jungle.

After lunch we will reach a series of small lakes, where we will paddle in wooden canoes. You'll reach a region of flooded forest and small jungle lakes where you'll have the chance to spot the prehistoric Hoatzin bird and caimans (a relative of the alligator). There is also great fishing in the area. Tonight, you'll return to Shiripuno where you can relax in a hammock and share stories about your Amazon adventures.

Day 13 Motorized Canoe to Coca. Overnight

Day 14 Fly Quito. Overnight.

Day 15 Return Home