ITAMANDI ECO-LODGE AMAZON EXPLORE

$899 per person

Itamandi EcoLodge offers sustainable travel and ecotourism vacations to one of the most interesting and diverse places in the world: the Amazon Rainforest. It is only a 4-hour drive by car and a short canoe ride away from Quito, situated along the banks of the Arajuno River and 20min. away from Tena. Our eco-friendly destination is the perfect setting for an amazing jungle trip combined with luxury accommodation. Several activities and excursions are available during your stay. Activities include cultural visits to the Kichwa community, where you can enjoy folkloric dances by the local children, educational treks through primary forests, night walks, a visit to the parrot clay lick, bird watching, floating down the Arajuno River on tubes, artisan production of chocolate and more. Across the river you can find the famous scientific research station Jatun Sacha. Alternatively, just chill out in the lodge open-air leisure area with pool, full service bar and relaxation zone.

Unique Experiences:

HIKE IN THE RAINFOREST AND LOOK FOR THE SMALLEST MONKEY IN THE WORLD (PYGMY MARMOSET ).
VISIT A NATIVE LOCAL FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AMAZON JUNGLE AND LEARN ABOUT ANCESTRAL TRADITIONS.

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8+ Age

4 Days

Adventure - Amazon Rainforest

Departure

Quito / Ecuador
Included

Activities

Land Transportation

Fees and entrances to parks and museums

Meals detailed in the itinerary
Not Included

Domestic flights

Airport tranfer in & out

International flight

FROM OUR GALLERY

1

DAY 1: QUITO – PAPALLACTA – ITAMANDI

7H00 - pick up at your hotel in Quito by private, comfortable transportation with a naturalist bilingual guide.

We take a two-hour drive east of Quito to the Papallacta Hot Springs Resort, located in the Andean highland, stopping at 4000 meters for a quick look at the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve. We will appreciate the high mountain "paramo" ecosystem before we continue our journey to the best hot springs in Ecuador. We can soak in the hot volcanic pools, surrounded by birds and flowers.

After a couple of hours our next stop is at the Hummingbird Sanctuary at Guango Lodge, to observe all the different colorful species of these small creatures, as well as to have a healthy lunch.

On our way down the curvy road to the Amazon Rainforest, we stop at the "Guacamayos Lookout" (macaws), located in between Sumaco and Antizana National Reserves (low elevation cloud forest), to observe the magic blanket of clouds that covers the Amazon rainforest, until we finally get to the Arajuno River, where a motorized canoe will take us for 20 minutes up the river to the Itamandi Eco-Lodge.

Once we arrive at the dock area of Itamandi Eco Lodge, the resident manager will greet you with a delicious welcome cocktail. From there we will continue to relax in the bar area with a fresh tropical snack. A short briefing will be held by our guide with general information about the lodge and available activities.

Accommodation: Itamandi Eco-Lodge.

Meals included: Dinner.

2

DAY 2: ITAMANDI FULL DAY ACTIVITIES

Early in the morning we take a canoe ride for 15 minutes upstream to visit the parrot clay lick (Saladero), a unique site where parrots and parakeets gather in order to obtain the minerals that will help them to digest the fruits or seeds they have consumed. Binoculars are highly recommended to watch hundreds of parrots and parakeets approach the treetops and later come down to the clay bank to eat this mineral-rich soil.

After a couple of hours we take a hike along the shore of the river to try and spot the smallest monkey on earth, Titi monkey. Because they are so small, it is hard to see them in their lush environment. We go on a different trail to observe the typical flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest.

In the afternoon it is time to enjoy a cultural activity. An Amazonian Kichwa community will receive us and we learn about their way of life and the interaction they have with the forest. This encounter is going to show you that part of the Amazon that you do not find on the maps: the Amazon people.

We will take part in the preparation of the famous "Chicha", a fermented yucca drink that is also used during the local festivals. We will also try some of the local cuisine. We finish the visit with a traditional dance performed by the kids of this community and you will also have some time to buy some indigenous handicrafts. This little business supports the indigenous people in their daily life.

Optional activity: artisanal chocolate making.

Accommodation: Itamandi Eco-Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

3

DAY 3: AMAZING ENCOUNTERS WITH WILDLIFE

After a healthy breakfast, we continue our canoeing exploration, heading deeper into the jungle. Every day in the Amazon is a new adventure: the more pristine and wild the jungle becomes with new exciting opportunities to encounter more wildlife, such as different types of monkeys, capybara, tapir, swallows, flycatchers, herons, sandpipers and hawks. We will also take hikes to learn more about local plants and their medicinal properties. In the late afternoon, we arrive at our camp site, located on the Tiputini River side. Our chef will prepare a special gourmet dinner for us tonight.

Accommodation: Itamandi Eco-Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

4

DAY 4: ITAMANDI – QUITO

9:00 am: Check out and motorized canoe ride for 20 Minutes to the Arajuno Bridge. We will drive back to Quito across the eastern range of the Andes with drop off at your hotel or final destination.

Meals included: Breakfast.

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Accomodation

Destination

Value For Money

Overall

Transport

Meals

What's Included?

Transportation: Private and comfortable land transportation, motorized canoe.

Accommodation based in double occupancy: 3 nights in an Eco-Lodge in the Amazon rainforest.

Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners.

Activities: Papallacta hot springs, Guango Hummingbird Sanctuary, Canoe riding in Arajuno river, Educational hiking in the Amazon, visiting local Kichwa Community, Wildlife encounters with monkeys, Amazoonico Rescue Center.

Out-door gear: Life jackets.

Trip Leader: Certified EPL expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader.

Group size: Small groups' 2 to 12 people.

What is not included?

My Own Room supplement.

International/local flights.

Airport transfers.

Travel insurance (mandatory).

Meals, Snacks & Drinks not described in the itinerary.

Personal Expenses and Optional Activities.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER: It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

DRIVING TIME: 4 hours driving each way to Quito to Amazon and back.

SEASON: All year.

PROVINCE: Tena, Pichincha.

TERRITORY: Quichuas from The Amazon (678,220 hectares).

ALTITUDE: 400m (12500 ft).

AVG. TEMP.: Day 25-34ºC - Night 18-20ºC

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Easy.

SAFETY: Guides are certified as Wilderness First Aid Responders. We carry a complete first aid kit.

SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive a conservationist interpretation of the ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest and the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both Quichua cultural identity and their rainforest environment. Your visit will encourage the Quichua to support responsible ecotourism as a sustainable alternative to surrendering to the oil industry's destructive appetites. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage.

ABOUT THE QUICHUA: The Quichua are an indigenous tribe native to a small section of the Ecuador's Amazonian rainforest. They number only about 3000 individuals but speak a language unrelated to any other on the planet. The Quichua are extraordinarily spiritual, and make no distinction between the physical and spiritual. This people keep a tremendous knowledge about the jungle plants and animals. Part of this are used for the traditional rituals and local medicine.

ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.

MEALS: Travelling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.

YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some location and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service. In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.

ITAMANDI ECO-LODGE AMAZON EXPLORE