Itinerary

Day 1 Quito

QuitoisEcuador’s capital and has a setting of great natural beauty, overshadowed by the volcano Pichincha with its twin peaks of Ruco and Guagua.Quitois located at 2850m (9348 ft) above sea level, so some visitors may suffer from altitude sickness during the first hours after arrival. The city has preserved much of its Spanish colonial character, the cathedral in the Plaza de la Independencia (the oldest church inSouth America) and the many old churches and monasteries being among the most notable instances. Also in the plaza are theMunicipalPalace, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Palacio Presidencial. Many of the city’s famous churches and monasteries contain priceless examples of Spanish art and sculpture, particularly the Monasterio deSan Franciscoand the JesuitchurchofLa Compañía. Most ofQuito’s colonial churches are located in theOldTown, parts of which have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

The Mecure Hotel is located in the centre of Quito; guests are within walking distance to visit local shops, restaurants, museums and antique churches. With 147 comfortable rooms with high speed internet access, the hotel offers you a pleasant environment for combining business with pleasure.

Overnight at Mercure .

Day 2 Amazon

The Amazon Rainforest is a moist broadleaf forest in the Amazon Basin of South America that occupies some 5.5 million square kilometers (1.4 billion acres), across nine nations. The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Enjoy a direct flight from Quito to Coca. The flight duration is approximately 30 minutes.

Transfer by boat and land 30-90 minutes.

To get to Napo Wildlife Center, guests fly by jet from Quito to the town of Coca (officially known as Francisco de Orellana) on the Napo River. After a short drive from the airport to the dock, board a large, motorized, covered canoe for a scenic two-hour trip down the Napo River. Upon arriving at the entrance to the Napo Wildlife Center Reserve, switch to smaller, dugout canoes. You are paddled up the blackwater creek to the lake and lodge (motorized transport is not allowed on the creek or lake so that wildlife is not disturbed). This paddle can take anywhere from one to three hours, as on the creek guests may see Giant Otters, potoos, kingfishers, Hoatzins, jacamars, hawks, and monkeys. Enjoy lunch en route and arrive at the lodge by late afternoon.

The Napo Wildlife Center supports a unique, 82-square-mile, private nature reserve on the northern edge of the Yasuni National Park. The reserve and associated lodge were created and built by traditional Quichua Indian Community of Anangu. The Napo Wildlife Center is the only lodge on the south bank of the Napo, which harbors 30% more bird and animal species than the north bank. With parrott licks, Giant Otters, Woolly Monkeys and ten other primates, Napo WIldlife Center is the finest wildlife destination in Ecuador. The lodge consists of 12 luxury cabañas, 2 suites and a large dining hall with a library and a well-stocked bar. Attached to the bar is a 50-foot viewing tower from which you can see the Andes on a clear day! Cabanas are comfortable and spacious and include: one king-sized bed and one twin-sized bed, private bathrooms with hot water showers, private porches with lake views, 24-hour electricity, ceiling fans and secure screens for plenty of bug-free ventilation.

Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center.

Day 3 Amazon

Early wake up to reach the parrot clay licks about 1 hour away from the lodge, guests arrive just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between 7:30 to 8:30. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. A visit that depends on weather conditions but usually successful.

Later, hike along forest trail to visit to the Quichua community of Añangu where you will learn more about the local culture. Return to the creek and hike through Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until arriving to the second parrot clay lick where if the weather conditions help several different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws may be identified. Box lunch at the parrot clay lick observatory. Late afternoon arrival to the lodge.

Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center.

Day 4 Amazon

After early breakfast, depart from the lodge visit the canopy tower located about 20 minutes from the lodge deep within the Terra Firme forest. As you ascend the 12-story tower, pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually built into the tree. Experience magnificent views formerly reserved only for the birds. The metal tower itself was constructed to the highest standards, galvanized, and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is the priority. The platform at the top of the tree was constructed by tree platform specialists as well.

Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-and yellow Macaws fly past, in nearby trees Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy opens before you. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center.

Served lunch at the lodge. Afternoon visit to a terra firme trail, hike along primary forest to discover the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manakins or the unique and endemic Golden mantle tamarin monkeys. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe with great possibilities of running into a Giant otter family on the way.

Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center.

Day 5 Quito

Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. Entry docking area, use of restrooms and embarking on motorized canoe in order to return back to Coca, arrival approximately after 2 hours boat ride up river, in order to check in for Coca - Quito flight.

Enjoy a flight from Coca to Quito. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

Transfer by boat and land 30-90 minutes.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

The Mecure Hotel is located in the centre of Quito; guests are within walking distance to visit local shops, restaurants, museums and antique churches. With 147 comfortable rooms with high speed internet access, the hotel offers you a pleasant environment for combining business with pleasure.

Overnight at Mercure .

Day 6 Quito

Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver.

Departure tax is not included in the tour price ($44.30 per person).

Depart from Quito International airport - end of itinerary

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).

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