DAY 1: Departure from USA
- Depart on your flight to Quito.
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DAY 2: Arrive in Quito
- Arrival: Mariscal Sucre International Airport - Transfer to the hotel. (1 hour)
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DAY 3: Quito – Coca
- Breakfast: at hotel. Transfer to the airport - flight to Coca.
- Departure from Quito. A short 30-minute flight takes us to the frontier town of Coca (Francisco de Orellana) and transfer to the dock, where we will embark on a motorized canoe and navigate down river about 1 hour, to board the M/V ANAKONDA AMAZON CRUISE. Throughout the journey we have a chance to admire the rainforest landscape and banks of the great Napo River.
- Immediately after boarding the M/V Anakonda, we continue navigating downstream. Passengers will have their first opportunities to enjoy the exciting features of our cruise ship: the spacious social areas, comfortable suites, and an observation deck that offers spectacular views. An evening walk is organized after sunset it gives us the opportunity to discover the forests nocturnal activity and listen to the incessant sounds of nature.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 4: Border with Peru (The Heart of Yasuní)
- After a delicious breakfast, we disembark on land for our first daylight close-and-personal tropical rainforest experience, where we will learn about the relationship between plants and animals while closely watching out for samples of Amazonias fascinating biodiversity at every turn.
- After lunch, the M/V Anakonda navigates to one of the most pristine and little explored sections of Ecuadorian Amazonia, home to the legendary pink river dolphin, black caiman and anaconda. We may also find river turtles and various species of monkeys, as well as the primitive Hoatzin, a one-of-a-kind bird locally known as "the Stinky Turkey". The only way to actually visit this flooded ecosystem is by canoe, a ride that will reveal the beauty of a lush jungle world.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 5: Meeting the Community – Activities on Board – Island Exploration
- Breakfast on board. We visit a school located on the banks of the Napo River, where we will have the opportunity to interact with children of the area and learn about the educational system of a remote jungle community in Ecuador.
- We return on board the M/V Anakonda for lunch and a moment to relax while we navigate upstream. We will offer a lecture and documentary screening, and if time permits, learn about (and make) typical handicrafts of the area. In the afternoon, we explore one of the largest river islands of the Napo River.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 6: Observation Tower – Limoncocha Biological Reserve
- In the morning after breakfast, visit an observation tower 100-feet high, built against a giant kapok tree. From the top of the tower, we will be blessed with this unique perspective of the forest, looming over the treetops and the greatness of the Amazon Basin.
- In the afternoon, we visit Limoncocha Biological Reserve, a fascinating protected area where more than 478 bird species and several monkey species have been recorded. This activity will extend into the evening, when we will have a chance to spot black caiman with the help of our flashlights. Return to the M/V Anakonda for dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 7: Coca – Quito – Papallacta
- In the morning, disembark the M/V Anakonda and transfer by motorized canoe to Coca (1-hour ride) flight to Quito.
- Arrival: Antonio Jose de Sucre International Airport &ndash Transfer to the hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 8: Papallacta – Cotopaxi
- Breakfast at the hotel. Papallacta is famous for its hot springs,. Papallacta is a small village in Ecuador located at an altitude of 3,300 m in the Andes just off the Eastern Cordilleras on the road from Quito which leads into the Amazon jungle. Descending from the peak to Papallacta, one passes through the portal where the ecosystems transform from alpine to tropical jungle.
- There are three important reasons to visit "Termas de Papallacta": Health, recreation & relaxation.
- The thermal baths are located on the banks of the Papallacta River in a unique natural environment here we can find nine hot thermal pools and three cold water pools. The source temperature of the thermal baths varies between 30°C and 70°C (86°F and 158°F). At the pools the temperature ranges from 36°C to 40°C (97°F to 104°F). Papallacta´s thermal waters contain sulfates, sodium, calcium, chloride and traces of magnesium which are odorless, colorless but have a slightly salty taste.
- Continue to Cotopaxi.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 9: Cotopaxi – Quito
- Breakfast at the hotel. Cotopaxi National Park was founded in 1975 in order to protect the volcanos and lakes within it. You will be fascinated by nature at its best, in this popular national park in Ecuador. An impressive range of animals lives within the 34,000-hectare park, such as: condors, pumas, spectacled bears, Andean foxes, orange-headed caracaras, llamas, frogs, paramos, hummingbirds and many others. This park also counts an important collection of lakes and mountain peaks. Two of the most outstanding lakes are Limpiopungo Lake and Santo Domingo Lake. The waters of Limpiopungo Lake reflect the 4,757 meters high majestic Ruminahui. Santo Domingo Lake is surrounded by walls on Incan stone, the ruins of Pucaras (Incan forts) and other stone platforms that are said to have been built by Pre-Colombian shepherds.
- Once you arrive at the park, you will visit a museum and learn about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as other important information about the Cotopaxi Volcano. After youve had your fill of the museum, youll walk to the Limpiopungo Lagoon, which will take about 30 minutes. Birds frequent this lagoon, and its a great place for birding. Commonly sighted species include great thrushes, ground-tyrants, and speckled teals.
- Return to Quito for a City Tour.
- Quito city tour is perfect for seeing fascinating panoramas, churches, domes and roofs that have an important historical value. You will admire and learn about colonial art, architecture, culture, legends, and traditions. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of 9.350 feet. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic Center in Latin America. The architecture and rich interiors, are pure examples of Quito School of sculpture, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. After four incredible hours exploring the Old Town, youll understand why Quito was the worlds first city named to UNESCOs Cultural Heritage list.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 10: Departure from Quito to USA
- Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport - International flight.
- Meal: Breakfast
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