Explore the best places for wildlife in Ecuador! In the heart of the rainforest, and near Ecuador's largest Amazon tributary, you can see hundreds of parrots at clay licks and groups of giant river otters.

You'll explore the rich sights and sounds of pristine jungle from the comfort of Napo Wildlife Center's top-quality lodgings. You'll have a chance to visit colonial Quito before heading off to the legendary Galapagos Islands for eight days of iguanas, birds, marine life and more. From colorful markets to Spanish colonial cathedrals, and from jungle monkeys to Galapagos Tortoises, you'll soak up the wonders of Ecuador in this wonderful cross-section of the country.

Day 1 – Quito
Upon arrival in Quito, we meet you at the airport and take you to your selected hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2 – Quito to Napo Wildlife Center
In the morning, return to the airport for the 35-minute flight east over the Andes to the town of Francisco de Orellana (known locally as Coca). This flight takes you from the heights of Quito, at almost 10,000 feet above sea level, to the headwaters of the Amazon Basin at 820 feet! We'll drive through town to meet our motorized canoe and driver on the Napo River, Ecuador's largest Amazon tributary. As we travel downriver, we'll see a number of birds, including Large-billed and Yellow-billed terns a variety of hawks and eagles and maybe even an Amazonian Umbrellabird!

After approximately two hours, we'll arrive at the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, in which the Napo Wildlife Center is located. Transfer to smaller, dugout canoes and your native guide will paddle you up a small stream as you enjoy the array of wildlife in the dense rainforest surrounding you. At the end of the paddle, Napo Wildlife Center awaits you across Añangu Lake. You'll be able to settle into your cabin, and there might even be time for a late afternoon walk.

For all of your excursions at Napo Wildlife Center, you'll be in a small group and accompanied by both a native guide from the local community of Añangu as well as a bilingual naturalist guide who together will show you the forest, from its birds and monkeys to medicinal plants used for centuries by local people. B, D

Days 3 to 5 – Napo Wildlife Center
On your first morning, your guides will take you to two of the most accessible clay licks in Ecuador – both on Napo Wildlife Center property. Travel back down the stream and to the first lick, near the Napo River, where activity kicks off early in the morning. Watch brightly-colored parrots arrive by the hundreds to eat the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Mealy, Blue-headed and Orange-winged parrots squawk and flap as they all vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed viewing blind allows for proximity and complete concealment-so you can even have a coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.

When the activity at the first lick dies down, head over to the second lick, located in the forest. Here, Cobalt-winged Parakeets, Orange-Cheeked Parrots and Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlets fly down to the ground at the entrance to a small cave to eat the clay and sip water from a pool. Birds begin arriving here in the late morning, so you can have lunch in the viewing blind as you watch the spectacle.

Other excursions: Take a canoe or catamaran out on pristine Añangu Lake. Giant otters inhabit the lakes and surrounding streams, and you may encounter a family fishing in the morning or resting in the afternoon. You may see a 12-foot-long Black Caiman cruise across the lake, and you'll see many birds and monkeys in the trees around you-from the prehistoric-looking Hoatzin to Monk Sakis and Spider monkeys.

Explore the forest trails around the lodge area with your guide. Rich terra firma rainforest, this area is filled with birds and monkey, including the golden-mantled tamarin, found only on the south side of the Napo. You might even spot a Jaguar or Tapir!

From a canopy platform located near the lodge, experience the parallel world of the tree-tops. The 120 foot platform is built within the canopy of a huge, emergent tree and offers spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. Wildlife includes Spider Monkeys, Aracaris, Toucans, Blue and Gold Macaws, numerous species of Tanagers, and the Red-rumped Cacique.

Learn about the local culture from the people for whom these lands are home. The Quichua people of Añangu community are active participants in the conservation and management of their territory within the park, as well as partners in the lodge tourism project. You can join some families in their daily activities, such as harvesting bananas, coconuts, and manioc, and watch as they use items from the forest to create crafts such as woven bags and baskets. B, L, D

Day 6 – Napo Wildlife Center to Quito
We depart early in the morning for Coca to catch a mid-morning flight to Quito. In the afternoon, take a guided city tour of Quito. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the old part of the city is filled with Spanish colonial buildings. Churches and cathedrals dominate the narrow streets of the Old Town and are built atop the ruins of the former Inca capital. On Plaza Independencia, you'll see the Presidential Palace as well as two sixteenth-century churches filled with baroque-style artwork typical of the Quito School that evolved here during colonial times, blending European and native influences.

You'll also visit Mitad del Mundo or Middle of the World. It is called Equatorial Monument because the quadrangular pyramid is located on the Equator Line, which is 0º-0'-0'' latitude. A huge globe tops the square pedestal, which is bisected by a bright red line marking the planet’s waistline. Here’s your chance to pose with one foot on either side of the equator. B

Day 7 – Otavalo Market
Today we experience the largest and most famous open-air market in the world at Otavalo. Otavalo's people are famed worldwide for their traditional Andean music as well as their fine handmade textiles. The market virtually fills the town, overflowing from the central town square. You'll see woolen goods, tapestries, jewelry, ponchos, Panama hats (which all come from Ecuador) and unique hand-made clothing. You'll have the chance to visit a local workshop to watch how goods are woven on old-fashioned looms and get a hearty Ecuadorian lunch. B, L

Days 8 through 14 – Quito to Galapagos
Return to the airport early in the morning and head to the Galapagos Islands. This famed archipelago, where Charles Darwin solidified his theories of evolution and natural selection are home to some of the most amazing - and endangered - animals in the world. After year of little contact with humans, giant tortoises, iguanas, birds and sea lions can be seen at extremely close ranges, often only a few feet away! Tropical Nature Travel offers a range of Galapagos cruise options and lengths. This itinerary and price is based on the yachts, the Eric and Flamingo (sister yachts).B, L, D

Day 15 – Galapagos to Quito
Complete your tour of the Galapagos Islands and return to Quito for the evening in your selected hotel. B

Day 16 – Leave Quito
In the morning, return to the Quito airport for your international flight. B

Ultimate Amazon and Galapagos
Trip length	16 days/15 nights
Departs	Sundays
Per person cost	From $3859.00
Single supplement	On request
Prices based on two people sharing. Rates vary depending on cabin type and season (high and low). Roundtrip airfare to Galapagos ($369 - $399) and National Park entrance fee ($100) not included. Pricing and itinerary are subject to change until booking is confirmed.

Staying on in Ecuador? Whether your interest is wildlife or culture, in a short extension tour you can experience more of the living heritage of this vibrant country. Day trips are also a great way to see Quito and the nearby sites. We can even arrange hotels and transportation.