Andes to the Amazon Multisport

Andes to the Amazon Multisport Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Quito, Ecuador. Arrive in Quito any time today, pass through customs, gather your luggage and transfer on your own to our hotel for the evening. Dinner on own.

• Day 2

  After breakfast we depart Quito to explore Cotopaxi National Park, a nature and wildlife sanctuary established around the highest active volcano in the world. Its unique paramo (Andean grasslands) ecosystem is a spectacular place to hike and search for wildlife. Our hike begins on the slopes of the Rumiñahui volcano which is located directly across from Cotopaxi's imposing glaciers. Along this trail we find hares, fox, Andean falcon, whitetail deer and even the great condor flying overhead. In the afternoon we explore the park by mountain bike. We ride across highland plateaus surrounded by multiple volcanoes and stunning scenery. We visit Limpiopungo Glacier Lake, reflecting Cotopaxi in its blue waters, and the Pucara (fortress) ruins which were used by the Incas up until the Spanish conquest. In this area of the park it is common to see llamas and wild horses. We spend the night at a lovely family-owned hacienda. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 2 hours, 4 miles; Elevation gain: 1,000 feet; Elevation loss: 650 feet; Terrain: uneven, rocky dirt trail. Biking: 2 hours; Elevation loss: 2,625 feet; Terrain: unpaved, dirt and gravel road.

• Day 3

  This morning we drive along the Avenue of the Volcanoes until we reach the Salasaca Indigenous Community. They are best known for their colorful ponchos and traditional dress. We visit a Salasaca family to learn about traditional weaving and textile techniques as well as the use of the Agave cactus to make clothing, drinks, ropes, and more. We continue our way south, exploring the Llanganates which is considered one of the world's most mystical mountain ranges. Perhaps this reputation is due to the number of explorers who have gone there and never returned or perhaps because Ruminahui, an Inca General, decided to hide the world's most impressive treasure here. The Llanganati, as it is known by the locals, means "Beautiful Mount," and it is a vast reserve on the eastern Andes with peaks whose altitudes range from 3,940 feet to 14,765 feet. We hike at about 11,485 feet in a combination of cloud forest, Andean forest and paramo. Our trail winds through a landscape that harbors a great variety of orchids, birds, and the elusive spectacled bear. At the end of our hike we descend into the Patate Valley on an ancient Panzaleo trail. We spend the night at a hacienda with spectacular views of the Patate Valley and Tungurahua Volcano. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 3-4 hours, 5 miles; Elevation gain and loss: 400 feet; Terrain: "Culunco" ancient Indian (pre-Inca) trails that are uneven, rocky, and muddy in some sections.

• Day 4

  The day kicks off on mountain bikes which we ride on a quiet, unpaved back road that descends into the Rio Blanco river gorge. From our hacienda we begin biking uphill for about 2.5 miles to El Triunfo, situated at 11,150 feet. From there we begin a spectacular 9 mile descent through Patate cloud forest and farmland. This spectacular gorge is a tributary of the mighty Pastaza River and is a main gateway to the Amazon basin. We stop for lunch and enjoy impressive views of the fuming Tungurahua volcano. In the afternoon we explore Baños, a colorful town nestled in the foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. We overnight at a charming hosteria high above Baños. All meals included.
  
  Biking: 2.5 – 3 hours; Elevation gain: 650 feet; Elevation loss: 5,580 feet; Terrain: unpaved, hard packed gravel and dirt roads (can be muddy).

• Day 5

  Today we explore some of the most scenic trails in the eastern Andes of Ecuador. The Pastaza Gorge cuts through mountains surrounded by a lush cloud forest ecosystem. We hike to some of Baños' most impressive waterfalls, including "El Pailon del Diablo" and "El Manto de la Virgen." There are excellent photo opportunities of the waterfalls and the impressive gorge itself. After lunch we make our way back to Quito to get ready for our Amazon adventure. In the late afternoon we have an optional guided city tour through Quito, Latin America's largest colonial center. Overnight in Quito. Breakfast and lunch included.
  
  Hiking: 2 hours, 3 miles; Elevation loss: 650 feet; Terrain: uneven, rocky dirt trails

• Day 6

  We depart in the morning from Quito on a 30-minute flight to the Amazon frontier town of Coca. The flight takes us over the Andes, and in clear weather there are views of many of Ecuador's volcanoes including Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest summit at 20,561 feet. From here we board a motorized canoe on the Napo River for a ride down this major tributary to the Amazon River. When we arrive at the entrance to the reserve on the Challuayaku River, we are greeted by a Kichwa family before settling into our kayaks for an easy paddle to reach our lodge on Challuacocha Lake. Kichwa is the indigenous group of people in the community surrounding Challuacocha Lake. The Kichwa group of South American Indians is the largest of any American Indian group in the world today. Kayaking on this small tributary to the lodge, it is easy to see nesting golden orioles, toucans, blue morpho butterflies, and many other species of birds, as well as the occasional monkey family that gathers in the trees above. Once we reach the lake, we may be greeted by one of the Black Caimans - a formerly endangered crocodile species - that begin patrolling the lake in the late afternoon, as well as herons, parrots, and more. We settle in our lodge for the evening and enjoy a delicious, gourmet meal prepared by our Kichwa hosts. In the evening we explore a nearby trail to learn about howler monkeys, bats, and other mammals that make up the incredible nocturnal wildlife of the Amazon basin. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking: 1 hour; Terrain: flat lake water

• Day 7

  After a buffet breakfast we board our kayaks and paddle to explore Challuacocha Lake. From the water we will be able to observe a great variety of bird species, especially in the early morning. We follow a narrow tributary surrounded by vegetation and seek out tiger herons, blue cotingas, black-capped donacobius, and other exotic bird species. We reach a trail head, leave our kayaks, and go for our first jungle hike. As we explore and search for wildlife, our experienced local guides help reveal the secrets of the forest around us. Here, we look for wood creepers, toucans, cragids, and others. Our trek will lead us back to our kayaks to paddle back to the lodge in time for lunch. This afternoon we will hike through the jungle to an observation tower. The tower is a 100-foot high platform built around a 500-year-old Ceibo tree. From this height we can appreciate the Amazon canopy, and our guides will point out dozens of exotic bird species as the sun sets over the horizon. We return to our lodge for another gourmet dinner. In the evening we venture out to the lake for a closer look at the Black Caiman, a crocodile unique to the Amazon which can grow up to 14 feet long. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking: 2 hours; Hiking: 3-4 hours, 3-4 miles; Terrain: flat, dirt trails with muddy sections.

• Day 8

  After an early breakfast, we board a motorized boat and travel on first the Napo River and then the Pañayucu River to Pañacocha Lake. Here, we begin to explore the Pañacocha Reserve by kayak. The Pañacocha Reserve features a network of waterways and lagoons encompassing 56,000 hectares, all of which is 100% Kichwa community-owned and managed. Our main objective for the day is to spot the pink freshwater dolphin, an endangered species that has become extinct from many other Amazon tributaries. These intelligent animals grow to be up to 9 feet in length and are considered sacred by the local tribes, as there are tales of dolphins that have rescued human lives. We look for other wildlife along the main lake and other small lakes, such as Piguallicocha, where we are likely to find species of kingfisher, jacamar, trogons, potoos, hoatzin, anis, terns, hawks, and eagles. We will also keep an eye out for more species of monkeys and tropical plants that populate this lake ecosystem. In the late afternoon we make our way back to our jungle lodge. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking: 3-4 hours easy paddling; Terrain: flat lake water.

• Day 9

  After breakfast we hike on some remote trails in primary rainforest. Our native guide will help deepen our understanding of this rich ecological chain. He will delight us as he shows us how the people of the Amazon use the forest for food, medicine, magic and construction. On this trail we are likely to see cuckoos, tinamous, snakes, and much more. If we walk quietly and stay alert, it is also possible to see anteaters, black-mantled tamarin monkeys, poison-dart frogs, and countless other surprises that the forest holds in store for us. In the afternoon we visit a Kichwa indigenous community to learn more about jungle life and the preparation of food. We also tour the local school, health center, and traditional thatch-roof homes. In the afternoon we return to our lodge for our last night in the jungle. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 3-4 hours, 4 miles; Terrain: flat, dirt trails with muddy sections.

• Day 10

  After an early breakfast we board our motorized canoe to navigate the Napo River back to Coca. En route we visit a parrot clay lick within Yasuni National Park. The clay lick is an amazing gathering place of hundreds of parrots (4 different species) that use the clay to neutralize the toxins in many of the fruits and plants they eat. We continue on to Coca for our afternoon flight back to Quito. Overnight in Quito. Breakfast included.

• Day 11

  You can depart anytime today. Transfer on your own to airport for flights home. Breakfast included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including unexpected weather and terrain conditions.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

Meals as noted in the daily itinerary; 10 nights accommodations; private transfers throughout; entrance fees to National Parks; airport transfers Quito-Coca-Quito; motorized canoe transfers in the Amazon; equipment necessary for itinerary including inflatable sea kayaks and related equipment, bike and helmet; services of an skilled bi-lingual guide throughout.

International airfare to and from Quito; airport transfers on international flights in and out of Quito; round trip airfare from Quito to Coca (mandatory fee & subject to change); meals not specified in the itinerary; cost of medical immunizations as needed; insurance of any kind; cost of optional activities; excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); alcoholic beverages or soft drinks; optional gratuities to your lead guides; items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. It contains a variety of activities including moderate hiking, biking, and kayaking. The hiking in the Andes is above 10,000' on moderate terrain and, as a result, can feel more strenuous than expected. The biking day is moderate, and participants should have experience and be comfortable riding on uneven, dirt and gravel roads. In general, the hiking and kayaking in the Amazon is easy in both length and terrain. We are not moving at a fast pace as our primary objective is to take time to enjoy and learn about the flora and wildlife.

Quito is at 9,200 feet above sea level and maintains a spring-like climate year round. The temperature ranges from 55° at night to 70° at midday, with the average temperature being in the mid-60s. In the Andes, the average temperatures range from the mid-50s to upper 60s year round. Be prepared for some rain at any time of year. In cloudy and/or rainy conditions temperatures may feel much colder. The average temperatures in the Amazon are in the low 80s with daily highs reaching the low 90s and nightly lows in the upper 60s. An occasional cold front during the "dry" season (May-October) can occur, bringing daytime temperature down into the upper 60s. You are in the tropics and in a jungle rainforest – showers are always a possibility.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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