FROM THE CLOUDS TO THE AMAZON

After breakfast at your hotel, join in a full-day tour of the city beginning in the historic district, or “Old Town” where you will see the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Monument dedicated to the heroes of 1809 who fought for independence from Spain. On the way to San Francisco Square, visit the Jesuit church of La Compañia, before heading to the Equatorial Line Monument called the “Middle of the World” where you can stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. (B)

Begin your adventure in the morning with a departure from Quito Airport and enjoy a breathtaking 30-minute flight across the Andes to the vibrant Amazon town of Coca. After a light lunch, step aboard a private canoe for a scenic two-hour journey down the river. A short, guided walk through the lush rainforest brings you to Lake Garzacocha, where local paddlers wait to escort you across the tranquil waters to the lodge. Settle into your rainforest retreat with a choice of relaxing or adventurous activities such as birdwatch from the mini-tower, wander through the butterfly house, or enjoy a refreshing swim in the blackwater lake. After dinner, join your naturalist guide for a magical night walk or silent canoe ride, where you may encounter nocturnal wildlife including caimans whose eyes shimmer under the starlit sky. (B, L, D)

Begin your morning early with a guided walk along the Liana Chica Trail leading to the spectacular Canopy Walk. A 36-meter-high, 275-meter-long suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the rainforest treetops. Continue your exploration along the Liana Grande and Higuerón trails, where you’ll discover a variety of forest habitats, towering kapok trees, and fascinating uses of medicinal plants, all interpreted by expert naturalist guides. After lunch, choose your afternoon adventure: enjoy a leisurely walk along the Río Napo, or opt for the more adventurous Leoncillo Trail, with a chance to spot the shy dusky titi monkey. All routes conclude with a peaceful boardwalk stroll and canoe ride back to the lodge. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, venture along the Lagartococha Trail, where your guide will share the rich spiritual traditions of the region’s Indigenous communities—from ancestral tree legends to tales of the elusive duwende. Arriving at Lake Lagartococha, drift quietly by canoe through a wildlife-rich swamp, home to anacondas, caimans, capybaras, and vibrant birdlife. Continue on foot in search of capuchin and squirrel monkeys swinging through the canopy. Return to the lodge for a refreshing swim or a relaxing hammock break. Later, try your luck at piranha fishing with your native guide on a safe, fun, and unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, glide through the lodge’s flooded forest on a silent canoe ride, a guest’s favorite. Watch for squirrels, capuchins, and howler monkeys, and keep an eye out for river otters or even a three-toed sloth hidden among the branches. Your journey concludes at the lodge’s 135-foot observation tower, built around an enormous kapok tree. Enjoy close-up encounters with dazzling birdlife and, on clear evenings, take in a breathtaking sunset over Mount Sumaco with the snowcapped Andes shimmering in the distance. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’ll begin your return journey with a final stroll along the boardwalk to the river. From there, enjoy a scenic canoe ride back to Coca, where you’ll catch your short flight to Quito. Arrival in the city will be around midday, with schedules subject to change. (B) 

After breakfast, you will take a 60-minute canoe ride back to Coca harbor. From there, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito for your connecting flight back home. (B)