ECUADOR A FIELD COURSE

(Amazon, Cotopaxi and Otavalo)

LENGTH: 12 Days/11 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES: Jul 5-16.

*Other dates for individuals, families and groups, including WINTER INTERIM BREAK and SPRING BREAK, available upon request.

*Our standard ECUADOR A FIELD COURSE itinerary can be modified in content and length for SPECIAL INTERESTS and NEEDS.

*Other JUNGLE LODGES, such as the NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER, LA SELVA and KAPAWI are also available to individuals and groups in Ecuador’s Upper Amazon Basin.
Note: Please also see our ECUADOR B FIELD COURSE, which combines MAINLAND ECUADOR with a cruise in the GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS and our ECUADOR C FIELD COURSE hosted by the non-profit organization Jatun Sacha Foundation. Both can be seen at http://www.rainforestandreef.org.

*Affordable EXTENSIONS to the GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS (8d/7n, 5d/4n and 4d/3n); OLD-TOWN QUITO CITY TOUR; SAQUISILÍ MARKET (half or full-day); VILLAGE of BAÑOS and the AVENUE of the VOLCANOES (3d/2n) and CUENCA are available upon request before or after our ECUADOR A FIELD COURSE. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

*WHITE-WATER RAFTING and TREKKING are also available in Ecuador upon request.

*An affordable EXTENSION to CUZCO and the LOST CITY of the INCAS-MACHU PICCHU is also available to individuals and groups. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721. Pricing and itineraries are also available at http://www.rainforestandreef.org. Look under our PERU A, B and C FIELD COURSES, as well.

Note: Individuals/groups must fly Quito-Lima, Peru or vice-versa if they are going to combine Ecuador and Peru.

*FIELD COURSES for those with SPECIAL INTERESTS, such as BIRDING and GARDEN GROUPS are available upon request. Sample itineraries can be seen at http://www.birdingtours.org (being updated), http://www.gardentours.org (being updated) and also http://www.rainforestandreef.org. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

*SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAMS for individuals/groups are also available in Ecuador. A sample itinerary can be seen at http://www.iwanttolearnspanish.org (being updated) and also http://www.rainforestandreef.org. SPANISH IMMERSION is also available in the rainforest. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

FIELD COURSE COST: 1330.00USD per person. Based on a minimum of 15 full-paying participants. One Group Leader FREE for the ground portion of our ECUADOR A FIELD COURSE with 15 full-paying participants. Cost is based on triple and quadruple occupancy. Double and single occupancy available upon request, usually at an extra cost.



Notes: Group Leaders, please contact Rainforest and Reef for details about STIPENDS, FREE SPACE and GROUP RATES.

For individuals, families or groups of less than 15 ull-paying participants, please contact Rainforest and Reef for pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

Includes: All INSTRUCTION and BI-LINGUAL GUIDE SERVICES; all MEALS and LODGING as stated in the itinerary; all GROUND and WATER TRANSPORTATION within Ecuador; ONE-WAY DOMESTIC AIRFARE Coca-Quito on DAY 8; all ENTRANCE FEES to NATIONAL PARKS and OTHER SITES.

Does Not Include: ROUND-TRIP INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE to Ecuador; DOMESTIC AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX (6.50USD per person) flight Coca-Quito on DAY 8; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX (38.00USD per person); GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

ITINERARY:

MEAL CODES: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Note: On the MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM that you will be receiving shortly after registration, please make us aware of any special meal requests and/or dietary restrictions….vegan, vegetarian, etc., that you or members of your group may have. We will be pleased to fulfill your requests/needs.

DAY 1 ARRIVAL QUITO-ECUADOR A FIELD COURSE ORIENTATION. Following your arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport, outside of Quito, you will be met by our Ecuador A Field Course Staff and transferred to your hotel. Following dinner, there will be an orientation session to our Ecuador A Field Course. Overnight Quito. D

DAY 2-QUITO-PAPALLACTA THERMAL SPRINGS-EXPLORE VARIETY of LIFE ZONES in ECUADOR’S UPPER AMAZON BASIN-VILLAGE of BAEZA. Early this morning, our group will depart Quito by bus. We will travel up and over Ecuador’s Continental Divide created by the Andes Mountains. During this breathtaking portion of the trip, our group will reach an elevation of more than 13,000 feet and begin the incredible descent into Ecuador’s Upper Amazon Basin. During our journey there will be numerous stops to hike, where our Naturalist Guide will assist in the interpretation and discussion of the many life-zones encountered, including alpine and cloudforest ecosystems. At the Continental Divide, we will stop in the village of Papallacta, have lunch and take time to explore some of the many natural geothermal vents and springs found here. Dinner and overnight near the village of Baeza. B L D

DAY 3 ARRIVAL VILLAGE of COCA. Following breakfast, we will depart by bus for the frontier village of Coca, Ecuador. Stops will again be included to hike and, with the assistance of our Naturalist Guide, observe and discuss local flora and fauna. This portion of our journey will end late this afternoon upon arrival in Coca, located along the banks of the Napo River. Dinner and overnight Coca. B L D

Note: It is possible to fly Quito-Coca on Day 2 and then transfer to Sacha Lodge, downstream on the Napo River the same day. It would shorten this itinerary by two days. If you have the time, the one-way trip Quito-Baeza-Coca is well worth it, not only in terms of scenery, but also because of all the Natural History one can experience en route. On DAY 8, we do fly Coca-Quito after our Rainforest experience.

DAY 4 BOAT TRIP on the NAPO RIVER to SACHA LODGE. After an early breakfast, we will be met by Sacha Lodge Staff and transfer by boat on the Napo River to Sacha Lodge. Begin 5d/4n program and overnight Sacha Lodge. B L D

Notes:

During trip to Sacha Lodge, some gear, such as camera equipment, etc. are stored in plastic bags to keep them dry from water-spray that sometimes comes over the edge of the boat.

Sacha is one of the finest Lodges in the entire Amazon. Activities are varied and unique, including an incredible rainforest canopy walk-way. You will be surrounded by pristine, primary rainforest during your entire stay. Please see http://www.sachalodge.com.ec/ for trail descriptions and images from Sacha Lodge.

DAY 5 Activities Sacha Lodge and overnight. B L D

DAY 6 Activities Sacha Lodge and overnight. B L D

DAY 7 Activities Sacha Lodge and overnight. B L D

DAY 8 SACHA LODGE-BOAT TRIP on the NAPO RIVER to COCA-FLIGHT COCA-QUITO. Following an early breakfast and our last activities out of Sacha Lodge, our group will return to Coca by boat and fly Coca-Quito (~40 min.). Dinner on your own. Overnight Quito. B L

Notes: Due to weight limitations for the return flight Coca-Quito on DAY 8, each participant is allowed to bring a maximum of 25 lbs. of gear. Extra luggage can be left behind in a locked storage area at our hotel in Quito.

Some groups that want to include Baños, a stop with hiking in Cotopaxi National Park and the Avenue of the Volcanoes prefer to bus back from Quito, rather than fly. It is a long, but spectacular day-trip by bus. This will require at least 2-3 extra days.

DAY 9 AVENUE of the VOLCANOES-FULL-DAY HIKING COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK. After breakfast today, we will travel south of Quito taking in breathtaking views of the world-famous Avenue of the Volcanoes. Participants will spend the day exploring Cotopaxi National Park. The Park is home to snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano, at 19,350 feet, the world’s highest active volcano.

The Park was originally founded in 1975 to protect Ecuador's declining llama population. During the day, we will hike around Lake Limpiopungo at the base of the Cotopaxi and explore the area’s interesting vegetation and wildlife. Be on the lookout for the rare Andean Condor! Late this afternoon, our group will return to Quito for dinner and overnight. B L D

DAY 10 OTAVALO-COTACACHI-SAN ANTONIO de IBARRA-CUICOCHA LAKE BOAT TRIP. After breakfast, we will travel by bus to the village of Otavalo. Over generations the Otavaleños that live here have become famous for their weavings. Locals also come here to buy and barter for food, animals and other essentials. During our journey north of Quito, which will be escorted by an Ecuadorian bi-lingual Guide and Driver, we will also make stops in the villages of Cotacachi, well-known for its leatherworks and San Antonio de Ibarra, famous for its’ wood carvings. Time permitting we will also take a boat trip on Cuicocha Lake. Late this afternoon our group will transfer to Hacienda Pinsaquí and overnight. B L D

DAY 11 PEGUCHE-LA MITAD del MUNDO MONUMENT-INTIÑAN MUSEUM-SCIENCE MUSEUM at SAN ANTONIO de PICHINCHA-FAREWELL DINNER. Following breakfast, our group will take a short hike to the village of Peguche. Here, we will visit a weaver and musical instrument maker. After lunch, participants will head south and stop at La Mitad del Mundo Monument, signifying that we are on the earth’s equator and the Intiñan Museum. Time permitting, our group will then visit the “science museum” at San Antonio de Pichincha. We will then return to Quito and get cleaned up after a long day. This evening we will have our “Farewell Dinner” at Rincón la Ronda. It is well known for its colonial architecture, old-time charm, Ecuadorian cuisine and Andean music. Overnight Quito. B L D

DAY 12 DEPARTURE. After an early breakfast and farewells to our Ecuador A Field Course Staff, you will be transferred to Mariscal Sucre International Airport, outside of Quito for your return flight home. B

Note: Due to weather conditions and circumstances beyond the control of Field Course Staff, certain activities may be changed or done on different days in the best interest of the group.