|
|
|
|
|
Adventure Tours |
 PP3 JUNGLE ALL THE WAY As the name suggests this entire 9-day travel adventure takes part in the Amazon rainforest regions of Ecuador and is especially suited to those of you enjoying primary forests with their amazing fauna and flora. We explore highland forests by trekking to an active volcano and around the mightiest waterfalls of Ecuador. Lowland rainforests are also visited along the river Napo. But not only on hikes we experience this unique ecosystems but also have ample opportunity to observe it from the rivers, rafting and kayaking the currents of the Napo. Day 1 We leave Quito and drive north to Cayambe where we take then the road passing Guachala to the small town of Oyacachi. From there we begin our hike down through the cloudforest into the Amazon basin on a trail used for centuries by native indians. Midway we have to put up our first camp site, right in the forest. (B,L,D) Day 2 We continue on hiking down till we reach El Chaco, a small town located on the road connecting Quito with Lago Agrio. There the van awaits us and brings us to San Rafael where we put up a camp right across the mighty waterfalls. (B,L,D) Day 3 Early in the morning we start exploring the area around the waterfall. First we climb down the steep forest path to the foot of the cascades. Afterwards we return and take a detour and reach the head of the waterfall. (B,L,D) Day 3 Early in the morning we begin our 3-day jungle trek to El Reventador (as this volcano is presently active again with occassional eruptions, it might not be possibles to resch the top) an active volcano, located right there in the high tropical forest region. On this day we hike on muddy paths through primary forest to our first camp, a simple refuge hut, which is located, where two small mountain creeks meet, the Rio Azul and Rio Blanco. (B,L,D) Day 4 After breakfast we get ready for our climb up to the summit of El Reventador. First we have a steep climb through the forest till we reach the old crater area of the volcano, which consists of blocks of rocks overgrown with mosses and small bushes. After passing through this amazing region we reach the base of the new volcanic cone and begin our climb up to the peak on sand, loose stones and rocks. On a clear day we have on top of the volcano a fantastic view of the entire Amazon jungle area with its huge rivers. After having lunch there we begin the hike back to the hut where we arrive late in the afternoon and spend the next night. (B,L,D) Day 5 In the morning we walk back from the hut to our camp at the San Rafael Waterfalls, where we arrive after a 6-hour hike. From there after lunch we drive by jeep to Baeza, where we spend the night. (B,L) Day 6 Today we start on our 1-day Whitewater Rafting expedition on the river Alto Napo, a Grade III rafting river. The first part of the run is through easier rapids to warm ourselves up and later bigger and more technical rapids await us. After the wet experience we drive to Puerto Misahualli, where we spend the next night. (L) Day 7 Early morning we get into river kayaks and start this time lower on the Napo our float downriver. We move rapidly downriver with the currents till we reach the jungle lodge later in the afternoon. Not finished yet with today's adventures, after diner we go for a short but exhilarating night hike through the forest. New sounds await us as night active animals start their activities. (L,D) Day 8 We undertake a longer hike through the jungle to get to know some of the amazing plants and animals of a primary tropical rainforest. Highlights include a gigantic ceibo tree, which can reach up heights of over 45m. (B,L,D) Day 9 We stop at Jumandy, where our last adventure consists in exploration of the huge caves. Right in the beginning we have to swim inside the cave to reach the deeper inside bowls. Bats hang from the ceilings as they rest in the daytime in the dark shade. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Quito where we end our jungle adventures.
|
|
||
|
|
