Experience Ecuador's Yasuní, Sumaco, & Mashpi

Wawa Sumaco, Ecuador

BE
Biotropica Expeditions
  • Email address verified
3 reviews
Nov 5 - 18, 2024
Group size: 8 - 8
Experience Ecuador's Yasuní, Sumaco, & Mashpi
Wawa Sumaco, Ecuador

Biotropica Expeditions
  • Email address verified
3 reviews

$5,260
Deposit: $2,395
Nov 5 - 18, 2024
Group size: 8 - 8

About this trip

Immerse yourself in Ecuador's natural splendor through community-driven tourism projects that forge connections and create opportunities for life-changing experiences.  Our host and naturalist guide, biologist Norby Lopez, will greet us upon arrival in Quito and accompany us on every leg of our journey.


Our adventure begins with a short flight from Quito to Coca and a boat ride into the lush Amazon at the renowned Sani Lodge, where we will spend four nights immersed in the vibrant Yasuni National Park. From guided walks through the rainforest to peaceful canoe rides on serene waters, Sani Lodge offers a profound connection to nature. We will engage with the local Kichwa community who have successfully blended conservation with sustainable tourism, providing us with insights and inspiration.


After a few days with Sani Lodge, our journey continues to Amarun Pakcha. Here, we delve deeper into the principles of community tourism while embracing opportunities to immerse in a different kind of Amazonian forest. The Kichwa of Amarun Pakcha are eager to share their vision for working with international visitors, fostering a cultural exchange that benefits both the host community and travelers. While birdwatching is a primary reason to visit, especially the raucous Cock-of-the-Rock Lek, other activities include hiking to see ancient petroglyphs, visiting local farmers working to protect native forests, and learning to prepare local dishes alongside our Kichwa hosts. Our nights will spent at the nearby Wildsumaco Lodge. This segment of our trip promises rich learning opportunities and meaningful interactions that will leave a lasting impact. 


Following our stay at Amarun Pakcha, we retreat to the tranquility of Cabañas San Isidro for two nights. Nestled in the picturesque Quijos Valley, San Isidro offers a sanctuary for avid birdwatchers. Known for its training program in culinary arts, we will indulge in gourmet cuisine prepared with local ingredients and learn how the lodge works with nearby communities to source the items on its menu. We will also explore the birdwatching gardens, hike the vast network of trails, photograph the orchid collection, or simply unwind by the bathing pool. San Isidro promises serenity and rejuvenation.


Our journey culminates with three nights at the incredible Mashpi-Amagusa Reserve. Each day, we will awaken to the dawn chorus and the whisper of yet a different type of forest, enriching our appreciation for Ecuador’s natural beauty. This family-run lodge offers home-cooked meals, an interactive hummingbird garden, several birdwatching stations with colorful tanagers, and a waterfall at the end of a hiking trail lush with ferns, bromeliads, and orchids.


This overall journey is designed to engage all your senses and foster a deep connection to nature and culture. Whether you are a seasoned birder, a passionate nature lover, or a curious first-timer, you will find your niche in this extraordinary adventure. Join us and experience the sights, sounds, and sensations that make Ecuador a truly remarkable destination.


Angie Drake of Not Your Average American, LLC designed this tour with Biotropica Expeditions for Ellen Jacobson, founder of Friends of Amarun Pakcha, as a way to encourage more meaningful travel in Ecuador.

What’s included

  • Professional Guide
    Our guide, Norby Lopez, is a biologist and certified naturalist and birding guide.
  • Transportation
    All transportation in Ecuador, including the flight to Coca from Quito, all river transport in the Yasuní National Park, and ground transportation.
  • Full Room and Board
    All lodging and meals other than dinner on the night of arrival and lunch or dinner on the day of departure.
  • Entrance Fees
    Entrance fees to reserves and National Parks.
  • Water and Snacks
    Drinkable water (please bring a refillable bottle) and snacks between excursions will be provided.

What’s not included

  • International Flights
    Your flight to and from Quito, Ecuador are not included.
  • Alcoholic Drinks
    Additional beverages like alcoholic drinks may be purchased at your own expense at some destinations.
  • Personal expenses
    Please bring cash and a credit card to cover personal expenses like laundry.
  • Travel Insurance
    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to include trip cancellation, delayed baggage, and health coverage.

Available Packages

Ellen Jacobson and Friends

From the lush Amazonian rainforests to the high Andean Páramos, Ecuador is indeed a special place, boasting good access to birding and other wildlife habitat, unsurpassed scenic splendor, friendly people, and welcoming mega biodiverse country. Incredibly, over 1,700 species of birds have been recorded in the country, more than 4,500 species of orchids, in an area smaller than the state of Colorado, or just about the size of the UK! 


Among them are many of the most spectacular and distinctive Neotropical species. This trip is designed to sample this magnificent avifauna and wildlife, representing very different ecosystems, and offering a full range of birding and wildlife possibilities. This trip explores the heart of the magnificent Ecuadorian Andean foothills on its eastern slope, the lowlands of the Amazon near the Yasuni National Park, and the Pacific Cloud Forest in the Choco Bioregion. 

$5,260
Deposit:$2,395

Itinerary

Bienvenidos a Quito!
Relax at Rincón de Puembo

Day 1: Most flights from the United States to Quito arrive late in the day or evening. Norby will be waiting to take us from the airport to our nearby lodging at Rincón de Puembo where we can rest up before heading to the Amazon.

Your Organizer


BE
Biotropica Expeditions
3 reviews
Norby and Susy are cofounders of Biotropica Expeditions, offering tailor-made natural history, birding, wildlife, nature photography and cultural tours in Ecuador and other biodiverse destinations in South America including, Panama, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. We craft unforgettable journeys and adventures through the natural wonders and cultural treasures of Ecuador and South America. Our team is driven by a deep passion for sustainable travel, indigenous empowerment, education and nature conservation

Reviews

We booked our visit to Colombia through Biotropica Expeditions at the advice of our friends Laurel and Haven Barnhill, with Norby Lopez as our guide for the full 12 days. We visited forests outside of Bogota and Cali ranging in elevation from 11000 ft to 500 ft. and stayed in excellent accommodations with excellent local foods (a lot of food!) consisting of lodges in the Andes and the Cloud Forest, with high-end hotels during travel from one place to another. At each location Norby added local guides with excellent knowledge of bird identification and good English translation skills, but Norby's English was excellent so language was not a problem. If you are a photographer or birder wishing to add endemic and rare species to a life list or photo album, then this is a great organization to work with.
By Brenda M for Birding Nature Jewels in Colombian Andes on Dec 19, 2024
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Our 14-day trip with Biotropica Expeditions was an incredible journey through some of Ecuador’s most distinct and biodiverse regions: the Amazon, Amazon Foothills, Andean Cloudforest, High Paramo, and Andean Foothills. Traveling as a group of six, we encountered an amazing variety of wildlife, including tayra, coati, several species of monkeys, macaws, parrots, bats, hummingbirds, and tanagers. We also had the privilege of engaging with Kichwa communities and local families involved in tourism and conservation efforts. Norby is an outstanding wildlife guide who collaborates seamlessly with local guides to maximize opportunities for spotting birds and animals. His ability to translate not only language but also culture was invaluable during our visits to Indigenous communities in areas like Yasuní and Sumaco. Norby skillfully balanced the diverse interests of our group, ensuring excellent photography opportunities—not just for birds, but also for flowers, insects, and amphibians. I highly recommend Biotropica Expeditions for anyone passionate about nature and birdwatching.
By for Experience Ecuador's Yasuní, Sumaco, & Mashpi on Dec 03, 2024
Well planned and executed trip across two of the three major ecosystems in Ecuador. We saw hundreds of species of birds and animals, from caiman to tooth billed hummingbirds. Owner and national guide Norby Lopez is a consummate professional in both English and Spanish with a near magical ability to spot birds. Highly recommended!
By Scott D for Experience Ecuador's Yasuní, Sumaco, & Mashpi on Nov 29, 2024

References

We booked our visit to Colombia through Biotropica Expeditions at the advice of our friends Laurel and Haven Barnhill, with Norby Lopez as our guide for the full 12 days. We visited forests outside of Bogota and Cali ranging in elevation from 11000 ft to 500 ft. and stayed in excellent accommodations with excellent local foods (a lot of food!) consisting of lodges in the Andes and the Cloud Forest, with high-end hotels during travel from one place to another. At each location Norby added local guides with excellent knowledge of bird identification and good English translation skills, but Norby's English was excellent so language was not a problem. If you are a photographer or birder wishing to add endemic and rare species to a life list or photo album, then this is a great organization to work with.
By Brenda M on 19 Dec, 2024
We had a fantastic trip with Norby and Susie. their knowledge is unsurpassed and they arranged for us to stay in some wonderful places where we could see an incredibly wide range of birds, flora and fauna. everything was arranged seemlessly and made for an unforgettable trip. i would recommend Biotropica to anyone who wants to see and know about birds in particular.
By panny L on 07 Aug, 2024
I always feel it's good to have the Pros & Cons of potential destinations ! With Biotropica Expeditions there just are no Cons. Susie and Norby make expeditions wonderful and if anything untoward crops up, they deal with it with no fuss or bother. Their combined knowledge and expertise made our birding trips through Ecuador and Colombia magic. Susie loves the history and culture of the places we visited. Norby has endless knowledge of the birds and fauna. Susie also loves the flora and has a good eye for birdwatching as well. Saving up for Brazil and the Pantanal to do another adventure with this great duo. They have both become dear friends.
By Georgina M on 30 Jul, 2024
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