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Experience and in depth visit to the pristine Amazon Rain Forest within the Yasunì National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rain forest in Ecuador. Begin, by flying into Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and enjoy a night in the city. Then, head to the airport and fly to Coca, the gateway to the deep Amazon Rainforest! The principal Amazon artery for visitors is the Napo River, a major tributary of the main Amazon River. Its basin is 1400km long and one to three miles wide. Napo's 130 islands are covered by young forests, which provide refuge and nesting sites for a multitude of bird species. Along the length of the Napo, natives and settlers have established communities. Most of the shore is covered with tropical forest and over thousands of years, many lakes have formed. All meals and excursions are included.
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| Day |
Activities |
Hotel |
Day 1
Quito
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- Meet and Greet
- Quito: Transfer - Quito Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Kensington Cares - 2
- Dinner (not included)
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Mercure (B)
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Day 2
Amazon
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- Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Quito Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Quito - Coca [Direct - 1234 (30 min)] - Economy
- Amazon: Transfer - Airport - Van/Driver
- Quito - Coca - Napo Wildlife Center
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Napo Wildlife Center (B,L,D)
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Day 3
Amazon
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- Breakfast (included)
- Napo Wildlife Center (shared)
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Napo Wildlife Center (B,L,D)
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Day 4
Amazon
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- Breakfast (included)
- Napo Wildlife Center (shared)
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Napo Wildlife Center (B,L,D)
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Day 5
Quito
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- Breakfast (included)
- Departure Day Napo Wildlife Center (shared)
- Air - Coca - Quito [Direct - 1234 (1 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Van/Driver
- Quito: Transfer - Quito Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
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Mercure (B)
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Day 6
Quito
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- Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Quito Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Quito Departure Tax
- End of Itinerary
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Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard)
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| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Quito Quito is Ecuador’s capital and has a setting of great natural beauty, overshadowed by the volcano Pichincha with its twin peaks of Ruco and Guagua. Quito is located at 2850m (9348 ft) above sea level, so some visitors may suffer from altitude sickness during the first hours after arrival. The city has preserved much of its Spanish colonial character, the cathedral in the Plaza de la Independencia (the oldest church in South America) and the many old churches and monasteries being among the most notable instances. Also in the plaza are the Municipal Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Palacio Presidencial. Many of the city’s famous churches and monasteries contain priceless examples of Spanish art and sculpture, particularly the Monasterio de San Francisco and the Jesuit church of La Compañía. Most of Quito’s colonial churches are located in the Old Town, parts of which have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle. Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver. Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. The Mecure Hotel is located in the centre of Quito; guests are within walking distance to visit local shops, restaurants, museums and antique churches. With 147 comfortable rooms with high speed internet access, the hotel offers you a pleasant environment for combining business with pleasure. Overnight at Mercure . |
 Quito |
 Kensington Cares |
 Hotel Mercure |
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Day 2
Amazon The Amazon Rainforest is a moist broadleaf forest in the Amazon Basin of South America that occupies some 5.5 million square kilometers (1.4 billion acres), across nine nations. The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver. Enjoy a direct flight from Quito to Coca. The flight duration is approximately 30 minutes. Transfer by boat and land 30-90 minutes. To get to Napo Wildlife Center, guests fly by jet from Quito to the town of Coca (officially known as Francisco de Orellana) on the Napo River. After a short drive from the airport to the dock, board a large, motorized, covered canoe for a scenic two-hour trip down the Napo River. Upon arriving at the entrance to the Napo Wildlife Center Reserve, switch to smaller, dugout canoes. You are paddled up the blackwater creek to the lake and lodge (motorized transport is not allowed on the creek or lake so that wildlife is not disturbed). This paddle can take anywhere from one to three hours, as on the creek guests may see Giant Otters, potoos, kingfishers, Hoatzins, jacamars, hawks, and monkeys. Enjoy lunch en route and arrive at the lodge by late afternoon. The Napo Wildlife Center supports a unique, 82-square-mile, private nature reserve on the northern edge of the Yasuni National Park. The reserve and associated lodge were created and built by traditional Quichua Indian Community of Anangu. The Napo Wildlife Center is the only lodge on the south bank of the Napo, which harbors 30% more bird and animal species than the north bank. With parrott licks, Giant Otters, Woolly Monkeys and ten other primates, Napo WIldlife Center is the finest wildlife destination in Ecuador. The lodge consists of 12 luxury cabañas, 2 suites and a large dining hall with a library and a well-stocked bar. Attached to the bar is a 50-foot viewing tower from which you can see the Andes on a clear day! Cabanas are comfortable and spacious and include: one king-sized bed and one twin-sized bed, private bathrooms with hot water showers, private porches with lake views, 24-hour electricity, ceiling fans and secure screens for plenty of bug-free ventilation. Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center. |
 Amazon |
 The Balcony |
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Day 3
Amazon Early wake up to reach the parrot clay licks about 1 hour away from the lodge, guests arrive just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between 7:30 to 8:30. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. A visit that depends on weather conditions but usually successful.
Later, hike along forest trail to visit to the Quichua community of Añangu where you will learn more about the local culture. Return to the creek and hike through Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until arriving to the second parrot clay lick where if the weather conditions help several different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws may be identified. Box lunch at the parrot clay lick observatory. Late afternoon arrival to the lodge. Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center. |
 Anangu Quichua |
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Day 4
Amazon After early breakfast, depart from the lodge visit the canopy tower located about 20 minutes from the lodge deep within the Terra Firme forest. As you ascend the 12-story tower, pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually built into the tree. Experience magnificent views formerly reserved only for the birds. The metal tower itself was constructed to the highest standards, galvanized, and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is the priority. The platform at the top of the tree was constructed by tree platform specialists as well.
Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-and yellow Macaws fly past, in nearby trees Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy opens before you. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center.
Served lunch at the lodge. Afternoon visit to a terra firme trail, hike along primary forest to discover the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manakins or the unique and endemic Golden mantle tamarin monkeys. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe with great possibilities of running into a Giant otter family on the way. Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center. |
 canopy tower |
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Day 5
Quito Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. Entry docking area, use of restrooms and embarking on motorized canoe in order to return back to Coca, arrival approximately after 2 hours boat ride up river, in order to check in for Coca - Quito flight. Enjoy a flight from Coca to Quito. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour. Transfer by boat and land 30-90 minutes. Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver. The Mecure Hotel is located in the centre of Quito; guests are within walking distance to visit local shops, restaurants, museums and antique churches. With 147 comfortable rooms with high speed internet access, the hotel offers you a pleasant environment for combining business with pleasure. Overnight at Mercure . |
 Napo river |
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Day 6
Quito Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver. Departure tax is not included in the tour price ($44.30 per person). Depart from Quito International airport - end of itinerary Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary. Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard). |
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Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure – Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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