How would you like to live like a local in the Amazon Rainforest, learn Quichua traditions by interacting with local families, visit an animal rescue centre, hone your blowgun skills and experience a shamanic ceremony, all in just 7 days?
Well that is possible and the cost is just under $600 not counting your nonrev airfare to and from Quito!
The Amazon Rainforest is so full of life; embrace it for yourself during a week unlike any other. From Quito, you’ll travel to your new home in the jungle and meet the Quichua family who will host you in their home for the next four nights. Discover waterfalls on jungle walks and travel to an animal rescue centre by canoe. You’ll learn about medicinal plants and how to use a blowgun, experience a shaman ceremony, and visit a local school. Most importantly, you’ll befriend a people that few outsiders have the honor to even meet.
What’s included? Four-day Amazon Jungle homestay. Visit to AmaZOOnico Animal Rescue Centre. Walks to a viewpoint and a waterfall. Jungle cooking class. Medicinal plants jungle walk. Visit to Cando School. Artisan crafts session. Cultural night including a shamanic healing ceremony and jungle marriage ceremony. Transport between destinations and included activities. 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners. (Allow USD40-60 for meals not included.) You will spend the first and last night in Quito at the Hotel Eugenia and then 4 nights in a rustic jungle lodge called the Pimpilala Lodge is located in the Amazon jungle, 45 minutes from Tena. The lodge offers varied basic accommodation in rustic wooden huts or bungalows, both with mosquito nets.
You will have access to shared showers (no hot water) and toilets outside of the rooms, but located very nearby. A local family lives in the main lodge and they encourage people to hang out and see how they cook. A common area with hammocks is a popular place to relax.
The Quito and Amazon Jungle Tour
Day 1 – Quito – Arrive into Quito and make your way to your hotel in the city center. If you arrive early take time to explore the city. Later in this article we give you some ideas of day tours and trips you can take which InterlineTravel.com and set up for you.
Day 2 – Amazon Jungle – Travel by bus and pickup truck into the Amazon jungle where you will spend the next four nights with a local Quichua family in a small village in rustic wooden huts. Walk to a viewpoint and have a natural mud facemask treatmen. Dinner is included on this day.
Day 3 – Amazon Jungle – Guided walk to a waterfall then return home for a cooking class to make one of many jungle treats such as chocolate, wrapped grilled fish or a chicha cassava beer drink. Learn about medicinal plants on an afternoon jungle walk. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on this day.
Day 4 – Amazon Jungle – Morning car and canoe ride to AmaZOOnico Animal Rescue Center. Free time in the afternoon to relax in the jungle. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on this day.
Day 5 – Amazon Jungle – Visit the Cando School in the morning complete with a recess soccer match against the students before learning to make jungle artisan crafts in the afternoon. Whitewater rafting is an option instead of the artisan crafts session. During your final evening in the jungle, experience a shaman healing ceremony and a jungle marriage ceremony. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on this day.
Day 6 – Quito – Enjoy a blowgun demonstration and contest. Travel back to Quito. Breakfast only is provided on this day.
Day 7 – Time to head home or book additional nights in Quito and enjoy some of the options day tours and trips we list below.
InterlineTravel.com now offers this amazing Quito and Amazon Jungle adventure to interliners for just under $600 with the following departure dates: Dec. 26, 2015, Jan, 9, Feb, 13, Mar. 19, Apr. 16, 30, May 28, Jun, 18, Jul, 9, 23, Aug. 13, 20, Sept. 3, 24, Oct. 15, 24, Nov. 19, Dec. 17 & 31, 2016.
These trips will have no more than 16 folks on each trip. Since these tours have a limited number of participants you will want to book early as once they hit the 16 person limit the tour closes out.
Quito Day Trips and Tours – Go into Quito a couple of days early or stay a couple of extra days after your trip (you may not have a choice if flying standby) and enjoy any of these day tours and trips:
Quito City Tour
This tour of Quito is perfect for seeing fascinating panoramas, churches, and historical architecture of Quito. Learn about colonial art, culture, legends, and traditions. Quito was designated by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage Site. The trip takes about 3.5 hours including the visit to the lookout point of El Panecillo where you will find one of the best views of Quito.
Trip includes English speaking guide/driver and private transportation)
– Entrance fees for the churches and Panecillo are not included in the price and are approx $ 9 USD p/p.
– Price for 1 person : $ 50 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $40 USD
City Tour + Equator Line
(Combination of City tour and Middle of the World Tour)
After the scenic city tour of Quito (described above) you will go to the Equator line museum . Here we visit the Inti Ñan local museum where you can see different experiments to prove that you are at the Centre of the Earth. On the 00°00’00” line at the museum, you will have the opportunity to interact with demonstrations of phenomena that occur in nature, and which can be tested on the magnetic equatorial line.
This trip takes about 5 hours in total and includes English speaking guide/driver and private transportation )
– Entrances fees for City Tour : $ 6 USD (Churches)
– Equator line fees : $ 6 USD (Museums)
– Price for 1 person : $ 60 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $45 USD
Quito Day Trips and Tours – Go into Quito a couple of days early or stay a couple of extra days after your trip (you may not have a choice if flying standby) and enjoy any of these day tours and trips:
Quito City Tour
This tour of Quito is perfect for seeing fascinating panoramas, churches, and historical architecture of Quito. Learn about colonial art, culture, legends, and traditions. Quito was designated by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage Site. The trip takes about 3.5 hours including the visit to the lookout point of El Panecillo where you will find one of the best views of Quito.
Trip includes English speaking guide/driver and private transportation)
– Entrance fees for the churches and Panecillo are not included in the price and are approx $ 9 USD p/p.
– Price for 1 person : $ 50 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $40 USD
City Tour + Equator Line
(Combination of City tour and Middle of the World Tour)
After the scenic city tour of Quito (described above) you will go to the Equator line museum . Here we visit the Inti Ñan local museum where you can see different experiments to prove that you are at the Centre of the Earth. On the 00°00’00” line at the museum, you will have the opportunity to interact with demonstrations of phenomena that occur in nature, and which can be tested on the magnetic equatorial line.
This trip takes about 5 hours in total and includes English speaking guide/driver and private transportation )
– Entrances fees for City Tour : $ 6 USD (Churches)
– Equator line fees : $ 6 USD (Museums)
– Price for 1 person : $ 60 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $45 USD
Mindo Cloud Forest – Full Day Drive northwest for about 2 hours, enjoy the dramatic change of vegetation as we go down the andes to the cloudforest. Mindo is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. It is a centre for both nature and adventure activities. Go walking through the cloud forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the different waterfalls, take time to ride up the cable car with amazing views. Time for lunch in a local restaurant (not included) and visit a butterfly farm where you will be able to see an array of colorful humming birds for which Mindo is renowned.
In the afternoon there is also the option of an organic chocolate tour which includes a demonstration of the chocolate-making process and of course tasting too!
This trip takes about 9 hours and can depart everyday at 07h00 am (trip includes English speaking guide/driver and private transportation ) Allow : $10 USD for lunch and $ 20 USD for entrance fees. - Price for 1 person : $ 100 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $70 USD Cotopaxi Volcano A spectacular 2-hour drive in private transport takes us to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park , the highest active volcano in the world (5897 m) . We visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. We then continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4500m. Then we walk approximately 1.5hrs to the refuge at 4800m, and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). We head back to the Pan-American highway to have lunch somewhere near Latacunga, or buy a box lunch on the way to have more time in the park. Return to Quito in the afternoon. This trip takes about 8 hours and can depart everyday at 07h00 am (trip includes guide/driver in english and private transportation ) - Price for 1 person : $ 100 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $70 USD - Does not include Cotopaxi Park Entrance fee $35 USD per group ( Park fee cost can be split between travelers)
The Middle of the World Driving 25 Kms. (16 miles) north of Quito, marks the exact Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Here you can stand with a foot on each hemisphere. You will visit the Inti ñan site museum (pathway of the sun) which show the diversity of Ecuador’s native groups . On the 00°00’00” line at the museum, you will have the opportunity to interact with demonstrations of phenomena that occur in nature, and which can be tested on the magnetic equatorial line. Later the tour will head up to Pululahua crater view point , which is one of the two inhabited volcanic caldera in the world. Trip includes English speaking guide/driver and private transportation) - Entrance fees for the Museums are not included in the price and are approx $9 USD p/p. - Price for 1 person : $ 50 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $40 USD Otavalo Market The Otavalo market is considered one the biggest and best native markets in South America. Here you can find an extremely wide variety of handicrafts made in Ecuador. We head north along the Pan-American highway for 2.5 hours. On the way we visit the village of Calderon to see the bread figures and Cayambe to taste the typical ‘biscochos’ (local biscuits). After you have explored the Otavalo market, we go to the leather market at Cotacachi or Peguche the weaving town . The busiest Market Day is Saturday with the most vendors, but the market is open daily. This trip takes about 8 hours and can depart everyday at 08h00 am (trip includes English speaking guide/driver and private transportation ) - Price for 1 person : $ 100 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $70 USD
Mindo Cloud Forest – Full Day Drive northwest for about 2 hours, enjoy the dramatic change of vegetation as we go down the andes to the cloudforest. Mindo is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. It is a centre for both nature and adventure activities. Go walking through the cloud forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the different waterfalls, take time to ride up the cable car with amazing views. Time for lunch in a local restaurant (not included) and visit a butterfly farm where you will be able to see an array of colorful humming birds for which Mindo is renowned.
In the afternoon there is also the option of an organic chocolate tour which includes a demonstration of the chocolate-making process and of course tasting too!
This trip takes about 9 hours and can depart everyday at 07h00 am (trip includes English speaking guide/driver and private transportation ) Allow : $10 USD for lunch and $ 20 USD for entrance fees. - Price for 1 person : $ 100 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $70 USD Cotopaxi Volcano A spectacular 2-hour drive in private transport takes us to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park , the highest active volcano in the world (5897 m) . We visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. We then continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4500m. Then we walk approximately 1.5hrs to the refuge at 4800m, and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). We head back to the Pan-American highway to have lunch somewhere near Latacunga, or buy a box lunch on the way to have more time in the park. Return to Quito in the afternoon. This trip takes about 8 hours and can depart everyday at 07h00 am (trip includes guide/driver in english and private transportation ) - Price for 1 person : $ 100 USD – Price for 2+ persons : $70 USD - Does not include Cotopaxi Park Entrance fee $35 USD per group ( Park fee cost can be split between travelers)
PAPALLACTA HOT SPRINGS Two hours drive to the east are the Termas de Papallacta. They are located on the Cinnamon trail, (65km from Quito) which is the same route that Francisco de Orellana took in 1542 when he crossed the Andean mountain range in search of spices and gold, and discovered the Amazon River. Things to do: a) Hot springs pools with different temperatures and sizes with views of the Antisana volcano 5750m. b) Trekking up the river on marked path c) Horseback rides – extra cost d) Relax in the new spa recently inaugurated (spa services not Included in entrance fee cost.) Important Note: - Lunch not included however restaurant available onsite offering typical Ecuadorian meals with some international options. - Return to Quito in the afternoon. - This tour provides transport service only. Your driver will drop you off at the Hot Springs and wait for you when you are ready to leave. - Full day tour Tour Price: $100 USD – 1 Person $50 USD per person for 2+ travellers $7 USD Entrance fee per person
TELEFERICO ( CABLE CAR ) You can get from 2.800 m to 4.200 m in 10 minutes and view Quito at your feet. Take a taxi from the hotel $3 to get there. Entrance $8 foreigners. Locals $4 Option for a small hike inside the complex.(bring warm clothes) Shops and restaurants available Monday to Friday 9:am to 5:pm Saturday and holidays 10:am to 5:00 pm NOTE: These prices are based on 2 clients but if you are a single traveler InterlineTravel.com can accommodate your trips as well. If there are more than 2 clients booking, the prices may be less than those quoted above. Please note that many optional activities will need to be paid in cash.
More Details and Information
The following airlines fly into Quito (UIO): American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, LAN Ecuador Airlines, Copa Airlines, Avianca, LAN Airlines, TAME, TACA, AeroMexico, KLM and Iberia.
The New Quito International Airport (UIO) is approximately one hour outside of the city where the Hotel Eugenia is located. The new Quito International Airport opened in Feb. 2013 and is located on the Oyambaro plain near the town of Tababela, about 18 kilometers east of Quito, Ecuador. The location was chosen in order to expand the capacity of the city’s airport. The old airport posed enormous risks due to its location in a residential area of the city’s northern sector.
There are a number of routes your taxi driver may take depending on time of day and traffic, however, the route often seems long and indirect. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by organizing a taxi at the desk within the airport (approximately $30 USD). Private transfers generally cost more as the cars will need to drive from Quito, to the airport, and return. Immediately after the customs and immigration area, as you head to the exits, you will find a taxi stand. We strongly recommend you pay for the car at set rates from the taxi stand and therefore won’t need to worry about sorting out a ride outside the airport facilities, where the situation tends to get more chaotic with many drivers vying for few clients. The taxis outside the airport area do not belong to the Taxi Airport Union and may charge higher fares. There is also a shuttle available with the bus company Aeroservicios. Aeroservicios charges $8 USD to board a bus which will take you from the new airport to the old airport. The buses are new, comfortable, and often include wifi. From the old airport, a taxi to get to your hotel would generally cost $5 USD depending on the distance and location.
Departure Tax from Quito is $40.80 USD.
Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. So pack accordingly. You may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
Money Exchange
Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances. Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available some may not accept all international credit or debit cards. You may need to try at more than one machine if the first does not accept your card. You should also check with your bank before leaving to ensure that your card works internationally.
You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollar cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.
Please bring USD banknotes in denominations smaller than 100, as they can be hard to exchange in Ecuador. 100 dollar bills of certain series (e.g. CB B2) can be especially hard to cash!
CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent). As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com