Best of Amazon Rainforest Attractions & Luxury Tours, Ecuador

The Amazon rainforest covers roughly one third of Ecuador’s eastern region and is therefore known as El Oriente (The East). However, only a small portion of its population lives here, mainly indigenous tribes in small towns and villages which dot this massive expanse of tropical forest. An Amazon experience is a must for those on Ecuador vacations as it offers views of a completely different world.

Wildlife is the main attraction in the Amazon which abides in abundance, having incredible variations of both flora and fauna. Numerous wildlife reserves can be visited, as can tribal villages where inhabitants still cut out a living as they have for thousands of years. Exhilarating sports activities such as kayaking, water rafting, backpacking, rock climbing, horseback riding, etc can also be experienced by those looking for a bit more adventure.

Puyo

Just a short distance from the Sierra city of Baños, Puyo is the first town lying within Ecuador’s jungle, a perfect stop to begin exploration of the mighty Amazon rainforest. Take refreshing walking tours through the attractive gardens of JardínBotánico Las Orquídeas which are located approximately two miles from Puyo, or book amazing jungle tours which provide hikes, mountain biking, river rafting, or visits to local indigenous villages.

More area indigenous information can be found and artifacts viewed at the Ethno-Archeological Museum. Those with children will want to visit the water park which contains swimming pools, water slides and wave pools.

Coca

Coca was established as a post where missionaries could Christianize the local people of the Huaorani tribal. Although not that impressive itself, Coca makes a great place from which to access various elements of the Amazon jungle such as beautiful nature reserves, Huaorani villages and jungle lodges.

Explore the Limoncocha Biological Reserve where you can observe many of the mammals, reptiles and bird species which abide there. The reserve contains Limoncocha Lake and is famous for harboring the exotic Black Cayman.

Visit Pañacocha Reserve where you can fish for piranha in Piranha Lake as well as enjoy all the magnificence of jungle surroundings. Head to Yasuní National Park where you will discover dense vegetation covering looming hills, massive trees which reach up and touch the sky and flat stretches of marshland. Keep your eyes open for glimpses of harpy eagles, crocodiles and stealthy jaguars.

Sacha Lodge Tour

Choose a 4 or 5 day Amazon adventure based at Sacha Lodge. From your arrival at Coca via a flight from Quito, you will be transported up the Coca River via motorized canoe, hike through a stretch of jungle and then strike out across a quiet lake in a dugout canoe where you’ll arrive at the lodge on the other side.

The next 2 or 3 days will be spent tracking birds and animals, hiking to hidden lakes, exploring the thick, lush jungle and taking exhilarating walks at night. Finally, you will be flown back to Quito where you will finish the day basking in the richness of Ecuador’s capital.

Kapawi Ecolodge Tour

Kapawi Ecolodge also offers those on Ecuador vacations the option of a 4 or 5 day excursion into the mighty Amazon. Enjoy an approximate 4 ½ hour drive from Quito to Shell, which lies at the bottom of the lush Amazon basin, viewing the beauty of the changing scenery as you go.

Once in Shell, board a small engine plane and fly into the depths of the Amazon rainforest to Kapawi Ecolodge. Kapawi was established as a project for pioneering ecotourism research and holds awards for its respectable work.

Predetermined itineraries don’t exist at Kapawi. Instead, your tour guide will discuss various options with you, allowing you to basically design your own Amazon experience. Some of your options are to take exciting excursions into the jungle on wildlife viewing expeditions, head out on jungle tours to learn of the vast variety of ecosystem diversity, make visits to the secluded villages of the Achuar people and much more.

When you have ended your luxury Amazon tour, you will be flown back to Shell and shuttled back to your Quito hotel where you can relax and discuss the adventures of your Amazon experience.

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