ITINERARY
ADVENTURE PACKAGE IN THE AMAZON
3D/2N $ 230 per person double basis |
Day 1: Arrival at Hakuna Matata at 1 p.m. or earlier by taxi (included) from Archidona.
Lunch in our famous Restaurant Pangaea.
After lunch you can choose between two options for your jungle excursion:
Option 1:
HORSEBACK RIDING WITH GUIDE(S)
This unforgettable excursion is suited for both beginner and experienced riders. Accompanied by our professional guide and on well trained horses you'll take a very varied ride of about three hours.
The trip goes through rivers and streams, along sloping hills and amongst rich flora. During the ride you can enjoy wonderful views. This entire excursion takes place on the private property of Hacienda Hakuna Matata.
Option 2:
HIKE WITH GUIDE(S)
An experience in itself is the guided (bilingual naturalist guide) walk from some three hours. The medicinal properties of plants and trees, insects and age-old customs are explained by our professional guide. Walking through private jungle, secondary forest and fields, step by step you’ll get closer to that unique wisdom that distinguishes the indigenous people of the area from the non-natives.
Dinner in Restaurant Pangaea.
Overnight stay in cabaña for 2 persons with private bathroom and hot shower.
Day 2:
INTRODUCTION TO THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON JUNGLE. DAY TRIP
Early in the morning -after breakfast- you’ll leave Hakuna Matata for a two hour drive. In a small native village on the banks of the Río Arajuno, you’ll board a ‘canoa a motor’ and navigate the Arajuno, Napo and other rivers.
Unlike the traditional tours that are organized in this area we designed an extra value alternative! During this Amazon excursion a whole range of activities are offered. Depending on weather conditions, number of participants and specific interests of the group, your guide will put together the route.
Rich flora, in primary and secondary forest, and fauna, in the form of birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles, will be introduced by our professional guide(s) during walks and canoe trips. Explanations of the use of medicinal plants, trees and herbs by the native people will be given. Tubing on one of the quiet rivers through primary forest is a spectacular experience. Lunch will be served on the trip.
Return to the hacienda at about 6 p.m.
Dinner in Restaurant Pangaea.
Overnight stay in cabaña for 2 persons with private bathroom and hot shower.
Day 3:
RAFTING CLASS III - III+
Early morning breakfast in Restaurant Pangaea. Afterwards, a 25 minute drive to Tena and then into the jungle takes us to the start of our rafting adventure on the Upper Napo river also known as the Jatuyacu river, which means “Big Water” in Quichua. BIG is probably the best word to describe this river: big waves and tons of fun! This jungle river shows no signs of contamination as it flows from the Llanganates National Park – an extremely rugged and uninhabited mountain range believed by some to be the hiding place of Inca gold.
On arrival at the river we’ll receive a brief explanation about the trip and important safety measures that must be considered. Then we’ll be ready to start our adventure. An amazing journey for beginner and expert rafters awaits; a perfect combination of exciting rapids and calm natural pools, not to mention the wonderful surrounding jungle scenery. The Napo river, being one of the principal tributaries of the great Amazon River, is an adventure that´s a must when visiting our lodge! No rafting experience is necessary to enjoy this ride.
At noon, we’ll have a freshly prepared picnic lunch on the river bank, and then continue our tour. Before dusk, we’ll drive back in Tena after a day of great adventure filled with adrenaline and excitement. At 5pm you will depart for Quito.
PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Lodging in cabin with private bathroom and hot water
All visits and excursions as detailed
English Speaking guide
All meals during program as specified
Full day rafting excursion with professional rafting guide(s), specialised rafting equipment, safety kayak, transport from/to the Lodge, picnic lunch by the river and all safety measures.
All local taxes
NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAM:
Transportation Quito / Archidona / Quito (by public transportation $ 6 p/way)
Drinks
Tips
Personal expenses
Any other service not specified in the program
Minimum 4 people
NOTE: This package is subject to availability.
1 DAY RAFTING
$75 A minimum of 4 pax are required
The Ríos Toachi and Blanco are a fantastic introduction to the rivers of Ecuador. Flowing off the coastal side of the Andes they have some of the longest navigable sections of whitewater in the country. Combine this with the sights and sounds of the forest environment we pass through and you are guaranteed a day to remember.
The day starts when we pick you up from your hotel or from our Meeting Point at Crossroads Café and Hostal (6.30am corner of Foch y Juan León Mera). We travel west down through beautiful cloud forest to the shores of the river. The trip will take about 3 hours.
Before setting off we will fit you with life jackets and helmets, give you a comprehensive safety briefing and train each crew in the paddling techniques needed to navigate our way down the river. Once on the river you can expect both the action of thrilling whitewater and the tranquility of drifting silently through tropical rainforests. So while you’re guaranteed to get wet you’ll also have the opportunity to be absorbed by the sounds of the forest and to see wildlife up close from our mobile “viewing platform”. Rafting time approx. 3½ hrs. (NB. From March to May we usually run the upper Blanco river – 43km, approx. 4½ hrs).
During the trip we’ll stop by the side of the river for a delicious picnic lunch including fresh tropical fruits and served with soft drinks, juice and water. At the end of the trip we celebrate a fun day on the river with a few ice-cold beers and return to Quito (approx. 6.30-7.00pm).
River Grading: III - IV (Depending on the time of year).
Includes:
Professional guides, top of the line rafting equipment, a delicious lunch plus snacks and beers, transport ex Quito, and a safe, fun trip!
What to bring:
Swimsuit/shorts, T-shirt, tennis shoes/river sandals, sunglasses (with retention strap), baseball cap, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, dry change of clothes. NB. During the months of March to May we highly recommend the use of a wetsuit. If you don’t have a wetsuit you can rent one. Cost is $5.
Departures: Daily.
|
