Jaguar's Next Adventure

In December 2010, Jaguar will embark on another tour to the beautiful country of Ecuador. The Tour Operator will guide travelers to explore some of Ecuador's most interesting places. Our anticipated date of departure is 12/14/2010 and will begin in the capital city of Quito. This adventure will allow the traveler to experience life in the upper Amazon basin, spending time in at least two different native villages. As a group we will navigate the roads, trails, highlands and lowlands of this very diverse landscape, visiting differing peoples along the way. In each new location, travelers have free time to explore, shop, or mingle with the locals. Each traveler will be required to assist in the overall mission of Jaguar, by helping to bring donated goods as checked luggage on the initial flight into Ecuador. Donations are stock-piled in Portland and Seattle, but if travelers originate elsewhere, we may arrange another way for him/her to help.

The next Ecuador EcoTour will have the following schedule:

(Please note: This is an adventure tour. Expect the unexpected. Things are likely to change in the event of an unforeseen circumstance, therefore itineraries are tentative.)

12/14/2010 to 01/02/2010 (tentative)

Arrive to the Capital city (Quito) by way of Jumbo Jet. Check into hotel in the heart of the city, and settle into hotel. The next day we enjoy getting acquainted with local food and customs while site-seeing, shopping, etc. There is an option to visit the colonial epicenter of town, filled with Spanish architecture, museums, and home to the Presidential Palace. There is an optional hike up Pichincha volcano, which flanks the capital city. The altitude if Quito is approximately 9,300’ and will take time get used to. Due to the drastic change in altitude, we take it easy on day one, site-seeing and limiting exertion. A hike is not likely to occur unless you are coming from a high-altitude area. By day three or four we depart Quito and head north as a group, viewing campesinos (beautiful countryside) on our way to Otavalo within the province of Ibarra. There are many options of things to do, such as hikes to nearby waterfalls, hiking the rim of a crater lake, visiting natural hot springs, or just hanging out in many of the great towns like Otavalo, Ibarra, Cotacachi, San Antontio or Cayambe. Each one of these small towns is unique for its art/craft. For example, Otavalo is famous for its enormous Indian market and wool enterprise, Cotacachi for leather tanners, San Antonio for wood carvers, etc. We will relax in the highlands, sampling local dishes and hearing local music. Each traveler may spend time as they see fit in order to have their own unique experience in Otavalo. There are limitless options, from soaking in a natural hot-spring, to dancing the night away. You may be as active or as lazy as you choose. However, your guide will opt for the former and encourage the group to cover as much ground as possible!

From Otavalo we travel by bus back to Quito, and spend a ‘tranquilo’ day in town to prepare our bags for a flight across the Andes and into the upper Amazon basin. Our journey to the Amazon will begin with a jet flight and end with a dugout canoe ride. In between we will travel overland making pit-stops for supplies and viewing waterfalls, small settlements, and learning about oil company activity in the area. We will cross rivers to our first Cofan settlement and settle in ourselves for a couple of days. The people of these communities look forward to what may be their only visit of the year!

Our jungle adventure will be very exciting but also relaxing. Many first-time visitors will stretch their idea of comfort. However, once in the jungle, you can forget about wallets, money, cell phones and internet. We spend our days hunting, fishing, camping, hanging in hammocks, reading, weaving, hiking, exploring, singing, playing, building, and smiling. You can choose any or all of the above and do whatever pleases you on your jungle adventure. For example, you may choose to learn some of the local language and help cook a meal, learn to make jewelry out of shambira fiber or take a 6-hour deep-forest hike to fish for piranha. We may camp at remote lagunas and view giant caiman and go swimming with pink dolphins. We may see monkeys, large fish, macaws, alligators, colorful insects, snakes and birds… We will not hear cars, planes or artificial noise for days… We may see a jaguar if we are lucky.

Many surprises await both the Tour Operator and each traveler, regardless of travel experience. The guide never knows exactly how things will go. I just guarantee a safe adventure which will create memories for a lifetime. We will live among some of the most fascinating children and their knowledgeable elders, learning what it's like to be a rainforest native in 2010. When we leave the rainforest and return to the "civilized" world, you may find yourself in a state of reverse culture shock. You may have mixed emotions. I certainly hope so! Our tour will resume with a soak in the luxurious Papallacta hotsprings. We will stay at the beautiful Termas Resort which provides spa services and day hikes at high altitude before returning to Quito. The tour may conclude in Quito or after an optional visit to the coast of Ecuador. The traveler will have many questions… and likely few answers. Ecuador and the cultural differences experienced there will leave you in a state of wonder about yourself….

Before parting ways I invite everyone out to a final celebratory meal and drinks… and we will take our memories with us into life's next chapter.

Ecuador is an amazing country with more to offer than what can be explored in 20 days. I can offer a unique experience for the traveler who wants more than what can be found in a guidebook. Many of the places you will visit with Jaguar, are not accessible by just anyone. We are invited guests of the Cofan people, and I guarantee an authentic experience.

Estimated trip cost

$2290

Price is based on RT airfare from Seattle/Portland. Departures from other cities may change price. Trip cost is an estimate until number of travelers is determined, based on current airfare and above average accommodations. I can work with people of all income levels.

What does the trip cost include?

The price covers all of the following: transportation, guides, entrance fees, airfare to/from and within country, gasoline and jungle supplies per diem/per person, 2-3 meals/day in the jungle, 1 meal/day everywhere else, compensation for host villages and projects.

What to Pack:

Backpack/Duffel containing the following:

Rubber Boots will be provided when we arrive to the jungle town of Lago Agrio and are yours to keep. You may choose to donate them to the Indian community. I encourage travelers to bring items that you would be willing to trade/leave behind. Don't take your favorite shirt or an expensive watch, for example! If you don't own a major item like a backpack, I may have extras to loan. Travel Insurance is recommended but not required.

Vaccinations/Immunizations REQUIRED:

Recommended: antimalarial

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