1. Home
  2. South America
  3. Ecuador
  4. Ecuador: Amazon Jungle Short Break
Map of Ecuador: Amazon Jungle Short Break including Ecuador

Travel through the lush ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Discover the secrets of the Ecuadorian Amazon on this breathtaking tour into the heart of the jungle. Take guided walks to discover the abundant plant and animal life that call this part of the Amazon home. Awake to the exotic sound of birdcalls and discover the thrill of sleeping in this secluded spot deep in the Ecuadorian jungle.

Lock it in for $99!

For a limited time only secure your dream 2023 adventure for $99 - Offer ends soon!

Terms & Conditions
Start
Quito, Ecuador
Finish
Quito, Ecuador
Destination
Ecuador
Style
Original
Theme
Short Breaks
Code
GGHO
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 1, Max 6

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore the majestic rainforest however you’d like – jungle treks, dugout canoe safaris, or by relaxing in a hammock and keeping an eye on the wildlife

  • Expert guides will reveal extraordinary wildlife – caiman, otters, sloths, parrots, monkeys, hoatzin, monkeys, capybaras, anacondas – and provide insights into the area's importance to the local communities

  • Staying in the depths of the Amazon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that defines the saying of ‘off the beaten track’

Is this trip right for you?

  • This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means you are not accompanied by an Intrepid group leader – our local representative fills this role – and the configuration of any fellow travellers in the group might change during the trip.

  • This trip will run with a minimum of one person, so you may be joined by other travellers booked on the same date as you, or you may be on your own.

  • Temperatures in the Amazon can fluctuate. It can get really hot, humid, sticky during the day, and cold at night. Light cotton clothing is the best way to tackle the heat during the day, and base layers are ideal for keeping warm at night.

  • Insects, especially mosquitoes, abound in the Amazon. Bring tropical strength insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin.

  • This trip includes jungle hikes, which can be strenuous due to the humidity. A decent level of fitness is required to feel comfortable when exploring the jungle.

  • While accommodation in the Amazon is clean, comfortable and ideally located, it can seem pretty basic. Please remember that this is a very remote part of the world.

Butterfly in Amazon Jungle, Ecuador
Buskers, Ecuador

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2023.
 View the 2023 itinerary

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador! Your trip starts with an early pick up from your preferred Quito hotel.

Flight times to the Amazon Jungle will vary according to the day of departure. The flight time and pick-up time from your hotel will be confirmed at your pre-departure meeting the evening before your trip starts.

Please check this with reception upon arriving the day before. Your early morning transfer takes you to Quito airport in time for a 30 minute flight over the Andes to the river port town of Coca. A lodge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the river port. Here you’ll board an 18 metre (57 foot) motorized canoe for a 1-hour trip upriver. Life vests are provided. A box lunch is served as you navigate one of the largest tributaries to the mighty Napo. The Napo River is the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazonia and as you cruise along the water it is easy to spot a number of shore birds including herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys. At the lodge, you’ll receive a warm welcome from our local staff, who’ll give you a refreshing beverage and snack while you’re introduced to the facilities. You’ll be issued with a pair of rubber boots to use for the duration of your jungle stay. In the afternoon, and once you've settled at the lodge, your guide takes you on a short hike to a panoramic point for rainforest views that extend as far as the eye can see in every direction. Dinner at the lodge is normally served at 7pm.

Optional Activities
  • Quito - Market Discovery Urban Adventure - USD99
  • Quito - Sweet & Culinary Experience - Urban Adventures - USD103
  • Quito - Old Town & Gastronomic- Urban Adventures - USD99
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please provide the location of your overnight hotel in Quito at least 7 days before the start of this trip. If you are finishing an Intrepid trip in Ecuador the day before this trip starts, we will know where you are staying at. If not, we can help you arrange extra accommodation in Quito for you. Please contact your booking agent for more details. The day before your trip starts, an Intrepid local representative will meet you at your hotel. The representative will call beforehand to advise you of the exact time. Please have your passport and insurance information ready for this meeting. If you arrive in Quito late at night the day before this trip starts, an envelope will be waiting for you at your hotel containing all the information and vouchers you need for this trip. 

This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result, some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Info

The next two days are packed with activities. These may vary depending on the time of the year and weather, however they normally include wildlife spotting, canoe rides and jungle walks, with the opportunity to learn from a local guide about the many resources the Amazon provides – from medicine, to construction and food. Depending on what days of the week you are at the lodge, you may have the opportunity to meet an indigenous family of the Quichuas del Oriente community. You can learn more about their culture and their relationship with the forest. Jungle walks can be up to 3 hours long – we recommend bringing a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Please see the ‘Amazon specific’ detailed packing list in the 'What to Take' section. Whatever you do, you’ll be surrounded by one of the most magnificent landscapes on Earth, teeming with wildlife, incredible plant species – from the tiniest flower to the tallest tree – and providing an unforgettable experience in the heart of the greatest forest on the planet.
Included Activities
  • Daily Amazon jungle activities lead by an English speaking local guide
Meals Included
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

After a hearty breakfast, travel back to Coca airport for your return flight to Quito. You are scheduled to arrive into Quito Airport at approximately 12pm, however flight delays are not uncommon in this part of the world. If you have an outbound flight today we recommend you fly after 4pm. If you are unsure about a flight time, please check with us. Your trip finishes upon arrival to Quito airport. If you need assistance with extra accommodation and transfers in Quito please contact your booking agent for assistance.
Optional Activities
  • Quito - Market Discovery Urban Adventure - USD99
  • Quito - Sweet & Culinary Experience - Urban Adventures - USD103
  • Quito - Old Town & Gastronomic- Urban Adventures - USD99
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Minibus, Plane

Accommodation

Jungle Lodge (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Daily Amazon jungle activities lead by an English speaking local guide

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Ecuador: Amazon Jungle Short Break trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means you are not accompanied by an Intrepid group leader – our local representative fills this role – and the configuration of any fellow travellers in the group might change during the trip.
This trip will run with a minimum of one person, so you may be joined by other travellers booked on the same 
2. While that Amazon lodge has a capacity for up to 50 travellers, 1 local guide is allocated every 10 travellers.
3. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!
Please read the following document carefully and, during your trip, utilise the table on the back daily to record your own perspective of your general health and any symptoms you may experience:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/altitude-sickness
4. Ecuador has implemented COVID-19 testing requirements for entry to the country, including special conditions for Galapagos. Please refer to your government's foreign travel advice for the most up to date information.
5. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 am on Day 1 in Quito. The day before your trip starts, an Intrepid local representative will meet you at your hotel. The representative will call beforehand to advise you of the exact time.
6. This trip finishes upon arrival in Quito at the airport on Day 4. Please ensure flights out of Quito on the final day are booked to depart no earlier than 4pm.
7. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
8. Please note that due to major safety and security concerns regarding a local airline we have taken the hard decision to replace the flights with private transport for all bookings between Aug 18 and September 02, 2022! The estimated travel time for the land transport is between 4 to 5 hours. You will return to Quito before 2 pm on your last day of the trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Go to dates