Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Ecuador: The Spirit of Ecuador from the Andes to the Amazon

A Photographic and Cultural Expedition

Welcome to a land of endless discovery… Visiting Ecuador is finding a paradise full of wonder and astonishing natural attractions. The size of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, or as it is called ‘Oriente’, is 40% of the entire country. The Oriente is limited in the west by the eastern Andean range also known as Cordillera Real (Royal Mountain Range). It is one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. Traveling around the Ecuadorian Amazon offers an unforgettable experience for anybody's sense. We know you will agree while you walk through the forest and meet a troop of Red Howler Monkeys moving above the canopy, or when you spot a pair of brilliantly colored Scarlet Macaws darting through the treetops, or search for a pair of piercing orange eyes of Black Caiman aboard a dugout canoe at night, or when you catch a glimpse of the Amazon Pink River Dolphin. We will encounter parrot clay licks at the Yasuni National Park, where a variety of parrots come to ingest special mineralized clay they need to aid digestion. We should see and photograph six to seven species of parrots and parakeets at the licks. Other birds will be photographed along the trails, from the boat dock, and other observation areas. These are all memories that you will carry long after leaving the Amazon.

Leaving the Amazon we move on to Otavalo, and the Northern Andes, where our focus will be this rich land, the people, and crafts. We will take time to learn about the people of this country, learning about the historical perspective of their fine crafts. The cultures of the highlands are by no means the oldest, but they are the most visited and known because of their geographical location and ease of access. Many communities that live in the highlands still maintain their cultural manifestations through dress, language (Quechua), and festivities.

Ecuador is rapidly becoming a prime destination for photographers and naturalists because the land is being wisely protected with a system of national parks and private reserves. The comfortable inns and haciendas in the midst of our photographic locations allow us to relax and enjoy Ecuador, photographing the plunging valleys, majestic mountains, breathtaking gardens, beautiful colonial architecture, Indian markets, and little villages lost in the Andes.

Itinerary

April 10: Home - Quito, Ecuador

Today we fly to Quito, Ecuador. At 9,000 feet in elevation, Quito is one of the world’s highest capitals, and one of South America’s most historic and charming cities. We will arrive this evening, and will be taken to the four-star hotel for the night. The Dann Carlton Hotel is graced with a veritable tradition of hospitality and top quality services. Right in the middle of Quito's tourist and business center, close by the historical downtown. Overnight Dann Carlton (fitness center and wireless internet available).

April 11: Cloud Forest - Nono

Leaving the city behind, we drive up to the moorlands on the Northern slope of Pichincha Volcano. This day is a chance to see the hills and valleys of Ecuador. Opportunities abound to capture stunning images of the dense jungle, native flowers, and local culture.We will be following the so called Route of the Hummingbird. Within half an hour our surroundings are transformed from urban streets into lush scenery of the Ecuadorian highlands. The small village of Nono welcomes us, with its rustic houses and the central plaza, surrounded by big haciendas dedicated to cattle farming. Hiking, humming birds, Andean flowers, mountains, Andean people, all offer excellent photo opportunities. Lunch will be enjoyed at a country inn. Overnight Dann Carlton (B, L).

April 12 - April 15: Amazon: Napo Wildlife Center and the Yasuni National Park

The journey to Napo Lodge begins with a twenty-five minute flight taking you over the Andes Mountains' majestic snow-covered peaks and down over 8500 feet into the Amazon Region. The flight destination is the port town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana, locally known as Coca, where you will be met by a bilingual guide and taken to a private dock. Board a covered motorized canoe, for a two hour trip down the sediment-rich waters of the Napo, the largest river in Ecuadorian Amazonia. During the ride it is easy to spot handsome shore birds such as herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys between the scattered native huts as you travel steadily away from civilization. The boat will arrive to the northwest boundary of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve where the Napo Wildlife Center is located by the Anangucocha Lake. To access the lodge you will embark on a quiet and enjoyable paddle dugout canoe ride with the staff for another two hours along a creek with dense flooded palm forest. As you get deeper into this preserved area, you will be surprised by the oftentimes seen monkeys of several species, colorful birds, and other amazing potential wildlife encounters. The cries of tropical birds lead you to your final destination and home base for an exciting jungle experience.

The Napo Wildlife Center, Amazon Lodge, is the greatest and ultimate alternative “luxury” eco-hotel in Amazonian Ecuador, as far as possible in the jungle. This ecotourism project, run 100% by the local community includes the conservation of approximately 82 square miles of the most pristine Amazon Rain Forest within the Yasunì National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rain forest in Ecuador. The center is located by the Anangucocha Lake, into the unique ancestral territory of the Anangu Quichua Community. Thanks to their own initiative and supported by the Tropical Nature Conservation System, it is the most carefully designed first class Amazon lodge in Ecuador.

Lodging at Napo Wildlife Center has been designed to offer maximum privacy and comfort to the world traveler, providing lake and forest views from your private porches, as well as preserving one of the most pristine spots of Amazon forest in Ecuador. Rooms include private bathrooms with on demand hot water, a multi-speed ceiling fan, 24 hour electricity, plenty of lights and 120 v outlets, screened windows, and mosquito nets.

During our days here we will be exposed to a vast and rich bird-life that can reward the most avid photographer with the unrivalled South Napo specialties. Agami and ZigZag herons are found near the lake and creeks, including all five kingfishers. The large raptors like Harpy and Crested Eagles find healthy mammal food around the area. The 120 foot canopy tower provides unrivalled opportunities for birding at the best rain forest in the country.
See parrots and parakeets at Yasuni National Park, from special viewing blinds within camera range of the brilliant green, squawking birds. They arrive by the hundreds to eat the clay that aids in digestion of some of the unripe seeds and fruits they eat. The first blind, accessible by a fifty meter boardwalk, hosts Mealy, Yellow-crowned, Orange-winged and Blue-headed Parrots, as well as Dusky-headed and, occasionally, Cobalt-winged Parakeets. A second blind, reached by a twenty minute trail-hike through the forest, is typically visited by Cobalt-winged Parakeets, with Orange-cheeked Parrots joining them October through April. Visitors to this blind also have the opportunity to see the rare Scarlet-shouldered Parrot, and sometimes even Scarlet Macaws stop in for a visit. Since the birds come to eat the clay at different times, both viewing blinds can be visited in a single day.
There is plenty of wildlife as well, ranging from eight species of monkeys, bats, 3-toed sloths, ocelots, lizards, snakes, and caimans. The lodge also has a canopy tower for viewing and photography. Overnight Napo Lodge (B, L, D all days)

April 16 - April 17: Coca – Northern Andes

Returning from Coca today we will be transferred directly to Hacienda Pinsaqui for the next two evenings. Our accommodations are a unique experience and delight, filling the traveler with warmth and wonder, charm and character, and irreplaceable memories. Pinsaquí’s history stretches back over three centuries. The building originally housed a textile workshop, employing nearly one thousand local weavers and spinners. In the late 1800’s, the unique creations of these workers became internationally renowned, when the “bayetas”, a special fabric typical of Pinsaquí, arrived at the World’s Fair in Chicago. During the 1800’s, the hacienda hosted many important guests. Among these was Simón Bolívar, the brilliant Venezuelan general who became known simply as ‘El Libertador’ following his successful struggle to liberate Venezuela, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru from the Spanish yoke. General Bolívar used to stay here when campaigning, where he found a special peace and tranquility at the hacienda.

Since then, the last five generations of the Freile-Larrea family have maintained ownership and care of this historic hacienda. Throughout the hacienda, impressive chandeliers, acres of marble floors, framed newspaper clippings from the early 1800’s, wonderful aromas of fresh flowers and plants, stimulate the traveler’s senses. Tradition in the hacienda remains strong; local Indian musicians from Otavalo entertain listeners with their traditional music and warm characters.

The next day we will photograph the local markets of the region, including an animal market and the Otavalo indigenous market. The men and women who come to market spend as much time socializing as they do buying and selling. (B, D both days)

April 18: Quito

We depart the countryside this morning and return to the City of Quito for a city tour and farewell lunch. The winding streets of Colonial Quito reflect the Indian and Spanish culture, which dates back to the sixteenth century and is an important World Heritage Site of plazas, churches, and cathedrals. After checking in to the hotel we will have the afternoon free to enjoy at leisure, enjoy the facilities of the hotel, shop, or more photography. The evening will be free with dinner on your own. Overnight Dann Carlton (B, L)

April 19: Quito – Home

We depart early this morning for flights home. (B)
Note: Contact Strabo Tours if you are interested on extending your stay on a Galapagos Islands cruise.

Accommodations

The accommodations in Quito will be at a lovely four star hotel in the city center. You will be taking a domestic flight to the Amazon region. With limited baggage limitations you can leave a bag behind at the hotel in Quito. For your convenience you can also use laundry service at either of your accommodations, for a fee. In the Amazon you will be staying in cabins at Napo Lodge, with private porch, constructed with traditional materials and nestled into the lush surroundings. Each room provides a private bathroom with hot shower. All cabins are screened against insects, and contain ceiling fans. FITNESS & HEALTH The trip is designed to be fun and adventurous. Photo opportunities are in villages, or around the accommodations. It can be moderately strenuous if you take advantage of walks each day, sometimes uphill in the heat, mud, cold, or high altitude (7000 -10,000 feet). You should discuss this altitude with your physician. Anyone who is reasonably fit should be able to participate in all scheduled walks, but if you have questions about how much activity is involved, please inquire further. At present, no inoculations are required for entry from the United States.

Guides

Please contact us for more details.

Food & Drink

Food and water are generally safe in Ecuador; however we do recommend taking precautionary medicine with you in case you are affected while traveling. Your local guide can offer guidance if you have concerns. Ecuadorian food is not spicy. Menus are usually simple, but the food is always good and plentiful. Breakfast menus are much like those in North America. Rice, meat, beans, and vegetables are usually served at lunch and dinners. Local cheeses are quite good. Delicious fruits and juices are abundant.

Notes

A note from Karen ~
I try to encourage each person to give themselves the permission to make mistakes, the permission to create. The more we learn to “see” with our mind, heart and spirit, the more of an adventure life becomes. I welcome all skill levels and enjoy offering guidance to those with stronger left-or right-brain approaches to photography, to strengthen the other side.

On a photo tour, I enjoy guiding participants to expand their creativity and/or technical skills, increase their confidence and have fun! Instruction can be as much or as little as they prefer. A small portfolio of small prints, dupe transparencies or digital files can be brought along for review if desired. I look forward to seeing you on one of my tours! www.focusadventures.com

Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $2,995 US Dollars based upon minimum of 9 paying participants. There is a small group surcharge of $300 if 5-8 paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single room supplement: $795; single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Note: The land costs on international tours is based upon current exchange rates. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the land cost.

General Tour Info (includes, excludes and other details)