Andes & Amazon Trekking Tour

Spend 7 days discovering the stunning parks and reserves of Ecuador on this Andes and Amazon trekking tour. Hike along some of Ecuador’s most interesting and isolated nature trails, explore archaeological sites and encounter indigenous communities and stay in fine historic haciendas and jungle lodges.

The Andean highlands of Ecuador have a rich cultural and natural diversity that spans grassy highlands, cloudforests, mountain lakes, active volcanoes, thermal baths, Indian markets, colonial towns and traditional haciendas. Lush forests of acacia and myrtle hold rare species like the spectacle bear and white-tailed deer while toucans and condors fly in the skies above.

On volcanic slopes and in the gorges of this mountainous area lie the ruins of old civilizations of the Incas and still-inhabited villages of other indigenous communities, such as the Kichwa, whose customs and culture still prevail today. In one of these gorges runs the Pastaza River, one of the Amazon’s main tributaries, with incredible waterfalls.

Your certified naturalists-cum-guides will lead you on a 7-day route through the best of six different national parks and nature reserves. Their intimate knowledge of their surroundings will give you insight into the delicate ecology of the area and access to incredible wildlife and archaeological sites out of the reach of most tourists.

You will see equatorial Andean lakes, dozens of active volcanoes, rainforest gorges and valleys and walk the ancient trails of the Yumbos and Panzaleo cultures as well as visit an indigenous community, the Waira Churis (Wind Dancers). After a satisfying day’s trekking you will be put up in some of the best historic haciendas and ecolodges of Ecuador.

The route covers a lot of ground - expect to walk more than 10km on most days. You should be fit enough to cope with mountain altitudes and valley descents. Ideally, this trip would suit couples and retired people who are looking for an Amazonian adventure with a difference, whilst not scrimping on luxury.

If you have a green conscience this tour, with its mix of ecolodge accommodation, geographical exploration and environmental discovery, is highly recommended.