Day 1: Papallacta, Overnight

Today we bid farewell to our fellow travellers from the past 17 days as they head to the airport to begin their journey home. The day is ours to enjoy at leisure and make the most of our time at Termas Papallacta Hotel & Spa. Relax in the hotel’s thermal pools, make use of the spa facilities, or take a taxi into the nearby town of Papallacta to explore at your own pace.

Day 2: Amazon Rainforest, 3 nights

An early start this morning as we transfer to Quito airport for our flight to Coca, the gateway to Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. For the next few days, we travel with a small rucksack while our main luggage is safely stored in Coca, making it easier to get about and enjoy our time exploring the forest. On arrival, we travel by motorised and paddle canoe along the Napo River to Sacha Lodge, our home for the next three nights, deep in the heart of the rainforest. After lunch and an introduction to the lodge, we begin our first exploration of the Amazon. Choose from a jungle walk or a quiet canoe ride to explore the lagoon and the creeks close to the lodge. Later, we return to the lodge for a welcome cocktail before dinner, with the option to join a night walk or simply relax in our jungle surroundings.

Day 3: Amazon Rainforest

An early breakfast this morning allows us to make the most of the cooler hours of the day, when the rainforest is at its most active. Before sunrise, we set out for Sacha Lodge’s canopy walkway, suspended 36 metres above the forest floor and offering a remarkable perspective over the treetops. From here, there is the chance to spot monkeys, toucans, parakeets and other birdlife, while the sounds of the forest gradually awaken around us. Returning to the lodge in time for lunch, the remainder of the day is free for relaxation. Perhaps enjoy a swim in the lake pool or simply unwind and listen to the sounds of the jungle. Later, as evening falls, we head out on a guided night walk to discover the rainforest’s nocturnal wildlife, from frogs and insects to other creatures that emerge after dark.

Day 4: Amazon Rainforest

This morning, we explore the rainforest by canoe, gliding through the blackwater creeks that branch away from the Napo River. These calm waterways create a very different habitat from the main river and are home to wildlife such as caiman and capybara, while monkeys may also be spotted in the surrounding trees. After lunch back at the lodge, there is time to relax before we set out for Sacha Lodge’s observation tower. Rising 43 metres above the forest floor, it offers sweeping views across the canopy and the chance to spot colourful birdlife and other tree-dwelling wildlife. As dusk falls, we make our way back to the lodge, exploring the lagoon after dark for a final glimpse of the rainforest’s nocturnal world.

Day 5: Quito, Overnight

After breakfast, we begin our journey back along the Napo River to Coca, where we board our flight to Quito. On arrival, we transfer to Hotel Patio Andaluz, with time to make the most of our surroundings before our final night in Ecuador.

Day 6: Depart Quito / Arrive UK

This morning is free to relax or take a final stroll through Quito’s colonial centre before checking out of the hotel. Later, we transfer to the airport for our evening flight and arrive in the UK the following morning.