14 Days East and North East Amazon
14 wonderful days to discover butterflies in the imposing Amazonian area of Ecuador. Prepare to see inspiring numbers of butterfly species as you enter the reserves and areas around the ecolodges and encounter the immense biological diversity in this part of Ecuador. Enjoy not only spectacular butterflies, but also many species of hummingbirds as well as other bird species and many varieties of flora and fauna.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to La Delicia community, Nanegal and first sighting of tropical cloud forest
According to your flight schedule, you will be picked up at Mariscal Sucre International Airport near Quito and we will head for La Delicia community in Nanegal. We’ll reach the lodge after a two and a half to three hour drive, and you will get your first look at the tropical cloud forest of Northwestern Ecuador.
Overnight at Nanegal Lodge.
Days 2-3
Nanegal is a famous cloud and tropical forest town on the Northwestern slope of the Andes just a couple of hours from Quito. The accessibility make it a popular desination for nature-lovers of all kinds, including many hummingbird species (~84). At La Delicia Ecolodge restaurant, the hummingbird observation platform will give us a chance to see a wide variety of hummingbirds coming to the feeders. also include butterfly photographers and bird watching. This can be a very good area for clearwings (Ithomiini) and is also home to an interesting variety of Adelpha species and metalmarks at lower elevations.
Overnight at Nanegal ecolodge.
Days 4-7
Butterfly Photo Tour at Río Quijos Ecolodge and Its Surroundings
After having explored the northwestern Andean valleys, now you will be taken on a half-day drive to the Rio Quijos Ecolodge, our next destination on the Eastern Amazonian slope of the Andes. The Rio Quijos Ecolodge is located at a height of 5,000 feet and is a prime destination for a significant numbers of butterflies and hummingbirds. Here we will explore some of the trails near the lodge.
Overnight in Rio Quijos Lodge.
Days 8-9
Butterfly Photo Tour at Loreto Area
After breakfast we will go to our next destination, the Loreto area. Loreto has 815 square miles of natural forest, which cover more than 99% of the land area of the Orellana province. Northwest of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, Loreto’s capital is the city of the same name and is part of the Napo river basin. Here waiting for us will be many more species of butterflies to photograph. Our ecolodge outside of Loreto is directly on the banks of the Napo River, and is a perfect base from which to explore this world-class butterflying destination. We’ll be looking for families of butterflies for you to enjoy. This should be among the best 3 days of butterflying anywhere!
Overnight Loreto Eco-lodge.
Days 10-14
Butterfly Phototography Tour at Yasuní Amazon Area
Once we have enjoyed the Loreto area, our trip continues to Yasuní area, in the famous Ecuadorian Amazon. This reserve is one of the world’s most biodiverse populated by an immense variety of flora and fauna. With its lagoon, the Napo River and various tributaries, it is home to a large number of butterfly species, of which you can expect see a good number on various tours. We can also enjoy spectacular bird sightings. Here we will spend 5 full days in the beautiful Yasuní area, where we will have the opportunity to look for Amazonian butterfly species and enjoy their splendor in the humid climate of the lowland rain forest. On the way to Yasuní, we will arrive at the Limoncocha Reserve, and then we go by canoe down the Napo river in 10 minutes to the ecolodge in the reserve. The famous Río Napo is the longest river in Ecuador. It
begins in the Andes and runs through the Ecuadorian Amazon before finally joining the Amazon River in Peru. Overnight Yasuni Eco-lodge
14:00 PM transfer to Coca airport or to return any hotel in Quito area
End Of Itinerary
Trip Information
Starting city: Quito
Ending city: Quito
Physical difficulty: Moderate
Focus: Butterfly Photography
Group size: Groups will be limited to a maximum of 8 participants.
Driving distance between eco-lodges: 1 hour
-Specialized English-speaking butterfly photography guide
-Private transportation
-Accommodations
-3 meals per day
-All excursions and entrance fees to the reserves
-Tips
-Alcoholic beverages
-Any other item not specified in you itinerary
Experienced Bird and Butterfly Guide: All of our guides have over 20 years of experience as butterfly and birdwatching, bird photo guides in Ecuador
Your butterfly guide’s equipment: Binoculars, laser pointer, field-guide of butterfly Ecuador and special liquid (food) for butterflies and camara.
All eco-lodges are located in the most important and biologically diverse areas for butterfly and bird watching in the country. They are built with local materials and offer Wi-Fi, hot water, standard double and single rooms, and panoramic views.