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Are you planning your journey to Ecuador and searching for an ideal itinerary for 7 days in Ecuador? On this article, I’ll share our itinerary for one week in Ecuador, visiting Quito, Mindo Cloud Forest and even the Amazon rainforest, the place we stayed for 3 nights in a lodge in Yasuni Nationwide Park. This 7-day itinerary for Ecuador is ideal for individuals who get pleasure from visiting a number of completely different areas and love nature and chook watching! Sounds attention-grabbing? Hold studying!
Earlier than we begin, right here’s a fast overview of our itinerary:
Our itinerary for 7 days in Ecuador (the overview)
Day 1: Arriving in Quito, driving to Mindo
Day 2: Birdwatching in Mindo, visiting Mitad del Mundo, night in Quito
Day 3: Flying to Coca, staying at Napo Cultural Heart in Yasuni (Amazon journey)
Day 4: Amazon rainforest
Day 5: Amazon rainforest
Day 6: Flying again to Quito, exploring the town centre
Day 7: Quito within the morning and flying again dwelling (via Lima)
Fast hyperlinks:
I’ve been instructed many instances that having an important hyperlinks in a single place helps to simplify the reserving and planning course of, so right here you go; listed here are an important hyperlinks talked about on this publish:
Mosquito-proof clothes for the jungle: Craghoppers Vary
Lodge for the primary evening in Quito: Ibis Quito
Lodge for the second evening in Quito: Lodge San Fransisco de Quito
Lodge in Mindo: Casa Divina
Tour 1 in Mindo: (Zip Line) https://viator.tp.st/OpAf1Rw5
Tour 2 in Mindo: (Fowl Watching) https://tripadvisor.tp.st/cv4cauAx
Automobile rental: examine availability
Jungle lodge: Napo Cultural Heart
Quito strolling tour: e book right here
Is it secure to go to the Amazon Lodges in Ecuador?
Many individuals are questioning whether or not it’s secure to go to the Amazon in Ecuador and usually, it’s fairly secure. It’s really manner safer than I’ve imagined. By “secure”, I imply secure from lethal ailments, parasites, bugs and snake bites. Yasuni Nationwide Park, the place we stayed, is free from Malaria, so that you don’t should be too frightened about it. Nonetheless, there are many different tropical ailments – you at all times should be cautious and put on acceptable garments.
What to pack for Ecuador (particularly the Amazon jungle half)?
Once you e book your lodge in Yasuni Nationwide Park, they normally ship you a packing checklist and a few suggestions by way of clothes. If you happen to’re reserving a brief tour (4 days – 3 nights) similar to we did, you positively want 2 pairs of fast-drying pants or trousers (nonetheless you name them the place you’re from) – and no, you possibly can’t purchase them in Ecuador except you wish to pay 2-3x the worth you’d pay again dwelling. We discovered the identical manufacturers in Quito as those we had seen in Cotswolds Outdoor in London however for 2-3 instances the worth (over $100-120), so make sure that to purchase them prematurely to keep away from disappointment!
I’d advocate shopping for particular anti-mosquito trousers (they actually labored for me – I solely bought 1 chunk on my leg) like these ones and long-sleeve anti-mosquito shirts like this one. I like to recommend bringing 3-4 shirts with you, because it’s actually sizzling and everyone sweats rather a lot within the jungle!
Additionally, make sure that to convey lengthy socks with you, as you may be sporting rubber boots 90% of the time. Don’t trouble with bringing particular footwear, as you’ll largely be sporting offered rubber boots and nothing else (aside from some sneakers or sandals when going to eat at a lodge restaurant)
Alright, now let’s begin with the itinerary for 7 days in Ecuador: Quito, Mindo and Amazon journey in Yasuni Nationwide Park
Day 1: Arriving at Quito Airport, driving to Mindo, an evening at Casa Divina
Quito airport expertise & selecting up our rental automobile
Quito airport border management expertise was fairly easy – not like the expertise, we had in Bolivia on our final leg of the journey (nothing main, but it surely took ages). It took us lower than 20 minutes to move all of the border checks and decide up our baggage in Quito. Quito airport is fairly small, but it surely’s tremendous fashionable and really very good.
The one barely detrimental expertise was our automobile rental expertise. We rented automobiles in Central and South America earlier than, and for some cause, the expertise is at all times fairly dangerous – you both get a a lot worse automobile than the one you booked with no refund below the pretence that your “booked” automobile just isn’t obtainable and your solely choice is to simply accept this new worse automobile, or you must pay additional. We at all times conform to a worse automobile – this time, we bought a handbook as a substitute of an computerized (though we booked an computerized and paid additional for it) – our solely choice was to simply accept this handbook SUV or downgrade to a compact computerized automobile which might not be capable of drive the place we would have liked to go. All automobile rental corporations have horrible rankings and opinions in South America, so it is best to have some fairly low expectations. Ah, and so they wished to cost us an $8000 (USD!) deposit for this automobile though it was $800 in our contract, and so they solely agreed to cost us $800 after we despatched them the copy of our reserving affirmation – so be sure you have web entry, or you will have all of the paperwork printed, so that you don’t get tricked like that.
Driving from Quito to Mindo
After we picked up our automobile, we drove to the closest shopping center that had quick-drying and mosquito-proof clothes as we shortly realised that what we introduced with us (1 pair of anti-mosquito trousers and a pair of shirts every) was not sufficient for two days in Mindo and 4 days within the Amazon jungle. We discovered a number of shops promoting quick-drying tourers appropriate for the jungle, e.g. The North Face and so on., however the whole lot was far more costly than in London – e.g. the identical trousers we purchased within the UK for £50 ($65) had been $130 in Ecuador, so we regretted not bringing extra acceptable garments with us! Lesson realized!
Tip: Although it might sound logical to purchase jungle garments in Ecuador, it’s cheaper and simpler to purchase them in your nation and produce them with you.
After a fast lunch, we lastly began our drive in the direction of Mindo. Mindo is likely one of the most stunning locations in Ecuador and it takes round 1.5 to 2 hours to get there relying on the place in Quito you’re departing from and on the visitors and climate circumstances. It’s really quicker to get there from Quito airport than from Quito centre.
The highway to Mindo may be very scenic! You’ll move very tall mountains, stunning forests and a number of beautiful views. There are additionally a few cafes on the way in which; nonetheless, I’d most likely advocate consuming one thing earlier than beginning a journey to Mindo.
Exploring Mindo
Mindo is a small city well-known for its Cloud Forest – a really particular ecosystem, a tropical evergreen forest, which is dwelling to a really excessive variety of birds. You will discover Mindo on the prime of worldwide rankings for chook recognizing. The city itself may be very small and unassuming. It’s not very manicured as effectively – the roads are unpaved, and lots of stray canine are working round.
Casa Divina
We arrived in Mindo round 4pm and whereas it was nonetheless mild, we determined to stroll and discover the paths of our lodge, Casa Divina, after a fast check-in. Casa Divina is an incredible family-run guesthouse based by an American lady and her Ecuadorian husband. Each of them and their children work at Casa Divina and are very educated and pleasant. We had an evening jungle tour across the Casa Divina with the founder as effectively.
There are 2 quick trails on the territory of Casa Divina and we walked one of many trails (though someway we managed to get misplaced and did a complete circle across the property and even ended up on one other path of one other property and spent an hour up within the forest as a substitute of quarter-hour).
The place to eat in Mindo
There are a number of good eating choices in Mindo. We had a fast dinner within the Persian Home, and the meals was beautiful! Monmot Bistro and Fuera De Babilonia are additionally good choices for lunch or dinner in Mindo.
Day 2: Birdwatching in Mindo, visiting Mitad del Mundo, night in Quito
Birdwatching in Mindo
We spent all the morning of our second day in Ecuador birdwatching. So as to see most birds, it’s worthwhile to get up very early. Casa Divina has a improbable rooftop terrace and a small spot the place they lay fruits each morning, so the birds come to the property for a morning feast. Whereas the terrace of Casa Divina normally opens at 7am, we requested to open it a bit earlier and went there already at 6:30 within the morning.
Within the subsequent 1.5 hours, we noticed many superb birds, together with toucans and guans! Whereas a few of them got here to eat fruits, some others had been simply flying round. At 8 am, we had breakfast downstairs, wanting on the Colibri within the backyard, and at 10am, we left Casa Divina and went to our subsequent vacation spot.
The perfect issues to do in Mindo in 24 hours
Mindo Zip Line
Although Mindo is a tiny city, there are many issues to do. The very first thing on our itinerary was the zip line. The zip line in Mindo was superb. It’s normally fairly busy, so I like to recommend reserving prematurely. You’ll be able to e book it on-line right here. The zip line consists of 10 completely different tracks of various lengths and problem ranges. The entire tracks have completely different views as effectively!
Mindo Cable Automobile
Mindo Cable Automobile can convey you to the well-known Nambillo Waterfall, so that you don’t have to hike there in case you don’t really feel prefer it or don’t have sufficient time. The cable automobile can also be fairly superb – it has open cabins, so you possibly can simply observe the environment, take pictures and search for birds! You’ll be able to e book your ticket prematurely right here.
Cocoa and chocolate tasting and excursions
Mindo has a extremely good local weather for rising cocoa beans and making chocolate. If you wish to be taught a bit extra about how cocoa beans are grown and the way chocolate is made, you possibly can e book one of many cocoa and chocolate taking excursions like this one.
Alternatively, you possibly can go to a restaurant like Mindo Chocolate and check out chocolate there in addition to purchase some sweets at the native retailer.
Butterfly sanctuary – Mariposas de Mindo
One other widespread attraction in Mindo is the butterfly sanctuary.
This one you possibly can go to with out pre-booking. It prices round $6 per individual to go to and even features a small tour. You’ll be able to see 3 sorts of butterflies there, and there are such a lot of of them, hundreds or extra!
Take a birdwatching tour / see cock-of-the-rock.
Some folks come to Mindo to see the well-known and really uncommon chook, cock-of-the-rock. So as to see them, you really have to get up additional early and hike for some time. You’ll have increased possibilities to see cock of the rock in case you go together with a information, and it is perhaps the most suitable choice although the excursions are fairly costly. You’ll be able to discover out extra about these excursions right here.
Heading again to Quito, visiting Mitad del Mundo
We spent the primary half of our day in Mindo, visiting among the greatest points of interest, then had lunch there and round 2:30 pm, we headed in the direction of Quito. On our manner, we determined to cease at one other world-famous attraction, Mitad del Mundo!
Mitad del Mundo is a line which separates the North and the South Hemispheres. Effectively, in actuality, the precise line is someplace 200 meters away within the village, however in Mitad del Mundo, you possibly can go to a museum, put a number of stamps which you could stamp your passport with, eat one thing on the numerous eating places and purchase some souvenirs on the native shops. And, after all, you possibly can take a number of pictures!
Spending a night in Quito
We arrived in Quito round 6pm, checked in at our lodge Ibis and spent a while resting within the room. Then it was already time to go for dinner, and we discovered a really good avenue meals market very near Ibis Quito!
Days 3-5: Taking a flight to Coca, beginning our Amazon Journey at Napo Cultural Heart
Flying to Coca
The spotlight of our journey to Ecuador was our 4-day expertise at an Amazon Lodge situated within the coronary heart of Yasuni Nationwide park. So as to get to Yasuni, we would have liked to take a flight to Coca Airport, change to a speedboat, and spend one other 2 hours there to achieve the lodge. Often, the lodges prepare the speedboat, however they will additionally enable you with the flights. In our case, we simply booked flights to Coca instantly with Latam airways.
The flights to Coca normally depart within the morning and land in Coca round 9am or 10am. The flight is normally very quick – we solely had 5 minutes with the seatbelt log off – the remainder of the flight was both the accent or the descent.
Coca to Yasuni Nationwide Park
Upon arrival at Coca Airport, we took a taxi to the river port, the place all of the speedboats to lodges depart from. The taxis normally stand and look forward to folks on the airport, so there isn’t any downside to find one. Ensure that to convey some money with you as there aren’t any providers like Uber or Cabify in Coca. The experience to the river port solely takes about 5 minutes.
On the riverport, our information was already ready for us! Nonetheless, we needed to wait for an additional hour, as we had been scheduled to depart in the identical speedboat as one other couple, going to a different lodge (Napo Wildlife Heart). Hold that in thoughts in case you e book your individual flights (most prospects would possibly arrive on the flights recommended by the lodge).
The boat experience to our lodge, Napo Cultural Heart took lower than 2 hours and was very pleasurable because it was a highly regarded and sunny day (it does get chilly on a speedboat when it’s wet or stormy, as we discovered on the way in which again). We had been additionally provided a really beautiful lunch field so we arrived to the lodge fairly full.
Napo Wildlife Heart is situated 2 extra hours away, so the couple who went there, continued their journey by speedboat for 15 extra minutes after which modified to a kayak, the place they stayed for 1.5 extra hours.
Our expertise at Napo Cultural Heart – an incredible inexpensive amazon lodge in Ecuador
Once we arrived at Napo Cultural Heart, we had been greeted by the chief of the group, who provided us a number of snacks and refreshments. All through our keep at Napo Cultural Heart, everybody who labored there was unimaginable – very pleasant and well mannered! From our superb information to the chef on the restaurant and folks from the group, everyone made us really feel very welcome!
I wouldn’t go deep into our itinerary, because it differs relying on the season, the climate and the variety of folks within the group. We had been extremely fortunate to reach on the dates when there have been no different arrivals, so we just about had our information to ourselves – he was our non-public information! There was just one different visitor on the lodge throughout our first two days – he got here there for a very long time for analysis functions and had his personal information.
Which actions to anticipate at Napo Cultural Heart
Just about each day at Napo Cultural Heart follows a selected schedule. You get up normally fairly early within the morning (all of the chook exercise occurs within the morning). By 7:30am, you should have already completed breakfast and become an outfit match for venturing outdoors the lodge. These early hours are at all times the most effective, in my view, as it’s not so sizzling but.
Throughout the morning journeys, you possibly can both go to the clay licks or to one of many remark towers if the climate permits. It’s also possible to keep on the lodge, go to the ladies in the neighborhood, and see them carry out their conventional dances and rituals.
You then normally return to your room for a fast change and head out for lunch within the frequent space of the group’s primary constructing. After lunch, you normally have an hour or two to relaxation to keep away from venturing out through the hottest hour of the day.
Round 3 or 4pm, you meet together with your information once more and enterprise out for a shorter stroll/experience to an remark tower or a stroll across the group’s territory to look out for birds.
Then you will have dinner round 7pm and after dinner, you might be normally free or you too can have some actions like an evening jungle stroll. There are hardly ever actions after dinner, so that you normally get a while to relaxation.
What to pack for a keep in an Amazon lodge in Ecuador
Once we had been planning our journey to Ecuador, we had been puzzled about what to convey there, particularly in April, as April tends to be the rainiest month in Ecuador. We had been planning to convey just one pair of fast-drying lengthy trousers and a few shirts every, however after a visit to Mindo, we realised that it’s positively not sufficient. As I discussed earlier than, purchasing choices for these clothes in Ecuador are very restricted, so bringing sufficient garments with you is a lot better and cheaper.
I like to recommend no less than 3 pairs of fast-drying trousers, 3 shirts and three pairs of socks for this itinerary. You don’t want a hat or cap as lodges like Napo Cultural Heart typically present them to you. As for garments, you may be sporting rubber boots 99% of the time. Additionally, you will be supplied with a raincoat by your lodge.
For fast-drying trousers and shirts, I like to recommend the model known as Craghoppers – they’re bought on Amazon worldwide in addition to in shops like Cotswold Outdoor. One in all their strains additionally has mosquito safety – and I can let you know that’s true; they’re already handled with some form of mosquito repellent.
I additionally advocate bringing a water-proof backpack like this one and a water-proof case on your cellphone. Attempt to convey some binoculars and a few flashlights with you as effectively.
Did we get pleasure from staying in Yasuni Nationwide Park? What number of days are sufficient in an Amazon lodge in Ecuador
Total, we actually loved Yasuni Nationwide Park and Napo Cultural Heart. It was actually an unforgettable expertise, one to recollect eternally. Some moments had been completely surreal – for instance, seeing the rainforest “breathe” with water evaporating after a extreme rain storm or strolling round the area people and seeing a whole bunch of essentially the most stunning birds! There have been additionally underwhelming experiences – e.g. not seeing any parrots within the clay licks, not with the ability to get to the second clay lick due to the storm, and getting completely soaked and chilly in a kayak – however even these moments had been distinctive and memorable.
It’s troublesome to say what number of days it is best to keep in an Amazon Lodge in Ecuador. Everyone has completely different pursuits and plans. I’d say that we had been completely satisfied we stayed 4 days and three nights – it was simply sufficient to have the ability to see the whole lot we wished to see! There have been shorter excursions – solely 3 days and a pair of nights, however contemplating an extended journey to the lodge, it sounds a bit too quick. 5 days and 4 nights can be a bit an excessive amount of for us already, as some actions begin being repetitive.
Day 6: Flying again to Quito, exploring the town centre of Quito
The journey again to Coca
On our sixth day in Ecuador we needed to get up very early, round 5:30 am to have the ability to catch the velocity boat to Coca. Our information travelled with us – and similar to on arrival, they packed a pleasant breakfast for us, which was very considerate.
The return journey wasn’t as nice because the journey to the lodge. The climate was fairly stormy and someway felt very chilly. That’s why within the packing lists recommended by the lodge you could find a heat jacket. It’s exhausting to consider that you simply would possibly want a heat jacket in a rainforest near the equator, however sure, you really do, particularly early within the morning whereas sitting in a fast-moving boat. Fortunately, we had hoodies and scarves ready for Quito (Quito isn’t very heat attributable to its excessive elevation), so we felt ready.
We arrived to the airport with a few hours to spare. Coca airport is tiny, there isn’t a lot to do there. Nonetheless, there are two cafes the place you possibly can eat one thing in case you’re hungry or simply have a cup of espresso.
Exploring the Historic Centre of Quito
On arrival again to Quito round 11:30 am, we now not had a rental automobile and needed to take a taxi. Uber works very effectively in Quito, nonetheless, taxis from the airport are a bit pricy. We paid round $30 to get to the town centre (which took round 50 minutes due to visitors).
We left our baggage at our lodge – we booked Lodge San Fransisco de Quito. It was very inexpensive and seemed similar to the “Casita” from the Encanto cartoon! Nonetheless, when you’ve got an even bigger price range, these two motels is perhaps even a greater choice:
Lodge Casa Gangotena or Plaza Grande Lodge
Quito has among the greatest preserved and most spectacular historic centres amongst all South American and Central American cities. Town centre is big and has so many beautiful buildings. When you’ve got a possibility, I like to recommend becoming a member of a strolling tour that may convey you to the principle highlights within the metropolis. You’ll be able to examine the costs and availability of a strolling tour round Quito right here.
The primary issues to see in Quito
If you happen to desire to discover Quito by yourself, I like to recommend seeing/visiting these locations:
- Basilica del Voto Nacional
- San Francisco Church
- El Panecilo
- Iglesia La Compañía de Jesús
- La Ronda avenue – there are a number of good conventional eating places there, plus the road may be very fairly
Additionally, a number of motels in Quito (just like the one we stayed at) have stunning terraces overlooking the town. You’ll be able to normally take some superb pictures from these terraces! In case your lodge doesn’t have one, you possibly can maybe go to a panoramic restaurant or a cocktail bar as a substitute!
There may be additionally a teleferico in Quito, and it results in a hill with some beautiful views! If the climate permits, positively head there as effectively!
The security in Quito: how you can be secure
Sadly, social inequality is sort of sturdy in Quito, and crime is on the rise within the capital. It isn’t suggested to stroll within the metropolis centre of Quito after darkish – a number of vacationers get mugged. If you happen to’re strolling there after darkish, you is perhaps stopped by the police and escorted to the lodge the place you’re staying. The motels additionally shut their doorways after darkish.
I additionally advocate being cautious within the metropolis centre of Quito, even through the day and ensuring you don’t stroll round together with your backpack or bag open, making you a simple goal for pickpockets.
Day 7 in Quito: breakfast and flying again
On our final day in Quito, we needed to get up fairly early, have breakfast and head to the airport to catch a flight to Bogota after which to Lima. The journey to the airport took round 40 minutes this time, a bit quicker than through the day because the visitors wasn’t as heavy but. If you happen to’re departing through the day and even worse – between 5pm and 7pm, the visitors is perhaps very heavy. On this case, make sure that to permit no less than 1 hour 20 minutes on your journey to the airport. Apart from, the airport in Quito may be very good, and you may simply spend some additional time having fun with the outlets and cafes within the airport.
Abstract of per week in Ecuador: Quito, Mindo and Amazon Lodge
I hope you loved our weblog publish about spending per week in Ecuador! This 7-day itinerary for Ecuador focuses on essentially the most spectacular locations for chook and nature lovers.
Throughout these 7 days in Ecuador, we had an opportunity to discover Quito, Mindo and head to Coca for Yasuni Nationwide Park and a correct Amazon Lodge expertise. Although 7 days feels like rather a lot, we weren’t in a position to see another superb locations in Ecuador, like Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Banos and Galápagos Islands. To see the whole lot Ecuador affords, you possibly can simply spend 2 weeks in Ecuador. Nonetheless, this itinerary is perhaps a very good choice in case you solely have per week in Ecuador, particularly in case you like chook watching.
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Weekend itinerary for Lima: the most effective issues to do & eating places to go to
