Ecuador 2021 – Wrap Up (Days 12-14)

(Author: J) May 21, 2021 – Mashpi Lodge Our last full day at Mashpi was much less eventful than the previous day. We woke up early for the hummingbird breakfast, which is a picnic breakfast held on a portion of the lodge property that is at just the right elevation for hummingbird watching. Our guideContinue reading “Ecuador 2021 – Wrap Up (Days 12-14)”

Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 9

May 18, 2021: Amazon and Quito (Author: J) Our final wakeup at Napo Wildlife Center came much too early.  We had to be up and dressed for a 5 a.m. departure. The travel time back to Coca is longer during the high-water season because you are travelling against the river currents, so late risers mightContinue reading “Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 9”

Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 8

May 17, 2021 – Napo Wildlife Center (Author: J) When we left off, our second full day in the Amazon had been mostly rained out.  Because we had missed out on most of our wildlife-watching activities, our group voted to return to the clay licks the following day.  That meant another early wakeup.  We draggedContinue reading “Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 8”

Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 7

May 15, 2021: Napo (Author: J) Another day at Napo, another early wake up.  The plan for the day was to visit two clay licks and the Kichwa Añangu community.  That required hitting the river as early as possible because we needed to paddle out to the welcome center and transfer to the larger motorizedContinue reading “Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 7”

Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 6

May 14, 2021: Napo Wildlife Center (Author: J) Our first full day at Napo Wildlife Center was one of the best days we can remember having on any vacation.  The beautiful weather, great activities, and wonderful hospitality combined to create as close to perfect an experience as it is possible to have.  Our day beganContinue reading “Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 6”

Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 4

May 12, 2021: Papallacata Hot Springs with Ecuador Best Tours (Author: J) On our final day in Quito before heading to the Amazon, we booked a tour to Papallacata Hot Springs (pronounced “Papa-Jacque-Ta” according to Luis) with Ecuador Best Tours.  I was worried about having too many early wakeups in a row, but we wereContinue reading “Ecuador 2021: Trip Report Day 4”

Ecuador 2021: Trip Report – Day 2

May 10, 2021: Equator Tour with Happy Gringo (Author: J) The day after our flight, we did not have anything planned until the afternoon.  I assumed that, after our late arrival, we would want to sleep in.  Unfortunately, my body did not cooperate.  I was up before 7 and feeling a bit headachey given theContinue reading “Ecuador 2021: Trip Report – Day 2”