Exercise Andean Emerald
AOS Expedition to the Andes and Amazon 2007
Newsletter No 1
This is a suggested itinerary from one ground agent that gives best value so far with a cost of about £1850 including flights from UK via Amsterdam or Madrid. However the flight schedules for 2007 are not yet available and prices can change.
I suggest we travel in November to get the best weather. According to the agents, the best times of the year are from September through January. June-early July is also a good time. I would therefore like to hear from members as to when they would like to travel.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Quito
We pick you up at the Airport. Transfer to Mercure Alameda, which is situated in the modern centre of town. In the evening, briefing with the guide. While enjoying a welcome cocktail.
Day 02: Mindo full day Bird watching
Early departure to see birds on the Nono-Mindo road in the Andean Cloud forest, afterwards Mindo town. Overnight at the Mindo lodge. B/L/D
Day 03: Mindo full day Bird watching
Full day of bird watching on the different trails of the Mindo cloud forest. Overnight at the Mindo lodge. B/L/D
Day 04: Chocó Patche Ecological reserve full day Bird watching
Full day of bird watching at the Chocó Patche, which is located in the higher cloud forest. Night at the Bella Vista Lodge. From your window, you can observe the many hummingbirds. B/L/D
Day 05: Bellavista Lodge full day Bird watching
Today we will discover the cloud forest reserve of Bellavista. The 700 ha. Area is the home of more than 320 species of birds, for example the tanager-finch, giant anpitta, swallow-tailed nightjar, plush-capped finch, beautiful jay, white-faced nun bird and the plate-billed mountain toucan. Accommodation Bella Vista Lodge. B/L/D
Day 06: Nono-Mindo Road
Nono-Mindo road and try to spot some of the very shy birds. Hotel Mercure Alameda in Quito. B/L/-
Day 07: Flight to Cuyabeno National Park
After breakfast, airport in Quito, fly to the Amazon rainforest to Lago Agrio, travel by bus to el Puente del Cuyabeno, motor canoe along the Cuyabeno river for 3 hours to the Cuyabeno Lodge. Accommodation Cuyabeno lodge, close to the Laguna Grande del Cuyabeno. B/L/D
Day 08, 09, 10: Bird watching at the Cuyabeno national Park
Full days of bird watching in the rain forest. Accommodation in the Cuyabeno Lodge. B/L/D
Day 11: Return flight to Quito
Early in the morning, canoe to El Puente del Rio Cuyabeno. Bus to Lago Agrio and from Lago Agrio fly back to Quito. Hotel Mercure Alameda. B/L/-
Day 12: Papallacta Pass
Early drive to the Papallacta Pass (4.200m). Here we can watch Montana and Páramo species. Drive to the Papallacta hot springs relax and hopefully see the ice giant Antisana. Overnight at Thermas de Papallacta. B/L/D
Day 13: Guango & San Isidro Bird Lodges
On the way from Papallacta to the Eastern cloud forest of San Isidro, birding on route. In the afternoon, we will watch birds in the surrounding area of the San Isidro lodge. B/L/D
Day 14: Cordillera de los Guacamayos
Birds of the Guacamayos Ridge (lower Montana and Montana cloud forest). Drive back to Quito in the late afternoon. Hotel Mercure Alameda. B/L/-
Day 15: Return flight home
After a last day in Quito, leave from the airport.! B/-/- Possible Galapagos extension of 5 to 8 days.
For a Galapagos extension, I can arrange an 8day /7night cruise, aboard the Encantada, the Fragata or the Estrella de Mar (or any other boat), depending on the exact dates as each yacht has specific departure days. The price varies for high season and low season, but it would run approximately $1300-1600 per person, depending on the specifics. A 5d/4n cruise is also possible.
To the cruise price we would need to add the flights Quito-Baltra-Quito, which currently run $400 round-trip per person. There is also a $100 per person national park entry fee. For birding it is best to visit certain islands in order to get as many endemics as possible, so it would be important to get a boat with the best birding itinerary.
These are 16-pax boats and they do fill quickly in the high season.
B= Breakfast L= Lunch D=Dinner
Price for a group of 15 People including flight :£1860 based on £1 = $1.66 USD. Single supplement £275
Included in the price: Flight to Quito, Private transportation, Flight Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito, all transfers (private vehicle/canoe), English speaking bird watching guide, native guide who is a professional in Ornithology, national park entrance fees, meals according to the program (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch, D: Dinner), accommodation in double rooms as mentioned in the itinerary, drinking water, rubber boots, rain ponchos.