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Why you Should Visit the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest
Pinzon Island, Galapagos
August 27, 2019
Marchena Island, Galapagos
September 17, 2019The Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is quite simply, a superb destination to visit. Sometimes it can be overlooked by visitors to Ecuador who are eager to get to the Galapagos. However, the Amazon basin is a splendid place for a trip in its own right, with a lot to see and do. The diversity of bird and wildlife in the Ecuadorian Amazon is tremendous, and many of the lodges are accessible. Prices are generally reasonable, and trips easy to organize. Once at the lodges, it is easy to organize our time to get the most you possibly can from a trip to the Amazon basin for the time that you are there. As Ecuador experts, here are the top reasons we think you should visit the Ecuador Amazon rainforest.
Accessibility
The Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is fairly accessible by Amazon standards, and it is possible to visit it from various different entry points, providing a range of different experiences. A short flight from Quito, followed by a 2-3-hour motorized canoe ride can get you right into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. In case you are feeling slightly put off by the motorized canoe ride – don’t be! That ride is an exciting adventure in itself, allowing you to get your first taste of the jungle and the wealth of wildlife in this diverse and unique ecosystem. This option aside, you can also take trips to the Amazon that do not get as deep into the rainforest, which you can even access for the most part by car, just a few hours’ drive from Quito. With so many options, and with a high level of accessibility, a trip to the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest should not be missed on your Ecuador trip.
Wildlife
Ever fancied spotting a sloth sleeping in the canopy overhead? Observing an anaconda on the banks of the river? Seeing the glint of the eyes of caiman on the prowl in the night waters of the Amazon? Watching a pink river dolphin swimming up the river in front of your canoe? Listening to the frog chorus after sundown? The list goes on and is seemingly endless, because the rainforest supports a wide range of very diverse and fascinating wildlife that you can only really see in the wild if you travel to places such as the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. When you visit a lodge here, you can take trips that allow you to look out for all of these types of weird and wonderful creatures in their natural habitat.
Birdlife
Birds are wildlife too, but as the bird life of the Ecuadorian Amazon is so special, this is a reason to visit the jungle in and of itself. Bird lovers will not want to miss out on the opportunity to visit the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. There are believed to be at least 320 species of bird in the Ecuadorian Amazon. This is a bird watcher’s dream! Even for those that do not consider themselves “serious” bird watchers, the bird life here is simply outstanding and is not to be missed. Macaws, parakeets and parrots may be spotted in the jungle, and parrots are especially likely to be seen if you visit a parrot lick. Meanwhile, there are also herons, egrets, bitterns, tinamou, ducks, hawks, crakes, sandpipers, cuckoos, owls, hummingbirds, kingfishers, jacamars, woodpeckers, antbirds, woodcreepers, flycatchers, manakins, tanagers, and much more besides. A number of the lodges offer the services of a birding guide who can help you get the most from your experience.
Activities
There is an exciting array of activities to do in the Amazon rainforest. In the early morning you might be out on a bird watching tour, since dawn is an excellent time to look out for a lot of bird life. After breakfast you might visit an authentic indigenous Amazon village to learn more about how people are adapting their traditional lifestyle to the modern world, while retaining the customs of the past at the same time. Later you might fish for piranha, take a canopy walk, or take a dip in an Ecuadorian Amazon lake. Pre-dinner you might even take a walk to spot the vibrant insect and frog life that is more active at night. These are just some of the wide range of activities that are offered in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. It is hard to imagine a place that can be visited that offers a greater diversity of things to do!
Unique and Varied Lodges for all Budgets
Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest has lodges to suit every budget. Most offer good value for money, whether they are budget, mid-range or the more luxurious options. Obviously if you visit a budget lodge you will be staying in much more basic accommodation. However, the food is still decent, and you will still enjoy a lot of interesting and fun excursions. At a higher end lodge, you can enjoy your Amazon trip with a greater level of comfort and style, and the dining and service will be outstanding. Some of the lodges work in conjunction with local indigenous communities to upskill people and to ensure they are sustainable for the future. Others offer superb towers and canopy walks that allow you to get a bird’s eye view of what is going on in the jungle. Still others provide their services via cruise ship, so you don’t stay in one place. Each offers a worthwhile and unique experience.
At Ecuador and Galapagos Insiders we work with a wide range of Amazon basin lodges in Ecuador and can identify the right lodge for you that suits your needs and your budget so that you can get the most from your Ecuadorian Amazon adventure. We can help you by looking at the types of activities you want to do and lining this up with your budget to pinpoint the perfect lodge for you. Why not contact us now to, and we can get started on helping you book your trip of a lifetime to the Ecuadorian Amazon.
