Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu
5/4/202611 min read
After spending a few days in Quito, we began our adventure into the Amazon Rainforest. As we mentioned in our Quito article, we typically do not book group tours. We prefer to travel independently or use private guides. However, for this trip, we decided to give Gate 1 Travel a try.
As travel advisors, we have the ability to sell and book Gate 1 tours, but we will not recommend a company to our clients unless we experience it ourselves. We are glad we made that decision, because we were extremely impressed with both the quality and the value that Gate 1 provides.
Our group consisted of 16 people, and it turned out to be one of the unexpected highlights of the trip. Everyone was kind, respectful, and easy to travel with. There are several people from this group that we know we will stay in touch with for years to come.
For those unfamiliar with Gate 1, they truly are a one stop shop. They coordinate everything, including airfare, transfers, accommodations, and excursions. The entire trip was well organized and professionally run from start to finish.
A big reason for that smooth experience was our tour guide, Paul Aguilar. Paul was outstanding from start to finish. His energy, organization, and ability to manage a group of 16 people while keeping everything on schedule was impressive. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and made sure everyone was taken care of throughout the entire trip.
Our tour was called the “5 Day Amazon Express” tour, which included one night in Quito, two nights in the Amazon region near Tena, and one night in Papallacta.
One important factor to understand when traveling through Ecuador is the elevation change. Quito sits at over 9,000 feet, and you feel it. The Amazon region near Tena drops to roughly 1,500 feet, bringing warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and noticeably more oxygen. Then, as you head back into the Andes to Papallacta, you climb to over 10,000 feet. That swing in elevation over just a few days is significant, and you will feel the difference at each stop.
The first stop on the tour was the “Middle of the World” monument, located at the equator. This marks latitude 0°, where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. While the exact scientific equator is slightly off from the monument, it is still a fun and symbolic experience. There is a long standing legend that you weigh 2 lbs less at the equator, which I noticed immediately 😊! Ecuador is also home to Mount Chimborazo, which, due to the Earth’s equatorial bulge, is actually the closest point on Earth to the sun when measured from the center of the planet.
As we headed into the Amazon and were secretly searching for El Dorado’s Gold, we eventually said goodbye to buses and paved roads. From that point forward, transportation shifted to the water. A motorized canoe took us down the Arajuno River to our home for the next few days at Itamandi EcoLodge.
The Arajuno River is part of the greater Amazon River basin and eventually feeds into the Amazon River itself. Staying along this river gave us a true sense of being in the heart of the rainforest. The lodge is beautifully designed, with a pool overlooking the river and open air rooms that place you directly in the environment.
In your rooms, there are screens but no windows, which means you hear everything. The sounds of the jungle at night, the rain hitting the roof, and the constant background noise of wildlife create an amazing experience that is completely immersive. With no windows also comes no air conditioning, which can be uncomfortable at first, but you eventually adjust… maybe.
On our first night in the Jungle, we took a guided walk through the jungle. It was both fascinating and slightly intimidating. Lizards, spiders, insects, and every type of creepy crawly creature you can imagine were all around us. The guides were excellent at spotting wildlife that we would have walked right past. The only thing we did not see was a snake, which was a bit of a disappointment for Crystal.
The next day started early with an optional visit to the parrot clay licks. These mineral rich clay walls attract groups of parrots that gather to feed, creating a colorful and unique natural spectacle.
Later that day, we took a 3 hour hike through the jungle on a nature trail. The terrain can be steep, wet, and muddy, so it does require a moderate level of effort. The lodge does a great job preparing you for this by providing mud boots and walking sticks for all guests, which makes navigating the trails much easier and safer. The hike gives you a much closer look at the ecosystem and the incredible diversity of life within it.
In the afternoon, we floated down the Arajuno River on inner tubes. This ended up being one of our favorite experiences. Drifting slowly down the river allowed us to take in the surroundings at a relaxed pace while watching for wildlife along the banks. The only thing missing was a cooler of beer, which is how we would normally do it back in Texas.
On the following day, we visited a local Quechua community to learn about their traditions and daily life in the Amazon. They demonstrated how they prepare traditional herbal tea and chicha, a fermented drink made from cassava root that involves a very unique preparation process. We also saw traditional face painting, which was historically reserved for important ceremonies and individuals.
They shared local foods with us, including fresh fish and grubs, which was definitely a memorable experience.
After leaving the Amazon, we made our way back up into the Andes Mountains to Papallacta. This is where the elevation shift becomes very noticeable again. At over 10,000 feet, the air is thinner and temperatures are much cooler than the Amazon. We stayed at Termas de Papallacta, a beautiful lodge known for its thermal hot springs.
The property sits in a volcanic region, and the naturally heated mineral pools are fed by underground geothermal activity. After several days in the hot and humid rainforest, soaking in these pools while surrounded by the mountains was the perfect way to relax and recover.
This experience in the Amazon was incredibly enriching and far exceeded our expectations. It pushed us outside of our comfort zone, introduced us to new cultures, and gave us a deeper appreciation for one of the most important ecosystems in the world.
Paul Aguilar played a major role in making this trip so successful. His professionalism, knowledge, and ability to keep everything organized made the experience seamless and enjoyable for everyone.
Gate 1 Travel also exceeded our expectations. From logistics to accommodations to overall value, everything was handled professionally. Based on this experience, we will not only be booking with them again, but we will also confidently begin recommending their tours to our clients.
This was more than just a trip. It was an experience that will stay with us for a long time.
*Check out our articles with information on our stay in Quito and in the Galapagos at the following links:
After spending a few days in Quito, we began our adventure into the Amazon Rainforest. As we mentioned in our Quito article, we typically do not book group tours. We prefer to travel independently or use private guides. However, for this trip, we decided to give Gate 1 Travel a try.
As travel advisors, we have the ability to sell and book Gate 1 tours, but we will not recommend a company to our clients unless we experience it ourselves. We are glad we made that decision, because we were extremely impressed with both the quality and the value that Gate 1 provides.
Our group consisted of 16 people, and it turned out to be one of the unexpected highlights of the trip. Everyone was kind, respectful, and easy to travel with. There are several people from this group that we know we will stay in touch with for years to come.
For those unfamiliar with Gate 1, they truly are a one stop shop. They coordinate everything, including airfare, transfers, accommodations, and excursions. The entire trip was well organized and professionally run from start to finish.
A big reason for that smooth experience was our tour guide, Paul Aguilar. Paul was outstanding from start to finish. His energy, organization, and ability to manage a group of 16 people while keeping everything on schedule was impressive. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and made sure everyone was taken care of throughout the entire trip.
Our tour was called the “5 Day Amazon Express” tour, which included one night in Quito, two nights in the Amazon region near Tena, and one night in Papallacta.
One important factor to understand when traveling through Ecuador is the elevation change. Quito sits at over 9,000 feet, and you feel it. The Amazon region near Tena drops to roughly 1,500 feet, bringing warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and noticeably more oxygen. Then, as you head back into the Andes to Papallacta, you climb to over 10,000 feet. That swing in elevation over just a few days is significant, and you will feel the difference at each stop.
The first stop on the tour was the “Middle of the World” monument, located at the equator. This marks latitude 0°, where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. While the exact scientific equator is slightly off from the monument, it is still a fun and symbolic experience. There is a long standing legend that you weigh 2 lbs less at the equator, which I noticed immediately 😊! Ecuador is also home to Mount Chimborazo, which, due to the Earth’s equatorial bulge, is actually the closest point on Earth to the sun when measured from the center of the planet.
As we headed into the Amazon and were secretly searching for El Dorado’s Gold, we eventually said goodbye to buses and paved roads. From that point forward, transportation shifted to the water. A motorized canoe took us down the Arajuno River to our home for the next few days at Itamandi EcoLodge.
The Arajuno River is part of the greater Amazon River basin and eventually feeds into the Amazon River itself. Staying along this river gave us a true sense of being in the heart of the rainforest. The lodge is beautifully designed, with a pool overlooking the river and open air rooms that place you directly in the environment.
In your rooms, there are screens but no windows, which means you hear everything. The sounds of the jungle at night, the rain hitting the roof, and the constant background noise of wildlife create an amazing experience that is completely immersive. With no windows also comes no air conditioning, which can be uncomfortable at first, but you eventually adjust… maybe.
On our first night in the Jungle, we took a guided walk through the jungle. It was both fascinating and slightly intimidating. Lizards, spiders, insects, and every type of creepy crawly creature you can imagine were all around us. The guides were excellent at spotting wildlife that we would have walked right past. The only thing we did not see was a snake, which was a bit of a disappointment for Crystal.
The next day started early with an optional visit to the parrot clay licks. These mineral rich clay walls attract groups of parrots that gather to feed, creating a colorful and unique natural spectacle.
Later that day, we took a 3 hour hike through the jungle on a nature trail. The terrain can be steep, wet, and muddy, so it does require a moderate level of effort. The lodge does a great job preparing you for this by providing mud boots and walking sticks for all guests, which makes navigating the trails much easier and safer. The hike gives you a much closer look at the ecosystem and the incredible diversity of life within it.
In the afternoon, we floated down the Arajuno River on inner tubes. This ended up being one of our favorite experiences. Drifting slowly down the river allowed us to take in the surroundings at a relaxed pace while watching for wildlife along the banks. The only thing missing was a cooler of beer, which is how we would normally do it back in Texas.
On the following day, we visited a local Quechua community to learn about their traditions and daily life in the Amazon. They demonstrated how they prepare traditional herbal tea and chicha, a fermented drink made from cassava root that involves a very unique preparation process. We also saw traditional face painting, which was historically reserved for important ceremonies and individuals.
They shared local foods with us, including fresh fish and grubs, which was definitely a memorable experience.
After leaving the Amazon, we made our way back up into the Andes Mountains to Papallacta. This is where the elevation shift becomes very noticeable again. At over 10,000 feet, the air is thinner and temperatures are much cooler than the Amazon. We stayed at Termas de Papallacta, a beautiful lodge known for its thermal hot springs.
The property sits in a volcanic region, and the naturally heated mineral pools are fed by underground geothermal activity. After several days in the hot and humid rainforest, soaking in these pools while surrounded by the mountains was the perfect way to relax and recover.
This experience in the Amazon was incredibly enriching and far exceeded our expectations. It pushed us outside of our comfort zone, introduced us to new cultures, and gave us a deeper appreciation for one of the most important ecosystems in the world.
Paul Aguilar played a major role in making this trip so successful. His professionalism, knowledge, and ability to keep everything organized made the experience seamless and enjoyable for everyone.
Gate 1 Travel also exceeded our expectations. From logistics to accommodations to overall value, everything was handled professionally. Based on this experience, we will not only be booking with them again, but we will also confidently begin recommending their tours to our clients.
This was more than just a trip. It was an experience that will stay with us for a long time.
*Check out our articles with information on our stay in Quito and in the Galapagos at the following links:
info@allinglobaltravel.com