Cotococha Lodge 5d/ 4n ⋆ Sacred Earth Travel

Cotococha Lodge 5d/4n

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival to the Lodge in the afternoon. After the long drive, we can relax in our bungalow. Dinner. A very special welcome drink is served while sitting around the open fireplace to coordinate and discuss next day’s activities with our crew, plus an introductory talk about the Amazon Jungle by our Lodge’s Administrator.

Day 2

Early in the morning, we’ll have breakfast. Afterward we must prepare our gear: boots and a raincoat so we can be ready to begin the adventure! We will board a canoe and start our journey downstream through the enchanted Amazon Jungle along the imposing Napo River. Arrive at Misahualli, where we make a short stop to check our papers with local Marina, so don’t forget your passport!! Continuing our canoe-trip we arrive at ArajunoRiver. We will visit the Animal Rescue Centre “AmaZOOnico” which is specialized in the rescue of wild animals for species conservation and reintegration into the wild. In here we will observe a great variety of species such as toucans, all kind of colorful parrots, various kinds of monkeys, jaguars, capybaras and much more!

Afterward, we will enjoy a delicious lunch in the river shore, picnic style. We’ll have the opportunity to swim in the river or just resting peacefully surrounded by a wonderful natural atmosphere.

After concluding this day’s experience, we’ll head back to the Lodge, but first we will visit a trap museum in a Quichua Community, is a very interesting exhibition of how they used to hunt for centuries. We return to the Lodge by canoe. At night, after dinner, we’ll have our usual meeting around the fireplace to share our day’s experiences.

Day 3

After breakfast, we get ready with our rubber boots and water ponchos for 3 hours walking in a jungle forest. With an experienced native guide, you will be able to learn many interesting subjects about plant uses, insects’ variety, bird watching, and the species that live in this unique forest. We will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch in this natural surrounding. After lunch, we come back and arrive at the Lodge to rest. At night, we are going to enjoy a delicious dinner and a relaxing time by the fireplace while enjoying a tropical cocktail or drink from our bar.

Day 4

After breakfast, we depart by canoe upstream for ten minutes, arriving at a small shore where we begin a fun and thrilling one hour walk, marveling at the jungle’s secondary forest diverse flora and fauna. After our short walk, we’ll find ourselves in a breathtaking cascade “Las Latas” where we will take a refreshing bath in its clear crystal waters and enjoy the surrounding views, which mixed with the jungle sounds, makes it an unforgettable experience. We return to have lunch at the lodge.

In the afternoon we will visit a Quichua family and learn about their millenary culture and traditions such as gold rinse in the river shoreline, traditional pottery making, making of typical drink “chicha” made of yuca (a traditional Ecuadorian manioc), and the use of the “serbatana” (blowpipe for hunting use). After this amazing encounter with Quichua culture, we return to the Lodge by foot over secondary jungle pads. Upon arrival enjoy a snack. At night, after dinner, we will have our usual meeting around the fireplace to share our day’s experiences.

Day 5

After breakfast, we will have to prepare for our return trip. End of program.

Rates in 2018

Rates per person, based on double occupancy. For single or triple rates, please inquire.

Program Rate Includes

Standard US$629 Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water
Visits and excursions
English speaking guide at the lodge
Meals (from dinner of the first day to the breakfast of the last day)
Taxes

Bronze US$682 Transfers from the Hotel to the bus station in Quito and Tena to the Lodge by private car
Ticket by public bus from Quito – Tena – Quito (or Baños)
Transfer Tena – Cotococha Lodge by private car
Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water
Visits and excursions
English speaking guide at the lodge
Meals (from dinner of the first day to the breakfast of the last day)
Taxes

Gold US$789 Private transportation during the whole program with Spanish speaking guide
Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water
Visits and excursions
English speaking guide
Meals (from dinner of the first day to the breakfast of the last day)
Taxes

Adventure US$757 Visits and Adventurous Excursions (Rafting, Pimpilala, and Cayman spotting.
Private transportation from your hotel in Quito to the bus station and from the bus station in Tena to the lodge for both legs of the round trip.
Public transport Quito – Tena – Quito (or Baños)
Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water
English speaking guide
Meals (from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day)
Taxes.

Program	Rate	Includes
Standard	US$629	Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water Visits and excursions English speaking guide at the lodge Meals (from dinner of the first day to the breakfast of the last day) Taxes
Bronze	US$682	Transfers from the Hotel to the bus station in Quito and Tena to the Lodge by private car Ticket by public bus from Quito – Tena – Quito (or Baños) Transfer Tena – Cotococha Lodge by private car Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water Visits and excursions English speaking guide at the lodge Meals (from dinner of the first day to the breakfast of the last day) Taxes
Gold	US$789	Private transportation during the whole program with Spanish speaking guide Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water Visits and excursions English speaking guide Meals (from dinner of the first day to the breakfast of the last day) Taxes
Adventure	US$757	Visits and Adventurous Excursions (Rafting, Pimpilala, and Cayman spotting. Private transportation from your hotel in Quito to the bus station and from the bus station in Tena to the lodge for both legs of the round trip. Public transport Quito – Tena – Quito (or Baños) Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water English speaking guide Meals (from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day) Taxes.

inquire

From Quito to Cotococha Lodge:

There are currently no flights operating between Quito and Tena, but several public transport companies operate the route, departing from Quito’s main terminal. The journey takes approximately 5 hours, traveling on partially paved and unpaved roads. Cotococha Amazon Lodge can arrange a pick up at the Tena bus terminal by a staff member who will take you to the Lodge on another public bus. This will take another 45 minutes.

We can also arrange for a private transfer, at an additional charge.

Lodging in bungalows with private bathroom and hot water
Mentioned visits and excursions
Native Spanish speaking guide
All meals (from the dinner on the first day to the breakfast of the last day)
All taxes

Drinks
Tips
Extras
Transport to Tena
Insurance

What is the weather like?

Since Ecuador lies pretty much ON the equator, the weather is pretty much always hot and humid. April tends to be the wettest month, but the rest of the year isn’t far behind. Still, that does not mean that it is constantly raining. August and September, as well as December to February, are somewhat drier months, on average.

What about insects and malaria?

There has NOT been any malaria in our area until now. So no prophylaxis will be needed if you only visit the Sierra and our area. But other rainforest places like Coca and Lago Agrio do have malaria problems, as well as the North coast (Atacames). If you intend to go to these places it is wise to take precautions. The fact that we do not have malaria does not mean that there are no insects in our area! Therefore, don’t forget your insect repellent. But the bugs don’t mostly bite at night, as is often thought. You can walk around during this time in shorts without any problem, but during the day, it is advisable to use a repellent, or, better, wear a pair of trousers and socks. The insects that bite during the day are not dangerous. They are just unpleasant.

Is there electricity at the lodge?

The cabins do not have electricity. Per cabin two oil lamps are provided at night. The kitchen and the bar do have electric outlets, so if you want to charge any electrical device you ask our staff to take care of it. Our voltage is 110 – 60 Hertz.

What kind of guides does the lodge provide?

The lodge offers three types of guides: Spanish speaking native guides based at the lodge, English speaking guides based at the lodge and a Guide during the whole tour. If you need a special guide we will provide you that service with an extra cost. Please mention it when you fill out your booking form.

Tipping

Tipping primarily is a personal matter. However in Ecuador it is very common and if you want to be polite you should tip around 8-10% of the price of the whole package.

Cotococha Lodge is situated in the Amazon Rainforest so the weather is usually nice and warm but you have to be prepared for light to heavy rains. So bring mainly light clothes and just a few warmer ones for the evenings or when it starts raining. We recommend you to pack following on your trip to Cotococha:

Passport (always take a copy as well)
Camera Film with flash (high speed films are recommended (200-400 ASA))
Insect repellent
Sun cream (a high factor is recommended)
Lip balm (a high factor is recommended)
Light cotton pants
Long-sleeved light cotton shirts
Shorts
Bathing Suit
Comfortable shoes and/or sandals for at the lodge
Extra pairs of socks
Hat or Cap for sun protection
Small daypack
Plastic bags to protect cameras or films from rain and humidity
Flashlight and batteries
Binoculars (if possible)

Cotococha Amazon Lodge provides:

Rubber boots (up to size 46 (European size))
Rain coats
Life jackets for canoe, balsa and tubing trips on the river

Sustainable Tourism Operations

Besides a complete client satisfaction, Cotococha Amazon Lodge is fully aware of its responsibility towards the vulnerable Amazon region. We are constantly working on sustainable projects in order to conserve this important area. With your visit to Cotococha Amazon Lodge you contribute to maintain the rainforest and help local communities increase their quality of life. Moreover, Cotococha Amazon Lodge is one of the first Amazon lodges certified by Smart Voyager.

Number of employees: 17

Percentage of local employees: 75%

Caring for the wellbeing of the local and global environment: we don’t dispose of waste in the river or in the forests, and we have made changes to responsibly manage solid and liquid wastes. We don’t contaminate the air, we maintain the vegetation inside and outside the lodge, we don’t introduce domestic animals into the area or allow guests to bring them to the lodge, and we inform staff and guests on how to avoid negatively impacting flora and fauna in the area.

Our business supports the local community: the majority of employees are from the local area. Our two guides are from the indigenous Quechua group. We contract water and land transportation services from local suppliers, and we help economically by purchasing arts and crafts from native communities, and through the entrance fees for the butterfly garden and the animal rescue center.

We are committed to sustainable tourism and are certified by the Smart Voyager.

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