No longer available. See new versions below.
5 Day Amazon Express 2018 Itinerary tour

5 Day Amazon Express 2018 Itinerary

Gate 1 Travel
3.8 . Great
72%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included. Moderate
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
5 days
From: $ 499 $ 100 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Visit the "Middle of the World" monument at the Equator that marks latitude 0º
  • A motorized canoe whisks you to your Amazon Lodge overlooking the river
  • Stay in the Amazon region, the world's largest ecosystem
  • A night tour in the jungle introduces you to the wonders and serenity of the Amazon
  • Visit a local Quechua family to learn about their tribal customs and everyday Amazonian life
  • Enjoy the thermal pools in Papallacta, known for its legendary hot springs

Short Description

1 Quito, 2 Amazon, 1 Papallacta

Style Small group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City N/A
End City N/A

Destinations

Ecuador

Attractions & Cities Visited

Quito

Activities & Interests

N/A

N/A
See more

Itinerary

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Ecuador
Depart for Ecuador. Arrive in Quito, capital of Ecuador, founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city; transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to get acquainted with this lively city’s priceless historical treasures of art and architecture. Tonight, enjoy your first taste of Ecuadorian food at one of the city’s world-class restaurants and cafes
Overnight: Quito▲

DAY 2, Saturday - "Middle of the World" Monument, Amazon Lodge
Morning visit to the impressive "Middle of the World" monument at the Equator, which marks latitude 0º. Here, you can stand with one foot in the Northern and one in the Southern Hemisphere! From the top of this enormous trapezoidal building see stunning panoramas of the surrounding countryside. After a stop at a local restaurant for lunch, continue to Tena. Here, you board a motorized canoe for about 30 minutes and ride to your Amazon Lodge overlooking the river. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travelers
Overnight: Amazon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - Amazon Adventure Day or Leisure Time
Arise early this morning, if you wish to join the excursion to the parrot clay licks, known as western Amazon's most amazing spectacle. These unique walls of mud, rich in minerals, attract hundreds of colorful parrots every day; an astonishing natural phenomena. Later, a hike along the flourishing nature trail to view jungle life up close. The hike will require some steep climbs and can be strenuous at times. Only those who feel comfortable on the wet, muddy and uneven ground should consider this excursion. The Amazon rainforest is the world's largest ecosystem, so be sure to keep an eye out for the many different species of tropical plants and flowers, insects, and butterflies. After lunch, you’ll be encircled by spectacular vistas as you float on inner tubes winding slowly down the Arajuno River. Return to the lodge in time for dinner, followed by a night walk that introduces you to the sounds, serenity, and magnificence of the Amazon. Walk through the rainforest in the dark using flashlights to help navigate the uneven path and look out for tarantulas, frogs, and other nocturnal creatures. The soothing sounds of nature will lull you to sleep on your last night in the Amazon
Overnight: Amazon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Monday - Meet a Quechua Family, Papallacta Hot Springs, Farewell Dinner
Watch the magnificent sunrise over the striking river, in one of the planet’s richest and most biodiverse regions. Later, a fascinating visit with a local Quechua family - learn about their tribal customs and hear stories of everyday Amazonian life. After a tasting and demonstration of homemade chocolates, return to the lodge for lunch. Afterward, travel to the small town of Papallacta, tucked away in the Andes Mountains, known for its legendary hot springs. Early evening arrival at your delightful hotel with the opportunity to relax and unwind in one of the hot thermal pools. Tonight, bid farewell to your newfound friends and Tour Manager, at a traditional Ecuadorian dinner
Overnight: Papallacta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Tuesday - Depart Ecuador
Transfer to the airport in Quito for your departure flight
Transfers depart the hotel approximately 5 hours prior to flight time. Passengers with flights leaving after 6 pm on Day 5 will be provided a late check out
Meals: Breakfast

▲ Due to the high elevation, travel in the Ecuadorian Andes may cause some passengers to experience the temporary effects of altitude sickness. If you have any concerns about traveling to higher than your accustomed elevation, please consult your healthcare provider.

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 499
Price Per Day: $ 100 per day
Checking price

655 Gate 1 Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings

72%
3.8 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 433
Great 20
Average 19
Disappointing 22
Terrible 161
Value
3.8
Guide
3.8
Activities
3.8
Lodging
3.8
Transportation
3.8
Meals
3.8

5 Day Amazon Express 2018 Itinerary

No reviews yet for this trip. Be the first one to write a review

Company Reviews

We loved Gate1 until our flight that we booked through them was cancelled. We have gone on 5 trips and loved them all but we learned the hard way about their policy. They own the flight until the flight. If flight is cancelled, they simply cancel the flig

3.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide5.0
Activities4.0
Lodging3.0
Transportation1.0
Meals2.0
We loved Gate1 until our flight that we booked through them was cancelled. We have gone on 5 trips and loved them all but we learned the hard way about their policy. They own the flight until the flight. If flight is cancelled, they simply cancel the flights for the entire trip and rebook at last minute rates. They called us to tell us it would be $2200 more and we would need to arrive a day early (meaning lose another day of work) and pay an additional $220 for hotel. This became no longer an Affordable Trip to Italy. You will be sitting in the last row of airplane next to the bathrooms if Gate 1 books your flight.
Read more

One of the best !!!!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
One of the best !!!!
We have been traveling with Gate1Travel many times and always enjoyed its tour guides. Not always the cheapest but the best customer service! Henry Maaravi (Israel tour guide) was the best so far! We also know many others have traveled with Gate1Travel and were impressed with the quality of the resources provided.
Read more

Horiabel can not reach the company.

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Horiabel can not reach the company.

I’ve taken many trips over the years…

4.0
Details
Value4.0
Guide4.0
Activities4.0
Lodging4.0
Transportation4.0
Meals4.0
I’ve taken many trips over the years with Gate 1 prior to Covid. All were exquisitely memorable and wonderful experiences! However I booked one trip where they paid for my travel because it was included. I learned from that one experience to always book my own travel. Fortunately I chose to book different return flights from China. My travel partner was stuck 3 days in the airport while I had the best experiences getting to my destination even though my flight cancelled due to a flat tire, the airline placed us in two hotels with meals and arrived in less than two days. I also learned never book travel insurance through Gate1 the hard way. Note that even if you use outside insurance they give you a hard time providing documentation. Post Covid our flights cancelled to Fiji due to a cyclone. Our travel insurance company paid us in full after 30 days. Do your homework. Protect yourself while traveling.
Read more

TRAVELING WITH GATE1 IS NOT FOR THE…

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
We planned two trips with Gate1, but never left our house neither time. It is a chaotic experience.

Our first mishap was a trip planned to Portugal with a non-stop flight from Newark, New Jersey to Portugal. The airlines pulled the plug on the direct flight and Gate1 found another flight with stopover in Germany before traveling on to Portugal. I avoid any stops when traveling overseas. It increases the chance of being stuck in a country where you change planes, so I refused the offer of a trip around the world before reaching Portugal. Gate1 did not find another direct flight for me and told me my money was NON-REFUNDABLE. To avoid losing my money I booked a trip to Ecuador instead.

Gate1 charged me an additional $100 to book the trip to Ecuador because it was to a different destination. After booking to Ecuador, 2 days before departure, an earthquake shook Ecuador. Gate1 did not send out any information to let us know what the status of the trip was, total silence on their part. The earthquake occurred on a Saturday and the departure date is on a Monday.

We were leaving our house on Sunday to fly to Miami a day before our flight to Ecuador. I received no communications from them on what the status of the trip was in light of the earthquake. W didn't now whether to proceed or stay home.

We called Gate1and found lines busy multiple times with high call volume. In the absence of any communication from Gate1 we cancelled our flights to Miami. We paid for airfare from North Carolina and booked a hotel in Miami.

We lost money on the hotel reservation and had to pay for the stay anyway. I finally got Gate1 on the phone Sunday noon only to find out that the trip was still on as far as they were concerned. They could/should have communicated that to us without our having to call them to find out. We had cancelled the flight to Miami and the hotel by now. My husband and I discussed the safety concerns and decided to cancel.

Gate 1 suggested I rebook our flight to Miami on the same day of travel. There was no way we could make it to Charlotte, NC. (2.5-hour drive from our house) and get to the airport in time to catch the last flight to Miami. Gate1 then tried to convince me to book a flight from Asheville to Miami with a 2.5-hour layover in Atlanta arriving in Miami at 1 AM in the morning. I do not have any faith in making connecting flights on time with airlines anymore. A million things can go wrong and prevent a connection. Not to mention that the airfare would have cost us over $1,200.00 to book at the last minute. We had already spent $897.00 for airfare.

The agent then told me if I could find and book a flight by 5:30 she would hold our trip. I called back at 5:07 pm and Gate1 was closed. I decided the situation could not be salvaged and cancelled the trip. You may get your money back if Gate1 cancels the trip. You get nothing if you cancel the trip close to the departure date.

Gate1 told me that my money for the trip is non-refundable because I cancelled the trip. Ok. I get that. However, Gate1 was very lax in communicating with customers in an emergency where a natural disaster has occurred in a country, they planned to take customers to. Had they sent out an email regarding the status of the trip, we could have made a more informed decision, but we were left in the dark to speculate the worst and made our decision based on lack of information from Gate1

After Gate1’s failure to communicate promptly about the situation in Ecuador, they put all the responsibility and stress on me to rectify the problem. They waited until the last minute to say whether the trip was a go and left us hanging on wondering what was happening, and what to do.

I am done with Gate1. I will never use their service or recommend them to anyone. If things go well, you can probably have a good experience, but when things go wrong, their systems are designed to protect them, not you. They need to do a better job of communicating with customers at every juncture of the trip, especially when natural disasters occur in the area where they will be traveling to. Gate1 told me they had people on the ground in Ecuador who were keeping them informed of the situation. It would be nice if Gate1 can do the same for their customers
Read more

Very poor customer service of 4 trips…

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Very poor customer service of 4 trips with Gate 1, two resulted in canceled return flights, stranded in Ecuador and again in africa. While travel agencies have no control over airline cancelations, they should at least help to get another flight. Both times i was stranded, no one from Gate 1 would assist. I had to find my own last minute flight home, pay for transportation to airport, etc. All my original flights were booked thru and by Gate 1. They have ZERO customer service and do not care if you cannot get home. Burned twice by Gate 1.
Read more

Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Small Group - 24 max

Additional Information


Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival transfers.

Trip ID#:

gate1-EC-5DEC1-PKG-18

What's excluded

*Not Included: Optional tours and gratuities.
×
Great Choice!

You can access members-only savings of up to $700 on over 6,000 Travelstride Select trips.

Sign in to see trip eligibility

or
or
Provide email and password

With your FREE membership you get to:

  • Save up to $700 per person!*
  • Access private deals and offers
  • See personalized trip recommendations
  • Save favorite trips
*See Member Savings Program details
Already a member?

We respect your privacy and take great care to protect your information. By joining you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

×

You could save $ 125 per person on this trip!

TripSaver
Flexible travel vouchers redeemable on thousands of trips like this one!
×
×
×
Sign in to Save Trips
Welcome back! We're so happy to see you. ? Forgot Password?
Don't have an account? Join
  • Bookmark trips you like
  • Share with your travel companions
  • Track price changes
  • Access private discounts on trips you save
×
Sign in to see your results

TripFinder is a member-only feature. Don’t worry, it’s free!

With a membership you:

  • Save up to $700 per person!*
  • Access private deals and offers
  • See personalized trip recommendations
  • Save favorite trips
*See Member Savings Program details
×
Activate your free Travelstride membership

Just use the email address and password provided in the email we sent.

? Forgot Password?

With your free membership you:

  • Save up to $700 per person!*
  • Access private deals and offers
  • See personalized trip recommendations
  • Save favorite trips
*See Member Savings Program details
×
To Follow, sign in or sign up (it's free) ? Forgot Password?
Don't have an account? Join
member benefits

By signing in, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

First name is required!
Last name is required!
First name is not valid!
Last name is not valid!
This is not an email address!
Email address is required!
This email is already registered!
Please enter valid email address
Password is required!
Enter a valid password!
Please enter 6 or more characters!
Please enter 32 or less characters!
Passwords are not the same!
Terms and Conditions are required!
Email or Password is wrong!
Please select the captcha checkbox!
Please select the valid captcha!
Something went wrong! Try again later!

"I'm bored' is a useless thing to say. You live in a great, big, vast world that you've seen none percent of."
Louis C.K.
x
x
Download your brochure

Enter your email to get the "" brochure.

x
Brochure successfully sent!

We've sent the "" brochure to "". Check your inbox!