Liana Lodge, Ecuador Amazon

We begin our journey by picking you up from your hotel in Quito. On the way, we’ll stop at the beautiful Papallacta Hot Springs, nestled in picturesque surroundings. Enjoy a relaxing dip for about 1.5 hours before we continue, gradually leaving the Andean highlands and entering the lush, humid jungle lowlands. Passing through the town of Tena, we’ll drive by banana trees and stilted wooden houses before arriving at the Arajuno River. Here, a canoe awaits to take us downstream to Liana Lodge (about 15 minutes).

After checking in, you’ll have some free time to explore the surroundings or unwind in a hammock. After a delicious dinner, embark on a guided night walk to spot nocturnal animals, drifting off to sleep later to the sounds of the jungle.

Overnight at Liana Lodge.

Following breakfast, we’ll walk through the forest to AmaZOOnico, an animal rescue center. During the hike, your guide will introduce various plants and their traditional uses in the jungle. Upon arrival, volunteers will guide us through the center, where you’ll see jungle animals up close and learn about the project’s mission to release as many as possible back into the wild.

After the tour, we’ll return to the lodge by canoe for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll head upstream by canoe, and then leisurely float down the river on tubes.

The river is safe for swimming, and you’re welcome to enjoy a swim near the lodge as well. If you’d like, try fishing the traditional way along the riverbank with a net.

Dinner and overnight at Liana Lodge.

After breakfast, we’ll visit a nearby island to explore plantations of local fruits, including bananas, coffee, papaya, cocoa, and more. Our guide will share insights into Amazonian life and traditions, and you’ll have the chance to try a blow gun or taste the local drink, chicha.

We return to the lodge for lunch, and in the afternoon, set off by canoe to a small beach where your guide will demonstrate gold panning, and you can give it a try! For sunset, head to the lodge’s viewpoint for a beautiful view over the river.

Optional: A shaman can visit the lodge (additional cost) to share insights on traditional healing practices in local culture.

Dinner and overnight at Liana Lodge.

After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes and begin the return journey to Quito, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.

Ecuador is the second smallest South American country, and one of the most varied.

It comprises three main geographical areas: the coast, highlands and Amazon plus is home to the Galapagos Islands.

Because of its relatively compact size, it makes a great holiday destination as you can move from highlight to highlight fairly easily and rapidly.

Ecuador lies between latitudes 4º south and 2º north. Overall, climate varies according to time of year, altitude and region.

In the Ecuadorian highlands, there is little temperature variation by season; this depends largely on altitude.

In Quito, shade temperatures range from 6 to 10ºC in the morning and from 19 to 23ºC in the afternoon, with cool nights. In the lower intermontane basins, it gets significantly warmer.

Rainfall depends on whether an area lies closer to the eastern or western Andes. To the west, June to Sept is the dry period and Oct to May the wet (with often a short, dry spell in Dec or Jan).

The best period to visit Quito and trek and climb volcanoes such as Cotopaxi is the west Andean dry season of June to Sept and Dec/Jan. This is also Ecuador’s high season. During the Oct to May wet season, most rainfall is in the afternoons.

To the east, Oct to Feb are dry and March to Sept are wet. Overall, the southern highlands are drier than the northern highlands.

Official name: Republic of Ecuador

Country population: 15,000,000

Capital city: Quito (2.51 million)

Largest cities: Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca, Machala

Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua

Latitude/Longitude: 2º S, 77º 30 W

Official currency: US dollar

Major industries: bananas, shrimp, oil, gold, roses

Time zone: GMT-5 (Galapagos GMT-6)

Good kit is vital for every trip.

Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo’s fantastic ethical and high performance outdoor gear.

You can also read our blog about a day in the Amazon rainforest of Peru.

Detailed kit list

• The original and a photocopy of your passport.
• Yellow fever inoculation certificate.
• Good binoculars.
• Tight-weave, light weight long trousers.
• Quick dry socks.
• Rain suit or long poncho (100% waterproof – test before you leave home).
• Long-sleeved tight-weave shirts.
• T-shirts.
• A bottle or canteen to carry water on outings (1-2 litres).
• Sunscreen (factor 30+) and lip salve.
• A broad-brimmed hat that will not come off on windy boat-rides.
• 1-2 pairs of shorts.
• Sunglasses with UV filter.
• A pair of trainers.
• Ankle high, hiking boots.
• Insect repellent.
• Towel & wash-kit.
• Wet Wipes/antiseptic hand-wash cream.
• Head-lamp (plus spare bulb and batteries).
• Personal first-aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, anti-biotic cream, general antibiotics (ask your GP), after-bite (tiger balm), anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication.
• Cash (small denomination bills) for souvenirs at the lodge, alcoholic beverages, etc.
• A small day pack, 30 litres.
• Camera and film / memory cards (take at least twice the amount you think you will need!).
• Book, e-book, mp3 player/ipod or other to help pass the time.
• Spanish/English phrasebook.
• Extra snacks i.e. cereal bars or favourite chocolate bars.

Please note: Guests should arrive in clothes which they do not mind getting slightly dirty or wet, and should wear footwear that is suitable to walk on a rainforest trail. Sun cream, insect repellent, hat and waterproof clothing should be carried in hand luggage and kept accessible for the journey to the lodge.

You may want to keep your binoculars and camera handy, too.

All bedding, toilet paper etc. is provided at the lodge (or camp, if camping).

Andean Trails believes in Responsible Travel and actively supports several community projects.

Please see Our Advice and Our Ethos for more, and learn about the Projects We Support.

We operate the Inca Trail, our treks and tours with local firms.

We make sure that on our tours and Inca Trail we employ local staff, who are paid fair wages.

With the Inca Trail, We provide free life insurance to all of our porters. Tented accommodation and meals are provided for all trekking staff as well as foam mats, sleeping bags and rain ponchos. We have also provided the staff with trekking shoes. We ensure our porters carry a maximum of only 20kg. We offer them backpacks and they generally use back supports.

Clean burning fuel is used to cook the meals on the Inca Trail and porters carry gas stoves and butane bottles. We use biodegradable detergents when washing the cooking and eating utensils. If any part of our tour or trek is operated by another company, we try to ensure that high standards are maintained.

Our additional support helps the Huchuy Yachaq project which supports children and families in one of the poorest communities in the district of Cusco.