Amazon Eco-Adventure!
An incredible 9-day eco-adventure in one of the most biodiverse regions!

April 23-May 1, 2016

Escape into the mysterious world of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest!

On this exclusive adventure, you'll discover the magnificent plants and animals of the Amazon, learn about rainforest ecology and conservation issues, explore the culture and cuisine, and much more!

You will:
•    Discover the incredible array of plants and animals while hiking and canoeing with expert guides.
•    See the snow-capped Andes Mountains and visit lagoons abundant with birds, monkeys, and more
•    Visit the world-famous Otavalo Indian Market and experience Indigenous cultures of the Amazon.
•    Explore the architecture of Old Quito, learn about rainforest ecology, and stand on the equator!

Just pack your bags and leave the rest to us! SSC Naturalist Henry Burke will greet our group in Boston for our flight to Ecuador and lead you on your adventure of a lifetime.

Surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes, our adventure begins in Quito, a beautiful city with a spring-like climate all year round. We will tour Old Quito, which has not changed much since colonial times, and see some of nicest colonial churches, convents, and parks of in South America. After our tour, we will dine at one of the finest places for Ecuadorian and international food and visit the Guayasamin museum, named for Ecuador's most famous painter. 

Our private bus will take us to the famous city of Otavalo, where we’ll see the world’s famous Otavalo Indian Market. Here we’ll see the colorful clothes, like ponchos, blankets, shirts and handicrafts made by local artisans. We’ll stop at Quitzato monument, where you can put your feet on each side of the Equator, and walk to the great Peguche waterfall!

A 40-minute flight over the Andes will take us to the frontier oil town of Lago Agrio, where we will journey to meet our guides. We will canoe along the Cuyabeno River to Laguna Grande where our lodge is located. During this rainforest journey, we will enjoy a great deal of wildlife. Our day’s adventure will be rewarded with a fantastic meal, an evening swim, and sunset paddle.

We will walk through the Terra Firma forest with our local naturalist guide who will teach us about the wildlife, medicinal plants, forest ecosystem, and the indigenous life of the area. A true-Amazonian experience, we’ll travel by dugout canoe to the flooded parts of the forest, abundant with epiphytes-covered trees, monkeys and birds.

Our adventure continues down the Cuyabeno River to the Siona indigenous village and an evening canoe trip to look for caimans, snakes and nocturnal birds. We will enjoy the silent of the lagoon and the sounds of many different birds that inhabit a special lagoon environment and hike through the Cuyabeno Reserve.

Pre-trip Gathering
A pre-trip, get-to-know-you gathering will be planned prior to the trip; details to come.

Cost $3,300 per person, double occupancy
Cost includes 8 nights lodging, domestic travel, tours, activities, and most meals.
A limited number of superior cabins are available for $3,700 per person, double occupancy.
Single supplement $600.
Airfare may be purchased separately. Please contact Henry for details. 

$500pp deposit is required to reserve your spot. 
Full payment due by February 15, 2016.

Cancellations
Cancellations received in writing on or before January 1, 2016 are subject to a $300 cancellation fee. Cancellations received between January 1 and February 15 receive a 50% refund. No refunds are given after February 15.

For more information, including a full itinerary, please contact Henry at 603-436-8043, ext. 16 or h.burke@seacentr.org.

Here is what participants had to say about past Seacoast Science Center Eco-Adventures:

"Fantastic! The most incredible wildlife experience I have ever had and will never forget. I pinched myself at one point to see if I was dreaming, and then I realized, my dreams aren't even that good!"

"We were incredibly impressed with all of our (local) guides. Their knowledge and passion was evident each and every day. Henry was fantastic and fun to be with."