This trip has been designed specifically for students in the Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Program at North Carolina State University. As such this is a private trip and not open to the public. However, if you are interested in Ecuador as a destination EcoQuest Travel offers many trips to this destination – please inquire if interested by contacting us at:info@ecoquesttravel.net.
ECUADOR
Tropical Wildlife & Ecotourism Expedition
11 Days from March 8 through March 18
EcoQuest Travel has been leading trips to Ecuador for twenty three years and is proud to partner with NorthCarolina State University on this educational excursion! A central focus of this special ecotourism trip is to mist-net birds in the cloud forests surrounding San Isidro Lodge on the eastern slope of the Andes. We hope that systematic mist-netting will help us gather data that leads to improved scientific understanding of Neotropical resident birds, more effective conservation, and local education programs. While at San Isidro we will also set up camera traps and there is an exciting array of mammals we could capture. San Isidro has comfortable accommodations and terrific Ecuadorian food. From the cloud forests we will drop into the Amazon basin and take small planes to Kapawi Lodge. Kapawi is located in the remote southeastern Ecuadorian Amazon close to the border with Peru. It is owned and operated by the Achuar People–an indigenous Amazonian tribe. Kapawi is also a great place to observe the incredible biodiversity of the world’s largest rainforest. Students also will be immersed in Ecuadorian culture, learn about the importance of ecotourism in the country, and explore the natural history of the high Andes, Cloud Forests and Amazon.
11- DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 – Friday, March 8: Raleigh to Quito, Ecuador
Day 2 – Saturday, March 9: Quito City Tour and Equator Museum
Day 3 – Sunday, March 10: Antisana Ecological Reserve and on to Papallacta Pass
Day 4 – Monday, March 11: San Isidro Lodge
Day 5 – Tuesday, March 12: San Isidro Lodge & Bird Capturing
Day 6 – Wednesday, March 13: San Isidro Lodge & Bird Capturing
Day 7 – Thursday, March 14: San Isidro to Shell and on to Kapawi Lodge
Days 8 & 9 – Friday & Saturday, March 15 & 16: Kapawi Lodge
Day 10 – Sunday, March 17: Kapawi Lodge to Shell, back to Quito and on to the US
Day 11 – Monday, March 18: Arrival in the US and Fly Home
* Please note that EcoQuest Travel will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.