The Upper Amazon Basin - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 340

Tours & Tour Operators
Many tour operators and community-based ecotourismorganizations
offer the same services. Jungle excursions involve hiking, birding,
wildlife viewing, medicinal botany, eco-cultural interactions, boat-
ing, fishing, and swimming. You will find descriptions in the sections
on those activities. Most tours are associated with all-inclusive pack-
ages through ecolodges and they are listed in the Where to Stay , page
343.

Outfitters of varying quality operate in and aroundCuyabeno and the
Río Napo region. Those listed below are reputable, though they are
only some of the many tour operators available. Ask plenty of ques-
tions before choosing one.

Based in Quito, Native Life Tours , Foch E4-167 and Amazonas,

/fax [phone],
[e-mail], offers excursions on Río Aguarico and Río
Cuyabeno. Ecuadorian-owned and -operated, the company is one of
those “family feel” operations that are always a pleasure to recom-
mend. They have three main, all-inclusive trips ranging in length
from three to seven nights, with highlights such as a night walk
through the jungle, and their very own lodge, Nativo Lodge, on the
edge of the Cuyabeno Reserve. Itineraries are varied to suit individ-
ual needs, and guides are professional and very knowledgeable. This
is one of the best bets for budget-oriented, deep-jungle enthusiasts.

2-2505-158, 2-2550-836, or 2-2236-320,

Of the highest quality, though quite a bit more expensive, is Ecua-
dor AmazonExpeditions , Av. República de El Salvador 970, Quito,

/fax [phone], a branch
of Metropolitan Touring. They operate the Flotel Orellana and
Aguarico and Iripari camps and are among the best and most respon-
sible ecotour operators in the Oriente.

2-2464-780 (in the US, 800-527-2500),

One of the most ecologically and conservation-oriented is Tropic
Ecological Adventures , Av. República E7-320 and Almagro,
Edificio Taurus in Quito, /fax 2-2560-

756, [e-mail], www.tropiceco.com. Working with local
groups, this professional outfit is about as responsible as they come.
They offer top quality trips into the jungle, work closely with local in-
digenous communities and are a good contact for community-based
ecotourism projects in the Cuyabeno region. They are a great option
for visiting natives, while maintaining a high degree of cultural
sensivity.

2-2234-594 or 2-2225-907,