Quito..LojaCuenca.Guayaquil.Machalilla.Manta.PERUECUADOR020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 97Remote Ecuador 13 days, 11 nightsQuito 2 nights, Loja 2n, Cuenca 2n, Guayaquil 1n, Machalilla National Park 3, Guayaquil 1n.Day 1 Fly from the UK to Quito. 2 nights at the Hotel La Rábida. Day 2 Tour of the colonial centre and museums. Day 3 Fly to Loja and transfer to Hotel Gran Victoria. Drive to Vilcabamba and investigate the serene bucolic lifestyle of its people. Lunch on the working sugar cane plantation and hacienda at Malacatos. Day 4 Drive to Podacarpus National Park. From the eco-lodge and bird sanctuary at Copalinga, explore on foot the forest trails bordered by giant podacarpus trees and orchids. The woods are brimming with bird species. Day 5 With a native guide, visit the communities of the Saraguros people, who still wear striking traditional dress and produce delicate handicrafts on ancient looms. Continue to colonial Cuenca by land . Day 6 Day at leisure to explore this charming town. Day 7 Drive to Guayaquil (below) via Las Cajas National Park. Day 8 By bus to Machalilla National Park on the Pacific coast via the panama hat manufacturers at Montecristi and a visit to Salago Museum. Accommodation for 3 nights at Mantaraya Lodge. Day 9 Full day trip to view the wildlife on Isla de la Plata with whale-watching Jun?Oct. Days 10&11 Visit the archaeological museum at Ayampe, Los Frailes beach and the Ayampe rainforest. Fly from Manta to Guayaquil, overnight. Day 12 Fly to the UK, arriving day 13. Prices from £1,995pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Regular departures from the UK ADVANTAGE ECUADORMETROPOLITAN TOURING

ADVANTAGE ECUADORMETROPOLITAN TOURINGThe rivers of the Ecuadorian Andes flow down into the Oriente, in the Amazon basin. A true wilderness of rainforest and remote indian communities, this is nevertheless an easily-accessible area of jungle for visitors. You can travel by air or land, journeys are short; although when you arrive in the lowlands there may be a longer canoe or light-aircraft journey to reach some of the more isolated lodges or cruise starting points.The isolated Kapawi Lodge is on a lagoon fed by the Rio Pastaza and is accessible only by air. Here live around 60 communities of the Achuar people who only came into contact with the 'modern' world 30 years ago but who now operate the lodge to show visitors their way of life. Activities here can be tailored to suit your interestsThe well-run Sacha and La Selva Lodges' offer the sort of remote wilderness experience you hope for at a jungle lodge. Comfortable accommodation is in thatched cabins and both lodges offer a menu of land and water-borne jungle excursions. Sacha has a 275m long canopy walkway (right), La Selva has a tower canopy.The Napo Wildlife Centre, a comfortable lodge on the Napo River in the Yasuni National Park, was built in a private reserve and is part of a community-based ecotourism project. There are two claylicks on the property where up to 800 individual birds may congregate. Also on the banks of the Napo is the Swiss-founded La Casa del Suizo, with electricity and pool: this is not a deep jungle experience but it is ideal for those who want a taste of jungle life whilst enjoying a drink in the local village.The MV Manatee, purpose-built for cruises in the Ecuadorian rainforest, takes up to 30 guests. Relax as you float down the river or join on-shore excursions, including nocturnal jungle walks, canoe trips into the Yasuni National Park, and piranha fishing. The Ecuadorian Amazon Napo Wildlife Centre was quite outstanding! And a privilege to be able to support the local community. DW, Finchley98 EcuadorTROPIC