The Ultimate Andes to Amazon Adventure

Yes. The host for this trip has advised Much Better Adventures (in May 2025) that a statement was received by them from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health saying that it is a requirement for all travellers to the Amazon region to present certification showing that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever. This is regardless of your nationality or previous travel itinerary. If you have any questions about this requirement then please raise these with your host if you have already booked.

The Travel Health Pro lists the Amazon provinces of Ecuador as destinations where a yellow fever vaccination is recommended.

Yasuní National Park is widely recognised by world scientists as the most biologically diverse place on the planet and is recognised by UNESCO as an important biosphere reserve. The reserve is located inside the Amazon basin, at the base of the Andes mountain range, and very close to the equator line. It is the convergence of these three distinct ecosystems which gives it such astonishing local-scale biodiversity. In addition to the flora and fauna it protects, Yasuní is also special because it's the territory of the Huaorani (or Waorani) people, an indigenous hunter-gatherer community who depend on primary forests for their existence. Although many Amazonian sub-tribes are now in touch with the modern world, some tribes remain in total isolation, deep in the forest. During this trip you'll have the chance to meet some members of the community who are open to sharing their customs and culture with visitors, usually involving traditional music, dance, ceremony, and food.

To this day, over 99% of Yasuní thankfully remains untouched by humans. Yet, as with other regions of the Amazon, the forest is under increasing threat – with the principal risks being oil drilling, deforestation, illegal logging and unsustainable hunting. In 2023, Ecuador held an important referendum regarding the future of oil exploitation within the borders of Yasuní National Park. Backed by years of environmentalists' campaigning, almost 60% of Ecuadorians voted to stop oil operations within Yasuní. But the fight is by no means over, and the forest does remain under threat.

This Yasuní rainforest is one of the world's best biodiversity hotspots, containing 1300 tree species, around 600 bird species, around 400 fish species, and at least 170 species of mammals, including lowland tapirs, white-lipped peccaries, jaguars, bush dogs, short-eared dogs, and 13 species of primates. Whilst wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, with a bit of luck you're fairly likely to some of the following: monkeys, squirrels, deer, capybaras, agoutis, caiman, lizards, snakes and a wide array of birdlife. The following birds are all present, and whilst you won't see all of them you're sure to see some of these beauties: toucans, parrots, macaws, eagles, kites, hawks, falcons, hoatzin, cuckoos, troupials, honeycreepers, woodpeckers, thrushes, owls, nighthawks, nightjars, tanagers, weavers, orioles, oropendolas, caciques, herons, egrets, kingfishers, plovers, sandpipers, cormorants, aningas... to name just a few!

Yes! The Galapagos archipelago is an incredible places to visit: the rare and wonderful flora and fauna that abound on the islands is truly spectacular. Supplementing this adventure in mainland Ecuador with a few days in the Galapagos before or after the trip will allow you to explore the best of Ecuador in one go. Time and budget dependent, you can either choose to add on our bestselling Island Hopping Adventure in the Galapagos before this trip (dates are scheduled to match back-to-back) or if you prefer, you can explore the Galapagos independently for a few days after this tour. You can contact your host for this option – they offer a great variety of extensions and tours in the islands.

Should external factors (such as severe weather conditions or unsuitable water levels in the rivers and canyons) cause alterations to what is possible, then the ordering of the above itinerary and/or the duration of the activities in each location may have to change. The local host will endeavour to ensure that any replacement activities are of a similar style.

A certified, English-speaking main guide will be with the group throughout the trip and will join all activities. In addition, you'll have a local naturalist guide in the Amazon and specialist activity guides for rafting and canyoning.

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 60 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures and challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community and the environment.

The tap water in mainland Ecuador is not always friendly on the stomach for those who haven't been in Latin America for a while. There is purified water in each of the accommodation which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

There really is no 'best' time to visit Ecuador and the Amazon, as any time of year offers a great chance to experience the places included in this itinerary. In the Amazon, May and June tend to be the wetter months, but the climate is slightly cooler as well. July through December see a decline in the amount of rain that falls each month. The average temperature in the jungle remains around 25°C (77°F) year-round, but during the dry season, daytime temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F). In Baños, the climate is variable and mostly mild, with temperatures ranging from 18-30°C and cooler evenings. Rainfall is possible at any time of year.