Tropic - Ecuador Mainland
Journeys in Nature
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TROPIC, founded in 1994, grew out of the need for a tourism operator which could demonstrate that environmental protection and cultural respect can be compatible with running a successful business.
While many of Ecuador's (and the world's) most valuable and beautiful regions are falling victim to insensitive 'development' at the hands of the oil, timber and monoculture industries causing a tragic loss of biodiversity, now more than ever it is necessary to create viable economic alternatives which give value to this ecological and cultural richness.
At TROPIC we believe one of the best ways of conserving an area - whether it be tropical rainforest in the Amazon, paramo grasslands or Andean cloudforest, mangrove forests on the coast or the incredible uniqueness of Galápagos - is by taking people to these areas to experience their magic first hand.
The interest and respect which our clients show for these sensitive areas and indigenous communities also strengthens values and encourages the survival of traditional knowledge which has suffered erosion and unappreciation for too long.
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Expertise and Specialisation
Tropic are specialists in ecotourism, community-based tourism and sustainable tourism.
Our naturalist guides are bilingual experts and committed conservationists. They always work with a local or indigenous guide, both to provide the visitor with a higher quality experience, as well as to ensure that the people who live in these special areas are benefiting economically from tourism and thus have an incentive to conserve their environment.
The interest and respect which our clients show for these indigenous communities also strengthens values and encourages the survival of traditional knowledge which has suffered erosion and unappreciation for too long.
In other words, we don't see ecotourism as a catchword for enticing unsuspecting conservation - conscious clients, but as an ongoing project for sustainable development in the world's last remaining natural treasures which provides abundant possibilities for cultural interaction beneficial for both sides.
So with TROPIC Journeys in Nature, you not only get excellent professional service from our experienced multi-lingual staff, but also the assurance that your visit to the Galápagos, the Amazon, the Andes and the Pacific Coast is having a positive environmental and cultural impact.
Licences and Associations
• Tropic is proud active member of the board and affiliate of ASEC. (The Ecuadorian Ecotourism Association)
• Associated to TIES: The International Ecotourism Association
• We are also legally registered and the Ministry of Tourism.
Responsible Travel
Award-winning operation on mainland Ecuador and in the Galapagos Islands, Tropic journeys in nature are specialized in providing high-quality travel experiences in Ecuador’s most spectacular natural areas in the company of its indigenous peoples.
At least 10% of our profits is donated to environmental protection programmes in Ecuador, through our related nonprofit Acción Amazonía and including The Cuyabeno Defense Committee, the Amazon Defense Front, the Amazon Environmental Monitoring Network, the Huaorani Peoples' Organization (ONHAE), the Huaorani Community of Quehueri'ono, the Galápagos Guides Club and others.
Galapagos Islands
Season: Year round
Wildlife here shows no fear of humans, making it possible to safely interact and examine their breath-taking beauty up close. Our clients might swim with sea lion pups, sunbathe with marine iguanas or simply marvel at leaping dolphins in the clear blue waters.
Andes Highlands
Season: Year round
The rich soils in the Inter Andean Valley of the Volcanoie made this the center of the Spanish colonization of the Northern Andes. These places allow us to plan forays into the surrounding national parks, native communities and markets to our clients. These colonial vestiges are within Quichua-speaking world filled with skilled artisans and cowboys.
Explore the hustle and genuine bustle of a local market day at Saquisili or Otavalo in the morning and spend the afternoon on the snow-capped peak and slopes of Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano, or relax in the open air geothermal springs at the Cayambe Coca Ecological reserve.
Cloud Forest
Season: Year round
The cloud forest is an ecosystem where, for much of the year, the mist-shrouded trees bend under the weight of moisture-filled mosses, ferns, bromeliads and other epiphytes. On the slopes of the Andes between the rainforest and the Paramo, the cloud-forest is the home to the spectacle bear.
An enormous diversity of bird species also inhabits this ecosystem including the spectacular Toucan Barbet and Crimson-Rumped Toucanet, named as ‘important bird area’ over 550 species of birds have been seen just in this zone and is home of five globally threatened and 36 endemic species.
Amazon Rainforest
Season: Year round
Plumes of squawking parakeets color the sky as they swirl above the dense green forest canopy. Screaming pihas punctuate the myriad calls of katydids and the chorus of tiny frogs. The Amazon is well known for its rich biodiversity, yet in the small piece of the Amazon Basin that falls within Ecuador’s borders, species diversity is off the charts. All converge to assail the senses with the ultimate ‘sensurround’, 3-D experience – The Amazon.
The Huaorani, Secoyas and other natives tribes share the Amazon ecosystem with all other living things, you can see this world through their eyes, and learn what It means for the rainforest to be their home.
Pacific Coast
Season: Year round
Famous for its cultural mixture and history, the Pacific coast is a testimony to Ecuador’s oldest pre – Incan cultures.
Besides its cultural richness, the coast of Ecuador possesses a great variety of ecosystems such as mangrove, dry and rainy forest and coral reefs.
Our Pacific coast also receives every year from June to October a group of very special guests: humpback whales. The feeling of seeing a whale for the first time at sea is a mysterious, elemental and deeply moving experience.
Food and Beverages
Different food and drink can be found everywhere we go, depending upon local produce and specialities.
In the Huaorani Community Amazonian Ecolodge we bring in all our food, to ensure we do not impact upon the local communities substistance.
Accommodation
Where ever possible, we like to stay in properties that fit in with our high standards for ecological and social welfare in the places we visit.
Many of the hotels we use are certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
Transport
We work with a number of reliable transport providers within Ecuador, and have dreams of developing more ecological alternatives in the future!
Local Guides
Our naturalist guides are bilingual experts and committed conservationists. They always work with a local or indigenous guide, both to provide the visitor with a higher quality experience, as well as to ensure that the people who live in these special areas are benefiting economically from tourism and thus have an incentive to conserve their environment.
Age Restrictions
We can usually cater for anyone and everyone, but this can vary depending upon the holiday you chose.
Please check when you make your enquiry.
What to Bring
The Galapagos is a different world to the high Andes, which is again entirely different from the jungle, so what you pack depends entirely upon which trip you choose.
Please check with us at the time of your enquiry.
Below are the standard Terms and Conditions for booking a trip with TROPIC.
Please note that there are additional terms related to the Huaorani Community Lodge. These are displayed on the Tour profile pages.
The Nature of the Trips
Tropic specialises in trips that run mostly in remote or developing areas.
You must be aware of the possible dangers of this type of travel (e.g. limited medical facilities in some areas, mountain and river travel, non standard accommodation), and that conditions can mean a greater risk of discomfort, sickness, theft, natural disaster, etc.
Booking a Trip
• Deposit: 20% of the whole amount per person at the moment of confirmation.
• 180 days prior to the excursion departure date, a second deposit of 30% is required.
• 60 days prior to departure, full payment is required.
If the balance is not paid in time we reserve the right to cancel your booking, retain your refund, and apply the cancellation charges shown bellow.
Cancellation Fees
• If cancellation is received before 120 days prior to the excursion date the first deposit will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
• If cancellation is received between 119 and 60 days prior to the excursion date the first and the second deposit will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
• If cancellation is received between 59 or less days prior to the excursion date: 100% of the full cost.
Payment Procedures
• Credit Card (Visa and Mastercard)
• Cash or travellers checks
• Western Union (Quick Payment)
• Bank transfer in US Dollars
Credit Card payments
Our staff will send you a credit card authorization form.
Important note: We use a third-party company to help us process credit card payments, so you will receive an auto-emailed receipt from info@adventureengine.com, and it is Adventure Engine that will appear on your credit card statement.
Adventure Engine is a Canadian Booking Company facilitating this secure transaction.
Although you have been shopping in US$ currency, you are now being redirected back to our secure Canadian Merchant Services Checkout from Adventure Engine. The exact amount in US$ that will be charged to your credit card may vary from the trip price depending on the exchange rate in Canadian dollars and fees your credit card company uses at the time of the transaction.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this.
Information to send a wire transfers
Details are available on request, when you make your enquiry.
Price
The prices quoted may be subject to surcharges on the following: currency fluctuation, aircraft fuel costs, local transport costs, dues, taxes or fees for services such as landing taxes or embarkation, or dis-embarking fees at ports or airports, governmental actions. We will absorb amounts up to 2% of the trip cost. Amounts over this will be passed on to you, though if this means more than a 10% increase on your trip cost you are entitled to cancel your booking and claim a full refund, providing that such a claim is made within 7 days of notification.
Health Requirements
Make sure you have sufficient supplies of any prescription medicine, it might be wise to bring a small personal first aid kit, including any patent medicines your prefer. You are the responsible for taking all necessary health precautions before and during your trip. It is the client's responsibility to ensure they seek professional medical advice before travelling and to take all necessary health precautions and preventative measures.
Children and Infants
The risks of taking children on a trip are entirely the responsibility of the adults accompanying them.
Responsibility
TROPIC Ecological Adventures Cia. Ltda. acts only as agent for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by surface, air or water, by whatever means of transport whether it be mechanical, non-mechanical or animal and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, death, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or other means of transport or for any reason whatsoever or through the act of default of any hotels, carrier, boat, restaurant, company or person rendering any of the services included on the trip, or any other circumstances beyond their direct control.
Tropic and or its agents accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to the delay or changes in air schedules, loss of (or damage to) baggage or any article belonging to the passenger, sickness, personal health, weather, strikes, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, epidemics, conditions of trails, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, wars, accidents, chance, acts of God, force majeure or other causes. Any and all such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated.
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