The first thing I have to say is, for me, the most important... This trip was absolutely life-changing and transformative. The second thing is that it was incredibly thoughtful, well-organized, engaging, informative travel from the heart. The time we spent at the various ecolodges and in and around Quito, was coordinated such that it provided authentic immersion into the cultural and natural ecosystems, while being a thoughtful and important transition to and from our week spent with the Cofán indigenous community in the Cuyebeno Reserve, in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Jacquie, our Ecuadorian guide, was phenomenal in her knowledge of flora and fauna, of Ecuadorian history and all of the complex cultural layers of this country was outstanding. I've never had the opportunity to experience such a phenomenal guide in my travels to Central and South America. Her sense of humor, engaging personality and keen intelligence, as well as her ability to connect meaningful with both trip attendees and the locals engaged with while travel, was really a paramount piece to what made this trip so enjoyable. I already miss her and it's only been a few weeks since my return home! Our week with the Cofán, including the three days and two nights we spent on the Zabalo River, at the location of the first Quiet Park International, was an experience that I hold deep gratitude for and that I will hold onto tightly for the rest of my life. This part of the trip is one that requires an open heart, open mind, flexibility, keen awareness of the sacred cultural and natural ecosystems you have been invited to visit as a guest and as such, it will be one where the rewards are not measured by the comforts of home but the genuine empathy and significant humility and gratitude that is cultivated as you remain open and aware of what is around you. If you're seeking this type of travel, a trip where you return as a person who is more aware and in awe, then this trip is exactly the one for you.

I had the best time on this carefully curated trip. It was clear that Angie and Jacquie put so much thought and care into each decision, and they anticipated every possible need we might have throughout the trip. Every experience was unforgettable, from the views to the wildlife to the food to the incredible people they introduced us to along the way. I had so much fun paddling and swimming in the rivers, hiking through the forests, and birdwatching, but I also so much appreciated the expertise and respect for the local culture and way of life that Jacquie and Angie brought to the experiences. I don't know how I'll ever travel without the two of them again. Can't recommend this trip enough!

Words can't even begin to describe how special this trip was. Angie and Jacquie created an amazing itinerary for us, with bonus surprises along the way. Angie's experience living in Ecuador gave her unique insights into what U.S. travelers would want to know in advance to be knowledgeable and comfortable throughout our travels, and her deep knowledge of birds transformed me into a birder over the course of our trip! Jacquie's two decades in tourism were a real asset as well; it seemed that everywhere we went, Jacquie knew the business owners and local families — or even if she didn't know them already, she quickly created a genuine rapport with them. Both guides brought such thoughtfulness and care to planning each step of our journey, and you can tell both have a deep respect for the people and land we visited. I would travel anywhere with these two!