Considered to be one of the best jungle lodges in the Amazon jungle. Napo Wildlife Center is a unique and unforgettable experience. The lodge itself is beautiful with local architecture, hardwood floors and well considered amenities.
Nearby blinds built at parrot clay licks bring the action to you, a 120-foot canopy tower deep in the forest allows you to experience the life above the forest floor, and the natural attractions are simply unmatched in Amazonian Ecuador.
Your trip starts by taking a plane to Coca from Quito or Guayaquil. On arrival, a beatiful ride on the Napo River on canoe will give you your first sights of the Amazon forest and its beauty. During your stay here, you will visit some unique sights, like the parrot clay licks. We have constructed blinds at two of the clay licks of the Napo Wildlife Center Reserve Area – the most accessible parrot and macaw clay licks in Ecuador. Another unique sight, is our 120-ft. (36m) high canopy tower opened to guests in November 2004 and is a great way to experience the life above the forest floor.
Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-and-yellow Macaws fly past, in nearby trees Spider and Howler monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy opens before you (lucky guests have even seen both Harpy Eagles and Crested Eagles in a single morning!). Animals that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. Monkeys, Parrots, and Giant Otters during the day, with the comfort of a hot shower, tasty dinner, and a cold beer at the end of the day.
This is the way to see the rainforest in luxury, just what you have been looking for..
Tour includes:
-Accommodations
-All meals and pure water
-Transfer from Coca’s airport to the lodge
-All activities described
-Native guide and naturalist bilingual guide
-Yasuni National Park entrance fee
-Rain poncho and rubber boots provided when needed for excursions.
Not included:
- Ticket Quito-Coca-Quito
-Drinks
-Ggratuities
-Any other item not specified.
DAY 1
We will depart from Quito and after a 30 minutes flight we will be landing in Coca, where a Chiva will pick us up to take us to Francisco de Orellana. Once there we will embark onto a comfortable, covered motor boat. Here we start a ride along the Napo River for about 2. Hours approx, lunch box in route.
Along the way birds like herons, kingfishers and others can be spotted. After arriving at NWC’s entry dock we disembark for restroom then take a majestic and peaceful 1h dugout canoe ride surrounded by trees overhead, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located.
Good possibilities of monkey sights of various species as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. By late afternoon we will arrive to Napo Wildlife Lodge while being overwhelmed by the Añangu Lake, we will enjoy of a welcome drink and will have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the lodge’s facilities. After dinner there is an optional Cayman (alligator) observation around the lake and natural sounds at night.
DAY 2
Early wake up to reach the best, and easier to access, parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen.
Later, we will hike along the forest trail to visit to the Quichua community of Añangu and share time with a native family. We will then return to the creek and hike through a Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive to the second parrot clay lick. Box lunch at the parrot clay lick observatory.
DAY 3
After an early breakfast, we will depart from the lodge to the finest experience at a canopy tower on the Napo. A 36m high canopy tower opened to guests in November 2004, a great way to experience the life above the forest floor. This is the second tower at the Napo Wildlife Center (the first is attached to the dining hall and allows great views of the lake).
The canopy tower is located about 20 minutes from the lodge deep within the terra firme forest. As you ascend the 12-story tower, you pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually built into the tree and experience the view formerly reserved only for the birds. The metal tower itself was constructed by the highest standards, galvanized, and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is the priority. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center!!
We will head back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon we will explore new terra firme trails.
DAY 4
Early departure and our last excursion will be canoeing back to the Napo River, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. We will finish our trip and head to Quito.
Additional Day(s): Optional excursions such as hikes through different trails and forest types. Canoe rides exploring deeper areas of surrounding creeks with more wildlife possibilities, additional mammal clay lick excursion, and handicraft workshop with the local community among other options.
PLEASE NOTE: this is a sample itinerary subject to change due to weather conditions, safety and particular interests of guests and groups. Changes and additions are made in order to maximize wildlife viewing and wilderness enjoyment, cultural interaction with local people, and all possible time at the richest rain forest in Ecuador: the Yasuni National Park.
