By
simply heading east, the traveller can arrive in one of the most beautiful
and unspoilt regions of Ecuador. The
Ecuadorian Amazonia is one of the most easily accessible jungle zones
in South America and is a haven for nature-lovers.
Much of the rainforest remains unexplored and is only sparsely
populated with indigenous settlements along the tributaries of the great
rivers. There is, however, also a well-developed tourist infrastructure
which aims to provide visitors with the comfort and safety that they
need, while at the same time consciously preserving the natural habitat.
These tropical lowlands in the east of Ecuador represent
45% of the country’s territory. The dense primary forest is one of the
earth’s greatest ecosystems and is the home of an incredible diversity
of fauna, including howler monkeys, caimans, jaguars, freshwater dolphins
and over 700 species of birds and flora such as rare and beautiful orchids
and the immense ceiba tree.
ECJ01
Yacuma Lodge 4D/3N
Located on the shores of Napo River
in the Ecuadorian rainforest, Yacuma Lodge is simple, yet cozy and the
perfect destination for nature-lovers. It has 10 bungalows for 2 people
each and a separate dinning area, as well as a separate toilet and shower
area.
It is a place recommended for students
and for those not looking for first class comfort but it is the ideal
spot to observe and enjoy the unique flora of the Amazon Rainforest.
Day
1: We’ll leave Quito early in the morning and travel
in direction to Baeza. Lunch
in Baeza or Tena and then we will continue our journey to the shores
of Arajuno River. From here a short canoe ride will take us to visit
the very interesting Amazonico Animal Rescue Centre where we
will be able to observe different kinds of jungle wildlife. Later on
we will continue our car ride towards the indigenous village of Santa
Rosa. From here, we will travel downstream along
the Napo River by canoe, arriving at Yacuma Lodge in the late afternoon. Accommodations. (L, D). The visit to Amazonico Animal Rescue Centre in this day is only possible when the tour
is booked with private transport, otherwise the visit to this centre
will be done on the second or third day of the program.
Day
2:
After breakfast we’ll begin a 3-4 hour trek through
the rainforest. Along the way an indigenous guide will show us the many
species of plants and describe their medicinal purposes. With a little luck we will see monkeys and
birds such as oropendolas and parrots. After lunch we’ll visit the Quechua
indigenous community, where you will have the opportunity to learn about
local customs and the way of life of the native people of the jungle.
Later in the afternoon, you may like to enjoy a refreshing swim in the
river or try your hand at fishing. (B, L, D).
Day
3:
In the morning, we’ll travel further along the Napo River towards a jungle spot
where we can observe Caymans and huatzines, a prehistoric jungle bird.
Return to the lodge for lunch. Later in the afternoon, you will have the rare
opportunity to try panning for gold on the shores of the Napo River. We’ll also take you to a perfect spot for
bathing beside one of the sandy shores of the Sumino River. We’ll return to the
lodge late in the afternoon and after dinner we invite you to have a farewell
drink at our informal social evening.
(B, BL, D).
Day
4:
After breakfast we’ll begin our return journey along the Napo River to Santa
Rosa. From here transport will be provided back to Tena. Travel back to Quito. (B).
Included:
native
guide, bilingual guide, all entrance fees, noted meals, accommodation
in the lodge.
Transportation from and to Quito is not
included in the price of the tour (on request we can provide public bus
transportation or private transport).
Departures every Friday (minimum 2 passengers).
We can also arrange a 5-day trip with 1 night camping at the
shores of BuenoYacu River (departing every Monday with minimum 2 passengers).
ECJ02
Establo de Tomás Lodge 3D/2N
This lodge is comfortable
(but not luxurious). It has 10 bungalows with private facilities, electricity
and a separate kitchen and dinning area. It is located near to Tena
town and it is an ideal spot for families with children or travellers
looking for additional comfort.
Day 1:
We’ll depart from Quito early in the morning, passing the town of Pifo
on the way to Papallacta hot springs. From here we’ll continue in the
direction of Baeza until we reach Tena, considered one of the most important
towns in the Ecuadorian jungle. Upon
arrival we invite you a welcoming drink in the lodge.
Later in the afternoon, after a well deserved rest, you’ll have
the opportunity to visit an indigenous family from the region. (D)
Day 2: In the morning we will travel to the town of
Misahuallí by road. From here we’ll continue our journey by canoe along the
Napo and Arajuno Rivers. You will have
the opportunity to visit the Traps and Indian Museum, as well as the Amazonico
Animal Rescue Centre. We will return to
the lodge in the late afternoon. (B, BL, D)
Day 3: On the last
day of the tour, we’ll enjoy an early morning trek in the jungle in
the Shicu–Yacu area. In the afternoon we will return to Quito. (B)
Included: native guide, bilingual guide,
all entrance fees, noted meals, accommodation in the lodge in cabins
for 2.
Private transport from and to Quito is not
included in the price of the tour.
Departures any time with min
2 pax
A very good alternative for
those looking for a comfortable spot (not luxurious) but also looking
for deep jungle. It is located on the shores of
Yuturi River (5 hours canoe ride from Coca city) and it contains
a very great biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Day 1: Visitors fly from Quito to Coca, where the
tour begins. From here we will provide transportation to the river,
where a motor canoe will take us along the impressive Napo and Yuturi
rivers to our lodge. An evening
hike around Paraguaco Lake to observe the nocturnal animals completes
the day's activities. (D).
Day 2: Morning canoe trip on Yuturi Lake, where you
will be able to observe the transition from land vegetation to aquatic
vegetation and a wonderful diversity of birds, of which 500 species exist in
the area. Afterwards, we’ll explore Manduro Lake, and take pleasure in a hike
through the rainforest with the opportunity to see a variety of flora and
fauna. The jungle adventure continues
in the evening with a night navigation to observe caimans. (B, L, D)
Day 3: After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a walk through
the rainforest in the area of Huarmi Yuturi, where there will be more
opportunities to encounter the incredible diversity of rainforest flora and
fauna. Following this we’ll visit an
indigenous community, who will give you an insight into their traditional
customs and way of life. In the afternoon, our native guides will show you how
to use a blowpipe and weave baskets using local fibers before we head for “Isla
de los Chorongos” (“Monkey Island”) A walk to the observation tower, an ideal
location for birdwatchers, ends an exciting day. (B, L, D)
Day 4: After an early breakfast, we will return to
Coca by motorized canoe in time to catch the flight back to Quito. (B)
Included: native guide, bilingual guide,
noted meals, accommodation in the lodge, canoe transport from/to Coca
town.
Flights from/to Quito are not
included in the price of the tour.
Departures every Friday. We can also arrange a 5-day trip departing every Monday.
A more
luxurious (and more expensive) alternative. It is located on the shores
of the Napo River and offers very good opportunities to observe the
flora and fauna of the Ecuadorian rainforest.
Day
1: Visitors fly from Quito to the port of Puerto
Francisco de Orellana, where the trip begins. Here a shaded motorized
canoe will be waiting to take us on a 50-mile, 2½ hour trip down the
Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon itself. Upon arrival at our 5000-acre
private reserve, you will take your first walk along a raised boardwalk
through dense flooded palm forest where several species of monkeys are
often sighted. The path leads to Pilchicocha Lake, where dugout canoes
will transport you to the lodge. After a welcome cocktail and orientation
briefing, you will be shown to your comfortable rooms, which provide
24-hour electricity, private bathrooms with hot water showers, ceiling
fans and porches with hammocks overlooking the jungle. Later, there
is usually time to swim, do some bird-watching or visit a small lookout
with a scenic view of the lake and cabins before sunset. (D)
Day
2-3: Our guests will be divided
into small groups for activities, which will be led by both a native guide with
expert knowledge of the rainforest’s medicinal flora and other useful plants
for the art of survival, and a bilingual naturalistic guide with wide
experience of the biology and ecology of the area. Each group may decide on its
own wake-up and breakfast time, as well as the difficulty and duration of their
morning outings. (B, L, D)
Day
4:
After breakfast you will walk back out to the Napo River for the trip to Puerto
Francisco de Orellana, and the flight to Quito.
Included:
native
guide, bilingual companion, noted meals, accommodation in the lodge.
Flights from and to Quito are
not included in the price of the tour.
Departures every Friday. We can
also arrange a 5-day trip departing every Monday.
ECJ05 La Selva Lodge 4D/3N
A
more luxurious (and more expensive) alternative. It is located on the
shores of the Napo River and offers very good opportunities to observe
the flora and fauna of the Ecuadorian rainforest.
Day 1: Visitors fly from Quito to Coca, where you
will be met at the airport and provided with transport to La Selva Lodge.
Day 2-3 Optional
Excursions (see information below)
Day 4:
Transport will be provided to the airport in Coca, where you will be
able to take the flight back to Quito.
TREK IN THE
VECINITY OF THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY: To begin the tour, we will cross Garzacocha Lake. We
will then set off on a 2-3 hour walk on a purposely underdeveloped trail,
which provides some physical challenge. Half of the walk takes place
in primary forest and the other half passes the huts of our indigenous
neighbours along the Napo River.
MANDICOCHA TRAIL: An easy trail
close to the hotel in an area which is usually filled with wildlife
no matter what hour of the day you do it. The excursion can last as
long as you want.
MANDICOCHA-MANDIYACU: A 3 to 4 hour
trip. Follow the Mandicocha trail until you reach Mandicocha Lake, which
has a completely different ecosystem from Lake Garzacocha (where the
hotel is located). Board paddle canoes for a one and half hour glide
down Mandiyacu stream. One easily sees the myriad of wildlife that presents
itself along the shores of the stream. Arriving at the Napo River, board
a motorized canoe for the trip back to LA SELVA.
EL SALADO: This is a two-hour
excursion often combined with a picnic lunch and trips across the Napo
River (see following activities). Visit a site where, with a little
luck, parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen.
HIGH FOREST TRAIL: The duration of
this trail can vary from 3 to 5 hours. Cross the Napo River and arrive
at a challenging mountainous trail, which offers yet another ecosystem.
This is a chance to see birds and other wildlife seen nowhere else …
as well as a chance to eat lemon ants!
CHALLUACOCHA LAKE: This is a motorized
canoe trip down the Napo River, followed by a walk and a paddle canoe
trip to Challuacocha for a picnic at a shelter overlooking the lake. You will then have the opportunity to enjoy
some relaxing canoeing, fishing for piranhas, or a two-hour hike through
yet another unique forest.
PILCHE TRAIL: On this tour
we’ll firstly cross Garzacocha Lake and then walk for one hour or more. We’ll see an enormous colony of leafcutter
ants and whatever wildlife may come our way.
NIGHT EXCURSIONS: There are opportunities
to go on canoe or walking trips after dark to view nocturnal animals
such as caimans, monkeys, insect and owls. Sample the LA SELVA nightlife!
135 FOOT OBSERVATION TOWER: Not far from the
lodge you can spend many hours observing birds flying by at eye-level,
wildlife of all kinds, and yes, a bird's-eye view of it all.
BUTTERFLY FARM: This activity
is available every afternoon. Close to the lodge, you’ll be able to
watch and photograph butterflies at close range. With a little luck,
you’ll also witness the miracle of metamorphosis.
PEDRO'S TRAIL: Two versions of
this trip are available. You can either cross Garzacocha Lake, walk
through virgin forest, and arrive at the tower in about 4 hours or pass
by the Butterfly Farm and join the trail in the middle, which will take
just 2 hours.
CHAWAMANGO'S TRAIL: On this trip we
head east at Mandicocha trailhead and walk parallel to the lake, arriving
at Napo River. We’ll then return by elevated walkway and cross Garzacocha
by canoe. This trip takes about
3 hours.
LITTLE CHAWAMANGO: This is a short
trip by foot around the edge of Lake Garzacocha. We return to the lodge
by canoe.
RUTH'S TRAIL: Across Mandicocha,
the trail just goes on and on and on……. This is a very good place to
look for jaguars. The trail is named after the owner's mother.
Included: native guide, bilingual guide,
noted meals, accommodation in the lodge
Flights from and to Quito are
not included in the price of the tour.
Departures every Friday. We can
also arrange a 5-day trip departing every Monday.