Itinerary tour 6 days – 5 nights

DAY 1:

Departing from Quito, take a 30 minute flight over the eastern Andes mountain range to the jungle city of Coca. You´ll be transferred from the airport to the river port where you will embark on a two and a half hour journey up the Napo River on a comfortable, covered motorized canoe. Depending on weather conditions the ride to the hotel could be also by car. Same time is used by canoe or car.

A lunch box will be served in the canoe during your journey to the Lodge.

Once you arrive at the Lodge, you will receive a warm welcome from the staff accompanied by a refreshing beverage and a brief introduction to the facilities

Afterwards you will have time to visit the butterfly house, scenic lookouts or enjoy a rest in your hammock.

In the afternoon you will learn to prepare jungle chocolate. Our chef will teach you about the process from collecting the cacao to preparing high quality organic chocolate.

Enjoy a delicious dinner and afterwards explore the mysteries of the forest on a night walk with your guide.

Day 2:

During the morning you will visit Yachana Technical High School and discover a unique model of sustainable education. Interact with students from four different Amazon ethnic groups while you learn about their life in the rainforest.

Learn from the students about the school´s different productive areas including sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, conservation, micro- enterprise, and ecotourism.

Discover the different technological innovations that Yachana Foundation is developing to improve the quality of life in the Ecuadorian Amazon. In the micro-enterprise area the students will explain the various projects including assembly of water filtration systems, bamboo lamps and production of traditional handicrafts.

You will also visit the organic farm where the students produce 35% of the food consumed at both the school and the lodge.

Return to the lodge for a traditional cooking demonstration with indigenous Kichwa chefs in a typical “choza” and learn to prepare typical foods from the region such as maito of tilapia, chontacuros and jungle salads. Afterwards, enjoy the foods you have prepared for lunch.

During the afternoon you will visit a local healer for a traditional cleansing ceremony and have the opportunity to test your skills at using a blowgun and spear.

Afterwards enjoy a refreshing swim and float down the river on inner tubes.

Before dinner try an exotic jungle drink in the bar while enjoying the sunset and spectacular view of the Napo River and the Andes mountains in the distance.

DAY 3:

Early departure to Coca, arrival approximately at 11:00 in order to take the canoe that will take us to Napo Wildlife Center. Here we start a canoe ride along the Napo River for about 2 hours approximately, 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 1 hour 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. Late afternoon arrival to the NWC lodge by the overwhelming view of the Añangu Lake, welcome drink and facilities. After dinner optional cayman (alligator) observation around the lake and natural sounds at night.

DAY 4:

Early wake up to reach the best and easy access parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge, guests reach there just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between 7:30 to 8:30. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen. A visit that depends on weather conditions but usually successful. Later, hike along forest trail to visit to the Kichwa community of Añangu and sharing time with a family on their activities. Return to the creek and hike through a Terra Firm Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive to the second parrot clay lick where if the weather conditions help will be able to find different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws. Lunch box served at the parrot clay lick observatory. Late afternoon: arrival to the lodge.

DAY 5:

After early breakfast, 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 firm 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 to the highest standards, galvanized, and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is the priority. The platform at the top of the tree was constructed by tree platform specialists as well. From top to bottom, there is no finer canopy experience in Eastern Ecuador. Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-and yellow Macaws fly past, in nearby trees Spider 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. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center!! Lunch served at the lodge. Afternoon visit to a terra firm trail, hike along primary forest to discover the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manakeen or the unique and endemic Golden mantle tamarin monkeys. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe with great possibilities of running into a Giant otter family on the way…

DAY 6:

Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo River, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. Entry docking area, use of restrooms and embarking on motorized canoe in order to return back to Coca, arrival approximately after 2 hours boat ride up river, in order to check for Coca – Quito flight, schedule to be announced according to departure details and arrangements.

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.

Services offer by both lodges:

• Napo Wildlife Center & Yachana Lodge are a Smart Voyager-certified eco lodges that implements sustainable tourism practices.
• Provide comfortable, spacious rooms with ventilation, lighting, and private bathrooms with hot water.
• The kitchen staff prepares traditional dishes with organic products grown by the students of Yachana Technical High School. A wide variety of dishes are offered, most of which exemplify the traditional cuisine of the Amazon region.
• Transportation is by motorized canoe, which has a roof, comfortable seats, life jackets, and is operated by a highly experienced canoe operator.
• The local community guides have many years of experience working in the Amazonia. The guides intimately know the forest and the species that inhabit it, as well as guiding techniques and work well with groups.

Sales:
Napo Wild Life Center

Mariela Cárdenas
Phones: 593-2-600-5893
e-mail: marketing@napowildlifecenter.com

Yachana Lodge

David Rovere
Phones: 593-2-250-5108
e-mail: sales@yachana.com

Price:

TOUR 6 DAYS – 5 NIGHTS US$1200
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT US$600

All prices are per person, valid through 2010 and are quoted in US dollars for adults. Children under 12% get discount on hotel prices in same parents room, and 50% on airfare. Children under 5 free in the same parents room and 50% on airfare.

INCLUDED:

Accommodation, all meals, pure water, river transportation and local Coca airport transfers, all excursion, including Añangu Kichwa Community and visits to the exlcusive NWC´s parrot-macaw clay licks. Native guide and naturalist bilingual guide, Yasuni National Park entrance fee, rain poncho, and rubber boots provided when needed for excursion.

NOT INCLUDED

Drinks, gratuities and any other item not specified.

DEPARTURES

We have setup special dates to operate these tours, please check the list.

Sales:
Napo Wild Life Center

Mariela Cárdenas
Phones: 593-2-600-5893
e-mail: marketing@napowildlifecenter.com

Yachana Lodge

David Rovere
Phones: 593-2-250-5108
e-mail: sales@yachana.com