Napo Wildlife Center

The ultimate experience for nature lovers where the lungs of the earth will revitalize you!

The Research for the Napo-reserve is an environmental tourism project that has the aim to conserve and protect approximately 82 square miles (more than 21,400 square acres) of the tropical jungle within the National Park Yasuní, an important biosphere reserve by UNESCO and the largest forest part of Ecuador.

Leave city life behind and escape to our eco-community for a life-altering experience you will cherish. Spanning nearly 2.5 million acres of lush Amazonian rainforest, Ecuador’s Yasuní National Park is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

This is a mesmerizing place unlike any other! Our facility is the only one of its kind located within the vibrant heart of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on our planet, spanning nearly 2.5 million acres of lush rainforest. The Ecuadorian Amazon is home to more than 600 bird species. The splendors of the Amazon are unforgettable. 

Our 4 days – 3 nights premium tour includes canoe trips along lakes and rivers, forest excursions, and birding tours. Experience an incredible adventure paddling a small canoe on a tranquil stream, or hike on one of the 16 forest trails. Get a close-up view of the spectacular wildlife living in Yasuní National Park, a sacred land known as one of the most diverse regions on the planet.

Included:
- Accommodation at Napo Wildlife Centre
- All meals as indicated in itinerary
- Excursions as described in the itinerary
- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Transfers in/out from Coca airport

Day 1: Fly to Coca and transfer to lodge

Departing from Quito, a 30 minute flight to Coca will bring you over the eastern Andes mountain range. After landing during the mid-morning, a 5 min transfer will take you to “La Mision” Port, where you will embark on a comfortable covered motor-boat. Here we will ride along the Napo River for about 2 hours while enjoying a box lunch and coffee, which is provided en route.

Along the way, you will have opportunities to spot birds like herons, kingfishers, and others. After arriving at Napo Wildlife Center’s entry dock, we disembark for a short break and to visit the restroom. Next, we take you on a majestic and peaceful 2 hour paddle canoe ride surrounded by trees and wildlife, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located.

There will be chances to see some species of monkeys as well as large birds like toucans, parrots, or even macaws. A late afternoon arrival to Napo Wildlife Center with an overwhelming view of the Añangu Lake will be accompanied by a welcome drink followed by a briefing from the local manager.

The luxurious Napo Wildlife Center is nestled on a small ridge at the edge of a great jungle lake surrounded by the beautiful Amazon rainforest. The Napo Wildlife Center offers visitors a number of vantage points from which to admire and experience the spectacular, awe-inspiring diversity of the Amazon Basin. 

Climb the 120-ft. High galvanized-metal stairs to the jungle tower for otherwise impossible eye-to-eye views of canopy dwellers such as monkeys, eagles and macaws...Spy on clay licks teeming with parrots and occasionally visited by jungle cats or a magnificent elephant-muzzled tapir...Experience Man's ageless interaction with the jungle through the native community's perspective

Enjoy evening walks to witness the astounding nightlife of the dense, entangled understory...Explore the many trails through "terra firme", "varzea" and swamp forest in search of the best that Amazonia has to offer. 

With capacity for 40 passengers based on double accommodation, the Napo Wildlife Center is a good example eco-tourism projects. The community has invested in an environmental and unique system, probably the best and most advanced of the Amazonia. 

All waste water is processed to maintain the swamps clean. Also the energy is generated by solar panels, industrial batteries and silent generators, which is an efficient system with minimal environmental impacts. Each room is equipped with 

• Electricity
• Safe deposit box
• Water
• Porch with seats and view to the lagoon
• Amenities: Slippers, bathrobe, bath salts
• 100% cotton towels

Wake up for an early breakfast and an early start to reach the most accessible parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge. Guests reach this destination just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between 7:30 to 8:30am to ensure the best viewing experience. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets, and macaws can be seen on a daily basis. Many other animals also visit on a less frequent basis.

Later, hike along a forest trail to visit the Kichwa Community of Añangu and share time with a family on one of their many activities. Enjoy lunch at Napo Cultural Center, where you share with people of the Kichwa community.

Then return to the creek and hike through a Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive at the second parrot clay lick. If the weather conditions permit, we will be able to find different species of parrots, parakeets, and even macaws.

When you arrive back at the lodge during the late afternoon or early evening, a delicious dinner will be awaiting you.

After another early breakfast, we leave the lodge to experience an amazing view of the rainforest from a 36 meter tall canopy tower, a great way to see the hustle and bustle of life above ground-level. This is the second tower at the Napo Wildlife Center, located about 30 minutes from the lodge deep within the Terra Firme forest. As you ascend the 12-floor tower, you pass through different levels of the forest and emerge at the top of a huge Ceiba tree.

Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree. Blue-and-yellow macaws fly past while, in nearby trees, adorable spider monkeys search for fruit. Two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy is laid out before you. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, usually oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center!

Lunch is served at the lodge. Your afternoon can include discovering another Terra Firme trail, where we hike along primary forest to see the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manakins, or the unique and endemic Golden-mantled tamarin monkey. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks in a dugout canoe and enjoy a likely chance meeting with our local Giant otter family on the way.

Your last day will entail an early departure and final 2 hour excursion canoeing back to the Napo River. The creek may reveal new sights of giant otters, monk saki monkeys, and rare birds along the way. Once we have reached the river, you will transfer to the motorized canoe to return the way you came. 

You will arrive in Coca after an approximately 2 hour boat ride in order to check-in for your Coca – Quito flight. Precise schedule to be announced according to departure details and arrangements.