Ecuadorian Amazon Eco Lodges

La Selva Lodge Itinerary:

• La Selva Lodge Description

  Join us for a unique, close-up view of rainforest flora and fauna on this special wildlife adventure in Ecuador. We make our home at famed La Selva Lodge, which in Spanish means “the jungle”. La Selva is nestled in a tropical garden setting of giant trees, brilliant blossoms and billowing ferns – the ideal sanctuary for rare, exotic wildlife and unique species of birds and butterflies. Our thatched-roof cabanas are built to blend into the rainforest environment, yet each has its own bathroom and hot shower. The bar and restaurant hug the lakeshore, ready for us to enjoy magical sunsets, tranquil views and glimpses of toucans and parrots. Please note that the lodge will be closed from mid-March through June 2012 for renovations.

• Day 1 Quito to Coca and the Rio Napo

  Your trip begins today in Quito, Ecuador.  An early departure from Quito’s domestic terminal, our flight to Coca (our port of entry into the Amazon) will be approximately 35 minutes.  Once we arrive into Coca, a representative will meet us at the airport and transfer us to the dock, where we board a private motorized canoe for a 2½-hour journey to La Selva Lodge.  A box lunch is served during the boat ride.  After reaching the river dock, we take a short walk to the shore of the Garzococha Lake, where we take a canoe ride (paddled by local guides) to the La Selva Lodge, located on the far side of the lake.  After getting settled in, we embark on our first excursion, followed by dinner.  Plane ride:  ½ hour, Boat ride 2½ hours, canoe ride 15 minutes.  All meals included at La Selva Jungle Lodge.

• Days 2-4 Jungle walks, Observation Tower, Parrot Clay Licks

  On these days, mornings begin with a 6:30 a.m. wake up. After breakfast, there’s a wildlife and birding walk through the forest to one of the sites listed below. Lunch is at 1 p.m. back at the lodge, followed by an afternoon excursion. Optional night birding excursions are also available on some nights.
  
  The meals served at La Selva—a variety of Ecuadorian style food and local fruit juices—are known to be quite delicious. There is plenty of complimentary bottled water for each guest, as well as complimentary coffee and tea. The lodge has limited electricity for recharging batteries. Lighting is supplemented by kerosene lanterns and flashlights.
  
  Mandicocha Trail: An easy trail close to the hotel, filled with wildlife any time of day.
  
  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 1 ½- 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: A two-hour excursion often combined with a picnic lunch and trips across the Napo River (see following). Visit a site where, with a little luck, you’ll see parrots, and parakeets by the thousands.
  
  Night Excursions:  Sample La Selva’s nightlife! Canoe or walking trips after dark to view nocturnal animals such as caiman, monkeys, insects and owls.
  
  135 Foot Observation Tower: Not far from the lodge you can spend many hours observing birds flying at eye-level, wildlife of all kinds, and yes, a bird’s-eye view of it all.
  
  Butterfly Farm:  Available every afternoon. Close to the lodge, watch and photograph butterflies at close range. With some luck, witness the miracle of metamorphosis.
  
  Birds: The lagoon and adjacent forest harbor such rarities as the zig zag heron, long tailed potoo, and harpy eagle along with over 450 other species of birds. Several species new to Ecuador have been found at La Selva Lodge including: Bartlett’s tinamou, stripe-backed bittern, tui parakeet, point-tailed palmcreeper, barred antshrike and little ground tyrant.

• Days 5 Wildlife viewing in the morning – return to Quito in the afternoon

  This morning we say good-bye to our jungle lodge and return to Quito. It’s an early wake-up call at 5 a.m. to prepare for the return trip. We retrace our route and arrive back in Quito in the afternoon. 
  Return travel to Quito:  6 hours. Breakfast and lunch included.
  

  REI Adventures shares non-exclusive departures with La Selva Lodge.

Napo Wildlife Center Itinerary:

• Napo Wildlife Center Description

  The Amazon Basin is famous for its wildlife, but not for its creature comforts. At the Napo Wildlife Center, you get the best of both worlds.  An alternative luxury ecohotel in Amazonian Ecuador, the Napo Wildlife Center is the finest example of community-based ecotourism in the country. It actively protects 82 square miles of the most pristine Amazon Rain Forest within the Yasunì National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rain forest in Ecuador. The Napo Wildlife Center is located by Anangucocha Lake, surrounded by the unique ancestral territory of the Anangu Quichua community. Professional guides, combined with the local knowledge of community members, will tailor your wildlife experience to your expectations and desires. This lodge can only be booked in conjunction with our Galapagos Islands Cruise or our Galapagos Islands Lodge to Lodge programs.

• Day 1 Quito to Coca and the Rio Napo

  Your trip begins today in Quito, Ecuador.  An early departure from Quito’s domestic terminal, our flight to Coca (our port of entry into the Amazon) will be approximately 35 minutes.  The flight will take you over the Eastern Andes Mountain Range, crossing the equator and looking into snow capped volcanoes over 5,790 meters above sea level (18,991 feet) to reach the headwaters of the Amazon Basin near the Napo River. After landing in Coca, NWC staff will greet passengers and take them for a short 5-7 minute transfer to embark on our covered motorized canoe. Here a comfortable breeze will accompany guests on a 2 hour boat ride downstream the largest Ecuadorian tributary of the Amazon, the Napo river. During this trip, numerous birds can be spotted along the way and they include: herons, kingfishers, ospreys, and many others, as one travels away into a more pristine and remote area.
  
  The boat will arrive to the northwest boundary of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve where NWC is located by the Anangucocha lake. To access the lodge, guests may either start a guided 1.5 miles hike on rich forest wildlife or embark on a quiet and enjoyable paddle dugout canoe ride with our staff for about 1 1/2 hours along a creek with dense flooded palm forest. Following any route, as people get deeper into this preserved area, they will be surprised by the oftentimes seen monkeys of several species, colorful birds and other amazing potential wildlife encounters. At the end of the walk, and near the end of the paddle, people will reach the Anangu Lake and have a superb view of the lodge waiting for them on the other side.  Lunch and dinner included.

• Day 2-4 Jungle Walks, Observation Tower, Parrot Clay Licks

  Visitors will be divided up into small groups, and lead by a native Anangu guide, who is also an official Yasuni Park Ranger and expert on the forest's secrets about medicinal plants and other useful items of the rain forest.  Groups will also have an excellent bilingual naturalist guide who is knowledgable in tropical forest biology. Both guides using their unmatchable enthusiasm, will create informative enjoyable excursions every day. Groups and guides will tailor their excursions while taking advantage of the highest peaks of activity and weather conditions in the forest. They will schedule their outings before dawn or at sunrise. This will maximize wildlife observation and of course each group will decide with their guides how extreme and intense they take their Amazon excursion.  This applies for afternoon excursions and night outings, when an overwhelming concert of natural sounds will flood the atmosphere.
  
  One of the highlights at NWC is going out on a very early excursion to reach two of Ecuador's most accessible parrot clay licks along the Napo region. These parrot clay licks are an exclusive part of their reserve and lodge territory.
  
  They have a history of being visited by naturalists and are mentioned in The Birds of Ecuador (Ridgely and Greenfield, 2001). These are just 2 of over a dozen clay licks found on the Anangu Community territory. The parrot clay licks can be reached by following the Giant Otter creek downstream on dugout canoe near the Napo river. The Napo Wildlife Center has exclusively constructed well established and comfortable blinds in each parrot lick in order to provide visitors best viewing and high quality photo/video opportunities.
  
  Activity kicks off at the main lick between 7 to 8 in the morning and at second blind after midday. Species include: Mealy, blue headed, yellow crowned, orange winged and orange cheeked parrots, cobalt winged, dusky headed and white eyed parakeets, with the occasional rarities like scarlet shoulder parrotlet and scarlet macaws. In best weather conditions at least 800 individuals of most species can be spotted and on other days, despite the rain, one can still see a few dozen. This could be a full day excursion visiting both blinds equipped with a nice freshly made box lunch, or a half day visiting the main lick and returning for a served lunch at the lodge.  All meals included.
  
  120 Foot Observation Tower:  The 120-ft. high canopy tower is 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.

• Day 5 Morning Wildlife Viewing, Afternoon Return to Quito

  This morning we say good-bye to our jungle lodge and return to Quito. It’s an early wake-up call to prepare for the return trip. We go back the way we came, arriving back in Quito in the afternoon. Breakfast and lunch included. 
  

  REI Adventures shares non-exclusive departures with Napo Wildlife Center.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedules listed above, these itineraries are just samples and are subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.

REI Adventures and our eco-lodge partners cannot assume responsibility for any problems arising from airlines, such as delays or lost luggage.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2] and includes a variety of activities ranging from easy day walks, moderate hikes in a warm, tropical climate and canoeing. Participants should be in good physical condition and consider beginning a regular exercise regimen 1-2 months prior to departure consisting of walking/hiking, running and/or swimming to prepare for this adventure. The better shape you’re in, the more you’ll be able to take advantage of the lodges’ nature trails and optional activities.

Although Ecuador lies on the equator, the country has a wide range of climates. The city of Quito, located at 9,350', has an average temperature of 55 to 75°F. In the tropical rainforest, it is best to be prepared for all kinds of weather. At times it can be hot and sunny, but a cool rainstorm may appear at a moment's notice during any time of the year and some guests are surprised at the need for a sweater.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Although Ecuador lies on the equator, the country has a wide range of climates. The city of Quito, located at 9,350', has an average temperature of 55 to 75°F. In the tropical rainforest, it is best to be prepared for all kinds of weather. At times it can be hot and sunny, but a cool rainstorm may appear at a moment's notice during any time of the year and some guests are surprised at the need for a sweater.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, hiking boots, a pair of shorts/shirt/fleece top/sandals and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring quick-dry synthetics such as REI’s Sahara Convertible pants with Supplex® nylon.
• Bring clothing that is lightweight and protects you from the sun. Muted earthtone colors are best for wildlife viewing. It is always good to have a lightweight fleece jacket or sweater, especially for the evenings.
• Bring US dollars in small denominations ($1, $5) for bar bills and Artesania purchases.
• Rubber boots are best for visiting the jungle. The lodge provides them (up to size 12). Be sure to bring liner socks to wear with the rubber boots.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
• Plastic bags are great for keeping clothing and gear dry. Use Ziploc bags to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes.
• If you wear prescription glasses, use a safety cord and bring an extra pair if possible. Contact lens wearers should also bring an extra set, or bring eyeglasses for a backup.
• Space for luggage is limited. Baggage allowance for the flight from Quito to Coca is a maximum of 15 kg / 33 lb. You may also bring a small carry-on bag.