Quito – Napo Wildlife Center
AM: After a rewarding 30-minute flight over the eastern Andes to the city of Puerto Francisco de Orellana (El Coca), followed by a 10-minute private transfer, we will welcome you at our private dock. Here, you may take a moment to relax, refresh, and enjoy a welcoming drink.
From this point, we begin an approximately two-hour journey along the Napo River aboard our spacious, covered motorboats, specifically designed for a comfortable and secure transfer. A box lunch will be served during the navigation before arriving at the Napo Wildlife Center welcoming area.
Here, we will transition to one of our paddled canoes, marking the beginning of one of the most iconic Napo Wildlife Center experiences. Our staff will skillfully paddle while you enjoy a silent, serene journey through a narrow creek, an ideal setting for spotting various species of monkeys and exotic birds.
Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be greeted with a refreshing drink and light snacks, followed by a brief welcome and introduction to your stay by the manager. Afterward, you will be escorted to your comfortable cabin overlooking the jungle to settle in and begin soaking in the surroundings.
In the evening, one of our expert guides will provide a detailed presentation of the upcoming activities and an introduction to the Napo Wildlife Center's conservation project, which is managed by the Kichwa Añangu Community and dedicated to the preservation of Yasuní National Park. The day concludes with a dinner at the lodge.
Parrot Clay Lick – Indigenous Community Visit
AM: After breakfast, we depart by paddled canoe along the Añangu Creek to the welcoming area, where we switch to a motorized canoe to visit one of the most emblematic sites in the Yasuní National Park: the Parrot Clay Licks along the Napo River.
We will arrive just as the intense morning activity begins, the perfect time to observe groups of parrots descending to feed on essential minerals. Species often sighted here include the Mealy Parrot, Blue-headed Parrot, Yellow-crowned Parrot, and Dusky-headed Parakeet.
The expedition continues with a 20-minute hike through terra firme forest to reach a second clay lick frequented by parrots, parakeets, and macaws. Owned and protected by the Kichwa Añangu Community, this is one of the most significant wildlife observation points within their territory.
Later, we follow a forest trail to visit the Kury Muyu Interpretation Center ("Golden Seed"). Managed by the community's women, known as Mamakunas, this center offers a firsthand look at Kichwa culture, traditions, music, and ancestral knowledge. You will also have time to browse the craft shop, featuring unique handmade pieces created by community members.
After a revitalizing lunch at the welcoming area, we return to the lodge via the main creek, keeping a sharp eye out for birds and mammals along the banks. The evening features a delicious dinner followed by a night walk. Equipped with flashlights, we will explore the trails to discover nocturnal insects, reptiles, and mammals, revealing a completely different facet of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Canopy Tower – Terra Firme Forest Hike – Creek Exploration
AM: Enjoy the sunrise during breakfast before heading to one of our observation towers. This is the optimal time for wildlife sightings; from the top, you can overlook the vast Amazonian canopy and frequently spot various bird species, as well as howler and squirrel monkeys moving through the trees.
On the return journey, we will hike through lush terra firme forests where you can admire giant Ceibas, strangler figs, bamboo groves, and endemic shrubs of Yasuní National Park. After lunch and a brief rest, we embark on an afternoon canoe ride through nearby creeks. This quiet, silent experience is ideal for spotting caimans, otters, and various monkey species that often approach the water's edge.
Wildlife Sightings – Return to Quito
AM: We depart early to return to the welcoming area. During the journey along the Añangu Creek, you will enjoy the morning sounds of nature as the sun rises over the landscape. Then we take a motorized boat along the Napo River.
From the Napo River, we return to Coca for your flight check-in. Flight times will be confirmed according to the airline's current schedule for your return to Quito.
Price per person
Standard (Single)
USD$ 2588
Standard (Double)
USD$ 1635
Standard (Triple)
USD$ 1635
Suites (Single)
USD$ 3032
Suites (Double)
USD$ 1930
Suites (Triple)
USD$ 1930
Included in the price
- Accommodations at the Napo Wildlife Center
- All meals indicated in the itinerary
- River transportation to/from Coca – Napo Wildlife – Coca
- Yasuni National Park entrance
- Bilingual (English/Spanish-speaking) naturalist guide
- All excursions and visits, indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance to parrot clay licks
Not included in the price
- Airfare (Quito – Coca – Quito), with assistance at the airport in Quito and Coca
- Check-in and transfer services arriving in and departing from the city of Coca
- Bottled drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Tips (i.e. for the guides and lodge staff)
- Internet services
- Laundry services