Napo Wildlife Center Tour

Information

The Napo Wildlife Center, Amazon Lodge, is the greatest and ultimate alternative luxury ecohotel in Amazonian Ecuador, located by the Anangucocha lake, into the unique ancestral territory of the Anangu Quichua Community. This ecotourism project includes the conservation of approximately over 82 square miles of the most pristine Amazon Rain Forest within the YasunÍ National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rain forest in Ecuador.

Prices 2009

3 Days Tour USD: 520
4 Days Tour USD: 720
5 Days Tour USD: 920
6 Days Tour USD: 1.200
7 Days Tour USD: 1.450
8 Days Tour USD: 1.700

Getting There

The journey to Napo Wildlife Center starts in Quito, Ecuador's capital city. From it's national airport an approximately 35 minute flight to Coca. Passengers will be received by someone from Napo Wildlife Center staff and take them for a short 5-7 minute transfer to embark  on our covered motorized canoe for an approximate scenic 2 hours trip. During this trip a good number of birds could 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.

Boat will arrive to the northwest boundary of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve where Napo Wildlife Center is located by the Anangucocha lake. To access the lodge guests may either start a guided  hike on rich forest wildlife or embark on a no motorized and enjoyable paddle, so that wildlife is not disturbed.  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.

Accommodations

Lodging at Napo Wildlife Center has been designed to offer maximum privacy and comfort to the world traveler. Rooms include a king size and twin size beds, private bathrooms with on demand hot water, a multi-speed ceiling fan, 24 hours electricity provided by hybrid system combining solar panels, batteries, inversors and silent generators, plenty of lights and 120 v outlets, screened windows and mosquito nets.

Buildings keep the traditional native architecture of the Quichua Indian Community Añangu with harmonious modern mixture inside providing cool shaded terraces with inviting hammocks and ample space from where visitors may observe the surroundings. The hall has a library with books on local birds and tropical Ecology and well- stocked bar.

Guests are welcome to use our observation tower next to the dinning hall during free time other than the guided visit and simply relax with the great view of the Anangu lake. The not so distant canopy of the rain forest will be a good opportunity for birding or discovering more wildlife right next to the lodge.

Meals are carefully prepared to delight the variety of tastes and desires of the international visitor, including traditional Ecuadorian dishes, forest gifts or the preparation of vegetarian or special meal requirements. Reverse osmosis water filtration system is used in the kitchen (very safe).

Activities

Visitors will be divided up into small groups, and lead by a native Anangu guide, who is also an official Yasuni Park Ranger, expert on the forest's secrets about medicinal plants and other useful items of the rain forest, and an excellent bilingual naturalist guide with great deal of knowledge in tropical forest biology. Groups and guides will tailor their excursions. 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.

Our Napo Wildlife Center’s unique Parrot Clay Licks

One of the highlights at Napo Wildlife Center is going out on a very early excursion to reach two of Ecuador's most accessible parrot clay licks along the Napo region.
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 in other days spite the rain one could still see a few dozens. 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.

Dining Room Tower

There is a 19 m (60 feet) tall observation tower on top of our 13 m (42 feet) hill. High enough to get great views of the lake and lodge. Nearby the active resident birds can be seen nesting and feeding within the lodge grounds.

Professional Canopy Tower

Only 35 minutes away from the lodge there is the best and most professional canopy tower ever built in Amazonian Ecuador. Designed to last and provide maximum safety to users, this stainless steel structure complies with international certification ISO 9001:2000 that covers design, manufacturing and erection of steel structures and buildings, and other industrial applications.

Active feeding bird flocks reach the vicinity and our tree, offering beyond 80 species list in one single morning…not to mention the mammal sights. Get into the eye view of large toucans, macaws, colourful tanagers and discover the gently moving Three Toed Sloth. Certainly paradise - heaven for avid professional or amateur birdwatchers and those who love close contact with nature. Armed with all possible optic gear, guides will find and show you the best. Tower provides an ample and comfortable platform and as one goes up there are 2 resting levels. This unique tower is the perfect site for dawn course or sunset experience.

Napo Wildlife Center has a large lake with two creeks that can be easily explored quietly while sitting on a dugout canoe paddled by our expert guides and staff eager to spot and show you wildlife. Napo Wildlife Center is home to a total of 11 species of monkeys.

All four species of cayman (alligator related) are found at Napo Wildlife Center. Our lake offers black cayman species, which can easily be seen best at night canoe rides or even at sunny days by the edge of floating vegetation.

Lake & Creeks

Following the creeks a group of giant otters in a hurry to catch their fish for supper are a good chance.

Forest Trails & Hikes

Hikes along a variety of forest types are possible by visiting different trails. One can appreciate the tropical forest richness; discover new plants and colorful or well camouflaged insects. On forest trails, guests can see monkeys, lizards, tortoises, frogs and army ants in addition to an array of birds, including toucans, macaws, parrots, manakins and hummingbirds.

Bird watching

Over 562 species of birds have been recorded at the Napo Wildlife Center, more than 1/3 of all of Ecuador`s birds. A vast and rich bird life we would find. Napo Wildlife Center and Anangu are a classic visiting location for someone travelling Ecuador seeking for the overwhelming bird diversity.

Departures

Mondays and Fridays or any other day of the week except Sundays.

Tour Includes

• Accommodations during the program according to specifications.
• All meals during the program.
• Land and river transportation Coca-Lodge-Coca.
• Bilingual Naturalist guide and native guide services during the program.
• Entrance fees to parrot clay licks and Yasuni National Park.
• Visits and excursions according to the program

Tour does not Includes

• Flight tickets Quito – Coca – Quito.
• Extra canoe ride for entrances or departures on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Drinks.
• Services not specified.
• Tips.
• Personal expenses.