A place unlike any other
Napo Wildlife Center
Located in the heart of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park is rich with extraordinary wildlife and vibrant local culture. Spanning nearly 2.5 million acres of Amazonian rain forest. This is truly a gem to be cherished. And the Napo Wildlife Center the only lodge with in Yasuní National Park boundaries can take you there.
The Napo Wildlife Center is situated on the Northern margins of the Yasuní National Park on the banks of the Napo River. The lodge is reached after a 2.5-hour comfortable motorboat ride from Coca city down the Napo River. From the arrival point on the river, you are transferred to paddle-canoes —to reduce the environmental impacts and preserve the forest and its wildlife, on a narrow black-water creek that takes you to Añangu Lake and finally see the red cabins of the Napo Wildlife Center.
One of the particularities of this hotel is that it is 100% managed by the Kichwa Añangu community, making it the greatest example of a community-based project that benefits the local community and preserves the diverse flora and fauna of the area.
![NWC(26)[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.terrandesecuador.travel/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/NWC20261-1-500x400.jpg "NWC(26)[1]")
Itineraries
Premium Tour 4 Days / 3 Nights
Departing from Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, a 30-minutes flight over the eastern Andes will take you to the jungle town of Coca. There, members of our staff will be waiting for you to give you warm welcome and take you to the Francisco de Orellana Port –which is only 5 minutes away from the airport. And here is where the real adventure begins! At the port you will get on a motorized canoe downstream the Napo River, the major tributary of the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. During the trip, you will have the chance to see different birds such as kingfishers, herons and other and admire the incredible views of the Amazon jungle that opens before your eyes. A trip a box lunch will be provided.
After our two-hours ride along the Napo River, you will arrive at the NWC’s dock entrance where to take a short break to freshen up and use the restrooms. Then, we will continue our way to the lodge on paddle-canoes –motorized canoes are not allowed within the Napo territory. This majestic and peaceful dugout canoe ride a narrow stream will lead us to the Añangu Lake, where the hotel is.
Late in the afternoon, we will arrive to the Napo Wildlife Center where our staff will welcome you with drinks and show your rooms and other areas of the lodge.
After our two-hours ride along the Napo River, you will arrive at the NWC’s dock entrance where to take a short break to freshen up and use the restrooms. Then, we will continue our way to the lodge on paddle-canoes –motorized canoes are not allowed within the Napo territory. This majestic and peaceful dugout canoe ride a narrow stream will lead us to the Añangu Lake, where the hotel is.
Late in the afternoon, we will arrive to the Napo Wildlife Center where our staff will welcome you with drinks and show your rooms and other areas of the lodge.
Adventure at the Napo Wildlife Center begins early in the morning! In this second day at the premium Amazon Jungle tour you will presence one of the most incredible nature spectacles you will ever see: the parrot clay licks. It will only take us about an hour to get to the first parrot clay lick which is of easy access from the lodge. Once we get there, at about 7:30 or 8:30 am it will take just a few minutes for birds to show up. It is a real spectacle of colors, about 11 species of bird such as parrots, macaws and parakeets visit the clay licks every day to feed with the minerals that are concentrated in the soil.
Later on, we will hike along the forest trail to visit the Kichwa Añangu community to share time with the men, women and children of the community and learning about their everyday-life activities, routines and their ancestral customs and traditions. Then, we will say goodbye to the families and continue our adventure Then, we will go back to the creek and go hiking for 30 minutes throughout a Terra Firme forest until reaching the second parrot clay lick and repeat the experience of seeing a great variety of parrots, parakeets and macaws as you eat a delicious lunch our staff will provide you.
Late in the afternoon we will arrive back to the NWC to rest and enjoy from our lodge social areas and comfortable-luxury rooms.
Later on, we will hike along the forest trail to visit the Kichwa Añangu community to share time with the men, women and children of the community and learning about their everyday-life activities, routines and their ancestral customs and traditions. Then, we will say goodbye to the families and continue our adventure Then, we will go back to the creek and go hiking for 30 minutes throughout a Terra Firme forest until reaching the second parrot clay lick and repeat the experience of seeing a great variety of parrots, parakeets and macaws as you eat a delicious lunch our staff will provide you.
Late in the afternoon we will arrive back to the NWC to rest and enjoy from our lodge social areas and comfortable-luxury rooms.
A delicious breakfast will be served at the NWC restaurant early in the morning. After that, we will depart to the Canopy Observation Tower, a high platform from which you will get a close-up view of the most amazing views of the jungle. The tower is about 30 minutes from the lodge within the terra forme forest. This wooden platform of 36 meters’ high was built just next a huge and ancient Kapok tree. To get to the top you have to pass through different levels of the forest. Then, when you are finally there, the immensity and beauty of the Amazon jungle opens just before you. There are not enough words to describe it, you have to live it yourself!
Birds that are just virtually impossible to see from the jungle floor will pass right through you. Flocks of vibrantly colored tanagers, blue-and-yellow macaws and large toucans fly past in the early mornings and afternoons.
In the afternoon, after having lunch back in the Napo Wildlife Center, we will go deep into a terra firme trail to discover the beautiful and mysterious wildlife that hides in the forest interior. There are great possibilities to see lizards, different species of monkeys such as the endemic Golden Mantle Tamarin monkey, rare and unique insects and even some scary snakes! Also, we will take you to explore the black water Añangu Lake and streams that are home of different species of fish and mammals such as the Giant Otter, a unique specie from the Amazon.
Birds that are just virtually impossible to see from the jungle floor will pass right through you. Flocks of vibrantly colored tanagers, blue-and-yellow macaws and large toucans fly past in the early mornings and afternoons.
In the afternoon, after having lunch back in the Napo Wildlife Center, we will go deep into a terra firme trail to discover the beautiful and mysterious wildlife that hides in the forest interior. There are great possibilities to see lizards, different species of monkeys such as the endemic Golden Mantle Tamarin monkey, rare and unique insects and even some scary snakes! Also, we will take you to explore the black water Añangu Lake and streams that are home of different species of fish and mammals such as the Giant Otter, a unique specie from the Amazon.
Last day, we will depart after an early breakfast to go back to Coca city and repeat the adventure to go out the way you came, a ride on a paddle-canoe to the docking area and then embarking on a motorize canoe to the jungle town.
During this last excursion, the creek may reveal new sights of rare bird species and monkeys and a Giant Otter will possibly show up to good-bye you!
During this last excursion, the creek may reveal new sights of rare bird species and monkeys and a Giant Otter will possibly show up to good-bye you!
Standard room from $1417.00
Extended Stay 5 Days / 4 Nights
A rewarding 30-minute flight to Coca over the eastern Andes mountain range is the beginning of this amazing experience. After landing, a short 5-minute drive to the port in the Napo River will take you onto a comfortable covered motor boat. Here we start a boat ride along the Napo for approximately 2 hours. Some aquatic birds can be spotted on the way.
After arriving at Napo Wildlife Center’s welcoming area, we take a magical and peaceful 2-hour dugout-canoe along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. Great chances to spot wildlife, various species of monkeys as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival at the lodge.
After arriving at Napo Wildlife Center’s welcoming area, we take a magical and peaceful 2-hour dugout-canoe along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. Great chances to spot wildlife, various species of monkeys as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival at the lodge.
After a buffet breakfast, experience the life above the forest floor visiting the 36-meter canopy tower. This tower is located about 30 minutes from the lodge deep within the forest. Get a very good sample of the 567-species recorded so far, with a close look at colorful tanagers, macaws, toucans, flycatchers and even Spider or Howler Monkeys feeding themselves on the nearby trees. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to the guests of the Napo Wildlife Center.
Return to the lodge for a typical Ecuadorian lunch. After lunch, there are many options to choose from before you start the afternoon activity: climb the dining room tree tower for more birds, or just relax in your hammock. In the afternoon, hike through a marvelous terra- firme forest to discover the ecology and the role of plants in the complex world of the Tropical RainForest: vines, ancient trees, bromeliads, orchids stand out in this impressive natural garden. After the hike, explore the surrounding creeks with possibilities of running into a Giant otter family. Dinner at 7:30 pm.
Return to the lodge for a typical Ecuadorian lunch. After lunch, there are many options to choose from before you start the afternoon activity: climb the dining room tree tower for more birds, or just relax in your hammock. In the afternoon, hike through a marvelous terra- firme forest to discover the ecology and the role of plants in the complex world of the Tropical RainForest: vines, ancient trees, bromeliads, orchids stand out in this impressive natural garden. After the hike, explore the surrounding creeks with possibilities of running into a Giant otter family. Dinner at 7:30 pm.
This morning we visit the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador!!! Early start and paddle downstream on the Añangu creek as far as the welcome area. Then, take the motor boat for a 10-minute ride for a wonderful view of thousands of parrots such as Amazon-Mealy, blue-headed, orange –cheek, among others, landing on the earth to eat the clay.
Later, back to the welcome area and a short hike to the parakeets’ clay lick, where hundreds of cobalt-winged parakeets remain on the top of the trees searching for the best time to eat the salts, chemicals and minerals contained in the organic matter. Lunch in the welcome area. In the afternoon, visit the interpretation area to learn about traditions of the ancestral Kichwa community of Añangu.
Back to the lodge late in the afternoon where you’ll be welcomed back with a refreshing fresh juice. Dinner at 7:30 pm.
Later, back to the welcome area and a short hike to the parakeets’ clay lick, where hundreds of cobalt-winged parakeets remain on the top of the trees searching for the best time to eat the salts, chemicals and minerals contained in the organic matter. Lunch in the welcome area. In the afternoon, visit the interpretation area to learn about traditions of the ancestral Kichwa community of Añangu.
Back to the lodge late in the afternoon where you’ll be welcomed back with a refreshing fresh juice. Dinner at 7:30 pm.
This morning we hike along the Tiputini trail and its terra-firma forests and swamp forests, searching for more wildlife such as Golden-Mantled Tamarins, White-Faced capuchin monkey, two and three toed sloths, pigmy squirrels, carnivores and their tracks on the forest floor.
Back to the lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. In the afternoon paddle canoes will take you to explore deeper areas in the surrounding creeks with more possibilities of seeing unique wildlife. After dinner, a video about the community and Napo Wildlife Center will be shared with you.
Back to the lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. In the afternoon paddle canoes will take you to explore deeper areas in the surrounding creeks with more possibilities of seeing unique wildlife. After dinner, a video about the community and Napo Wildlife Center will be shared with you.
Early breakfast, and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys, hoatzins, blackcapped donacobius or other birds. The motorized canoe will take you back to Coca, for the flight back to Quito.
Standard room from $1690.00
What's Included?
- Air tickets Quito-Coca-Quito with assistance from the airport in Quito on (help with check-in and land transfers in Coca)
- All meals
- River transportation to Coca – Napo Wildlife Center – Coca
- Accommodations in Napo Wildlife Center
- Entrance to Yasuni National Park and parrot clay licks
- Community and naturalist bilingual guide
- Impermeable poncho and rubber boots
- All excursions and activities like program detail
Not Included
- Beverages
- Tips
- Other non-specified requirements
- Laundry
- Internet
What to bring?
- Sunglasses.
- Small day pack for excursions. Zip lock-type plastic bags to cover optics or other gear.
- Insect repellent (Skin-so-soft or DEET product with at least 20% concentration). No inflammable sprays as they are not allowed by the airline. Sunscreen lotion with a high SPF factor.
- Flashlight or headlamp bright enough for use on night walks.
- Personal toiletries and medications (carry medications with you when arriving and leaving the lodge).
- Extra batteries/film/video tapes as appropriate.
- Original passport (always good to have while traveling)
- Credit card Visa, MasterCard and Diners for bar bills and cash (US$) for Artesania purchases.
Important Notes
- All prices are per person
- Children under 5 years, hotel free in same parents room plus 50% of airfare to be paid.
- Children under 12 years get 30% discount on hotel prices in the same parents room.
- Napo Wildlife Center recommend for families with children to take a private guide.
- Departures available any day of the week, except Sunday.
- There is a limit of 20 kilograms to check in per person in the aircraft plus carry on. If you are checking in more weight than the excess baggage will be charged to you directly by airline. Rain poncho and rubber boots (from size 3 to 12) provided when needed for excursions.
- For security reasons, swimming into Añangucocha (lagoon) is forbidden. Additional Day(s): Optional excursions such as hikes through different trails and forest types. Canoe rides exploring deeper areas of surrounding creeks with more wildlife possibilities, additional mammal clay lick excursion, handcraft workshop with the local community among other options.