Into the Emerald Forest
Amazon Rainforest Extension: Napo Wildlife Center
Overview
Enjoy an unforgettable adventure at Napo Wildlife Center for the best experience of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Explore by dugout canoe on blackwater lakes, hike trails through the emerald forest, visit the nearby clay lick where hundreds of parrots and macaws gather, get a bird's-eye view from the canopy tower (207 steps!), with its unobstructed 360-degree view of undisturbed forest. NWC is owned by the native Yasuní people, who have lived in this area for centuries. They have a profound respect for maintaining the natural integrity of the ecosystem and are knowledgeable and passionate guides who enhance your experience. Guest cabins are very comfortable and the buffet-style meals in the dining room provide tasty, fresh, and plentiful meals with a good variety to choose from. Our extension has three nights at Napo Wildlife Center and two in Quito, but you have the option to add additional nights.
Arrive: Quito, Ecuador
Depart: Quito, Ecuador
Highlights
- Explore by dugout on black-water lakes, climb the canopy tower
- Visit a macaw and parrot clay-lick, tour Old Quito
Itinerary
Arrive in Quito and transfer to your Quito hotel...Meals on your own
Explore Quito (on your own, or add guided touring upon request). Quito's historic center is brimming with art-filled cathedrals, cobblestone streets, lively squares, and a striking blend of architecture, including the majestic Plaza Grande, the ornate Presidential Palace, the monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the church of La Compania—a fusion of indigenous and European art made of intricate wood carvings, gold leaf adornments, and a dazzling ceiling. We also recommend the Museo Casa del Alabado located in a colonial 17th century house in the historic downtown district, open Wednesday through Sunday...B
Transfer to the airport for a 30-minute morning flight over the eastern Andes to Coca, where you'll embark on a 2-hour comfortable covered motor-boat ride along the Napo River, with opportunities to spot herons, kingfishers, and other wildlife. Next, head out on a peaceful 2-hour paddle canoe ride along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the Napo lodge is located. On this leg, there will be chances to see some species of monkeys as well as toucans, parrots, or even macaws. On late afternoon arrival to Napo Wildlife Center, enjoy views of the Añangu Lake and a welcome orientation. Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center...BLD
An early start gives you access to the most accessible parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about an hour away from the lodge. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets, and macaws can be seen on a daily basis (weather permitting). Later, hike along a forest trail to visit the Kichwa Community of Añangu and share time with a family in daily activities. Return to the creek and hike through Terra Firme forest for about 30 minutes to arrive at the second parrot clay lick. Back at the lodge, enjoy a delicious dinner and the chance to share the experiences of the day. Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center...BLD
You'll leave lodge in the early morning to experience the rainforest from the canopy tower (207 steps!), with its unobstructed 360-degree view of undisturbed forest, 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 typically pass right through the canopy while blue-and-yellow macaws fly past and, in nearby trees, 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. After lunch at the lodge, hike along another Terra Firme primary forest trail to see the forest interior, with possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manakins, or the endemic Golden-mantled tamarin monkey. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks in a dugout canoe and a chance of spotting a giant otter family on the way. Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center...BLD
With an early departure from Napo Wildlife Center, head out for the 2-hour creek journey aboard dugout canoe, with the chance to spot giant otters, monk saki monkeys, and rare birds along the way. Reaching the Napo River, transfer to the motorized canoe for a 2 hour boat ride to Coca to check-in for your Coca to Quito flight...B
A visa is not required for U.S. citizens visting Ecuador. A tourist card will be issued to you on the flight to Quito.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.