Amazon Rainforest Extension: Napo Wildlife Center

Arrive in Quito in the late afternoon and transfer to the Hacienda Jimenita, not far from the Quito airport...Meals on your own

Wake up early for a full-day cultural adventure with your private guide. First, head north along the Pan American Highway, and stop at the Mitad del Mundo monument, where you can stand on both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at once! Take your photos, then continue to the town of Otavalo, home to South America's most famous indigenous market. Set in the heart of the Andes, the Plaza de los Ponchos is the gathering point for locals to showcase their wares. Wander through rows of stalls offering alpaca sweaters, handwoven ponchos, jewelry, carved wood, flowers, and more—most of them handmade by local artisans whose craft dates back to pre-Incan times. Enjoy a typical lunch and try your luck at negotiating a good deal on souvenirs. A quick visit to Otavalo is a must-do on any trip to Ecuador, and certainly one of Ecuador’s most iconic cultural experiences. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon...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.