Napo Lodge Experience

Depart Quito, fly to Coca, boat and canoe transfer to Napo Lodge

Pickup from Quito hotel for transfer to airport for 30 minute flight to Coca over the eastern Andes mountain range. Short drive to Port Francisco de Orellana from where we join our covered motor boat for a 2 hour river journey (lunch box provided along the way) spotting birds like herons and kingfishers. Arrive at Napo Wildlife Centre's entry dock for a majestic and peaceful 1-2 hour dugout canoe ride, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. Good possibilities of monkey sightings of various species as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival to the NWC lodge with an overwhelming view of the Añangu lake. After dinner there is an optional cayman (alligator) observation around the lake and natural sounds at night tour.

Visit the two parrot clay licks, visit the Kichwa community of Añangu

Early wake up to reach the best and easy access parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge. We reach the clay lick just before the parrot activity kicks off between 7:30 - 8:30am. Many varieties of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen, dependent on weather conditions. Later, we hike along a forest trail to visit to the Kichwa community of Añangu, sharing time with a family on their daily activities. Return to the creek and hike through a Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive at the second parrot clay lick, where we may be able to observe different species of parrots, parakeets and macaws. Lunch box served at the parrot clay lick observatory. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Another visit to the community of Añangu. More opportunities to spot flora and fauna.

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Kichwa Community of Añangu. Here you’ll be able to spend some time with the local people and learn about their culture and way of life. Then walk along the path next to the Napo River where your guide will show you different species of plants and will explain their use in ancestral medicine, plus you may have the chance to spot various species, including the pigmy marmoset. At the Community, you’ll visit the local school and the communal areas learning how they have developed during the past years, improving education and health. You’ll also have the chance to visit an Añangu family in their home. After lunch (brought from the hotel), you’ll walk on a new trail starting at the Community that leads to the Añangu lagoon. During this walk you’ll get to know more about the flora of the zone, which is not only used for medicine but also for daily living. Arrive at the hotel late in the afternoon, for a well deserved rest and dinner.

Return to Quito, where trip concludes

Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river. The creek may reveal new sightings of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. We embark on motorized canoe to return back to Coca (approx 2 hrs). Return flight to Quito, where trip concludes.