6 days – 5 nights
Located in pristine Amazon jungle of Ecuador we are a veryLa Selva Amazon Ecolodge is located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest just off the Napo River, which eventually flows eastward and joins the mighty Amazon on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. The lodge is within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve and next to the Yasuní National Park.
This region is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to literally millions of species of plants, animals, birds and insects. There are no roads to get to the lodge and the nearest city is Coca (Francisco de Orellana). From here, the best way to get to the lodge is by a two hour motorized canoe ride down the Napo River. Explorers will travel down river aboard a locally crafted canoe, experiencing a typical ride to the lodge just like the locals. On the way travelers will be able to see the first glimpses of the Amazon rainforest and you can appreciate the houses and way of living of the local people as they go on about their daily routines by the riverside.
La Selva Jungle Eco Lodge is reflective of native design: rustic, authentic and comfortable. Our jungle lodge can be described as private bungalows that are cozy and immaculately clean.
The bungalows at La Selva Amazon Jungle Lodge are entirely made of secondary, rainforest materials and are designed to blend with Ecuador’s Jungle. It is most of all a friendly place.
Each bungalow has a private bathroom, a hammock and a mosquito net for each bed.
You will be pleasantly surprised by the unexpected amenities such as, hot water showers and electricity. As well, everything at the lodge is sanitary beyond your wildest expectations.
La Selva Amazon Jungle Lodge is comprised of 18 thatched-roofed bungalows with many different sleeping configurations, a spacious but cozy bar with a wrap-around view of our gorgeous lake, and a grand dining room, with a cone-shaped gigantic, thatched roof.
You can sneak a siesta (Spanish for nap) in the hammock hut, or just spend some time relaxing on your own private hammock, reviewing the day’s photos from your digital camera.
6 days – 5 nights
5 days – 4 night
4 days – 3 night
3 days – 2 night
Sample random itinerary for soft adventure travel at our friendly amazon jungle lodge, la Selva
Day1: You should be at the airport of Quito one hour before the departure time, our Representative, who will hand in boarding passes, check suitcases and will give you all the assistance you may require, will meet you.
The private airline that we use is ICARO, VIP or TAME and the flight takes 30 minutes (Quito – Coca)
Follows a 15 minutes transfer from the airport in Coca to a private dock.
A motorized canoe will be waiting for the group to take them down the River Napo (2 ½ hours). During the ride downriver a box lunch prepared in the morning will be ready for each guest.
Arrival to LA SELVA dock, our staff will help you carrying your luggage (carry on, as well as camera gear, is guests responsibility.) A complementary welcome cocktail greets them in the bar along with the Naturalist guides.
The first excursion will be organized, as fast as they want and they will be ready to choose one of the innumerable possibilities that we are glad to detail for you:
SACHA HUAGRA TRAIL: Cross Garzacocha Lake, walk through virgin forest appreciating the giant kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) and the Strangler fig tree (Ficus sp) between the most representatives along with some other plant and animal species that can be seen in the trail; arrive at the lodge for lunch. It takes about four and a half hours for the whole loop.
PARROT CLAY LICKS: Visit the Yasuní National Park for the whole morning in order to appreciate a unique site where parrots, parakeets and macaws concentrate in order to gather the minerals that will help them to digest the fruits they have consumed.
DANTA’S TRAIL: The duration can vary between 3 to 5 hours. Cross the Napo River and arrive at a challenging mountainous trail which offers yet another ecosystem. It is a chance to see birds and other wildlife nowhere else seen.
GARZACOCHA-MANDICOCHA-MANDIYACU: A 3 to 4 hour trip. Follow the Mandicocha trail until you reach Mandicocha Lake which has a completely different ecosystem called Igapo Forest, board paddle canoes for a one hour glide down Mandiyacu stream. One easily sees the myriad of wildlife that presents itself along the shores of the stream.
WALK TO SILVERIO’S HOUSE: Cross Garzacocha Lake. Two and a half to three hour walk on a purposely underdeveloped trail which has some physical challenge. Most of the walk takes place in primary forest and at the end it passes by the huts of our indigenous neighbors near the Napo River. There is a great possibility to discuss about the Kichwa people life style, and visit an indigenous family.
CHAWAMANGO TRAIL: Head east at Mandicocha trail head and walk back to Garzacocha lake. 3 – 4 hour walk. Surprises can be found on the way.
MATAPALO TRAIL: This is an introductory walk perfect for the day of your arrival. Here you will have the chance to appreciate the particular Strangler Fig (Ficus sp), Azteca ants (Azteca trigona) lots of bright and beautiful heliconia plants and the Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) among other surprises!
TOUCANETA’S TRAIL: This is a short 2 hour walk around the lodge where you will get a general idea of the tropical rainforest (flora, fauna & microfauna).
LITTLE CHAWAMANGO: Short trip by foot around the edge of Lake Garzacocha. Return by canoe to the lodge.
135 FOOT OBSERVATION TOWER: Not far from the lodge you can spend a couple of hours observing birds that move around the canopy, perhaps monkeys and wildlife of all kinds, and of course, a wonderful view of the Amazon Basin.
NIGHT EXCURSIONS: Canoe rides are done in order to listen the nocturnal sounds and to look for fishing bats, nightjars, some insects and possibly to get a glimpse of the caimans.
Walking excursions give us the possibility to encounter with nocturnal creatures such as; Tarantulas, Whip-scorpions, toads and frogs, but possibly as well with snakes.
BUTTERFLY FARM: Available every afternoon. Close to the lodge, watch and photograph butterflies at close range. With any luck, witness the miracle of metamorphosis.
At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner.
There are Night Excursions (caiman hunt, search for owls, frogs, insect excursion, etc) in case guests are interested available every night. All the excursions will be organized day by day with your guide and the group. Meals schedule can slightly change. Every afternoon, after lunch from Monday to Saturday from 12h00 – 16h00 you can have the chance to enjoy of a relaxing and renewing treatment at our indigenous spa. Please ask your guide for this service.
Day 2: Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am.
Departure for the excursion 7:10 am. The Lunch will be served 12:30 o’clock. Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure. At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner. Night Excursion.
Day 3: Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am.
Departure for the excursion 7:10 am. The Lunch will be served 12:30 o’clock. Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure or we have prepared as an optional activity, fishing, canoeing, going to the observation tower or simply relaxing. At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner. Night Excursion.
Day 4: Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am.
Departure for the excursion 7:10 am. The Lunch will be served 12:30 o’clock. Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure or we have prepared as an optional activity, fishing, canoeing, going to the observation tower or simply relaxing. At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner. Night Excursion.
Day 5: Last day: Early wake up call, breakfast and canoe ride to catch the flight back to Quito. Arrival to Quito around noon time.
In case you stay for an extra day:
Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am. Departure for the excursion 7:10 am. The Lunch will be served 12:30 o’clock. Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure or we have prepared as an optional activity, fishing, canoeing, going to the observation tower or simply relaxing. At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner. Night Excursion.