5-day journey: the magic of Ecuador's Amazon rainforest
The Ecuadorian Amazon is one of the best-preserved rainforests on Earth. Its biodiversity is so important that you'll be amazed by the amount of animals and insects you will be able to see during this five-day journey into the heart of the Yasuni National Park. Whether you're in Ecuador just to visit this region or wish to extend your stay with more wonderful discoveries, you're guaranteed an unforgettable connection with nature. Be enchanted by the comfort of the Napo Wildlife Center, your lodge-style accommodation for three nights, and soak up the serenity and natural beauty of this part of the world.
Services
Included:
- Four nights accommodation in double rooms in hotels & lodges as per the itinerary
- Four breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners
- Return domestic flights Quito-Coca
- Airport transfers on arrival & departure days
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
- English-speaking naturalist guide during lodge activities
- Admission fees to the Yasuni National Park
- 24-hour assistance throughout your stay (English, French, Spanish)
Excluded:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Any meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Optional:
- Tips & gratuities
Itinerary at a Glance
quito
Welcome to Quito!
quito - Coca - Yasuni
Navigate the Napo River to Yasuni
Yasuni
Canopy views & canoeing by moonlight
Yasuni
See the Amazon's impressive clay licks
Yasuni - Coca - quito
Return to Quito
Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1: Welcome to Quito!
Hello, Quito! Today, your itinerary for a magical Ecuadorian adventure begins. You will be met at the airport by an English-speaking guide, and taken to your hotel via private transfer with a Spanish-speaking driver. Bed down close to the international airport for the night, enjoying a good night's rest as you get ready for tomorrow's activities!
quito - Coca - Yasuni
Day 2: Navigate the Napo River to Yasuni
Take a private transfer to the airport in time for your domestic flight to Coca, gateway to the Amazon Rainforest. There, your local guide will meet and lead you to your motorized canoe, followed by a journey time of about two hours 30 minutes to reach the Yasuni National Park.
Continue by non-motorized boat to a small tributary of the Napo River, where your first encounters with the local flora and fauna await. You'll eventually reach your lodge: the only accommodation inside the reserve, it offers services worthy of a four-star hotel while remaining authentic.
The lodge is managed in collaboration with local communities to fund new projects in the surrounding villages. After a welcome drink and a little rest, you will enjoy a quality dinner and fall sleep in a bungalow in the middle of the jungle.
Yasuni
Day 3: Canopy views & canoeing by moonlight
After a delicious breakfast, your guide will lead you into a world of boundless natural beauty. For this, you'll make tracks for the 36m-high Canopy Tower. Take a 30-minute walk through the woods to reach it, then climb up to the top, from where you can soak up the views as you stand amidst numerous birds above the trees.
You also won't want to miss an evening canoe excursion, discovering the rainforest by night and keeping a look out for nocturnal animals as they emerge from the depths. You may even meet the bright eyes of a caiman - a truly unforgettable experience!
Yasuni
Day 4: See the Amazon's impressive clay licks
No day in the Amazon goes by without a share of thrills and surprises, but one activity that's sure to stay etched in your memory is a trip to the clay licks, where you'll witness hundreds of parrots of various species as they meet to ingest the kaolin found there. From there, you could pay a visit to a nearby community involved in this project and learn about their daily lives.
You've the option of enjoying more excursions today, depending on your wishes. Head out on a trekking adventure or set off in a canoe to explore the rainforest from a mesmerizing vantage point. The wildlife in this region is rich and wild, and if you slow down and take your time viewing it, your patience will be rewarded!
Yasuni - Coca - quito
Day 5: Return to Quito
Sadly, your escape into the Amazon Rainforest is coming to an end. After breakfast, depart from the lodge by canoe and then take a motorized boat back to the airport in Coca. There, you'll board a 40-minute domestic flight, returning to the capital Quito where your itinerary ends. You may wish to extend your time in Ecuador, or end your trip there. Either way, enjoy the rest of your time and have a safe onward journey!
