La Selva - Amazon Jungle Ecuador I 4 Days

You will be met by our representative at check in who will assist you on your 30 minute flight to Coca. On arrival in Coca you will then board a motorized canoe which will take you two hours down the scenic Amazon toward La Selva's dock. On the way you will be able to see your first glimpse of the Amazon Rainforest where you can appreciate the houses and way of living of the local people as they go on about their daily routines by the riverside.

NOTE: On arrival at Coca your main luggage will be handled by staff and meet you at La Selva. If you wish to take any personal items please pack them into a small backpack for the canoe journey.

After a 30-minute flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana “El Coca”, our representative will transfer you by private transportation to the city’s main dock at the Napo River. The next two hours will be on a motorized canoe heading down river on what will be the beginning of an unforgettable experience in the tropical rainforest, the Amazon.

At the end of the motorized canoe ride, you will be dropped off at La Selva’s main dock and your first close encounter with the rainforest begins and the final leg of the trip to the lodge will be completed in a paddle canoe. The only thing you must take care of during this part of the trip is your carry-on and camera equipment, all other luggage will be transported by La Selva staff.
The manager will be waiting to greet you with a refreshing juice, snacks, and a short briefing with general information about your stay at La Selva Lodge.

This afternoon you will start with an introduction to the rainforest. One of our naturalist guides will give you some basic information about the tropical rain forest, Amazonia and the operation of La Selva Lodge. The idea is to begin the activities with some background information about the amazing place in which you have just arrived.

There will be time for an exploration before dinner – You may undertake the Matapalo Trail:
This trail was given the Spanish name of the famous Strangler fig (Ficus sp), one of many remarkable trees that you can find on this short walk. Mahogany trees over 400 years old can be seen and your guides will share their knowledge of the flora and fauna. Due to the time of day there is great natural light and the diurnal and nocturnal animals are beginning their daily transitional activities.

** Please note; Monday - Saturday are La Selva's normal operational days. If arriving or departing from the lodge on a Sunday, this will incur an additional cost. Please speak to your travel consultant for more information.

La Selva Lodge have a set of activities daily which are subject to change depending on the day, time of year and the guides decisions based on the group’s interests and the organised operations. The excursions below are a good guide on what you can expect from day to day:

In the morning you may visit the rainforest canopy tower. After a 20 minute walk you reach the tower, this amazing construction will allow you to climb 120 feet above the forest floor and enjoy some of the most amazing scenery. Your Naturalist and Native guides will help you spot colourful birds including toucans, tanagers and parrots and with luck, the famous howler monkeys or a sloth. On the way back from the tower there is the option of taking the Tucaneta Trail where your Native Guide can show you some of the medicinal plants still in use today and your Naturalist guide will provide you with interesting information on the ecology and natural history of the Amazon.

In the afternoon you may undertake the Charapa Trail. This trail goes on for about an hour beginning at the lodge and ending by the edge of the lagoon. It is a great loop where different mammals, monkeys and birds can be seen that tend to come closer to the lagoon at this time of the day looking for food. It is also perfect for witnessing an Amazonian sunset from the water in the canoe.

Early this evening before dinner, you may embark on a night Canoe Ride, with the help of a spotlight your guides will take you around the lagoon via canoe looking for nighttime wildlife. This is also a great opportunity for star gazing.

La Selva Lodge have a set of activities daily which are subject to change depending on the day, time of year and the guides decisions based on the group’s interests and the organised operations. The excursions below are a good guide on what you can expect from day to day:

This morning you will set off to see the spectacular Parrot Clay Lick and Mandi Wasi. You will make your way back to the Napo River and take a motorized canoe ride to the clay licks, one of the most fascinating displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather here to eat the mineral rich soil, an important part of their diet. Binoculars are essential to really capture the moment. After the clay licks, we will take you to experience our Cultural Activity. An Amazonian Kichua woman will welcome you at their community center to share their life of the Kichua’s in the Amazon. This is special because it is part of the Amazon you do not find on the maps and provides the special and unique opportunity to really get to learn more about the people of the Amazon.

This afternoon you can enjoy the Coto Trail. It is a fantastic walk that takes off from the lodge to the edge of the Garzacocha Lagoon. In the afternoon the light from the sun will come from behind most of the time, making this walk an amazing experience and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this amazing forest. Groups of black-mantled tamarin monkeys can be spotted on this walk and some of our groups have even seen tapirs too.

Your Naturalist Guide is going to explain about all the different creatures that can be found, and our Native Guide will show you some of the medical plants that they have been using for thousands of years. A canoe ride back to the lodge makes a great ending for this activity.

During any free time you have, in-between activities you can use our kayaks, swim in the lagoon, have a massage or just relax in your room.

In accordance with your briefing the night before, you will have an early wake up call, breakfast and departure from the lodge. The lodge staff will assist you with your checked luggage and the motorized canoe ride will head upstream back to Coca, where our representatives will take you to the airport to help you with your checked luggage and boarding passes.