DAY 1

A 30 minute flight to Coca over the eastern Andes mountain range is the beginning of this amazing experience. After landing, a short 5 minute drive to the port in the Napo River will take you onto a comfortable covered motor boat. Here we start a boat ride along the Napo for approximately 2 hours. Some birds can be spotted on the way. After arriving at Napo Wildlife Center’s welcoming area, we take a magical and peaceful 2 hour dugout-canoe along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. Great chances to spot wildlife, various species of monkeys as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival at the lodge.

DAY 2

After a buffet breakfast, experience the life above the forest floor visiting the 36-meter canopy tower. This tower is located about 30 minutes from the lodge deep within the forest. Get a very good sample of the 567 species recorded so far, with a close look at colorful tanagers, macaws, toucans, flycatchers and even Spider or Howler Monkeys feeding themselves on the nearby trees. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to the guests of the Napo Wildlife Center.

DAY 3

This morning we visit the best parrot clay licks in Ecuador!!! Early start and paddle downstream on the Añangu creek as far as the welcome area. Then, take the motor boat for a 10 minute ride for a wonderful view of thousands of parrots such as the amazon-mealy, blue-headed, orange –cheek, among others landing on the earth to eat some clay. Later, back to the welcome area and a short hike to the parakeets’ clay lick, where hundreds of cobalt-winged parakeets remain on the top of the trees searching for the best time to get minerals form the clay, Lunch at Napo Cultural Center.

In the afternoon, visit the interpretation area to learn about traditions of the ancestral Kichwa community of Añangu. Back to the lodge, late in the afternoon where you’ll be welcomed back with a refreshing fruit drink. Dinner at 7:30pm.

DAY 4

This morning we hike along the Tiputini trail and its terra-firma forests and swamp forests, searching for more wildlife such as Golden-Mantled Tamarins, White-Faced capuchin monkey, two and three toed sloths, pigmy squirrels, carnivores and their tracks on the forest floor. Back to the lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. In the afternoon paddle canoes will take you to explore deeper areas in the surrounding creeks with more possibilities of seeing unique wildlife. After dinner you will share a talk about the community and Napo Wildlife Center.

DAY 5

Early breakfast, and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys, hoatzins, black capped donacobius or other birds. The motorized canoe will take you back to Coca, for the flight back to Quito.

NOTICE: For security reasons, swimming into Añangucocha (lagoon) is forbidden. Additional Day(s):

Optional excursions such as hikes through different trails and forest types. Canoe rides, exploring deeper areas of surrounding creeks with more wildlife possibilities, additional mammal clay lick excursion and handcraft workshop with the local community among other options are available. Twenty years ago, the aboriginal Añangu kichwa community collectively relinquished their right to hunt and fish in order to recover wildlife populations. For this reason hunting and fishing are not allowed.

DAY 1

Departure from Quito 11h00, a 30 minute flight to Coca city over the eastern Andes mountain range. After landing, about mid-morning, 5 min transfer will take you to “La Mision” Port, where you will embark onto a comfortable covered motor boat. Here we start a canoe ride along the Napo River for about 2 hours, box lunch and coffee is provided in route. Along the way, birds like herons, kingfishers and others can be potted. After arriving at NWC’s entry dock we disembark for restroom then take a majestic and peaceful 2 hours paddle canoe ride surrounded by trees, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. 

Chances to spot some species of monkeys as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival to Napo Wildlife Center with an overwhelming view of the Añangu Lake, welcome drink followed by a briefing of the local manager.

DAY 2

Early wake up to reach the easiest access parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge, guests reach there just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between 7:30 to 8:30. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen.

Later, hike along forest trail to visit the Kichwa Community of Añangu and sharing time with a family on their activities. Return to the creek and hike through a Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive to the second parrot clay lick where if the weather conditions help will be able to find different species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws. Lunch at Napo Cultural Center, where you share with people of the kichwa community. You will be paddled back to the lodge, where you arrive at late afternoon with a delicious dinner awaiting for you.

DAY 3

After early breakfast, we leave the lodge to experience an amazing view of the rainforest from a 36m. tall canopy tower, a great way to see the life above the ground of the forest. This is the second tower at the Napo Wildlife Center (the first is attached to the dining hall and allows great views of the lake).The tower is 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 on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually built into the tree and experience the view formerly reserved only for the birds. 

The metal tower itself was constructed to the highest standards, galvanized, and carefully inspected by engineers.  Safety is the priority. The platform at the top of the tree was constructed by tree platform specialists as well. From top to bottom, there is no finer canopy experience in Eastern Ecuador.

DAY 4

Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo River, the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. Transfer to the motorized canoe in order to return back to Coca, arrival approximately after a 2 hours boat ride in order to check-in for Coca – Quito flight, schedule to be announced according to departure details and arrangements.

The high number of species of birds is the characteristic of Yasuni, birding more than 610 bird species inventoried, give the visitors the best experience in bird watching, an unforgettable adventure in the most biodiverse place on earth.

In large flocks the colorful guacamayos and parrots cross the skies. Among the plant foliage the tucans, sigchas, fly-eaters, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and a variety of hummingbirds. We also find trompeteros and tinamues walking on the ground. A good view from the tower permits identify some species in the canopy and the spectacular parrot salt clay licks give a wonderful experience.

DAY 1

This morning we’ll take a short (about 30-minute) flight from Quito to the town of Coca, gateway to the Amazon, whence in 1541 Francisco de Orellana set sail on a locally constructed brigantine and made the first navigation to the Atlantic.

Our ride will be far more comfortable by canoe powered by twin outboard motors that will take us downstream about 2.5 hours to the Napo Wildlife Center (NWC) welcome station, where we’ll transfer to smaller canoes and paddle up Añangu Creek to the NWC lodge, set on the bank of a tranquil lake amid a huge tract of primary rainforest (where hunting is prohibited). Along the way we’ll see our first Hoatzins and get a taste for the diversity of the region, with birds perhaps including Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Sungrebe, Redbellied Macaw, and Green-and-rufous Kingfisher. Night at NWC lodge.

DAYS 2 – 4 (The days could be extended as required by passenger) Three full days or more, to scratch the surface of the avifauna in western Amazonia and get a feel for the complexity of rich habitats and microhabitats within easy reach of the lodge. One or two mornings we’ll visit the very sturdy canopy tower, which offers privileged access to a world apart from the rest of the rainforest.

Flocks of oropendolas, aracaris, tanagers, and euphonias roam the canopy in search of fruit, Spangled and Plum-throated Cotingas glow from the treetops, raptors perch on vantage points to dry off in the morning sun, White-browed Purpletufts and Crowned Slaty Flycatchers sally for insects, numerous parrots and macaws fly by or drop in if there is a fruiting tree nearby, and many other species wander past (and through!) the tower tree.

Good forest trails offer access to another component of the avifauna, with woodcreepers, antbirds, and tinamous particularly well represented, and we should encounter the vocally striking Screaming Piha and the visually striking Blacknecked Red Cotinga. A number of clay licks (or “saladeros”) exist on the NWC lands, and here we should see (and hear!) the spectacle of hundreds of parrots and parakeets coming in to eat clay. We’ll also enjoy merous canoe rides around the lake by the lodge and along adjacent creeks, where the songs of Silvered and Plumbeous Antbirds reverberate through the flooded forest.

Birds we’ll be seeking here include the poorly known Zigzag Heron, the habitat specialist Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Orange-crested Manakin, and the striking Long-billed Woodcreeper, plus several species of monkeys and the impressive Giant River Otter.

The river-edge forest, where we’ll visit the local community that built and so ably runs

the lodge, is home to numerous other species such as Turquoise and Magpie Tanagers, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, and Swallow- winged Puffbird. And then there are islands in the Río Napo, which, depending on their age, support a varied avifauna distinct from that found on the “mainland” only a few hundred yards’ distant! Island specialties we hope to see include Black-and-white Antbird, Olivespotted Hummingbird, and at least three species of spinetails, plus more “expected” river birds such as Capped Heron, Collared Plover, and Yellow-billed Tern. Nights at

NWC lodge.

Day 5

Today we’ll head back to Coca for our return flight to Quito.

 Flight Quito – Coca – Quito 
 Included in the price:
 Accommodation 
 Transfer from/to Coca
 Meals as mentioned in the program (B= breakfast; L= Lunch/Box Lunch; D= Dinner) 
 Water, coffee, tea
 Canoe Rides 
 Native guide and English speaking nature guide
 Excursions as mentioned including visit of a community and parrot lick
 Yasuni national park Entrance fee

 Drinks, alcoholic and soft drinks
Tips and personal expenses 
Everything that has not been included in the programe

• Good binoculars for wildlife viewing 8×35 mm*
• Camera/video gear (if using film, lower ASA for open areas (50 or 100), higher ASA for forest (400 and up). [24 hour electricity (110v) is available for charging batteries and digital equipment.]
• Clothing:
• Two or three pairs of lightweight long pants.
• Two or three long-sleeved lightweight shirts.
• Two or three T-shirts.
• One or two pairs of shorts (mostly for around the lodge).
• Lightweight sweater or jacket.
• Raingear (if you prefer not to use the ponchos provided).
• Three or four pairs of long cotton socks (long)*.
• One pair of sneakers and/or hiking boots.
• Sandals (Teva type or similar for around the lodge).
• A hat for sun protection (and that will stay on during windy boat rides).
• Take in consideration that bright colors might scare the animals.
•  
• Small day pack for excursions. Zip lock-type plastic bags to cover optics or other gear.
• Insect repellent. No inflammable sprays as they are not allowed by the airline
• Sunscreen lotion with a high protection factor
• Flashlight or headlamp bright enough for use.
• Personal toiletries and medications (carry medications with you when arriving and leaving the lodge).
• Extra batteries/film/video tapes as appropriate.
• Original passport (always good to have while traveling).
• Credit card Visa, MasterCard and Diners for bar bills and cash (US$) for handicraft purchases.

NOTE: There is a limit of weight of 20 kilograms per person in the airline plus one carry on. If you are checking in more weight than the excess baggage will be charged to you directly by the airline. Rain poncho and rubber boots (from size 3 to 13) provided when needed for excursions.

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