Napo Wildlife Center - Experience the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador

Napo Wildlife Center Entrance — First sight of the Napo Wildlife Center

Experience the Amazon at the Napo Wildlife Center

Privileged location

The lodge enjoys a privileged location. Its the only lodge of its class located inside the Yasuni National Park, arguably the most biodiverse region on planet Earth! The luxurious lodge stands at the edge of a pristine rainforest lagoon home to countless rainforest species such as the Caiman, River Otter, Hoatzin, Amazon turtles, piranhas, etc. The Napo Wildlife Center is designed for those who love nature and who want to have a close encounter with unique wildlife and take in the Amazon Rainforest’s breathtaking landscapes.

The main tower will blow your mind

The lodge´s call to fame is its main tower which is a living dream. Here you will find a truly magical place offering spacious and comfortable social areas; where you can take in the amazing landscape view, enjoy the observation platform, get informed at the meeting room, have unique cocktails at the bar, enjoy local and international cuisine at the beautiful restaurant, and purchase unique souvenirs at the boutique. All this in a tower made by the local indigenous community using ancestral building techniques and endemic materials.

Atop of the Napo Wildlife Center´s Observation Tower

Exclusive activities at Napo Wildlife Center

There are tons of great activities you can take part in when you visit the Napo Wildlife Center:

Main Observation Tower at the lodge
Canopy Observation Tower
Yasuni Parrot Lick
Forest Walks
Creek Paddling
Caiman Spotting
Bird watching
Night walks
Interpretive Center

Napo Wildlife Center Main Tower — Main Tower observation

Private Parrot Clay Lick at the Napo Wildlife Center — Main Tower observation

Social areas, restaurant, bar and main tower

Dream with eyes wide open! A central tower rises above it all to offer you magical panoramic views. This is only one of many observation platforms and common areas designed for guests’ recreational use.

Resting areas with comfortable seating options are made complete by splendid views of the surrounding landscape. The restaurant and bar are fully equipped to offer local and international cuisine as well as delicious and refreshing cocktails. A handmade souvenir from our boutique can be an emblem of your unforgettable vacation.

Gourmet meals in the midst of the Rainforest

The high-quality food service we offer is based on a combination of local and international cuisine. Our professional staff uses a colorful variety of exotic fruits and organic products.

Gourmet meals at the Napo Wildlife Center — Enjoy gourmet meals at the Napo Wildlife Center

Connoisseur Amazon Tip:

The Napo Wildlife Center is truly amazing. Nothing can prepare you for this once in a lifetime adventure. The cabins are exquisite, the lodge is magical, the lagoon is mesmerizing and the feeling of being in the middle of the most biodiverse area on Earth is out of this world.

I recently got a chance to visit the lodge and you can read all about my experience here.

Lodge Accommodation

With 12 ample and comfortable standard cabins and 8 suites, the lodge accommodates up to 50 people, distributed in suites, doubles and triple rooms. The fully equipped cabins feature electricity, security box, ceiling fan, hot water, private bathroom, and a balcony surrounded by beautifully groomed natural gardens.

Amenities:

Cabins fully equipped with electricity
Safe-box
Ceiling fans
Hot water and private bathroom facilities
Rainforest shower
A beautiful balcony
Glass floors in suites
Hot tub in suites

NWC living room area cabins — Matrimonial Bed

Napo Wildlife Center Information

Napo Wildlife Center Activities

Forest Trails

There are big chances for you to see a great variety of wildlife such as insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Some typical animals you may spot are; anacondas, spiders, giant armadillos, birds such as hoatzins, macaws, toucans, parakeets, parrots as well as monkeys, tapirs, ocelots, etc.

Canopy Observation Tower

Get a close-up view of the jungle and its diverse flora and fauna. This 36 meters observation tower was built next to a huge tree and it offers you the best view of the Amazon Rainforest. Observe flocks of colorful birds flying and the magnificence of the trees, flowers, and nature the Amazon Rainforest has to offer.

Canoe Riding

Explore the black waters of the Anangu Lake and the Napo River creeks on board of a motorized or paddle-canoe! In the river, creeks, and lakes of the Amazon Rainforest, you will find hundreds of different aquatic animals such as fish, caimans, turtles, piranhas, and giant otters.

Parrot Clay Licks

Are the most stunning nature encounter in the Amazon Rainforest. These are natural banks containing a great number of minerals that birds and different animals feed upon. This event starts early in the morning when hundreds of vibrantly colored birds visit the licks.

Interpretation Center

Learn about the Kichwa Anangu community traditions and culture of the Napo Wildlife Center hosts. Women of the community will welcome you with typical dances, rituals, handcrafts food and drinks.

Birding

More than 610 bird species can be found in the Yasuni National Park, giving you the best bird watching experience, and an unforgettable adventure in the most biodiverse place on earth.

Napo Wildlife Center - Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary. You can choose to visit the lodge on 4,5 and 6-day tours. You will plan your personalized itinerary with your native guide upon arrival.

Flight to Coca – Arrival to Lodge

Departing from Quito, a 30-minute flight to Coca 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 motorboat. Here we start a canoe ride along the Napo River for about 2 hours, box lunch, and coffee is provided en route. Along the way, birds like herons, kingfishers, and others can be spotted. 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.

Parrot Clay Lick – Kichwa Community Visit

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 the 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 at 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 in the late afternoon with a delicious dinner waiting for you.

Canopy Tower Experience

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. 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. Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-and-yellow Macaws fly past, in nearby trees, Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the forest canopy opens before you. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence. The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center!! Lunch served at the lodge. Afternoon visit to a terra firme trail, hike along primary forest to discover the forest interior, possibilities of finding lizards, colorful manikins, or the unique and endemic Golden mantle tamarin monkeys. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe with great possibilities of running into a Giant otter family on the way.

Last canoe excursion – Return to Quito

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.

NOTICE: 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, handcraft workshops with the local community among other options are available.

Rates Include:

River transportation to Coca –Napo Wildlife Center-Coca
Accommodation in Napo Wildlife Center
All meals
Entrance to Yasuni National Park and parrot clay licks
Community and naturalist bilingual guide
Impermeable poncho and rubber boots
All excursions and activities like program detail

Rates do not include:

256 USD per person (subject to change): Air tickets
Quito-Coca-Quito with assistance from the airport in
Quito on (help with check-in and land transfers in Coca)
Beverages, tips and other not specified requirements (laundry and internet)

Important Instructions:

Always ask any questions that you might have and follow your guide’s instructions.
Walk only on the marked paths, don’t try to wander by yourself, because you could get lost in the forest.
Don’t throw any kind of garbage in the path; always use the garbage cans.
Please don’t feed or touch any animal, don’t cut or step on the plants.
Use headphones, when listening to music on your personal devices.
Don’t use your camera flash.
Hunting and fishing are not allowed.
Taking videos and photos of the community homes is not allowed. (Ask for permission in advance to coordinate with our staff).

Important Information:

All prices are per person, valid through 2019, and are quoted in US dollars.
Children under 5, hotel free in the same parents room plus airfare to be paid.
Children under 11 years and 11 months get a 30% discount on hotel prices in the same parent’s room and airfare.
NWC recommend for families with children to take a private guide
Please note that air rates are subject to change without previous notice.
Departures are available any day of the week, except Sunday.

Additional Days:

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, handicraft workshop with the local community among other options are available.

Access to the Napo Wildlife Center

Packing List

Gear

Binoculars for wildlife viewing 8×35 mm*
Camera/video gear
Zip Lock bags to cover optics or other gear
Extra batteries/film/video tapes as appropriate.

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
One pair of sneakers and/or hiking boots.
Sandals (Teva type or similar for around the lodge).
A hat for sun protection (that will stay on during windy boat rides).
A good pair of sunglasses

Essentials

Small day pack for excursions
Insect repellent. No inflammable sprays as they are not allowed by the airline.
Sunscreen 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).
Original passport (always good to have while traveling).
Credit card for bar bills and cash (US$) for handicraft purchases.