La Selva Lodge - 5 Day Independent Adventure

Transfer from the Quito hotel first thing in the morning to the airport for the flight to the Amazon jungle. Travel several hours by dugout canoe and complete a short walk to the luxurious and remote La Selva Lodge.

Choose from plenty of activities that include birding, botany, hiking, canoeing, and photography. Spot monkeys, birds, caimans, and butterflies, just a short walk or canoe paddle away. Overlooking the lake, the lodge is a perfect base for exploration. Relax in the lounge with a cocktail and dine by candlelight enjoying exceptional cuisine prepared by a gourmet chef. Sleep well in stylish cabanas. Fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and wake up to the call of birds in the morning.

Choose from plenty of activities that include birding, botany, hiking, canoeing, and photography. Spot monkeys, birds, caimans, and butterflies, just a short walk or canoe paddle away. Overlooking the lake, the lodge is a perfect base for exploration. Relax in the lounge with a cocktail and dine by candlelight enjoying exceptional cuisine prepared by a gourmet chef. Sleep well in stylish cabanas. Fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and wake up to the call of birds in the morning.

Choose from plenty of activities that include birding, botany, hiking, canoeing, and photography. Spot monkeys, birds, caimans, and butterflies, just a short walk or canoe paddle away. Overlooking the lake, the lodge is a perfect base for exploration. Relax in the lounge with a cocktail and dine by candlelight enjoying exceptional cuisine prepared by a gourmet chef. Sleep well in stylish cabanas. Fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and wake up to the call of birds in the morning.

Head back down the river to the town of Coca to catch the flight back to Quito. Transfer to the hotel in Quito.

At the Quito International Airport you will be met by a La Selva representative in the national departure area in order to assist you with the check-in process and give you a short briefing about the journey. Transfer to the port to board a motorized canoe which will take the group to La Selva's main dock. Continue on a short 15-min jungle walk leading to a creek. Enjoy a paddle across “Garzacocha” (the heron´s lagoon) in a small canoe in order to reach the lodge area. Upon arrival at the lodge, have a welcome drink and take part in an introductory briefing and a short activity to be introduced to the rainforest.

See the canopy of the rainforest from a tower 43m (141 ft) in height, and choose from dozens of walks of varying lengths and difficulties; several routes can only be accessed by canoe. Choose from a variety of activities: wake up early for some bird watching or stay up late and go out on a boat to view caimans by flashlight. Learn about the environment and wildlife from a naturalist guide, who accompanies the group to ensure you get the most out of the excursions. The opportunities for birding, botany, hiking, herpetology, canoeing, photography, entomology, fishing, relaxing, and swimming at La Selva Lodge are boundless. Below is a sample of what may be available: MATAPALO TRAIL: This trail was named after the Spanish name for the famous strangler fig (Ficus aurea), one of the many remarkable trees that can be found during this short introductory walk. Native and naturalist guides will share their knowledge about the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. NIGHT WALK: A flashlight and a camera will be the only things needed to enjoy all of the insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that can be seen during an hour walk in the darkness of the forest. NIGHT CANOE RIDE IN GARZACOCHA LAGOON: Guides will take you in a paddle canoe around the lagoon looking for caimans, boas, bats, owls, night mammals, and more nocturnal wildlife with the help of a spotlight. If the sky is clear, have the chance to do some star gazing. DAY CANOE RIDE IN GARZACOCHA LAGOON: Take a 1.5 to 2 hour canoe ride to observe the biodiversity around the Garzacocha lagoon, where the famous hoatzin stinkbird can be seen as well as fish, monkeys, and the beautiful trees that grow inside the black waters system. CHAGUAMANGO TRAIL: The trail begins at the lodge and finishes at the edge of the lake. At the end of the walk, head back to the lodge by canoe. If lucky, see big troops of squirrel monkeys approaching the water, allowing you to take great photos of wildlife. CHARAPA TRAIL: This trail takes about 1.5 hours. Start at the butterfly farm and end at the edge of the lake. It's a wonderful loop that begins with a walk, returning to the lodge by canoe. Along the way, try to spot different groups of mammals, monkeys, and birds that get close to the lakeshore to look for food in the afternoon hours. It it's a clear afternoon, enjoy a beautiful sunset from the canoe. OBSERVATION TOWER: Take a 20-min walk to the tower, which allows visitors to be (37m) 120 ft above the forest floor to enjoy the canopy of the tropical rainforest. Use a telescope to see birds from the canopy, and maybe even monkeys or sloths. On the way back, hike for about 2 hrs. A native guide will show some of the medicinal plants that natives still use and the naturalist will provide information about the ecology and natural history as well. PARROT CLAY LICK: Visit the most biologically diverse spot on Earth, the Yasuni National Park. A 20-min canoe ride plus a 15-min walk will bring you back to the Napo River. Take a 10-min motorized canoe ride to one of the most amazing displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets will approach the treetops and later come down to a clay bank to eat the soil rich in minerals. It is essential to have binoculars to enjoy the experience. After identifying the different species of parrots and parakeets, a naturalist guide will provide a lot of interesting information about the behavior of these spectacular birds. The motorized canoe ride will continue for approximately 30 more minutes of birdwatching along the river banks. BUTTERFLY FARM: Learn about the biology of these amazing butterflies. A farm will show the different stages of the butterfly complemented with interesting information provided by a naturalist guide. Visitors won't want to leave the butterfly flying area without taking photos of the colorful butterflies. PIRANHA FISHING: Enjoy fishing for piranhas in the Garzacocha Lake! Fishing lines will be provided by a native guide to let you catch your own piranha. Depending on the size of the fish, they are usually released back into the water. If the fish is big enough, give it to the gourmet chef and enjoy a tasty fish dinner. The fish is much more delicious when you catch it yourself! SPECIFIC TOPIC TALKS: One of the naturalists will hold an optional activity to talk about a specific topic of the rainforest.

See the canopy of the rainforest from a tower 43m (141 ft) in height, and choose from dozens of walks of varying lengths and difficulties; several routes can only be accessed by canoe. Choose from a variety of activities: wake up early for some bird watching or stay up late and go out on a boat to view caimans by flashlight. Learn about the environment and wildlife from a naturalist guide, who accompanies the group to ensure you get the most out of the excursions. The opportunities for birding, botany, hiking, herpetology, canoeing, photography, entomology, fishing, relaxing, and swimming at La Selva Lodge are boundless. Below is a sample of what may be available: MATAPALO TRAIL: This trail was named after the Spanish name for the famous strangler fig (Ficus aurea), one of the many remarkable trees that can be found during this short introductory walk. Native and naturalist guides will share their knowledge about the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. NIGHT WALK: A flashlight and a camera will be the only things needed to enjoy all of the insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that can be seen during an hour walk in the darkness of the forest. NIGHT CANOE RIDE IN GARZACOCHA LAGOON: Guides will take you in a paddle canoe around the lagoon looking for caimans, boas, bats, owls, night mammals, and more nocturnal wildlife with the help of a spotlight. If the sky is clear, have the chance to do some star gazing. DAY CANOE RIDE IN GARZACOCHA LAGOON: Take a 1.5 to 2 hour canoe ride to observe the biodiversity around the Garzacocha lagoon, where the famous hoatzin stinkbird can be seen as well as fish, monkeys, and the beautiful trees that grow inside the black waters system. CHAGUAMANGO TRAIL: The trail begins at the lodge and finishes at the edge of the lake. At the end of the walk, head back to the lodge by canoe. If lucky, see big troops of squirrel monkeys approaching the water, allowing you to take great photos of wildlife. CHARAPA TRAIL: This trail takes about 1.5 hours. Start at the butterfly farm and end at the edge of the lake. It's a wonderful loop that begins with a walk, returning to the lodge by canoe. Along the way, try to spot different groups of mammals, monkeys, and birds that get close to the lakeshore to look for food in the afternoon hours. It it's a clear afternoon, enjoy a beautiful sunset from the canoe. OBSERVATION TOWER: Take a 20-min walk to the tower, which allows visitors to be (37m) 120 ft above the forest floor to enjoy the canopy of the tropical rainforest. Use a telescope to see birds from the canopy, and maybe even monkeys or sloths. On the way back, hike for about 2 hrs. A native guide will show some of the medicinal plants that natives still use and the naturalist will provide information about the ecology and natural history as well. PARROT CLAY LICK: Visit the most biologically diverse spot on Earth, the Yasuni National Park. A 20-min canoe ride plus a 15-min walk will bring you back to the Napo River. Take a 10-min motorized canoe ride to one of the most amazing displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets will approach the treetops and later come down to a clay bank to eat the soil rich in minerals. It is essential to have binoculars to enjoy the experience. After identifying the different species of parrots and parakeets, a naturalist guide will provide a lot of interesting information about the behavior of these spectacular birds. The motorized canoe ride will continue for approximately 30 more minutes of birdwatching along the river banks. BUTTERFLY FARM: Learn about the biology of these amazing butterflies. A farm will show the different stages of the butterfly complemented with interesting information provided by a naturalist guide. Visitors won't want to leave the butterfly flying area without taking photos of the colorful butterflies. PIRANHA FISHING: Enjoy fishing for piranhas in the Garzacocha Lake! Fishing lines will be provided by a native guide to let you catch your own piranha. Depending on the size of the fish, they are usually released back into the water. If the fish is big enough, give it to the gourmet chef and enjoy a tasty fish dinner. The fish is much more delicious when you catch it yourself! SPECIFIC TOPIC TALKS: One of the naturalists will hold an optional activity to talk about a specific topic of the rainforest.

See the canopy of the rainforest from a tower 43m (141 ft) in height, and choose from dozens of walks of varying lengths and difficulties; several routes can only be accessed by canoe. Choose from a variety of activities: wake up early for some bird watching or stay up late and go out on a boat to view caimans by flashlight. Learn about the environment and wildlife from a naturalist guide, who accompanies the group to ensure you get the most out of the excursions. The opportunities for birding, botany, hiking, herpetology, canoeing, photography, entomology, fishing, relaxing, and swimming at La Selva Lodge are boundless. Below is a sample of what may be available: MATAPALO TRAIL: This trail was named after the Spanish name for the famous strangler fig (Ficus aurea), one of the many remarkable trees that can be found during this short introductory walk. Native and naturalist guides will share their knowledge about the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. NIGHT WALK: A flashlight and a camera will be the only things needed to enjoy all of the insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that can be seen during an hour walk in the darkness of the forest. NIGHT CANOE RIDE IN GARZACOCHA LAGOON: Guides will take you in a paddle canoe around the lagoon looking for caimans, boas, bats, owls, night mammals, and more nocturnal wildlife with the help of a spotlight. If the sky is clear, have the chance to do some star gazing. DAY CANOE RIDE IN GARZACOCHA LAGOON: Take a 1.5 to 2 hour canoe ride to observe the biodiversity around the Garzacocha lagoon, where the famous hoatzin stinkbird can be seen as well as fish, monkeys, and the beautiful trees that grow inside the black waters system. CHAGUAMANGO TRAIL: The trail begins at the lodge and finishes at the edge of the lake. At the end of the walk, head back to the lodge by canoe. If lucky, see big troops of squirrel monkeys approaching the water, allowing you to take great photos of wildlife. CHARAPA TRAIL: This trail takes about 1.5 hours. Start at the butterfly farm and end at the edge of the lake. It's a wonderful loop that begins with a walk, returning to the lodge by canoe. Along the way, try to spot different groups of mammals, monkeys, and birds that get close to the lakeshore to look for food in the afternoon hours. It it's a clear afternoon, enjoy a beautiful sunset from the canoe. OBSERVATION TOWER: Take a 20-min walk to the tower, which allows visitors to be (37m) 120 ft above the forest floor to enjoy the canopy of the tropical rainforest. Use a telescope to see birds from the canopy, and maybe even monkeys or sloths. On the way back, hike for about 2 hrs. A native guide will show some of the medicinal plants that natives still use and the naturalist will provide information about the ecology and natural history as well. PARROT CLAY LICK: Visit the most biologically diverse spot on Earth, the Yasuni National Park. A 20-min canoe ride plus a 15-min walk will bring you back to the Napo River. Take a 10-min motorized canoe ride to one of the most amazing displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets will approach the treetops and later come down to a clay bank to eat the soil rich in minerals. It is essential to have binoculars to enjoy the experience. After identifying the different species of parrots and parakeets, a naturalist guide will provide a lot of interesting information about the behavior of these spectacular birds. The motorized canoe ride will continue for approximately 30 more minutes of birdwatching along the river banks. BUTTERFLY FARM: Learn about the biology of these amazing butterflies. A farm will show the different stages of the butterfly complemented with interesting information provided by a naturalist guide. Visitors won't want to leave the butterfly flying area without taking photos of the colorful butterflies. PIRANHA FISHING: Enjoy fishing for piranhas in the Garzacocha Lake! Fishing lines will be provided by a native guide to let you catch your own piranha. Depending on the size of the fish, they are usually released back into the water. If the fish is big enough, give it to the gourmet chef and enjoy a tasty fish dinner. The fish is much more delicious when you catch it yourself! SPECIFIC TOPIC TALKS: One of the naturalists will hold an optional activity to talk about a specific topic of the rainforest.

The lodge staff will assist with your checked luggage. Take a motorized canoe ride upstream to go back to Coca, where a representative will take you to the airport to help with your checked luggage and boarding passes. Catch the flight back to Quito and transfer to the hotel in Quito.