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Accommodation at Napo Wildlife Center - Napo Lodge Experience, Ecuador
Accommodation at Napo Wildlife Center
Squirrel Monkeys - Napo Lodge Experience, Ecuador
Squirrel Monkeys
Napo Lodge lake - Napo Lodge Experience, Ecuador
Napo Lodge lake
Napo Lodge sitting - Napo Lodge Experience, Ecuador
Napo Lodge sitting

Napo Lodge Experience

Explore the jungle in search of wildlife

Ecuador
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 5 reviews

4 Days from

$ 

Trip Code: NPO
View dates to Book
Essential Information
Duration
  • 4 Days
Activities
  • 3 days wildlife safari
Accommodation
  • 3 nights eco-lodge
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 3 Lunches
  • 3 Breakfasts
Internal Flights

Valued at USD$170

Difficulty Grading  
2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint  

101kg of CO2-e PP per day

(304kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Experience the tropical Amazon rainforest within the Yasunì National Park
  • Learn about the culture and traditions of the Kichwa community of Anangu
  • Marvel at the spectacular and awe-inspiring biodiversity of flora and fauna
  • Undertake jungle walks and canoe trips to spot wildlife and birds
  • Stay at the award winning Napo Wildlife Center and eco-lodge

Overview

You'll never forget this experience at the award winning Napo Wildlife Center and eco-lodge. Set in Yasuni National Park in Amazonian Ecuador, this conservation and community development initiative is managed by the local Kichwa community of Anangu. This important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is the largest tract of tropical rainforest in Ecuador and is home to a plethora of fauna and flora. Each day we take to either the water, in dug out canoes, to the trails, to the parrot clay licks, or to the canopy platforms, to discover the various species of monkeys, reptiles, frogs, insects, arachnids as well as the families of Giant Otters and the caiman (a cousin to the alligator). Not to mention the stunning examples of flora throughout the park! Your guide will show you different species of plants and will explain their use in ancestral medicine. You will leave with a deep insight into one of the world's great wildernesses.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Pickup from Quito hotel for transfer to airport for 30 minute flight to Coca over the eastern Andes mountain range. Short drive to Port Francisco de Orellana from where we join our covered motor boat for a 2 hour river journey (lunch box provided along the way) spotting birds like herons and kingfishers. Arrive at Napo Wildlife Centre's entry dock for a majestic and peaceful 1-2 hour dugout canoe ride, paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located. Good possibilities of monkey sightings of various species as well as large birds like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival to the NWC lodge with an overwhelming view of the Añangu lake. After dinner there is an optional cayman (alligator) observation around the lake and natural sounds at night tour.

Meals: L,D

Early wake up to reach the best and easy access parrot clay licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge. We reach the clay lick just before the parrot activity kicks off between 7:30 - 8:30am. Many varieties of parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen, dependent on weather conditions. Later, we hike along a forest trail to visit to the Kichwa community of Añangu, sharing time with a family on their daily 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 we may be able to observe different species of parrots, parakeets and macaws. Lunch box served at the parrot clay lick observatory. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Kichwa Community of Añangu. Here you’ll be able to spend some time with the local people and learn about their culture and way of life. Then walk along the path next to the Napo River where your guide will show you different species of plants and will explain their use in ancestral medicine, plus you may have the chance to spot various species, including the pigmy marmoset. At the Community, you’ll visit the local school and the communal areas learning how they have developed during the past years, improving education and health. You’ll also have the chance to visit an Añangu family in their home. After lunch (brought from the hotel), you’ll walk on a new trail starting at the Community that leads to the Añangu lagoon. During this walk you’ll get to know more about the flora of the zone, which is not only used for medicine but also for daily living. Arrive at the hotel late in the afternoon, for a well deserved rest and dinner.

Meals: B,L,D

Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river. The creek may reveal new sightings of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or many other rare birds. We embark on motorized canoe to return back to Coca (approx 2 hrs). Return flight to Quito, where trip concludes.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

308 scheduled departures between 26 Oct 2026 and 29 Dec 2027.

  • Departs 26 Oct 2026 – ends 29 Oct 2026 (4 days)
  • Departs 27 Oct 2026 – ends 30 Oct 2026 (4 days)
  • Departs 28 Oct 2026 – ends 31 Oct 2026 (4 days)
  • Departs 30 Oct 2026 – ends 2 Nov 2026 (4 days)
  • Departs 31 Oct 2026 – ends 3 Nov 2026 (4 days)
  • Departs 2 Nov 2026 – ends 5 Nov 2026 (4 days)
  • … and 302 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
  • airport transfer in Quito on day one (pick up from central Quito hotels)
  • flights Quito/Coca return valued at US$260
  • transfers in Coca including river transportation
  • eco-lodge accommodation
  • naturalist guides
  • guided hikes and other excursions
  • national park fees

Not included

  • Meals, transfers and other services not mentioned in the itinerary
  • International flights and departure taxes
  • Aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Personal expenses – laundry, telephones, tipping
  • Visa costs
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)

Reviews (5)

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Excellent guide, nice group of people, beautiful surroundings

Ellen Drexler Freimark|New York United States
24 May 2023
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The Napo Lodge Experience was a great inclusion on our 4 week holiday in Ecuador. We were impressed by the lodge's isolated location deep within the Yasuni National Park, and the wonderful overwater rooms, the resort facilities and the friendliness of all the staff. The itinerary provided access to spectacular forests and amazing wildlife viewed from the canoes and through easy jungle walks. Our guide Juan was terrific, with great indigenous knowledge of the region, its culture and every aspect of the forest ecosystem. We highly recommend this 4 day adventure if you're keen to experience a huge variety of wildlife up close.

P. Wright|Figtree, NSW
26 Apr 2019
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My trip to Napo Lodge was simply outstanding. World Expeditions took care of all arrangements, communicated clearly, followed through and responded to all queries in a timely manner. The people, accommodation and experience in Napo Lodge were amazing. My guide and naturalist shared their deep love and understanding of the Ecuadorian Amazon with depth and passion.

A. Russell|Abbotsford, VIC
11 Oct 2018
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This was our first trip with World Expeditions. We were impressed with their responsiveness, assistance in organisation down to the smallest detail and the on site presence at airports with check ins etc where language may have been difficult. All guides were locals who were professional and passionate about their environment and culture and were also able to speak English very well - this heightened our experience. This trip was much more than we had expected and we would have no hesitation in recommending Scott and his team at World Expeditions.

B. Coombes|Western Australia
1 Jun 2018
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All of it was fantastic and very memorable. Seeing giant otters, 8 species of monkeys, a two-toed sloth, toucans. Walking and canoeing through the jungle. Seeing fresh jaguar prints and scat.

S. Brookes|Sydney, Australia

Extra trip info

Who will I travel with?Will My Trip Run?Why Book With UsWildlife Safari Safety
Group shot, 'African wilderness in comfort' trip | Peter Walton

Travelling with our local partners

This trip is run by one of our local partners, on a departure shared with travellers from other companies.

What's the benefit to you? More departure dates, and dates that reach their minimum numbers sooner, because bookings from several companies go into one group. Your guides live and work in the region.

Who is in your group? Expect a mix of travellers and nationalities, not only people who booked with World Expeditions.

What will we tell you when you book? We advise the name of the local partner at the time of booking, along with any terms of their own, such as an additional deposit. These apply alongside our Booking Terms and Conditions.

Travelling alone? On some partner-operated trips your own room is required. The room options on this page show which applies to this trip.

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

  • Stay at the beautifully located luxury class Eco-Lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest
  • Flights from Quito to Coca return and national park fees included in trip cost
  • Enjoy three hearty meals and daily excursions during your stay at Napo Lodge
  • Professional naturalist guides on all walks and daily excursions
  • Learn about the fascinating indigenous culture
Early morning game viewing walk in Hlane National Park in Swaziland

Your safety is our main priority

Africa's wildlife is wild and unfenced. On many wildlife safaris you may meet them on foot, or from a vehicle. Walking in big-game country carries some risk, and the safeguards are not the same in every country.

Rules on firearms, guide qualifications, group size and how close you may approach an animal are set country by country, park by park. Many incorrectly assume that every wildlife safari in Africa travels with an armed ranger. Several countries prohibit firearms outright. Where an armed escort is required, it is supplied by the park authority.

What is consistent is how these trips operate. You walk in a small group with a professional local guide who knows the country and the animals in it. We do not include captive or hands-on wildlife encounters in any itinerary.

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