Why You Should Visit Our Lodge: 5 Reasons to Discover Napo Cultural Center

After a 30-minute flight to Coca and a brief transfer by car, you will be welcomed at a private dock with refreshments and a boxed lunch. You will board a covered boat for an exciting two-hour journey on the Napo River. Upon arriving at the Napo Cultural Center, you will be greeted by the Kichwa Añangu Community with the traditional wayusa drink. After receiving information about the hotel, you will head to a comfortable room with jungle views. After some rest, you will participate in a walk to an observation tower to spot birds and monkeys, or you can choose a sunset kayak ride on the Napo River. Later, return to the hotel to freshen up and rest before dinner.

After an early breakfast, the day begins with an exciting motorized canoe trip to the Parrot Clay Lick in the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. During the journey, various species of parrots can be observed. Then, a walk along the Parakeet Trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking the parrot clay lick, where up to 5 species of parrots, parakeets, and macaws can be spotted, along with mammals such as monkeys and jaguars.

The morning continues with a visit to the Kury Muyu intercultural interpretation center, managed by women from the community. Here, visitors learn about Kichwa culture, music, dances, and the traditional use of natural resources. There is also a crafts store to support the community.

After lunch at the community center’s restaurant, an exciting boat excursion is made on the Añangu stream, where monkeys, caimans, and giant otters can be observed. The day concludes with a unique activity on the Napo River aboard an ancestral catamaran, where legends and traditional songs of the Kichwa community are learned while enjoying snacks roasted by local women.

Start the day by enjoying the sunrise during breakfast and visit sustainable community projects to learn about the Kichwa worldview. Then, explore one of the trails in the terra firme forest, observing wildlife and endemic trees of Yasuní.

Return to the hotel for a delicious lunch and a well-deserved rest before embarking on a hike to the second observation tower, offering ideal views to spot birds, howler monkeys, and squirrels.

In the afternoon, relax and prepare for a traditional Amazonian dinner featuring dishes such as maito, grilled fish wrapped in bijao leaves, and chontakuru, roasted worms from the chonta palm, for those with adventurous palates.

After dinner, join an exciting nighttime lantern walk, where you can observe different types of insects, reptiles, and mammals active during the night, including some monkeys.

Wake up to the singing of Amazonian birds and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then, venture into the upland forest along the Samona trail with rubber boots. Experience the thrill of being like Indiana Jones as you walk among centuries-old ceiba trees, accompanied by capuchin monkeys, woolly monkeys, and sakis. Observe insects under the leaves and appreciate the fauna of the dense forest.

Continue the adventure by exploring a stream of black waters, marveling at the biodiversity of flora and fauna. After enjoying a refreshing drink and a exquisite lunch, embark on a tour of nearby islands to spot birds.

In the evening, you’ll have the option to participate in a night walk for a unique experience or simply relax and enjoy the comfortable facilities.

On this day, the adventure takes explorers to Pañacocha Lagoon, on the other side of the Napo River, promising a day full of fun and natural wonders, with the possibility of spotting pink dolphins. Depart from the lodge in the morning for a fascinating 90-minute boat ride along the Napo River, observing wildlife along the way.

Upon reaching Pañacocha, guests receive an introduction to the area and lunch to enjoy in a canoe or at nearby facilities. Afterwards, there is an opportunity to swim in the lagoon. The Igapó Forest offers the chance to spot various species such as macaws, sloths, monkeys, anacondas, and more. Black caimans and various birds in the wetland can also be observed.

In the afternoon, return to the Napo Cultural Center for a delicious dinner and a night walk along the forest trails, exploring the nightlife of the jungle. Finally, explorers rest comfortably in the beautiful lodge cabins.

For a perfect last day, you have the option to participate in the wayusada ritual. It begins early around 4:30 am, where the Kichwa family shares the sacred guayusa. This ritual is a way of passing down their ancient knowledge to new generations. You can listen to traditional songs, and if you wish, your dreams can be interpreted by a wise mamakuna from the community. A truly mystical experience!

Afterwards, we’ll return for breakfast while our staff takes care of collecting your luggage for the return to El Coca. We’ll transport you in our comfortable motorized canoes, providing the last opportunity to appreciate the landscape of the Ecuadorian rainforest as we reach our port.