accommodation profile

Napo Wildlife Center

accommodation specifics

• one king-sized bed and one twin-sized bed (up to 3 people)
• private bathrooms with on-demand hot water showers
• private porches with lake views
• 24-hour electricity with plenty of lights and plenty of
120v outlets
• ceiling fans and secure screens for plenty of
bug-free ventilation
• safety deposit box in each room

ecuador

all trip destinations

The Napo Wildlife Center, surrounded by a 53,000 acre rain forest biosphere reserve within Yasuni National park, offers the most luxurious accommodations available in Ecuador’s Amazon. The lodge is located on the banks of Anangucocha Lake and is a model of sustainable tourism in conjunction with the Anangu Quichua Community. Fly from Quito over the Andes Mountains to the Amazon Basin town of Coca where you embark on a motorized canoe journey 50 miles (2 hours) down the Napo River. At the border of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve continue the journey on a 1.5 hour canoe paddle (motorized vessels are not allowed) or enjoy a guided hike 1.5 miles to the lodge.

The lodge consists of 12 luxury cabañas and a large dining hall with a library and a well-stocked bar. Attached to the bar is a 50-foot viewing tower from which you can see the Andes on a clear day! Each cabana features one king or two twin beds, private bathrooms, hot water, 24 hour electricity, ceiling fans, screened windows and private porches overlooking the forest and lake. The lodge features a library, bar, and dining room serving a variety of traditional Ecuadorian dishes. Water is filtered through a reverse osmosis system ensuring is it safe to drink.

A diverse network of trails though a variety of forest types surrounds the lodge. Discover fascinating plants, camouflaged insects, leaf cutter ants, lizards, tortoises, frogs and an array of birds on naturalist guided or self guided hikes. At sunrise, afternoon and each night after dinner you may join a native Anangu guide/Yasuni Park Ranger on a hike among the surrounding rain forest. Hikes can vary in length from easy walks to challenging treks. The lodge staff is constantly aware of wildlife movements reporting when and where wildlife can be found. Although rare even the largest mammals like jaguar, puma, tapir, giant anteater and giant armadillo have been spotted in the region. You may also choose to explore the surrounding lake and creeks aboard a dugout canoe paddled by our expert guides, looking for caiman and giant otters.

The highlight of NWC is a visit to Ecuador's most accessible parrot clay licks. Comfortable blinds at each lick provide outstanding views and excellent photo opportunities. Activity kicks off at the main lick at 7:00am and at second blind in the afternoon. Species include: Mealy, blue headed, yellow crowned, orange winged and orange cheeked parrots, cobalt winged, dusky headed and white eyed parakeets. In best weather conditions at least 800 individuals can be spotted. Enjoy a full day excursion visiting both blinds with a box lunch, or a half day visiting the main lick and returning for lunch at the lodge. Over 562 species of birds have been recorded at the Napo Wildlife Center, more than 1/3 of all of Ecuadors birds. Expert resident guides will assist in spotting the amazing diversity of colorful birds.

Adjacent to the lodge is a 60 foot tall observation tower with excellent views of the lake and surrounding rain forest. A 35 minute journey leads to the largest canopy tower built in the Amazon. This magnificent structure, over 125 feet tall, stands next to a giant Kapok tree accommodating up to 15 guests. This is a great place to spot some of the 11 species of monkey found in the region. Other sightings include actively feeding flocks of birds toucans, macaws, colorful tanagers or even a three toed sloth. On a clear day, views can reach the snow capped Andes Mountains making a spectacular sunset.

Anangu is not only home to the lodge, it is also the ancestral territory of a Quichua indigenous community. Anangu people are active participants in the conservation and management of the park as well as partners in tourism. Join families on their daily activities harvesting bananas, coco and manioc, a starchy staple root for Amazonian people. Or help prepare chicha, a traditional drink based on fermenting manioc. Try fishing in Amazon rivers with help from the local natives and their particular techniques.

Electricity: 24 hours electricity by a hybrid power system, solar panels - batteries and last generation noiseless diesel engines You will find 110 volts-plugs either in the bathroom and the living area of each cabin, 220 volts-plugs only in certain area of the lodge, for using those please contact the lodge manager.

Water: Even if there’s plenty of fresh water in the Amazon, we use water of the lake in front of us for the bathrooms at the lodge, this water its clean and safe for your own use, after using it we treat the water with a system of wetlands, to avoid any lake pollution. Drinkable water is always available in big plastic containers so you can refill your own bottles, the idea is to use as less plastic as we can to reinforce our environmental policy. Hot water available all the time.

First aid kit: In case of any eventuality, we have at the lodge, first aids kits that will be taken to the excursions; our excursion leaders have basic medical training to help in case of emergency. How ever, please inform the lodge manager or your excursion leader about any allergies or important medical conditions.

Ceiling Fan: There are ceiling fans on every room and also in all the dining room area.

Boutique: A wide variety of items for personal care, souvenirs, coffee mugs, t-shirts, vests, caps, hats, key holders, flashlights, sun block, mosquito repellent, etc. Are available. Those will be included in your bar bill, the payment will be made at the end of the cruise in cash, travelers checks or credit card.

Communications: The Napo Wildlife Center has a two-way radio (vhf and hf) that connects the Lodge, our office in Quito, our office in Coca and all the facilities. Also there is satellite internet connection, in case of using this service it will also be added to your bill.

Library: Open all day long our library offers a wide variety of books, Natural history, biology, conservation, cultural books same than magazines, paperbacks and scientific reports are available, we suggest not to take the books to the rooms for all the guests to have the opportunity to enjoy them.