Day 1:
After traveling overland from Quito to our private dock in Puerto Francisco de Orellana, known as El Coca, you will have time to rest, use the restrooms, and enjoy a refreshing drink. Once aboard our covered motorboat, you will begin an exciting journey of approximately two hours along the mighty Napo River, while your luggage is transferred directly to the lodge. During the trip, you will also enjoy a box lunch—the perfect start to your Amazon adventure.
Upon arrival at Yasuní Ecolodge, you will discover the ancestral territory of the Kichwa Añangu Community, in the heart of Yasuní National Park. Our team will welcome you with a traditional guayusa beverage and snacks, while our manager provides information about the lodge's services. You will then be escorted to your comfortable room overlooking the Amazon rainforest. After some time to rest, you can get ready for the first activity of the afternoon.
We will hike to the observation tower, which rises 40 meters above the ground, offering excellent opportunities to spot colorful birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots, and even sloths. From the top, you will also enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the Amazon sunset.
Alternatively, you may choose a sunset kayaking excursion to admire the magical colors of the sky reflected in the waters of the majestic Napo River.
Afterward, you will return to the lodge to freshen up and relax in your cabin before enjoying a delicious Amazonian dinner—the perfect ending to your first day of adventure.
Day 2:
After breakfast, we will travel by motorized canoe to one of the most iconic sites in the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve: the Parrot and Parakeet Clay Lick, located on the banks of the Napo River.
We will arrive at the first clay lick and wait aboard the motorized canoe for the parrots' intense morning activity to begin, watching as they descend in groups to feed on the minerals in the clay wall. Here, you may spot several species, including mealy amazons, blue-headed parrots, yellow-crowned amazons, and dusky-headed parakeets.
We will then continue through terra firme forest, walking for approximately 20 minutes to reach a second clay lick frequented by parrots, parakeets, and macaws. This site belongs to and is protected by the Kichwa Añangu Community and is one of the most important wildlife observation points within its territory. If weather conditions are favorable, there may also be opportunities to observe various bird and mammal species.
Next, we will follow a forest trail to visit the Kuri Muyu Interpretation Center. Meaning “golden seed” in the native language, this center is managed by the women of the community, known as mamakunas. Here you will learn more about Kichwa culture, traditions, music, dance, and the ancestral use of natural resources directly from members of the Añangu Community. The visit includes time to browse the handicraft shop, where unique handmade pieces created by community members are available for purchase, offering a way to support their work and creativity.
After visiting the Kuri Muyu Interpretation Center, we will return to the lodge for lunch, followed by a short rest.
In the afternoon, we will hike along a forest trail or local terra firme road—an ideal activity for observing primates, with the possibility of spotting golden-mantled tamarins and red titi monkeys, two species characteristic of this area.
After dinner, bring your flashlight for a night walk along nearby trails—an experience that reveals another side of the rainforest. Along the way, you may observe insects, reptiles, arachnids, and amphibians as the forest comes alive after sunset.
Day 3:
Enjoy the sunrise over breakfast before departing by motorized canoe for the entrance to the Añangu River, a blackwater ecosystem that extends 6 km (3.5 miles) deep into the Amazon rainforest and is completely protected from human influence. From this point, we will transfer to one of our paddle canoes, beginning one of the area's most representative experiences. Our staff will paddle while you enjoy a quiet, serene journey through a narrow creek—an ideal setting for wildlife observation.
Along the way, you may spot monkeys and birds while exploring a habitat that is especially suitable for caimans and otters, which commonly inhabit these calm waters.
We will then return to the lodge to enjoy a delicious lunch and have time to rest.
In the afternoon, you may choose the activity that best suits your pace: visit an observation tower offering exceptional views of the Amazon canopy and good opportunities to observe birds and primates, or navigate the river aboard the ancestral catamaran—a peaceful experience that allows you to enjoy the scenery and learn more about the legends and traditional songs of Kichwa culture.
Day 4:
Begin the day with breakfast before putting on rubber boots and venturing into the terra firme forest along the Samona Trail. During the hike, you will explore areas of primary forest with centuries-old kapok trees and dense vegetation, with opportunities to observe capuchin monkeys, woolly monkeys, and saki monkeys moving through the trees. Along the way, the guides will help you identify tropical insects, tracks, and other signs of the wildlife inhabiting this ecosystem. The exploration continues through a blackwater creek, where the surroundings change and offer a new perspective of the forest. This peaceful and quiet journey allows you to appreciate the rich diversity of flora and fauna associated with these aquatic environments.
After enjoying a refreshing drink and a delicious lunch, the afternoon continues with a journey along the Napo River, ideal for birdwatching and admiring the colors of the sunset over the rainforest.
During the excursion, you will have the option to swim in the river. If you would like to participate, you can arrange it in advance with your guide, who will plan the appropriate time to enjoy this refreshing experience and end the day in direct contact with nature.
Day 5:
To make your final day truly memorable, you may participate in the guayusada ritual.
It begins early, at around 4:30 a.m., when a Kichwa family shares the sacred ancestral guayusa beverage. This ritual is a way of passing ancient knowledge on to new generations. You will hear traditional songs and, if you wish, your dreams may be interpreted by a wise mamakuna from the community. A truly mystical experience!
Afterward, we will return for an Amazonian breakfast while our team collects your luggage. We will then board our comfortable motorized canoes, giving you one last opportunity to admire the magnificent Ecuadorian rainforest scenery as we return to our port in El Coca.
