This action-packed itinerary delivers the perfect blend of awe-inspiring wildlife encounters and thrilling rainforest exploration. With every step guided by expert naturalist and native guides, you’ll experience the untouched Amazon in a way few ever do—up close, immersive, and unforgettable.
Your adventure begins at Quito International Airport, where a La Selva representative will meet you at the National Departure area. They’ll assist you with check-in and give you a quick overview of what’s to come.
After a short 30-minute flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana (“El Coca”), a private vehicle will transfer you to our dock along the Napo River.
From there, you’ll journey downstream for 2.5 hours by motorized canoe directly into the heart of the Amazon—your first taste of the rainforest’s majesty. A box lunch and refreshments are included for your comfort.
At the end of the ride, a paddle canoe will take you on the final leg to La Selva Lodge.
Our staff will handle your luggage while you focus on your camera and carry-on. When you arrive to the lodge, you will be warmly welcomed with a refreshing drink, freshly baked snacks, and an introduction to your jungle home.
Intro to the Rainforest
After settling in, your Naturalist Guide will offer a brief but fascinating orientation about the Amazon ecosystem, the lodge’s sustainable mission, and the wonders ahead.
Matapalo Charapa Trail
Venture into the forest on a short hike beneath towering trees, including ancient mahoganies and the iconic Strangler Fig. Your guides will point out birds, insects, mammals and plants coming to life in the magical twilight hours when day meets night.
Night Canoe Ride
As darkness falls, paddle quietly across Garza Cocha Lake. Using a spotlight, your guides will help you spot caimans, night birds, and mammals. If skies are clear, you’ll also enjoy some incredible stargazing.
Evening
Relax with snacks and cocktails at the bar or sip unlimited tea and freshly brewed coffee at the beverage station. Then sit down to a full-service dinner in our comfortable dining room.
Wake Up Call
Breakfast
Observation Tower & Mandi Cocha
After a short hike, ascend our 120-foot Observation Tower and gaze across the vast forest canopy. Using spotting scopes, your guides will help you find colorful birds—and perhaps even monkeys leaping through the treetops!
Continue on to Mandi Cocha, a tranquil floodplain lake surrounded by dense jungle. With luck, you may encounter giant river otters—a rare and endangered species that sometimes makes an appearance here.
Lunch at the Lodge
Garza Cocha Lake Exploration
Return to one of the Amazon’s most beautiful lakes. This area offers excellent opportunities to see squirrel monkeys, capuchins, howler monkeys, and the hoatzin—a quirky, prehistoric-looking bird found only in pristine Amazon regions.
Night Walk
Grab a flashlight and camera, and set off into the jungle after dark. Spot frogs, insects, reptiles, and elusive nocturnal mammals that reveal the Amazon’s hidden side.
Dinner & Free Time
Enjoy a delicious dinner followed by the activity of your choice: kayaking, yoga, a massage, or simply relaxing on the balncoy of your room as the sounds of the forest provide you with a relaxing natural soundtrack.
Wake up call
Breakfast
Parrot Clay Lick and Pilchi Community Visit
After a hearty breakfast, cruise back down the Napo River to a clay lick where hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather in a vibrant, colorful spectacle.
These birds feed on the mineral-rich soil, and with binoculars in hand, you’ll be able to witness this natural phenomenon in stunning detail.
Next, head to the Indigenous community of Pilchi. Learn how Amazon peoples have lived sustainably in the rainforest for thousands of years—what they wear, eat, cook, and how they use plants for medicine, building structures, and daily life.
Be curious, ask questions, and don’t miss the chance to try traditional drinks and foods—your hosts love to share their stories with visitors!
Lunch at the Lodge
Coto Trail & Canoe Ride
Walk along the Coto Trail to see a stunning section of forest bathed in soft afternoon sunlight. Your guides will help you spot fascinating creatures along the way and introduce you to ancient medicinal plants still used by native communities.
The trail ends with a peaceful canoe ride back to the lodge—keep an eye out for caimans, bats, and more as night falls.
Departure Briefing & Farewell Cocktail
Before dinner, the lodge manager will describe the next day’s departure process. Then toast your final night in the Amazon with a complimentary farewell cocktail from our bartender.
Dinner & Evening Options
End your day with a delightful dinner and one last chance to enjoy the spa, yoga, or a quiet evening under the stars.
Wake Up Call
Breakfast
Rise early for a delicious breakfast before your journey back to civilization.
A staff-assisted paddle and motorized canoe ride will return you upstream to El Coca. After a brief stop at our office, we’ll escort you to the airport and assist with boarding passes and luggage.
Note: This sample itinerary may vary depending on weather, group interests, safety considerations, and seasonal changes. Your guides will tailor each day to create the best possible experience.
