Napo Wildlife Center
Ecuador Amazon Eco lodge community management
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The Napo Wildlife Center, NWC Amazon Lodge, is the greatest and ultimate
alternative luxury eco-hotel in Amazonian Ecuador. This ecotourism project
includes the conservation of approximately over 82 square miles (53,500
acres - over 21,400 hectares ) of the most pristine Amazon Rain Forest
within the Yasunì National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rain forest in Ecuador.
The lodge complex is located by the Anangucocha lake, within the unique
ancestral territory of the Anangu Quichua Community, part of the Yasuni
National Park. In the early 90’ the community envisioned building
their own lodge to provide themselves jobs and protecting their land.
With great effort they built back then 4 well established shelters and
a large house for kitchen and dining room, however buildings remained
incomplete there at that early stage for many years as they had no more
money to finish them or to establish a proper infrastructure to call
it a first class jungle hotel.
They wanted high quality facilities and accommodations, to provide an
exclusive and personalized rain forest experience, intimate with nature,
under a dedicated private and unique lodge, but only to a selected number
of guests. Finally in year 2000 after several local and international
contacts the project was able to move forward and establish the community’s
and its nature tourism leaders dream.
The community, entitled by its constitutional rights over their land,
approached Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment which through its National
Park service declared them honorific park rangers and approved the project
signing a renewable management agreement of this territory part as well
of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve.
Thanks to the Anangu Community initiative, their manpower, supported
by the best technical assistance, financed with donations in partnership
with the independent Ecuadorian non profit conservation organization,
EcoEcuador, Napo Wildlife Center was born in 2003. The most carefully
designed first class Amazon lodge in Ecuador.
Since its pre-inaugural trip in March 2003 the lodge has been recognized
by both guests and companies for its impeccable operation, service and
experiences provided to all visitors. The New York Times featured NWC
in its travel section in 2004, the BBC from the UK visited in same year
for a nature special, Victor Emanunel declared it as “One of the
top 10 birding sites of the world” during his lecture at the 2004
British Birdwatching Fair, the World Travel Market in London awarded
NWC as Best in a Protected Area in 2006. Now NWC counts with many and
countless reviews about the lodge throughout the international media
worldwide.
After such a successful development and achievements, in January 2007
started a process to transfer the entire lodge to the community’s
hands, later on in June same year this process was effective and since
then Napo Wildlife Center is 100% community owned and administrated with
best Ecuadorian professional and technical assistance. We want to invite
you for a visit to this special destination. Please do not hesitate and
contact your travel agent or operator for further information on the
premier Amazon lodge in Ecuador: the Napo Wildlife Center, NWC.
4 days 3 nights Ecuador Amazon Jungle Tour Expedition
Day 1
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Departing from Quito, 30 minute flight to Coca over the eastern
Andes mountain range.
After landing, about mid morning, and airport procedures a 5 min transfer in
local chiva (hired bus) or local taxi from airport to Port Francisco de Orellana
will drive us to embark onto a comfortable covered motor boat. Here we start
a canoe ride along the Napo river for about 2 . hours approx, lunch box in route.
Along the way birds like herons, kingfishers and others can be spotted.
After arriving at NWC’s entry dock we disembark for restroom then take
a majestic and peaceful 1 hours dugout canoe ride surrounded by trees overhead,
paddling along a narrow creek that connects to the lake where the lodge is located.
Good possibilities of monkeys sights of various species as well as large birds
like toucans, parrots or even macaws. Late afternoon arrival to the NWC lodge
by the overwhelming view of the Añangu lake, welcome drink and facilities.
After dinner optional cayman (alligator) observation around the lake and natural
sounds at night.
Day 2
Early wake up to reach the best and easy access parrot clay
licks in Ecuador, about 1 hour away from the lodge, guests reach
there just before parrot activity kicks off at the clay lick between
7:30 to 8:30. A total of 11 species of parrots, parakeets and macaws
can be seen. A visit that depends on weather conditions but usually
successful.
Later, hike along forest trail to visit to the Quichua community of Añangu
and sharing time with a family on their activities. Return to the creek and hike
through a Terra Firme Forest for about 30 minutes until we arrive to the second
parrot clay lick where if the weather conditions help will be able to find different
species of parrots, parakeets and even macaws. Box lunch at the parrot clay lick
observatory. Late afternoon arrival to the lodge.
Day 3
After early breakfast, depart from the lodge to the finest experience
at a canopy tower on the Napo. A 36m high canopy tower opened to guests
in November 2004, a great way to experience the life above the forest
floor.
This is the second tower at the Napo Wildlife Center (the first is attched to
the dining hall and allows great views of the lake). The canopy tower is located
about 20 minutes from the lodge deep within the terra firme forest. As you ascend
the 12-story tower, you pass through different levels of the forest and emerge
on top of a huge Ceiba tree. Here you cross onto a wooden platform that is actually
built into the tree and experience the view formerly reserved only for the birds.
The metal tower itself was constructed to the highest standards, galvanized,
and carefully inspected by engineers. Safety is the priority.
The platform at the top of the tree was constructed by tree platform specialists
as well. From top to bottom, there is no finer canopy experience in Eastern Ecuador.
Flocks of colorful tanagers pass right through the canopy of the tree, Blue-andyellow
Macaws fly past, in nearby trees Spider Monkeys search for fruit, two species
of large toucans call in the early mornings and afternoons, and the life of the
forest canopy opens before you. Birds that are virtually impossible to see from
the forest floor far below are suddenly right beside you, oblivious to your presence.
The canopy tower opens a whole new world to guests of the Napo Wildlife Center!!
Served lunch at the lodge.
Afternoon visit to a terra firme trail, hike along
primary forest to discover the forest interior, posibilities of finding
lizards, colorful manakins or the unique and endemic Golden mantle tamarin
monkeys. After the hike, explore the lake and creeks by dugout canoe
with great possibilities of running into a Giant otter family on
the way
Day 4
Early departure and last excursion canoeing back to the Napo river,
the creek may reveal new sights of Giant otters, Monk Saki monkeys or
many other rare birds.
Entry docking area, use of restrooms and embarking on motorized canoe in order
to return back to Coca, arrival approximately after 2 hours boat ride up river,
in order to check for Coca – Quito flight, schedule to be announced according
to departure details and arrangements.
Additional Day(s):
Optional excursions such as hikes through different
trails and forest types. Canoe rides exploring deeper areas of surrounding
creeks with more wildlife possibilities, additional mammal clay
lick excursion, handicraft workshop with the local community among
other options.
PLEASE NOTE: this is a sample itinerary subject to
change due to weather conditions, safety and particular interests of
guests and groups. Changes and additions are made in order to maximize
wildlife viewing and wilderness enjoyment, cultural interaction with
local people, and all possible time at the richest rain forest in Ecuador:
the Yasuni National Park. Please check with us to tailor-made your itinerary
and cater to your particular interest for a unique life experience at
the finest Amazon lodge: the Napo Wildlife Center
Included
Accommodation, all meals, pure water, river transportation and
local Coca airport – boat in - out transfers, all excursions,
including visits to our exclusive NWC`s parrot-macawclay licks.
Native guide and naturalist bilingual guides, Yasuni National Park
entrance fee, purified water during meals, rain poncho and rubber
boots provided when needed for excursions.
Not Included
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Any other item not specified |
