Trip Highlights
Stay at La Selva Eco-Lodge, a carbon neutral property set on 50 acres within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, with just 19 staterooms and two surrounding lakes to explore by canoe
Climb the lodge's observation tower for sweeping views over the rainforest canopy, and join a night hike to spot nocturnal wildlife rarely seen in daylight
Visit a Parrot Clay Lick to watch dozens of parrots and parakeets gather in a single, colorful spectacle
Paddle the Morete Yaku stream and explore deeper into Yasuní National Park with a bilingual naturalist and native guide
About This Trip
This five-day extension brings you deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon, based at La Selva Eco-Lodge in the heart of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. After flying to Coca, you'll settle into one of the lodge's 19 staterooms, each with a private balcony and rainforest views, before beginning a rhythm of guided hikes, canoe rides, and wildlife-focused excursions led by a bilingual naturalist and native guide. Trails wind through the surrounding forest, canoe rides cross the lodge's two lakes, and an observation tower offers a rare vantage point above the canopy, all built around the patterns of the wildlife that call this reserve home.
As the stay extends, so does the range of experiences. A night hike reveals the forest's nocturnal life, a visit to a parrot clay lick draws dozens of birds in a single, vivid gathering, and a paddle along the Morete Yaku stream pushes further into Yasuní National Park itself. Meals lean on regionally inspired cuisine, and the pace throughout favors quiet immersion over crowded itineraries, a fitting complement to the more structured, wildlife-viewing rhythm of a Galápagos cruise.
A shorter 3-night / 4-day version of this program is also available. Please inquire.
Itinerary
Sample Itinerary
Fly to Coca and continue by river to La Selva Eco-Lodge in the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. After settling in, explore the Matapalo Charapa trail, then take a night canoe ride across Garza Cocha lagoon to look for nocturnal wildlife along the water.
Climb the lodge’s observation tower for panoramic views over the rainforest canopy, prime territory for spotting birds and monkeys moving through the treetops. In the evening, join a guided night hike to search for the forest’s nocturnal residents.
Venture further into Yasuní National Park for a day of wildlife encounters, then paddle the calm waters of the Morete Yaku stream, a quieter, more intimate way to take in the surrounding forest.
A day of varied rainforest experiences, which may include a visit to a Parrot Clay Lick to watch parrots and parakeets gather, and a visit to a local Kichwa community. Close out the stay with a farewell gathering at the lodge.
Accommodations
La Selva Eco-Lodge is a carbon-neutral property on 50 acres within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. The lodge's 19 staterooms, including panoramic and family options, each feature a private balcony and rainforest views, with design inspired by native architecture.
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
