Remember that all excursions and times on this sample 4-day Amazon tour itinerary are subject to change and largely depend on weather, season, group limitations, group interests, and guide decisions based on passenger safety and organized operations.
Arrival at the Quito International Airport you will be met by one of our La Selva representatives in the National Departure area. Here they will assist you with the check-in process and give you a short briefing about the journey.
After a 30-minute commercial flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana “El Coca”, our representative will transfer you by private transportation to the city’s main dock at the Napo River.
The next two hours will be on a motorized canoe heading down river on what will be the beginning of an unforgettable experience in the tropical rainforest, the Amazon.
At the end of the motorized canoe ride, you will be dropped off at La Selva’s main dock and your first close encounter with the rainforest begins and the final leg of the trip to the lodge will be completed in a paddle canoe. The only thing you must take care of during this part of the trip is your carry-on and camera equipment, all other luggage will be transported by La Selva staff.
The manager will be waiting to greet you with a refreshing juice, snacks and a short briefing with general information about your stay at La Selva Lodge.
4:30 pm – Intro to The Rainforest
One of the Naturalist Guides will give you basic info about the tropical rainforest, the Amazon, and how La Selva operates. The idea is to begin your activities with background knowledge of the amazing place you have just arrived to.
5:00 pm – Matapalo Trail
This trail was given the Spanish name of the famous Strangler fig (Ficus sp), one of many remarkable trees that you can find on this short walk. Mahogany trees over 400 years old can be seen and your guides will share their knowledge of the flora and fauna. Due to the time of day there is great natural light and the diurnal and nocturnal animals are beginning their daily transitional activities.
7:00 pm – Snacks & Drinks
At the bar you can find snacks and order cocktails from the bartender. Or, feel free to help yourself to limitless tea and coffee.
7:30 – Dinner
Dinner will be served at this time. Find your seat and get comfortable while our waiters serve you each course.
day two
full day of activities
6:00 am – Wake Up Call
6:30 am – Breakfast
7:00 am – Observation Tower & Tucaneta Trail
After a 20 minute walk the observation tower comes into sight. This amazing construction will allow you to climb 120 ft above the forest. Your Naturalist and Native guides will help you spot the colorful birds of the Amazon, maybe even certain primates.
On the way back from the tower there is the option of taking the Tucaneta Trail where your Native Guide can show you some of the medicinal plants still in use today and your Naturalist Guide will provide you with interesting info on the ecology and natural history of the Amazon.
1:00 PM – Lunch
4:30 pm – Charapa Trail
This trail goes on for about an hour beginning at the lodge and ending by the edge of the lagoon. It is a great loop where different mammals, monkeys and birds can been seen that come closer to the lagoon at this time looking for food. It is also perfect for witnessing an Amazonian sunset from the water in the canoe.
6:40 pm – Night Canoe Ride
With the help of a spot light your guides will take you around the lagoon via canoe looking for nighttime wildlife. This is also a great opportunity for star gazing!
7:30 pm – Dinner
day three
full day of activities
6:00 am – Wake Up Call
6:30 am – Breakfast
7:00 am – Parrot Clay Lick and Mandi Wasi
Today you will make your way back to the Napo River and take a motorized canoe ride to the clay licks, one of the most fascinating displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather here to eat the mineral rich soil, an important part of their diet. Binoculars are essential to really capture the moment. After the clay licks we will take you to experience our Cultural Activity. An Amazonian Kichua woman will welcome you at their community center to share their life of the Kichua’s in the Amazon. This is special because it is part of the Amazon you do not find on the maps and provides the special and unique opportunity to really get to learn more about the people of the Amazon.
1:00 pm – Lunch
4:30 pm – Coto Trail
This is a fantastic walk that takes off from the lodge to the edge of the Garzacocha Lagoon. In the afternoon th elight from the sun will come from behind most of the time, making this walk an amazing experience and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this amazing forest. Groups of black-mantled tamarin monkeys can be spotted on this walk and some of our groups have even seen tapirs too.
Your Naturalist Guide is going to explain about all the different creatures that can be found and our Native Guide is going to explain about all the different creatures that can be found and our Native Guide will show you some of the medical plants that they have been using for thousands of years. A canoe ride back to the lodge makes a great ending for this activity.
7:30 pm – Dinner
day four
departure day
6:00 am – Wake Up Call
6:30 am – Breakfast
7:00 am – Departure for Coca
In accordance with your briefing the night before, you will have an early wake up call, breakfast and departure from the lodge. The lodge staff will assist you with your checked luggage and the motorized canoe ride will head upstream back to Coca, where our representatives will take you to the airport to help you with your checked luggage and boarding passes.
During your free time in-between activities you can use our kayaks, swim in the lagoon, have a massage or just relax in your room and have a nap!
Sample itinerary subject to change according to weather conditions or guide decisions. On the last day of your visit at La Selva, there will be no scheduled activities as you will be leaving in the morning to catch your flight in Coca returning to Quito.
Promotions & Combinations
enjoy special offers
Be sure to check out our special promotions for Amazon rainforest tours, as well as the option to combine your journey to our Amazon ecolodge with a cruise to view the fabled wildlife of the Galapagos Islands or a chance to discover the wonders of Peru.
A magical privilege I was in La Selva in October 2019, but to this day I still dream of the jungle I experienced there. In the fir...read moreI was in La Selva in October 2019, but to this day I still dream of the jungle I experienced there. In the first couple of months I had very frequent dreams at night, seeing the birds and the trees, jaguars and monkeys. My actual experience was not too far from these dreams. I saw the most spectacular nature I could ever have wished for, and I was deeply touched to see the animals I've known of since childhood, in their natural habitat. Alligators, anaconda, monkeys (ti-ti monkey <3 ), turtles, parrots, toucans, spiders and insects and some of the other guests saw a jaguar! Most of all, it was a huge impression to see and feel how the jungle with all of its life, is a massive organism, where everything is in harmony. How foolish the norms of civilization seems, when standing still in this paradise. Even the dangerous aspects of life seem to have their place, without violating the harmony. Now the ecolodge experience was equally magical! -Wonderful people there -I feel so lucky to have had Paul as our guide -everything he showed & told us was captivating. Enrique (Pajarito!) was with us on our jungle walks and the canoe, he too was amazing. Across the lagoon he was able to identify the types of monkeys (not visible from the distance), just from the movement of the trees, to mention but one of our guides expert knowledge.... I was in La Selva in October 2019, but to this day I still dream of the jungle I experienced there. In the first couple of months I had very frequent dreams at night, seeing the birds and the trees, jaguars and monkeys. My actual experience was not too far from these dreams. I saw the most spectacular nature I could ever have wished for, and I was deeply touched to see the animals I've known of since childhood, in their natural habitat. Alligators, anaconda, monkeys (ti-ti monkey <3 ), turtles, parrots, toucans, spiders and insects and some of the other guests saw a jaguar! Most of all, it was a huge impression to see and feel how the jungle with all of its life, is a massive organism, where everything is in harmony. How foolish the norms of civilization seems, when standing still in this paradise. Even the dangerous aspects of life seem to have their place, without violating the harmony.
Now the ecolodge experience was equally magical! -Wonderful people there -I feel so lucky to have had Paul as our guide -everything he showed & told us was captivating. Enrique (Pajarito!) was with us on our jungle walks and the canoe, he too was amazing. Across the lagoon he was able to identify the types of monkeys (not visible from the distance), just from the movement of the trees, to mention but one of our guides expert knowledge.
In the beautiful dining area (where all meals were beautiful and delicious), we always felt at home, with the hearty greetings of Juanito and Bernardo -I will never forget this!
Also our hostess with the mostess was so helpful and friendly -unfortunately I don't remember her name. Last but not least, on our last night I had the best massage ever, just at the edge of the jungle. The masseuse had serious skills!
In just 4 days, this place really left its imprint on me. Going back to Coca in the morning (5am) with the canoe, was a very poetic and magical farewell. Hopefully I will have the honor to go back to Amazonia -I'm forever humbled & enchanted! Anyway, I lost my Aries zodiac patch in my room! Maybe I need to go back and get it! Moreread less
juliarose78
4/19/2020
Unique and extraordinary experience for grown ups and kids My son (15) daughter (11) and I traveled with our friends who also had a 15 yo son. The trip was extraordinar...read moreMy son (15) daughter (11) and I traveled with our friends who also had a 15 yo son. The trip was extraordinary in every way. We had the good fortune to have the naturalist Paul as our guide; there was simply not an animal, sound or sigh he could not identify. We were also lucky enough to have Gido as our local guide who helped my daughter catch a piranha and taught my son to eat a palm weevil straight out of the tree. I cannot say enough about this experience, and the wonderful staff who made this a trip of a life time. I would recommend this to anyone with a love of nature or an interest in the Amazon. Moreread less
MonicaK1676
9/05/2019
Unparamounted Experience When you think of sleeping in the thick of the Amazon Rainforest, I promise that you won’t be able to imagine ...read moreWhen you think of sleeping in the thick of the Amazon Rainforest, I promise that you won’t be able to imagine just how enjoyable and luxurious that experience can be. You’ll just have to see for yourself and I have a feeling you won’t be disappointed. A big thanks to La Selva and all of its staff for their hospitality, sustainability and immense knowledge of the seemingly infinite surrounding jungle.read less
BenCoals
7/18/2019
Amazing service and care during difficult time! The best guides! We were so fortunate to have experienced 2 nights of our stay when the country shut down for coronavirus. It...read moreWe were so fortunate to have experienced 2 nights of our stay when the country shut down for coronavirus. It is just a magical place. We were greeted at Coca airport and then 2 hours down the Napo River transferring to a little canoe for half an hour into the private lagoon of La Selva. Lovely box lunch as we travel was greatly appreciated.
Accommodations were beautiful with a large room and balcony. The oversize fan kept us quite comfortable at night. I appreciated the L'Occitane products.
The food was marvelous and I really enjoyed that we ate with our guide Paul. He was so knowledgeable about animals and plants in the jungle.
We enjoyed two evening canoe rides , one hike to observation tower and then we were given the information that Ecuador was closing its border to incoming flights effective the next day. We were advised to find flights home tomorrow from Quito. La Selva and Paul did so much to help us navigate this difficult situation. The concern to help us return home in light of the fact that their jobs would be on hold for at least 30 days was phenomenal.
Yoga is offered 4 times a day and I was able to enjoy a class. Great instructor! I was also able to have a lovely massage in the jungle.
I hope we will be able to visit again. Moreread less
voyageurfoodie
3/25/2020
Amazing! Amazing place located in the middle of the jungle , a magical atmosphere. The stuff and guides amazing couldn...read moreAmazing place located in the middle of the jungle , a magical atmosphere. The stuff and guides amazing couldn’t ask for more. The lodge is really consider the nature around it.
Rooms are very comfortable, food also amazing.
They have really nice yoga classes and some more cool activities except the tours.
They give all the equipment you need you just enjoy the nature there in the best way!read less
Resort822280
8/11/2019
Great place! A very, very nice place! Beautiful lodge and surroundings, great food and staff! But absolutely best are the g...read moreA very, very nice place! Beautiful lodge and surroundings, great food and staff! But absolutely best are the guides!!! Our naturalist guide, Robby, and our native guide, Sixto, were outstanding! Very professional, yet extremely warm and funny, felt like family. Robby was teaching us in a very interesting and interactive way that kept the whole family spellbound. And just an example of how the staff really care; on the day we left, the housekeeping found out that our son had left his sunglasses behind. To give them back to him, they sent a guy in a canoe, paddling really fast for like 30 minutes to catch up with us before entering the motorized canoe! Moreread less