12. Private visit to pañacocha
Established in 1994, Pañacocha is located between the two largest protected areas in the Amazon, Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and consists of 56,000 hectares of pristine lagoons and rivers.
The protection of Pañacocha offers rare exceptional views of 9 different species of primates, 500 species of birds, and 100 different species of fish in the protected waterways. Highlights include spotting Aracaris, a small specie of toucan, sloths, and possibly pink river dolphins. Pañacocha also boasts tropical butterflies with endless varieties of colors and patterns.
On the excursion to Pañacocha expect to leave La Selva Eco-Lodge & Retreat by 7am to reach the Napo River. There, a motor canoe will be waiting, and together you and your guide will travel 2 hours down river to the mouth of the Pañacocha River. One stop will be made to pay the local community before entering the lagoon.
Afterwards, we will navigate the black river of Pañacocha for approximately one hour until finally arriving to the lagoon. In the lagoon pink river dolphins may sometimes be spotted and depending on a number of factors there may also be a chance to swim.
Food will be supplied in a boxed lunch at the lagoon and afterwards we will return to the lodge somewhere around 4pm in the afternoon.
Since almost the entire trip is done on the Napo River and in the Pañacocha lagoon, it is an extraordinary chance to experience the waterways of the Amazon and see many interesting things deep in the jungle that not many people have the opportunity to encounter.
* For groups, please contact your account agent.