AN AMAZON DEEP DIVE
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Activities & Wildlife Exploration
every day is an adventure at La Selva!
Our experienced guides will accompany you on the following activities, depending on the time of day, season, weather, physical abilities of the group and where they believe wildlife is more likely to be found. Each activity was designed to showcase the best of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Note: All of these activities are included in the regular program prices (apart from the Pañacocha Lake and Charapa Turtle visit).
Enjoy a canoe ride on our lagoon, Garzacocha, and discover a great diversity of plants and animals in two different landscapes and ecosystems.
2. Trails
Heading out from the lodge, your guides can lead you on half-a-dozen trails that wind their way through the surrounding rainforest and connect with the lake. You never know what you might find along the way… A giant ceiba tree, strangler figs, walking palms, Azteca ants, heliconias, bromeliads, and maybe even some forest fauna — if you’re lucky.
Several indigenous communities live near La Selva and guests are able to visit to learn about their way of life. We like this quote that perfectly sums up why our guests enjoy the community visit so much; “People travel because it teaches them things they could learn no other way.” – Lance Morrow
4. Our amazon observation tower
Our tower offers amazing views from its platform 35 meters (115 ft) up from the forest floor. It’s nestled into the branches of a giant kapok tree, allowing us to observe life in the surrounding forest canopy. From here, we can spot many different species of birds, insects, and monkeys, as well as different types of flowers. The tower offers great opportunities for photography, filming and bird watching. The tower is located a 15-minute walk from the lodge. Guides will accompany you to the observation tower either in the morning or the afternoon.
5. Parrot clay licks
One of the most amazing sights in the Amazon that is relatively easy to enjoy is observing parrots coming to feed on clay, on the banks of rivers or streams. There are two places on the south bank of the Napo River (inside Yasuni National Park) where parrots, parakeets and even macaws gather. They come to obtain the minerals in the clay that help them to digest the fruits and seeds better.
For this excursion, we take motorized canoes along the Napo and enjoy a box lunch in the forest.
6. Night-time canoe excursion
You’ll go out with the guides in canoe with a spotlight onto Garzacocha Lagoon to spot caimans, bats, owls and more.
7. FAMILY ACTIVITIES
At La Selva, we are proud to have created unforgettable moments for families to share together for more than a quarter of a century. We regard ourselves as the most child-friendly lodge (ages 5 and up) in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Our youngest guests can participate in our junior naturalist program, while older children will find dozens of activities to keep them busy, from hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and exploring the tree tops from our observation tower.
This is a great way to do some exploring on your own time. The kayaks are kept by the dock. Ask reception for the paddles and life jackets to go out on your own. You’ll have the opportunity to see monkeys, Hoatzins and many other tropical rainforest birds. Swimming: Please inform reception you will be going for a swim. You can ask them for a towel instead of using one from your suite. The water is very refreshing after a jungle hike and feels silky smooth due to the blackwater.
9. Star gazing
The night sky at La Selva is perfect for viewing constellations in the Southern Hemisphere. Ask your guide to help point them out! We are currently working on new star gazing kits for the Junior Naturlist Children’s Program.
10. Night excursions
Hikes and canoe rides allow guests to enjoy the nocturnal choruses and sounds of the forest as well as trying to spot bats, nightjars, some insects and possibly to get a glimpse of the caimans that lurk at the lake’s banks. Walking excursions give us the chance to encounter nocturnal creatures such as tarantulas, whip-scorpions, toads and frogs, and possibly snakes.
11. Charapa Turtle Adoption Program
“The adventure begins with an early morning departure from the lodge, followed by a 15 – 20 minute motor canoe ride on the Napo River. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the local community. They will take you to where the small Charapa Turtle pools are located. Here is where the community collects the eggs from the turtles and where they will be protected until they hatch. Once hatched, tourists have the rare opportunity to choose a turtle, give it a name, and then liberate it into the Napo River.
A conservation certificate in the name of the Charapa Program will be given to stating the name of your freed turtle and a small gift from the community. This activity has a cost of only $5 USD per turtle and this input is given directly to the community, it does not pass through any other entity so you can feel good about where you are putting your donations. The community also offers various products produced and crafted within such as coffee, chocolate, and handicrafts that visitors can purchase. Afterwards, the guide will transport you back to the lodge the same way you came. You will have time to enjoy the many free activities we offer such as kayaking, fishing, and yoga or depending on how much time you spent at the community, you will be back in time for lunch”.
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 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.
PRICE 2020: US$170 per person (based on min 2 guests) + private guide for all your tour.
Unbelievable Experience Start to Finish It takes impeccable service for me to take the time to write a review, and the service at LaSelva Lodge exceed...read moreIt takes impeccable service for me to take the time to write a review, and the service at LaSelva Lodge exceeded my expectations across the board. We came here on our honeymoon, as visiting the Amazon jungle has always been on my bucket list, and from the moment you arrive you are fully immersed. It's beautiful, clean, amazing food, beautiful comfortable rooms, amazing forest walks and canoe rides, friendly and helpful staff, plus they give you the ability to customize your trip and cater to your specific wants/needs. I've honestly never had a better experience on a vacation. Our naturalist guide was Julio Rojas and our local guide was Tio Jose. The two of them together were fantastic at spotting birds and finding wildlife in the jungle. I'm an avid outdoorsman and very comfortable in the forest and Julio picked up on that immediately and took us deep into the jungle to give us a 'full dose' (our full dose included a hot lunch on the canoe, chicken with a cranberry sauce, but still... lol). They never took the easy way out, and both were invested in us having the experience we paid for. Both men are close to 60 years old and they took my wife and I, 31 and 32 on a strenuous 4-5 mile hike, up hill off trail, in the heat and humidity without flinching. They took the time to get to know us and find... It takes impeccable service for me to take the time to write a review, and the service at LaSelva Lodge exceeded my expectations across the board. We came here on our honeymoon, as visiting the Amazon jungle has always been on my bucket list, and from the moment you arrive you are fully immersed. It's beautiful, clean, amazing food, beautiful comfortable rooms, amazing forest walks and canoe rides, friendly and helpful staff, plus they give you the ability to customize your trip and cater to your specific wants/needs. I've honestly never had a better experience on a vacation.
Our naturalist guide was Julio Rojas and our local guide was Tio Jose. The two of them together were fantastic at spotting birds and finding wildlife in the jungle. I'm an avid outdoorsman and very comfortable in the forest and Julio picked up on that immediately and took us deep into the jungle to give us a 'full dose' (our full dose included a hot lunch on the canoe, chicken with a cranberry sauce, but still... lol). They never took the easy way out, and both were invested in us having the experience we paid for. Both men are close to 60 years old and they took my wife and I, 31 and 32 on a strenuous 4-5 mile hike, up hill off trail, in the heat and humidity without flinching. They took the time to get to know us and find out what we were there to see and experience, and they made that the focus of our outings.. Most guests are probably older and more into birdwatching than we were, and I'm sure it's extremely rare for them to have guests that want a full dose, but they did it anyways. You can tell Julio and Jose really love their jobs and they deserved more of a tip then we could ever have given them. The faint sounds that Tio can pick up in the jungle are absolutely incredible and the love that Julio has for the forest, including plants/ animals and local people, is contagious. Hats off to both of them for making our trip of a lifetime truly a trip of a lifetime. Simply amazing! Moreread less
coryjaydavis87
2/19/2020
Wonderful stay at La Selva Ecolodge We just returned from a wonderful stay at La Selva, we were two families traveling together. Considering the ...read moreWe just returned from a wonderful stay at La Selva, we were two families traveling together. Considering the fact that everything has to be brought in by paddle canoe, it is amazing that they are able to have such a beautiful and well run lodge. The family rooms were very comfortable, the spa services and the food were great. Our wonderful naturalist guide Paul and native guide Gido were so knowledgeable and showed us so much amazing wildlife. They were also incredibly patient, we were traveling with a couple of teenage boys, who are not always the easiest people to get motivated and interested, but they really were able to engage them. The jungle treks, canoe rides, piranha fishing, views from the canopy, we loved it all and it was an unforgettable experience in the jungle. I would highly recommend La Selva.read less
SueL2578
8/21/2019
Great Lodge We had a wonderful time on our 5 day stay at La Selva. Tucked away far from city life in the Amazonian jungle....read moreWe had a wonderful time on our 5 day stay at La Selva. Tucked away far from city life in the Amazonian jungle. Lots of great hikes and animal sightings. Our guides David and Bolivar were fantastico! Good food, comfortable accommodations with the jungle and lake right out side your door along with monkeys, birds and much more.
This is definitely not an experience for those looking for city amenities / luxury. No AC, hot and humid, fairly structured schedule with early wake up calls (got to get up early to see nature in action).
Guides will adjust activities to the needs of their small group so kids and less athletic persons can enjoy the wonders of the Amazon.
The spa services were excellent and in an amazing setting. Bernardo at the bar is sweet and very helpful, Miguel one of the managers was very eager to please and informative.
Amazing trip! Went as an add on trip before visiting the Galápagos Islands. So glad we did as we had a really fabulous time....read moreWent as an add on trip before visiting the Galápagos Islands. So glad we did as we had a really fabulous time.
We fished for Piranha during our down time, there is so much to do or time to have a siesta if you prefer.
The guides were very knowledgeable and had super sharp vision when it came to animal spotting. La Selva was really a superb lodge.
Have the best memories and everything about this trip was perfect for us travelling as a family with 19 and 22yr olds!read less
Coastal647935
10/28/2019
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 Amazonas Experience This is definitely the most beautiful lodge in the entire Amazonas! You do not need to worry about anything, e...read moreThis is definitely the most beautiful lodge in the entire Amazonas! You do not need to worry about anything, everything is
coordinated by the lodge. Very experienced guides, amazing food, just once in a lifetime experience. I would recommend to directly book through the lodge, you get the best package. Its absolutely worth to pay a bit more!!read less