Napo Wildlife Center is one of the most beautiful Eco-lodges in the Ecuadorian Rainforest. 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 Napo Wildlife Center, NWC Lodge is located by the Anangucocha lake, in the unique ancestral territory of the Anangu Quichua Community. Thanks to their own initiative and supported by the Tropical Nature Conservation System, we have built in partnership the most carefully designed first class Amazon lodge in Ecuador.

GETTING THERE

The journey to NWC starts in Quito, Ecuador's capital city. From the national airport an flight of approximately 35 minute will take guests over the Eastern Andes Mountain Range, crossing the equator and looking into snow capped volcanoes at over 5,790 meters above sea level (18,991 feet) before reaching the headwaters of the Amazon Basin near the Napo River at only 250 m above sea level (820 feet). After landing on the Puerto Francisco de Orellana town airport, locally known as Coca, NWC staff will greet passengers and take them for a short 5-7 minute transfer to embark on our covered motorized canoe. Here a comfortable breeze will accompany guests during a 50 mile (80 Kilometers )boat ride which will approximately take 2 hours downstream on the largest Ecuadorian tributary of the Amazon: the Napo river. During this trip a good number of birds may be spotted along the way including: herons, kingfishers, ospreys, and many others the further we travel into a more pristine and remote area.

The boat will arrive at the northwest boundary of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve where the NWC is located on the shore of the Anangucocha lake. To access the lodge guests may either embark on a guided 2 ½ km (1,5 miles) hike through wildlife rich forest or continue by dugout canoe on a quiet and enjoyable paddle with our staff for about 1 ½ hours down a creek through dense flooded palm forest habitat. Following either route, guests will be surprised by the various species of monkeys that can frequently be spotted, as well as the colourful birds and other chance wildlife encounters, as we get deeper into this preserved area. At the end of the walk and near the end of the paddle we will reach the Anangu Lake and have a superb view of the lodge, as it sits in waiting to receive its guests.

ACCOMMODATION

Lodging at NWC has been designed to offer maximum privacy and comfort to the world traveller, providing lake and forest views from their private porches, as well as preserving one of the most pristine spots of Amazon forest in Ecuador. Each of our 10 individual large luxury cabanas are prepared for receiving guests in double occupancy or arranged in advance for a 3 members family visit. Rooms include a king size and twin size beds, private bathrooms with hot water, a multi-speed ceiling fan, 24 hours electricity is provided by a hybrid system that combines solar panels, batteries, inversors and silent generators. Thus there are plenty of lights and 120 v outlets, screened windows and mosquito nets.

The buildings style keeps the traditional native architecture and harmoniously combines it with modern interior design. Each cabin has a cool, shaded terrace with beckoning hammocks and ample space from where guests may observe the surroundings. While resting, between activities, guests may get to see a group of giant otters investigating near the lodge dock or a large, 4 meter (13 feet) black caiman crossing the lake or a capybara looking for a place to rest near our lake shore, or witness the frequently observed graceful flight of blue and yellow macaws overhead. The hall has a library of books on local birds and tropical Ecology, next door the bar provides ice-cold beer, wine, soft drinks and other liquor selections. The calls of red howler monkeys will accompany the resting times before gearing up for the next excursion.

Guests are welcome to use our observation tower next to the dinning hall during free time other than the guided visits and simply relax with the great view of the Añangu lake. The not so distant canopy of the rain forest will provide great opportunities for birding or for discovering more wildlife right next to the lodge. The dock area is a nice spot for sunbathing or a refreshing dip in the lake. You may swim around the dock without any worries, though guides of course will jump in first and eliminate any doubts you may have, in spite of the black caimans and piranha inhabitants! Meals are carefully prepared to delight every palate and desire of the international visitor, including traditional Ecuadorian dishes, forest specialities, orn of vegetarian and other special food requirements. A reverse osmosis water filtration system is used in the kitchen (very safe).

Also we have invested in an environmentally sustainable sewage system, unique in the Napo region perhaps the best in the Amazon. All waste water is treated to the highest standards in order to keep the swamps clean of human excrements. Quality of effluent water is better than the lake environment!! Our power is generated by a highly efficient top of the line hybrid system featuring: solar panels, industrial batteries and noiseless generators, which create minimal impact.

ACTIVITIES

Visitors will be divided into small groups and lead two guides : a native Añangu guide, who is also an official Yasuni Park Ranger, expert on the forest's secrets and knowledgable about medicinal plants and other useful items of the rain forest, and an excellent bilingual naturalist guide with a great deal of knowledge in tropical forest biology. Both guides, with their infectious enthusiasm, will create enjoyable daily excursions that will be both, educational and fun experiences. Groups and guides will structure their excursions, taking advantage of the highest peaks of activity as well as current weather conditions in the forest. They will schedule their outings before dawn or at sunrise, which will maximize wildlife observation. Each group will decide together with their guides on their level of ability and priorities regarding afternoon excursions and nocturnal outings.

NWC`S UNIQUE PARROT CLAY LICKS

One of the highlights at NWC is to go out very early in the morning to visit two of Ecuador's most accessible parrot clay licks in the Napo region. These parrot clay licks are an exclusive part of our reserve and lodge territory.

They have a history of visitations from international naturalists and are mentioned in The Birds of Ecuador (Ridgely and Greenfield, 2001). Our parrot clay licks can be reached by following the Giant Otter creek downstream in a dugout canoe close to its confluence with the Napo river. The Napo Wildlife Center has constructed comfortable blinds at each parrot lick in order to provide visitors with the best viewing and high quality photo/video opportunities.

Activity kicks off at the main lick between 7 and 8 in the morning and at the second blind, after midday. Species include: Mealy, blue headed, yellow crowned, orange winged and orange cheeked parrots, cobalt winged, dusky headed and white eyed parakeets, with the occasional rarities like scarlet shoulder parrotlet and scarlet macaws. In the best weather conditions at least 800 individuals of most species can be spotted. On other days, despite the rain one can still see a few dozens.

DINING ROOM TOWER

There is a 19 m (60 feet) observation tower on top of our 13 m (42 feet) hill. High enough to get great views of the lake and the lodge. Nearby the active resident birds can be seen nesting and feeding within the lodge grounds. Did you want to see rare monkeys? the curious Golden Mantle Tamarins are often here for a visit.

PROFESSIONAL CANOPY TOWER

Only 35 minutes away from the lodge the best and most professional canopy tower ever built in Amazonian Ecuador gives superior viewing access to the canopy. Designed to last and provide maximum safety to users, this stainless steel structure complies with international certification ISO 9001:2000 that covers design, manufacturing and erection of steel structures and buildings.

This magnificent tower, over 125 feet tall, stands right next to a giant 155 feet Kapok tree and provides ample space on the platform for over 15 guests and their cameras, spotting scopes, tripods and binoculars gear or other equipment. No one should miss this amazing highlight that provides great views of possible troops of howler, capuchins, monk sakis or spider monkeys in the nearest forest. On a clear day the immense tropical scenery can extend into the Andes where Gran Sumaco and the snow capped Antisana and Cayambe volcanoes are located, truly a one of a kind experience.

Flocks of active feeding birds reach the vicinity of our tree, offering more than 80 species in one single morning, not to mention the mammal sights. Get eye to eye with large toucans, macaws, colourful tanagers and discover the gently moving Three Toed Sloth. The tower provides an ample and comfortable platform. Furthermore, there are 2 resting levels on the way up. This unique tower is the perfect site for dawn chorus or sunset experiences.

FOREST TRAILS & HIKES

There are a number of possible hikes which explore a variety of forest types. Visiting different trails one can appreciate the richness of the tropical forest, discover new plants and colourful or well camouflaged insects. Guests can see monkeys, lizards, tortoises, frogs and army ants in addition to numerous birds, including toucans, macaws, parrots, manakins and hummingbirds.

This is the territory of the rich terra firme, the land where anything is possible, expect the unexpected. The largest mammals like jaguar, puma, tapir, giant anteater and giant armadillo have been spotted in our area. Nocturnal hikes are possible at NWC and may provide the chance of seeing unexpected wildlife!!

LAKE & CREEKS

NWC has a large lake with two creeks that can be easily explored quietly while sitting in a dugout canoe paddled by our expert guides who are eager to spot and show you wildlife. There are good chances of finding more troops of squirrel, saddle-backed and white fronted capuchin monkeys or those that occur only on our southern side of the Napo: monk saki, spider, woolly and golden mantle tamarin monkeys. NWC is home to a total of 11 species of monkeys.

All four species of cayman (alligator related) are found at NWC. Our lake is home to black cayman species, which can best be seen during nocturnal canoe rides or even on sunny days, by the edge of floating vegetation.

BIRDWATCHING

Over 562 species of birds have been recorded at the Napo Wildlife Center, more than ⅓ of all of Ecuador's birds. NWC and Añangu provides one of the best locations for anybody visiting Ecuador in search of overwhelming bird diversity.

Agami and ZigZag herons are found near the lake and creeks, as well as all 5 kingfishers. The large predators like Harpy and Crested Eagles find a healthy population of mammal food around our area. Furthermore active calls of forest floor mixed species flocks with the largest numbers of the surprising antbirds can be found here. Gear up with the best binoculars for the most superb views and active excursions facilitated by the expertise of the top native birdguide in the entire Napo region: Jiovanny Rivadeneira. Our canopy tower provides unrivalled opportunities for birding at one of the best rain forest locations in the country.

THE AÑANGU COMMUNITY

Añangu is not only home to the NWC lodge, it has been the ancestral territory of a Quichua indigenous community by the same name. Añangu people are active participants in the conservation and management of a large territory within the park as well as our partners in eco-tourism. We would like to invite you to see the community that had a dream and took the initiative a long time ago to manage this vast rain forest territory by establishing their own lodge. Helped by EcoEcuador Foundation, part of the Tropical Nature Conservation System, a leading group of ongoing ecotourism projects, we all now work together in a nature tourism company. You can join some families in their daily activities when harvesting bananas, coco, manioc, a starchy jungle root, staple food for Amazonian people, or maybe helping preparing chicha, a traditional drink based on cooked and fermenting manioc.

RATES FOR 2010

Rates are per person.

Departures possible on any day of the week except Sundays. No additional charge for river transportation.

For terms and conditions click here.

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth