Current as of: April 30, 2026 - 20:53
Amazon Add-on Tour – Napo Wildlife Center Trip Notes
- Destination: Ecuador
- Programmes: Trip Extensions
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Activity Level:
1 out of 7 - Easy
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: XTNNAPOW
Trip Overview
Experience the Amazon from a lakeside lodge, with wildlife encounters and Kichwa-led insight
Venture into the Ecuadorian Amazon, staying at a community-owned lodge on Lake Añangu. Travelling by river and forest trail, we encounter remarkable wildlife – from parrots gathering at clay licks to monkeys moving through the canopy – while expert guides help decode the ecosystem. Time with the Kichwa Añangu community adds depth, offering insight into traditions, crafts and daily life. With access to canopy towers, quiet waterways and remote forest, this is a focused and immersive introduction to one of the world’s richest natural environments.
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Deposit: A deposit of US$200 is required to book this add-on tour.
Itinerary: This add-on tour runs on a shared basis with non-Exodus guests.
Water safety: This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Group
Local guides are used at the lodge, providing expert insight into Amazon life.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 1
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Quito
- End City: Quito
Land Only Itinerary
Fly to Coca • Journey deep into the Amazon
Bid farewell to Quito, flying east over the Andes to Coca, where the landscape shifts from high peaks to dense rainforest. From here, continue by motorised boat (two hours) along the Napo River, watching the riverbanks for monkeys and birdlife as our guide begins to interpret the ecosystem. A quieter paddle canoe journey takes you through a narrow creek into Lake Añangu, where the lodge sits on the water’s edge.
On arrival, you’re welcomed by the Kichwa Añangu community and introduced to life in this remote corner of the Amazon before settling into our rooms overlooking the jungle.
Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Center
Observe parrots at a clay lick • Learn from the Kichwa community
Set out early to reach a parrot clay lick, timing our arrival for peak activity. Here, parrots, parakeets and macaws gather to feed on mineral-rich clay, a behaviour our guide explains as we watch from a discreet distance.
A forest trail then leads to the Kuri Muyu interpretation centre, run by women from the Añangu community. Through demonstrations and conversation, we gain insight into daily life, craft traditions and the role of the forest in Kichwa culture.
Continuing through terra firme forest, you arrive at a second clay lick to observe more bird and mammal species. Finally, return to the lodge via the main stream, ending the day with dinner.
Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Center
Climb above the canopy • Paddle forest waterways • Walk at night
Begin early with a 30-minute sunrise hike to an observation tower. Rising 36m (118ft) high, this tower offers an elevated vantage point from the canopy of a giant ceibo tree, allowing you to observe various animal species, such as tanagers, macaws, toucans, and monkeys.
Later, we explore terra firme forest on foot, where the diversity of plants and smaller wildlife becomes more apparent.
In the afternoon, take to the water by canoe, gliding across the lake and into surrounding streams, prime territory for spotting giant otters.
After dinner, we head out again with torches for a night walk, when the forest shifts character and nocturnal species begin to emerge.
Accommodation: Napo Wildlife Center
Adventure ends in Quito
You’ve watched parrots gather at a clay lick, explored the Amazon by canoe and on foot, and gained insight into Kichwa traditions, but now it’s time to begin your return journey.
Retrace your route by paddle canoe and motorboat to Coca, followed by the short flight back to Quito.
Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our range of extension options.
Accommodation
Napo Wildlife Center
Set on the shores of Lake Añangu, deep within Yasuní National Park, the Napo Wildlife Center combines comfort with direct access to one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. The lodge is owned and operated by the Añangu Kichwa community, with your stay supporting local conservation and livelihoods.
Spacious cabins are raised above the ground, each with a private balcony overlooking the lake or surrounding forest. Between excursions, there’s time to watch wildlife from the lodge or take in the changing light across the water.
Food & Drink
Meals at the lodge draw on local ingredients and Kichwa traditions, with dishes such as maito (fish wrapped in leaves and cooked over fire) alongside more familiar options. Fresh produce from the region features heavily, with seasonal fruits often served between activities.
Transport
Travel by internal flight between Quito and Coca, then continue by motorised boat and paddle canoe along the Napo River and its tributaries to reach the remote lodge.
Weather & Seasonality
It will be hot with high humidity in the Amazon Rainforest. There is a possibility of rain at any time, but not to the extent of spoiling your enjoyment. The driest time in the jungle (in terms of rainfall levels, not number of rainy days) is October to January.
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Lightweight long bottoms
- Long-sleeved lightweight shirts
- Lightweight sweater or jacket
- Raingear (ponchos are provided)
- Sports shoes or hiking boots
- Hat
- Sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Small backpack for daily essentials
- Insect repellent
- Torch (flashlight) or headlamp for night walks
Optional Equipment
- Binoculars
- Camera
Practical Information
Visa
Ecuador
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/ecuador
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/ecuador
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ecuador/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html
Vaccinations and Health
Ecuador
All visitors to Ecuador must show valid medical insurance on arrival and cannot enter the country without it.
You also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate (vaccinated at least 15 days before you travel) if you are arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda, including if you have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of those countries.
As updates may happen at any time, please check the latest requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.
Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a doctor for more advice. Additionally, dengue, chikungunya and zika, all viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis, typhoid and yellow fever.
Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
Methanol: The FCDO warns travellers to be cautious of methanol poisoning when travelling in destinations visited on the trip.
Local Time
Ecuador's time zone: America/Lima (UTC -05:00)
Electricity
Ecuador's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins) and B (three pins: two flat, one round) – 120V, 60Hz
Money
Ecuador's currency: US dollar (USD)
ATM Availability
ATMs accepting major credit and debit cards are readily available in Quito. Please contact your bank before travel to ensure compatibility.
You should carry your money in US dollars cash. Try to carry a number of small notes (US$1 or US$5) as many small businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change.
Tipping
Tipping forms part of the service culture. Due to the dominance of US visitors in the destination, tips are reasonably high and this is likely to add up during your stay.
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Important Information
Your Safe Participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
Travel Safety
For additional information please have a look at the travel safety advice page on our website.
How to Book
Speak to our friendly team of experts to plan your adventure:
- Check availability: our website shows real-time availability of our guided group tours, or contact our team by phone, email or live chat.
- Hold a space: You can provisionally hold a space on any guided group tour to give you time to finalise your travel plans.
- Confirm your booking: Payment of a deposit will complete your booking and secure your place on the trip.
After booking
You will receive a confirmation document and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements. Our dedicated Customer Operations team will help you with any pre-travel questions or arrangements and can easily add extensions or extra accommodation to your booking. Final Joining Instructions will usually be sent out two to three weeks prior to departure.
Adding transfers to your booking
If you have arranged your own flights and would like to add transfers to your booking, please provide your arrival and departure details to our Customer Operations team around four to six weeks before departure.
- Where free transfers are included, they are available for any flight but can only be added to your booking once we have received your flight schedule.
- Where group arrival and departure transfers are available, these operate at fixed times. You will need to arrive in time to meet the scheduled transfer. If the timings don’t align with your travel plans, our team can arrange private transfers once they receive your flight schedule.
Trip Note validity
Trip notes may be updated after booking; if any updates significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary you will be advised in writing. A link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes will be sent out with your Final Joining Instructions before departure.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes, and occasionally it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
