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AMAZONIA’S RAINFOREST HEART
Ecuador: Best of Amazonia Short Tour
This short but immersive tour delivers world class Amazonian birding at the award winning, community owned Napo Wildlife Center in eastern Ecuador. Situated within Yasuni National Park—one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth—the lodge offers exceptional access to terra firme forest, blackwater streams, and canopy towers alive with parrots, macaws, toucans, and antbirds. Dugout canoe outings, forest walks, and visits to spectacular clay licks reveal a remarkable diversity of birds and mammals. Comfortable accommodations, excellent food, and expert local guidance make this an ideal introduction to Amazonian wildlife and the first half of a two part exploration of eastern Ecuador.
Starting At
$6,420 per person
7 Days
7 Days
10 Guests
Pace
Tour Overview
Jan 19–Jan 26, 2027
Ecuador’s Amazon Basin is one of the richest biological regions on Earth, and the Napo Wildlife Center sits at its very heart. Located inside the vast protected expanse of Yasuni National Park, the center is a model of community owned conservation, created and managed by the Kichwa Añangu people to preserve their ancestral lands while welcoming visitors into a thriving rainforest ecosystem. With over 600 bird species recorded in the area—and more than 1,700 in Ecuador overall—this short itinerary offers an extraordinary introduction to lowland Amazonia.
The rainforest surrounding the lodge encompasses terra firme forest, seasonally flooded várzea, blackwater streams, and river islands, each adding its own layer of diversity. Canoe outings at dawn reveal quiet creeks where Hoatzins shuffle through tangles of vegetation and kingfishers dart along mirrored channels. Forest trails lead through towering stands of palms, hardwoods, and lianas alive with antbirds, ovenbirds, manakins, and mixed flocks moving through the understory and subcanopy. Three canopy towers—including a lodge tower with elevator access—provide rare and unforgettable views into the upper levels of the forest, where macaws, parrots, toucans, cotingas, and raptors appear at eye level.
Clay licks along the Napo and deep in the forest attract dazzling congregations of parrots and parakeets, creating one of the Amazon’s most iconic wildlife spectacles. With hunting absent in this region, mammals such as monkeys, peccaries, giant otters, and even tapirs are possible during quiet walks or canoe excursions.
With excellent accommodations, superb food, and midday breaks to enjoy the lodge setting, this tour offers an accessible, comfortable, and deeply rewarding Amazon rainforest experience—and an ideal complement to the Eastern Slope of the Andes.
Ecosystems Experienced
This tour immerses you in terra firme rainforest, várzea flooded forest, blackwater streams, and river island habitats at the western edge of the upper Amazon. Canopy towers reveal parrots, macaws, cotingas, and raptors, while shaded trails support antbirds, manakins, and ground dwelling specialists. Quiet waterways host caimans, giant otters, and, occasionally, pink river dolphins. Together, these habitats form one of the richest ecological systems on Earth.
Expected Climate
Temperature
Daytime highs typically reach 86–88 °F (30–31 °C), with nights cooling to 72–75 °F (22–24 °C). Conditions are consistently warm and humid, especially under the closed canopy.
Rainfall
January falls in the Amazon’s relative “shoulder dry” season, bringing lower rainfall than peak wet months. Showers remain possible but trails and waterways are generally more accessible.
Seasons
The tour takes place in early austral summer, when the forest is lush, active, and alive with birds and mammals. Moderate rainfall and warm temperatures create ideal conditions for river travel, canopy viewing, and trail exploration.
Key Species
Gould's Jewelfront
Scarlet-crowned Barbet
Rufescent Tiger-heron
Hoatzin
Zigzag heron
Cream-colored Woodpecker
Leader
Paul Greenfield
Primary Leader
Renowned artist, author, and conservationist whose five decades in Ecuador have shaped global understanding of the country’s birds through art, research, and ecotourism.
Read MoreRemigio Grefa
Remigio “Remi” Grefa grew up in the Kichwa community of Añangu along Ecuador’s Napo River, where his love of birds and the rainforest began. Rising through every role at the Napo Wildlife Center, he gained hands-on experience that shaped him into a skilled birding and naturalist guide. Remi now leads tours with expertise, enthusiasm, and deep connection to the Amazon.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Quito (UIO), where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to San José de Puembo, your comfortable base near the airport.
Settle in after your international journey; dinner is on your own this evening due to late flight arrivals. Overnight: San José de Puembo, Puembo (near Quito Airport).
Day 2
Fly from Quito to Coca, then travel by motorized canoe down the Río Napo into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Continue by hand-paddled canoe along the peaceful Añanguyacu, watching for birds, primates, caiman, and other rainforest wildlife on your first Amazon adventure.
Arrive at Napo Wildlife Center, beautifully set on the shores of Añangucocha Lagoon, and settle in for your first night in Yasuní National Park.
Day 3
Explore the blackwater lagoons and forest trails around Napo Wildlife Center by canoe and on foot, discovering one of the most bird-rich places on Earth.
Watch for toucans, jacamars, antbirds, and mixed flocks, while keeping an eye out for monkeys, caiman, and other Amazon wildlife.
Day 4
Venture into both flooded várzea and upland terra firme forests, guided by local experts who know the territories of the region's most sought-after species.
Climb canopy towers for a new perspective on the rainforest and excellent opportunities to spot birds high above the forest floor.
Overnight at Napo Wildlife Center.
Day 5
Set out early to visit the Río Napo's famous clay licks, where parrots, parakeets, and sometimes macaws gather in spectacular numbers.
Explore river islands and sandbars, searching for specialized birds found only in these dynamic Amazon habitats.
Day 6
Enjoy another full day exploring Yasuní National Park, following the best wildlife opportunities as conditions dictate.
Search for iconic Amazon species—from colorful cotingas and manakins to elusive antbirds, raptors, and primates—while soaking in the remarkable biodiversity of the rainforest.
Day 7
Enjoy one last paddle through the Amazon as you return to the Río Napo, then travel by motorized canoe to Coca for your flight back to Quito.
Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to San José de Puembo. Guests departing the tour will have the afternoon and evening at leisure, while those continuing on the Eastern Slope of the Andes extension will meet the group before traveling onward the following day.
Day 8
Depart Quito with scheduled airport transfers provided in time for your morning flights home.
What’s Included
Accommodations & Dining
Settle into comfortable accommodations with modern amenities. Enjoy freshly prepared meals that highlight local flavors and international favorites, with consideration for any dietary needs.
Guided Services & Gratuities
Experience each destination with the help of Leaders who share history, culture, and wildlife insights. Gratuities for crew and local guides are included, ensuring seamless service without extra concerns; tipping for your Leaders is discretionary and not included.
Active Essentials
Every tour includes the core elements that make our field experiences possible so you can stay engaged with a range of activities. All outings include the necessary equipment and full safety support, making it easy to join at your own pace.
Transportation & Logistics
We coordinate every transfer, from airport pickup to port boarding. Whether traveling by bus, boat, or charter, our team ensures smooth connections and stress-free travel.
FAQs
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