A short flight takes you over the Andes and down to the Amazon frontier town of Puerto Francisco de Orellana (called Coca by the locals). From here you travel by motorized canoe downriver for two hours on the Napo River before arriving to La Selva -- your home for the next few nights and base for an incredible Amazon travel adventure! Discuss the many options for excursions during your visit with the naturalist guides and set out an itinerary based on your interests.

La Selva Eco Lodge brings you as close to nature as possible. You will find a lake (great for fishing, canoeing, and swimming), wildlife (birds, monkeys, turtles, caiman, owls, etc.), virgin rainforest, an observation tower, a butterfly farm, rivers and much more! Guided excursions are customized to fit your interests and are led by native and naturalist guides who accompany you on your day and night adventures. Walk to a local community to see traditional village life. Go out with your guides for birding and wildlife viewing. Every night, after dinner, guides lead canoe or walking trips to view nocturnal animals such as caiman, monkeys, insects and owls.

The following are examples of excursions provided at the lodge. Please note that they are subject to change and largely depend on weather, season, group interests. Check out some fo the options below:

Hiking the Matapalo Trail: This trail was given the Spanish name of the famous Strangler Fig tree (Ficus sp), one of many remarkable trees that you can find on this short walk. Mahogany trees over 400 years old can be seen and your guides will share their knowledge of the flora and fauna. 

Observation Tower/Tucaneta or Mandi Forest: Just a 20 minute walk from the lodge, the observation tower provides a birds-eye view of the rainforest canopy. This amazing construction will allow you to climb 120 ft above the forest. Your Naturalist and Native guides will help you spot the colorful birds of the Amazon, maybe even certain primates.

On the way back from the tower there is the option of taking the Tucaneta Trail where your Native Guide can show you some of the medicinal plants still in use today and your Naturalist Guide will provide you with interesting info on the ecology and natural history of the Amazon. 

There is also the option of visiting the beautiful lagoon of Mandi Cocha. A hike of about 1 hour takes you to the lagoon where an Igapo Forest is present, meaning that the forest is temporarily flooded by black water. Different species of birds and even giant otters can be seen here. 

Charapa Trail: This hour long loop trail goes from the lodge to the edge of the lagoon. It is a great loop where different mammal, monkeys and birds can be seen as they come close to the lagoon for water and food. It is also perfect for spot for seeing an Amazonian sunset from the water in a canoe. 

Night Canoe Ride: With the help of a spot light your guides will take you around the lagoon via canoe looking for nighttime wildlife. This is also a great opportunity for star gazing!

Parrot Clay Lick & Mandi Wasi: Make your way towards the Napo River and take a motorized canoe ride to the clay licks, one of the most fascinating displays of the wild world. Hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather here to eat the mineral rich soil, an important part of their diet. Binoculars are essential to really capture the moment.

After the clay licks they will take you to experience their Cultural Activity. An Amazonian Kichua woman will welcome you at their community center to share their life of the Kichua's in the Amazon. This is special because it is part of the Amazon you do not find on the maps and provides the special and unique opportunity to really get to learn more about the people of the Amazon.

Garzacocha Lagoon and Ceiba Trail: This is one of the most beautiful lagoons in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Here there are many chances to see monkeys and birds and sometimes families of squirrel monkeys join capuchin monkeys looking for food. The tremendous calls of the Howler monkeys can be heard in the afternoon and the smallest monkey in the world, the Pigmy Marmoset can be seen here too. Plenty of birds like the Hoatzin, toucans or macaws can also be seen flying overhead.

Nocturnal Walk: On a night walk you have the chance to enjoy the creatures and sounds of the Amazon Jungle at night. Sometimes you can see amazing things during this activity. Make sure that you bring a flashlight for this fantastic experience. 

After an early wake up call, and a hearty breakfast it is time to say goodbye to the lodge. Lodge staff will assist you with your checked luggage and the motorized canoe ride will head upstream back to Coca, where the representatives will take you to the airport to help you with your checked luggage and boarding passes.