Napo Cultural Center - Sumak Huasi

Take a flight over the Andean Eastern Cordillera to Puerto Francisco de Orellana ("El Coca"). A representative will meet you and transfer you by private vehicle to the dock on the Payamino River. Use the facilities, grab a refreshing drink, and pick up a box lunch for the journey. Your luggage will be sent directly to the accommodation.

Board a covered boat for a two-hour ride along the Napo River. Upon arrival at the Napo Cultural Center, step into the ancestral territory of the Kichwa Añangu Community, located within Yasuní National Park. The staff will welcome you with a traditional Guayusa drink. A manager will provide an overview of the hotel's services before showing you to your room with views of the rainforest. Take some time to rest and get ready for the afternoon activity.

Head to the 40-meter observation tower for panoramic views of the Amazon. Spot birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots, and sloths while watching the sunset over the jungle. Another option is a kayak ride on the Napo River, offering a peaceful way to experience the vibrant evening colors of the Amazon.

After the activity, return to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.

*Please note that Air tickets for Quito – Coca – Quito, including assistance at the Quito airport, check-in support, and land transfers in Coca, are available at an additional cost. Please discuss with your trip planner for more information and booking options.

After breakfast, take a motorized canoe to the Parrot Clay Lick along the Napo River, a key site in the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. Arrive before the morning activity begins and watch parrots and parakeets, including Blue-headed Parrots, Orange-cheeked Parrots, Yellow-crowned Parrots, Dusky-headed Parakeets, and White-eyed Parakeets. Continue on a 30-minute walk through terra firme forest to reach a second clay lick, where parakeets, parrots, and macaws gather. If conditions allow, spot various bird species and possibly some mammals.

Next, visit the Kuri Muyu intercultural interpretation center, run by the women of the Añangu Community. Learn about Kichwa traditions, music, dance, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Browse handmade crafts, each a unique piece supporting the artisans’ work. Return to the community center for lunch, then set out on a boat excursion along Añangu Creek, a blackwater ecosystem teeming with wildlife. Watch for monkeys, caimans, and, if lucky, giant otters.

After dinner, grab a flashlight for a night walk. Look for nocturnal insects, reptiles, and even monkeys active after dark.

Start the day with breakfast at sunrise, then visit sustainable community projects to learn about the Kichwa worldview. Walk a trail through the terra firme forest, where you may spot wildlife, giant ceiba trees, strangler figs, bamboo canes, vines, and endemic shrubs of Yasuní.

Return to the lodge for lunch and rest before hiking to the second observation tower, which stands 36 meters tall. From the top, look for colorful birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and other wildlife.

In the afternoon, relax at the lodge before a traditional dinner featuring Amazonian dishes like maito—grilled fish wrapped in a bijao leaf. Those feeling adventurous can try roasted chonta worms, or chontakuru.

End the night on the Napo River aboard an ancestral catamaran. Learn about Kichwa legends and traditional songs while women prepare snacks over the fire to share with guests.

Wake up to the sounds of Amazonian birds and start the day with breakfast. Put on rubber boots and hike the Samona Trail through the terra firme forest. Walk beneath towering ceiba trees while spotting capuchin, woolly, and saki monkeys. Look closely under leaves for tropical insects and stay alert for wildlife in the dense forest.

Continue the adventure by exploring a blackwater stream, observing the rich biodiversity of the area. After a refreshing drink and lunch, visit nearby islands to search for native bird species.

Wrap up the day with time to relax and unwind at the lodge.

Begin the day early with the guayusada ritual, starting around 4:30 a.m. A Kichwa family prepares and shares the traditional guayusa drink, an important practice for passing down ancestral knowledge. Listen to traditional songs and, if desired, have dreams interpreted by a mamakuna from the community. Afterward, enjoy breakfast while the staff handles luggage for the return to El Coca. Travel back by motor canoe, taking in final views of the Ecuadorian jungle before reaching the port.

*All activities are subject to change due to weather.