Yasuni Experience by Sani Lodge!

DAY 1 – El Coca – Sani Lodge (BL, D)

The experience starts with a 30-minute flight from Quito to the Coca airport. Upon arrival, the guide takes you all on a short bus ride to the Napo River pier. From there, a three-hour motor canoe trip down the largest Ecuadorian tributary of the Amazon. During the journey, you will first glimpse the Amazonian ecosystem, including ancestral communities, crops, local fruits, Kaypok trees, giant fig trees, and islands of different ages and vegetative succession. Various bird species, such as herons, egrets, and vultures, can be spotted while enjoying a packed lunch. The journey continues with a short walk to Challwacocha Creek, where you will board paddle canoes for a trip through a primary flooded forest of black tea-colored waters teeming with wildlife. Don´t be surprised to see black-mantled tamarin squirrel monkeys on the way to the lodge. Upon arrival, you will be served a welcome cocktail and snacks, followed by an introductory talk about the lodge and its facilities before settling into your cabin. The guide will explain the activities for the rest of the day. One option is to walk along the nearby trails or take a canoe ride. During these activities, you will have the opportunity to observe primates, birds, black caimans, and the Amazonian flora. At dinner time, our chef offers various national and international cuisine options that cater to celiacs, vegetarians, and vegans. After dinner, the naturalist and local guides lead a canoe excursion in search of the large South American alligators, which can measure up to 6 meters (18 feet).

DAY 2 – Discover wildlife in its natural state (FB)

Experience the upper canopy from our 36-meter (118-foot) tower built around a millennial Kapok tree. In the early morning, take a paddle canoe to cross the lake and observe the first signs of wildlife. Hundreds of parrots and macaws fly nearby, searching for their first meal. Meanwhile, the endemic Stinky turkey perches placidly on tree branches as if waiting for the guests’ first-morning photo. In the background, a Donacobious can be heard singing something resembling a car alarm. Upon reaching the lake’s end, a small channel opens up, allowing navigation through a unique forest of ‘elephant ear and freshwater mangrove.’ This area is the habitat of howler, capuchin, and squirrel monkeys, as well as some species of kingfishers, capped herons, woodcreepers, woodpeckers, and anis. Finally, reach the mainland and continue a 10-minute walk through a terra firme forest trail leading to the tower. The canopy is a haven for wildlife viewing. Colorful birds such as macaws, toucans, parrots, honeycreepers, tanagers, and cotingas fly by while monkeys and sloths forage in the treetops. The tower provides a unique perspective, offering a glimpse into the diverse world of the Amazon that is impossible to appreciate from the forest floor.

After returning to the canoe, we will go piranha fishing, one of the symbolic creatures of the Amazon. Following the fishing, we will head back to the lodge for lunch. During a break from guided activities, you can enjoy the lodge’s facilities, such as wildlife watching from the three-story dock overlooking the forest, having a cold beverage at the bar while enjoying the lagoon view, or simply relaxing in the hammocks with a book.

Take an afternoon nature walk through the primary forest to discover the intrinsic relationships between living creatures and their roles in this complex tropical ecosystem. The rich flora includes orchids, lianas, fig trees, valuable species such as cedar and mahogany, and medicinal and useful plants used by local people. You will also see ancient trees adorned with lianas and bromeliads.

After dinner, a different world awakens. It’s time for a night walk to listen to and enjoy the chorus of bats, frogs, and crickets while observing dozens of insect species, tarantulas, tree frogs, and, with a bit of luck, snakes, armadillos, and night monkeys.

DAY 3 – Yasuni Wonders and Cultural Experience (FB)

In the morning, return to the Napo River to board a motor canoe and visit the Parrot Clay Lick in Yasuní National Park. This is a visible landslide from the river where clay is exposed for parrots and parakeets to digest as part of their nutrition-detoxification process. You can spot five species: Mealy-Amazon, Blue-headed, Yellow-crowned parrots, Dusky-headed, and White-eyed parakeets. The adventure continues with a walk in the foothills of Yasuní, which scientists consider the most biodiverse area in the world. The flora is spectacular, with centenary trees and traditional medicine, including species that can only be found in the south of Napo, such as the Golden-mantled tamarin, spider monkeys, and Scarlet Macaws. The hike in this unique ecosystem offers much to be discovered: footprints of jaguars, pumas and encounters with deer, white-lipped peccaries, or white-collared peccaries. Leave Yasuní Park and head to the Sani Isla Community Center. Here, the women of the Sani Warmi Organization will share the customs and teach the use of medicinal plants of the Amazonian Kichwa culture. This unique experience will help you understand why this way of life is environmentally sustainable. Experience an Amazonian cooking class at midday; just follow their instructions to prepare your own lunch using local ingredients. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to support the local economy by shopping for handicrafts made by local women using natural fibers and forest products. This income allows them to invest in education and further boost the local economy. After a full day of adventure, wildlife, and culture, return to the lodge to enjoy the Amazonian sunset from the bar or the dock.

DAY 4 – AM: Return to Napo River and finally Coca (B)

After an early breakfast, take a final canoe ride through Chawllacocha Creek, accompanied by the Amazonian wildlife and the sunrise. Board the motor canoe on the Napo River to depart this magical land and arrive on time for the flight to Quito.

NOTES:

• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, regulations or unforeseeable circumstances.
• Semiprivate tours depending on the number of clients.
• Food detail: B: breakfast. L: lunch BL: box lunch BB: box breakfast D: dinner FB: Full board
• Important Note: If the Ecuadorian borders are closed or unforeseen natural events or unforeseen natural events that prevent the operation at the lodge, this deposit will be used as a credit for your future trip for you and/or your family. The credit will be valid for 12 months from the date of the deposit.
• Sani Lodge will refund 100% in case of natural disasters in the area. However, a 15% administrative fee will be charged.

PAYMENT POLICY:

• 30% deposit of the total non-refundable reservation within 10 working days of confirmation. This deposit guarantees the reservation (failure to meet this deadline will automatically cancel the reservation).
• Full payment 30 days before trip departure
• In high season, June to August and December to February, Sani Lodge reserves the right to demand full and immediate payment of the total amount of the reservation.

CANCELATION POLICY:

• Cancellation within 90 to 45 days, 50% penalty; within 45 up to 1 day before the departure, 100% penalty of the net rate.
• All refunds will be charged an administrative or bank fee.