5 Days / 4 Deep Experience
Black Caiman watching!, hiking, night trails... and more activities at Sani. The first day you'll enjoy the afternoon on the lagoon and still have time to enjoy an evening's activity
Day 1: Arrival Francisco de Orellana – Coca - Sani Lodge
El lago Challuacocha, naturalmente de aguas negras, por la concentración de materia orgánica, es uno de los atractivos de Sani Lodge. Foto: Ana Cristina Alvarado.[/caption]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 be able to observe primates, endemic birds, black caimans, and the Amazonian flora, including giant Kapok trees, cedar, orchids, bromeliads, and palms. At dinner time, our chef offers various national and international cuisine options that cater to celiacs, vegetarians, and vegans.
The lake is a refuge for the endangered black caiman. After dinner, the naturalist and local guides lead a canoe excursion in search of these large South American alligators, which can measure up to 6 meters (18 feet).
Day 2: Discover wildlife in its natural state
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 with 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 locals. 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: Visit Kichwa Commune
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 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 and pumas, 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; follow their instructions to prepare your lunch using local ingredients. Additionally, guests can support the local economy by shopping for handicrafts local women make using natural fibers and forest products. This income allows them to invest in education and 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: Yasuní National Park
This day is ideal for nature enthusiasts who wish to experience the Amazonian environment fully. Experience the hidden areas of Sani Lodge with a full-day adventure that includes a two-hour canoe ride through the lake and flooded forests, followed by a 6-hour hike on the Chorongo Largo trail. This trail is home to wildlife, including Jaguars, Pumas, Ocelots, Capuchin monkeys, Woolly Monkeys, Tapirs, and even Peccaries.
The canoe glides through the habitat of giant river otters, anacondas, and large caimans, surrounded by the magical landscape of the Amazon. It is a truly unique experience.
Lunch is served amidst the forest’s towering centenarian trees, lush ferns, climbing vines, and exquisite flora. The return trip to the lodge by paddle canoe provides another opportunity to spot wildlife.
Day 5: Return to the Napo River - Coca
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.
End of services! The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, regulations, or unforeseeable circumstances.
5 Days / 4 Nights
The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, regulations or unforeseeable circumstances.
Flights
- One way USD 130
- Round trip USD 260
- Includes assistance at the airports
The rate includes:
- Accommodation
- Transfer Coca – Lodge – Coca
- English-speaking guide (Shared)
- Excursions
- Full board meals
The rate does not include:
- Air ticket Quito – Coca – Quito
- Personal expenses, drinks, tips
- Services not specified.
Important info
- Children under 12, get 50% off
- Prices are subject to change without previous notice
- Sani Lodge acts only as an intermediary with the airlines, it is not responsible for cancellations, delays made by the airline that might affect our itineraries.
