La Selva Jungle Lodge takes you as close to nature as possible as it is located in Ecuador's primary rainforest. While staying here you will be amongst a tropical garden of colorful blossoms, billowing ferns and giant trees which provide a green sanctuary to rare and exotic wildlife.
With it's small size (which will remain unchanged despite great demand) and vast experience, La Selva Jungle Lodge offers you as much world-class efficiency as you want.
You will be accompanied by certified Naturalist guides and Native assistants as you trek, swim, canoe, birdwatch or search for butterflies. Or you can simply relax and spend a day taking photos and relaxing.
LA SELVA, which you might know, in Spanish means “the jungle”, is about sixty miles from the town called Coca, down the Napo River (one of the main tributaries of the Amazonas River) and one mile inland from the river itself.
The lodge is perched above the forest floor on stilts and connected with raised walkways; the thatch-roofed bamboo bungalows are the perfect setting for exploring the wonders of the pristine nature.
LA SELVA provides guided tours of the richest primary forest on earth, with trained naturalist guides and native assistants. However, there are many other options available and you can create your own itinerary: you can choose swimming, kayaking, fishing, bird-watching (visit to the parrot clay lick) or simply relaxing and enjoying our gourmet food and personalized service. Guests are divided into groups of no more than 6 to 8, according to interest and considering family groups.
You should know that "in the jungle anything is possible" and there you will find the ultimate rainforest experience that will surprise, as well as overwhelm your senses.
LA SELVA has been a successful operation for over twenty years, and we are a highly respected (if not the best) jungle lodge in South America, We won the "ECOTOURISM AWARD" at World Congress on Tourism and Environment. We won the Ecotourism project Award 2007 from the Ecoclub in Athens Greece and about our birds, well, from Nigel Wheatley, author of many birwatching guides throughout the world comes this quote “Quite simply, one of the world’s top birding sites.”(Princeton University Press).
The lodge comes of native design, bungalows perched above a lake that the Lonely planet guide calls “one of the most beautiful lakes in all the Amazon”, Garzacocha and each bungalow, in fact every service and care we take will far succeed you wildest dreams in a place Travel and Leisure once called: “If it’s not at the end of the world it is within shouting distance.”..
Highlights
La Selva Jungle Lodge's friendly and knowledgable staff, as well as near perfect weather make it a perfect Amazon destination.
Lodges are private bungalows that are dry, cozy and immaculately clean and include private bathrooms with hot water.
There are 5 and 4 day stays, however longer visits can be arranged, including the option to camp for one or two nights.
La Selva is an award winning eco-lodge that has been called the prettiest spot in the Amazon.
There are always activities to partipate in, from swimming and fishing to birdwatching and kayaking. ...view more details
Abbreviated Itinerary
DAY 1
Fly from Quito to Coca and travel by boat to La Selva Jungle Lodge’s isolated dock. Walk and canoe to the lodge. Enjoy a nature hike.
DAYS 2-3 (4 on 5-day trips):
3 guided excursions per day
Day 4 (5): Early departure for flight to Quito; arrive around noon. ...see full itinerary
Why should I choose this trip? What makes it better (different) than other trips?
La Selva Jungle Lodge has over 20 years of experience!
Besides La Selva Jungle Lodge's small size (which will remain unchanged despite great demand) and vast experience, La Selva Jungle Lodge also offers you as much world-class efficiency as you want.
La Selva Jungle Lodge's friendly service is one of its trademarks.
La Selva Jungle Lodge's position is at almost exactly on the equator, making the weather at La Selva Jungle Lodge pleasant for visits all year around.
Our private bungalows are dry, cozy and immaculately clean and are made entirely of secondary rainforest materials which are designed to blend with Ecuador's Jungle. ...view more details
What kind of person will enjoy this trip?
Perfect for one who is looking to get as close to nature as possible, while staying at a small and rustic, yet authentic lodge.
Those who want the freedom to choose daily activities while also having the option to join a guided group tour will find this lodge perfect. ...view more details
DAY 1: You should be at the airport of Quito one hour before the departure time, where you will be met by our Representative, who will hand in boarding passes, check suitcases and will give you all the assistance you may require.
The private airline that we use is ICARO, and the flight takes 25 minutes (Quito - Coca)
Follows a 15 minutes transfer in a Chiva (open bus) from the airport in Coca to a private dock.
A motorized canoe will be waiting for the group to take them down the River Napo (2 ½ hours). During the ride downriver a box lunch prepared in the morning will be ready for each guest.
Arrival to LA SELVA dock, our staff will help you carrying your luggage (carry on, as well as camera gear, is guests responsibility.) A complementary welcome cocktail greets you in the bar along with the Naturalist guides.
The first excursion will be organized, as fast as you want and you will be ready to choose one of the innumerable possibilities that we are glad to detail for you:
WALK TO SILVERIO’S HOUSE: Cross Garzacocha Lake. Two and a half to three hour walk on a purposely underdeveloped trail which has some physical challenge. Half of the walk takes place in primary forest and the other half passes the huts of our indigenous neighbors along the Napo River.
MANDICOCHA TRAIL: An easy trail close to the hotel which is usually filled with wildlife no matter what hour of the day you do it. The excursion can last as long as you want.
MANDICOCHA-MANDIYACU: A 3 to 4 hour trip. Follow the Mandicocha trail until you reach Mandicocha Lake which has a completely different ecosystem than Lake Garzacocha (where the hotel is located). Board paddle canoes for a one and half hour glide down Mandiyacu stream. One easily sees the myriad of wildlife that presents itself along the shores of the stream. Arriving at the Napo River, board a motorized canoe for the trip back to LA SELVA.
EL SALADO: It’s a two-hour excursion often combined with a picnic lunch and trips across the Napo River (see following). Visit a site where with a little luck, parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen by the thousands.
HIGH FOREST TRAIL: The duration can vary between 3 to 5 hours. Cross the Napo River and arrive at a challenging mountainous trail which offers yet another ecosystem. It is a chance to see birds and other wildlife nowhere else seen. Also a chance to eat lemon ants.
PILCHE TRAIL: Cross Garzacocha Lake then one hour or more of walking. See and enormous colony of leafcutter ants and whatever wildlife may come your way.
NIGHT EXCURSIONS: Canoe or walking trips after dark to view nocturnal animals such as caiman, monkeys, insect, owls. Sample the LA SELVA nightlife.
135 FOOT OBSERVATION TOWER: Not far from the lodge you can spend many hours observing birds flying by at eye-level, wildlife of all kinds, and yes, a bird’s-eye view of it all.
BUTTERFLY FARM: Available every afternoon. Close to the lodge, watch and photograph butterflies at close range. With any luck, witness the miracle of metamorphosis.
PEDRO’S TRAIL: Two versions available. Cross Garzacocha Lake, walk through virgin forest, and arrive at the tower: 4 hours.
Short version: pass Butterfly farm and join trail in the middle (two hours).
CHAWAMANGO’S TRAIL: Head east at Mandicocha trailhead and walk parallel tot eh lake. Arrive at Napo River. Return by elevated walkway and cross Garzacocha by canoe, 3 hours.
LITTLE CHAWAMANGO: Short trip by foot around the edge of Lake Garzacocha. Return by canoe to the lodge.
RUTH’S TRAIL: Across Mandicocha, it goes on and on and on. Good place to look for Jaguars. (Named after owner’s mother)
At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner.
There are Night Excursions (caiman hunt, search for owls, frogs, insect excursion, etc) in case guests are interested available every night.
All the excursions will be organized day by day with your guide and the group.
Meals schedule can slightly change.
Day 2: Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am.
Departure for the excursion 7:10 am:
The Lunch will be served 1:00 o’clock.
Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure
At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner
Night Excursion.
Day 3: Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am.
Departure for the excursion 7:10 am:
The Lunch will be served 1:00 o’clock.
Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure or we have prepared as an optional activity, fishing, canoeing, going to the observation tower or simply relaxing.
At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner
Night Excursion.
Day 4: Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am.
Departure for the excursion 7:10 am:
The Lunch will be served 1:00 o’clock.
Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure or we have prepared as an optional activity, fishing, canoeing, going to the observation tower or simply relaxing.
At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner
Night Excursion.
Day 5: Last day: Early wake up to catch the flight back to Quito. Arrival to Quito around noon time.
This provider can help with your other additional needs
local flights
transfers
additional accomodations
trip extensions
... and other requirements.
Request these additional services when you check availability above
What's Included
assistance at the airports in Quito and Coca, transportation in the Amazon (from Coca airport to the dock, canoe ride down the Napo River to the lodge and back,( along with all other transportation involved in the excursions), all meals (natural fruits juices, coffee, tea during meals and bottled water in your cabin), excursions, accommodation at the lodge in private bungalows with bathroom, hot showers and mosquito nets on each bed, English-speaking naturalist guides and native guides.
Not Included
airfare Quito-Coca-Quito at US$ 120.00 for 2008 and US$ 130.00 for 2009 net per person, entrance fee of US$ 25.00 net per person to visit a National Park and bar bill. We take care of flight reservations and we buy the tickets for you.
assistance at the airports in Quito and Coca, transportation in the Amazon (from Coca airport to the dock, canoe ride down the Napo River to the lodge and back,( along with all other transportation involved in the excursions), all meals (natural fruits juices, coffee, tea during meals and bottled water in your cabin), excursions, accommodation at the lodge in private bungalows with bathroom, hot showers and mosquito nets on each bed, English-speaking naturalist guides and native guides.
Not Included
Not Included
airfare Quito-Coca-Quito at US$ 120.00 for 2008 and US$ 130.00 for 2009 net per person, entrance fee of US$ 25.00 net per person to visit a National Park and bar bill. We take care of flight reservations and we buy the tickets for you.
Notes
Trip Notes
Although not included in the price, we will make the flight reservations for your from Quito-Coca-Quito.
Transportation to Trip Departure Point
Arriving to trip starting point
Transportation is not included but must be purchased from provider
Type of transportation available to trip starting point
Charter flight
Arriving to trip starting point description:
Charter flight on Icaro Airlines from Quito to Coca. Flight time about 25 minutes.
Transportation On Trip
Transportation Description
The private airline that we use is ICARO, and the flight takes 25 minutes (Quito - Coca)
Follows a 15 minutes transfer in a Chiva (open bus) from the airport in Coca to a private dock.
A motorized canoe will be waiting for the group to take them down the River Napo (2 ½ hours). During the ride downriver a box lunch prepared in the morning will be ready for each guest. Then a half mile boardwalk of bamboo slats keeps you above a vast mysterious palm swamp as you make your way to the lake.
The boardwalk ends at Garzacocha Lake where paddle canoes await you to take you across.
A quarter mile along, La Selva Jungle Lodge begins to peek out at you. It is your first expedition of discovery in what will be a vacation filled with marvel and wonder.
Transportation Types
Motor Boat Commercial Airplane
Lodging - Accommodations
What are the accommodations like?
Each lodge has a private bathroom, a hammock and a mosquito netting in each bed.
Lodging Types
3 Nights Jungle Lodge
Average number of rooms in boat/lodge/hotel average
16-20
Details
Social and Environmental Responsibility
We won the "ECOTOURISM AWARD" at World Congress on Tourism and Environment. We won the Ecotourism project Award 2007 from the Ecoclub in Athens Greece.
Provider Social and Environmental Responsibility
Through more than eighteen years of refinement, La Selva Jungle Lodge has achieved a oneness with the environment. It is reason why La Selva Jungle Lodge won the Ecotourism Award.
Detour, The Adventure Travel Marketplace - La Selva Jungle Lodge (4D/3N or 5D/4N)
