4 & 5 Days Tour | La Selva Jungle Lodge near Yasuní Reserve

La Selva Lodge holds two Regular Tour Programs.

A. 4-Days Regular Tour Program 
B. 5-Days Regular Tour Program

NOTE: The following itineraries are sample itineraries for La Selva Regular Programs. Specialized packages such as Family, Honeymoon, Spa and Birdwatching Tours are also available for 4 and 5 days. Please make sure to send your inquiry and type of tour in the “Inquire More” Tab and we will send more info.  

Day 1: Arrival – Matapalo Trail

Arrival At the Quito International Airport you will be met by one of La Selva representatives in the National departure area. Here they will assist you with the check-in process and give you a short briefing about the journey.

After a 30 minute commercial flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana “El Coca”, our representative will transfer you by private transportation to the city’s main dock at the Napo River. The next two hours will be on a motorized canoe heading down river on what will be the beginning of an unforgettable experience in the tropical rainforest, the Amazon.

 At the end of the motorized canoe ride, you will be dropped off at La Selva’s main dock and your first close encounter with the rainforest begins and the final leg of the trip to the lodge will be completed in a paddle canoe. The only thing you must take care of during this part of the trip is your carry-on and camera equipment, all other luggage will be transported by La Selva staff. The manager will be waiting to greet you with a refreshing juice, snacks and a short briefing with general information about your stay at La Selva

 4:30 pm – Intro To The Rainforest
One of the Naturalist Guides will give you basic info about the tropical rainforest, the Amazon, and how La Selva operates. The idea is to begin your activities with background knowledge of the amazing place you have just arrived to.

5:00 pm – Matapalo Trail
This trail was given the Spanish name of the famous Strangler fig (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. Due to the time of day there is great natural light and the diurnal and nocturnal animals are beginning their daily transitional activities.

7:00 pm – Snacks
At the bar you can find snacks and order cocktails from the bartender. Or, feel free to help yourself to limitless tea and coffee.

7:30 – Dinner
Dinner will be served at this time. Find your seat and get comfortable while our waiters serve you each course.

Day 2: Full Day Activties

6:00 – Wake Up Call and Breakfast

7:00 am – Observation Tower/Tucaneta or Mandi Forest
After a 20 minute walk the observation tower comes into sight. 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.

1:00 PM – Lunch

4:30 pm – Charapa Trail
This trail goes on for about an hour beginning at the lodge and ending by the edge of the lagoon. It is a great loop where different mammals, monkeys and birds can been seen that come closer to the lagoon at this time looking for food. It is also perfect for witnessing an Amazonian sunset from the water in the canoe.

6:40 pm – 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!

7:30 pm – Dinner

Day 3: Full Day Activties

6:00 am – Wake Up Call and Breakfast

7:00 – Parrot Clay Lick and Mandi Wasi
Today you will make your way back to 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 we will take you to experience our 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.

1:00 pm – Lunch

4:30 pm – 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.

6:30 pm – Nocturnal Walk
On a night walk we give you the chance to enjoy the creatures and sounds of the Amazon Jungle at night. Sometimes we can see amazing things during this activity. Make sure you bring a flashlight for this fantastic experience. 7:15 pm – Departure Briefing Our manager will provide you all the necessary information about your departure procedure for the next morning.

7:30 pm – Dinner

Day 4: Departure Day

6:00 am – Wake Up and Breakfast
7:00 am – Departure for Coca.

Day 1: Arrival – Matapalo Trail

Arrival At the Quito International Airport you will be met by one of La Selva representatives in the National departure area. Here they will assist you with the check-in process and give you a short briefing about the journey.

After a 30 minute commercial flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana “El Coca”, our representative will transfer you by private transportation to the city’s main dock at the Napo River. The next two hours will be on a motorized canoe heading down river on what will be the beginning of an unforgettable experience in the tropical rainforest, the Amazon.

 At the end of the motorized canoe ride, you will be dropped off at La Selva’s main dock and your first close encounter with the rainforest begins and the final leg of the trip to the lodge will be completed in a paddle canoe. The only thing you must take care of during this part of the trip is your carry-on and camera equipment, all other luggage will be transported by La Selva staff. The manager will be waiting to greet you with a refreshing juice, snacks and a short briefing with general information about your stay at La Selva

 4:30 pm – Intro To The Rainforest
One of the Naturalist Guides will give you basic info about the tropical rainforest, the Amazon, and how La Selva operates. The idea is to begin your activities with background knowledge of the amazing place you have just arrived to.

5:00 pm – Matapalo Trail
This trail was given the Spanish name of the famous Strangler fig (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. Due to the time of day there is great natural light and the diurnal and nocturnal animals are beginning their daily transitional activities.

7:00 pm – Snacks
At the bar you can find snacks and order cocktails from the bartender. Or, feel free to help yourself to limitless tea and coffee.

7:30 – Dinner
Dinner will be served at this time. Find your seat and get comfortable while our waiters serve you each course.

Day 2: Full Day Activties

6:00 – Wake Up Call and Breakfast

7:00 am – Observation Tower/Tucaneta or Mandi Forest
After a 20 minute walk the observation tower comes into sight. 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.

1:00 PM – Lunch

4:30 pm – Charapa Trail
This trail goes on for about an hour beginning at the lodge and ending by the edge of the lagoon. It is a great loop where different mammals, monkeys and birds can been seen that come closer to the lagoon at this time looking for food. It is also perfect for witnessing an Amazonian sunset from the water in the canoe.

6:40 pm – 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!

7:30 pm – Dinner

Day 3: Full Day Activties

6:00 am – Wake Up Call and Breakfast

7:00 – Parrot Clay Lick and Mandi Wasi
Today you will make your way back to 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 we will take you to experience our 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.

1:00 pm – Lunch

4:30 pm – Coto Trail
This is a fantastic walk that takes off from the lodge to the edge of the Garzacocha Lagoon. In the afternoon th elight from the sun will come from behind most of the time, making this walk an amazing experience and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this amazing forest. Groups of black-mantled tamarin monkeys can be spotted on this walk and some of our groups have even seen tapirs too. Your Naturalist Guide is going to explain about all the different creatures that can be found and our Native Guide is going to explain about all the different creatures that can be found and our Native Guide will show you some of the medical plants that they have been using for thousands of years. A canoe ride back to the lodge makes a great ending for this activity.

7:30 pm – Dinner

Day 4: Full Day Activties

6:00 am – Wake Up Call and Breakfast

7:00 am – Mandi Forest Adventure
Not all lodges can offer an exotic trip into deep wilderness like where you are headed on this adventure. We will walk through an amazing primary forest for around 3 to 4 hours beginning at our main dock back at the Napo River. In this type of ecosystem there are chances to find some of the biggest mammals of the rainforest, like peccaries or wild pigs, deer or tapir. Eventually we will reach the lagoon of Mandi Cocha. Here we get into a fiberglass canoe and paddle through the amazing Igapo Forest. This is a temporary flooded black water forest. Here we might see different species of birds and some of our guests, who are extra lucky, may encounter the elusive giant otter.

4:30 pm – 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.

6:30 pm – Nocturnal Walk
On a night walk we give you the chance to enjoy the creatures and sounds of the Amazon Jungle at night. Sometimes we can see amazing things during this activity. Make sure you bring a flashlight for this fantastic experience. 7:15 pm – Departure Briefing Our manager will provide you all the necessary information about your departure procedure for the next morning.

Day 5: Departure Day

6:00 am – Wake Up and Breakfast
7:00 am – Departure for Coca.

Useful Trip Tips for your La Selva Jungle Tour

What about insects and malaria, are special vaccinations required?

No vaccinations are required to enter the Republic of Ecuador or La Selva Amazon Ecolodge. There have not been any cases of tropical diseases (malaria, yellow fever, cholera) reported in or near the lodge. However, we always suggest that our passengers consult their physician to get the most up-to-date information and advice.

* Packing List:

Passport and color copy
Cash in small denominations for bar services, tips or souvenirs 
Personal medication to last for the duration of your trip Sunhat + Sunblock Sunglasses
Walking shoes/sneakers + waterproof sandals such as Tevas or keens
Socks: we recommend tall socks that don’t slip easily inside rubber boots. Two pairs per day are ideal.
Light-weight, earth- or dark-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and t-shirts
Light-weight quick-dry hiking pants
Goretex jacket
Rainponcho
Insect repellent
Binoculars (waterproof) + Backpack
Headlamp (or Flashlight) + Extra batteries.
Camera + Dry bags Rubber
Boots supplied at the lodge. Available sizes 5 to 10½   * Swimwear to use in the Spa and Hot Tub

Note: Luggage weight limit: 20 Kg per passenger

Cuyabeno National Park and La Selva luggage recommendations

The temperatures in Yasuni National Park area are rather stable this means that throughout the year you can expect very hot and dry months this however does not mean that it’s a sunny paradise all year long, it is after all a rainforest. 
Bring a small to medium seized waterproof backpack, big carry-on bags are not recommended bear in mind that you are going to the jungle so your luggage might get dirty on the way.

Cotton t-shirts or shirts with long sleeves are ideal, not only will you be protected from the sun but also 
from mosquito bites. 2 to 4 long pants, jeans are not recommended then it can be pretty humid and hot remember that wearing comfortable cloths during the jungle hikes is a bless. 2 pair of shorts and a cap to protect you from the sun. For those with sensible skin make sure to pack sunblock too much exposure to the sun can be dangerous for your skin.

Please do bring enough cotton socks, you will need them for when you wear rubber boots. A light raincoat is advised. Don’t forget your insect repellent, medicines if you need to take them and a personal first aid kit. Bathing suits are important you will feel like jumping into the water. Bring your camera/video camera as well as binoculars a torch, your original passport, a refillable bottle for the excursions, it is important to keep yourself hydrated all the time.

Bring enough money with you, (our currency is American dollars) in case you decide to purchase handcrafts made by the family of the Shaman or souvenirs from the tapir lodge. Try not to bring credit cards, travel checks and big notes ($50, $100) then you will not be able to use them in Cuyabeno National Park. Small notes and coins will be a better option. We encourage our guests to tip our staff the last day of their journey however you should not feel obliged to do it.