Napo Cultural Center
Welcome to the sanctuary in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Explore the magic of nature in its purest form. Experience adventure, unparalleled biodiversity, and the unique hospitality of our eco-lodge.
Adventure and Culture in the Amazon: Find your perfect experience at Napo Cultural Center.
Immerse yourself in the heart of the Amazon and discover a world where adventure and culture intertwine in every experience. At the Napo Cultural Center, we offer a variety of tours that allow you to explore the rainforest authentically and closely.
From kayaking on calm rivers to hiking trails teeming with wildlife, every activity is designed to connect you with nature and help you understand the ancestral customs of the Kichwa community.
Embark on thrilling adventures guided through the Amazon rainforest, where you will uncover the astonishing diversity of flora and fauna inhabiting this unique ecosystem.
Itinerary
Ancestral Tour | 4 Days 3 Nights
Day 1
After a rewarding 30-minute flight over the Eastern Andes, you will arrive at the port city of Francisco de Orellana, "El Coca." Our representative will take you in a private vehicle to our dock on the banks of the Payamino River, where you can rest, use the restroom, and enjoy a refreshing drink. You will also receive a delicious box lunch for the journey. Here, our covered boat will be waiting for you, and your luggage will be sent directly to the lodge.
From this moment, an exciting two-hour journey along the majestic Napo River begins.
Upon arrival at the Napo Cultural Center, you will have the opportunity to explore the ancestral territory of the Kichwa Añangu Community, located within the megadiverse Yasuni National Park. Our staff will welcome you with the traditional refreshing Guayusa drink. The manager will provide all the necessary information about the hotel services and guide you to your comfortable room with views of the Amazon rainforest. You’ll have time to rest and prepare for the first afternoon activity.
We’ll take a hike to the observation tower, elevated 40 meters above the ground. From here, you’ll have a high chance of spotting a wide variety of birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots, sloths, and other species, while enjoying a spectacular view of the best Amazon sunset.
Alternatively, you can opt for an exciting kayak ride to savor the colorful jungle sunset from the waters of the majestic Napo River.
After your first activity, you’ll return to the lodge, where you’ll have time to refresh and relax in your cabin before enjoying a well-deserved dinner.
Day 2
After breakfast, we’ll take a motorized canoe to one of the highlights of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve: the Parrot Clay Lick on the banks of the Napo River.
Guests will arrive just before the morning activity of the parrots begins. At this location, you’ll have the chance to observe various species of parrots and parakeets, including the Mealy Amazon Parrot, Blue-headed Parrot, Yellow-crowned Parrot, Dusky-headed Parakeet, and White-eyed Parakeet.
We’ll continue our excursion through lush terra firma forest for about 30 minutes to reach the second clay lick, home to parrots, parakeets, and macaws. If weather conditions are favorable, you’ll also have the opportunity to spot different species of birds and mammals.
We’ll finish the morning with a visit to the Kury Muyu Intercultural Interpretation Center – meaning "golden seed" in the native language – managed by the women of the community, also known as mamakunas. You’ll learn about Kichwa culture, their music, dances, customs, and the traditional use of natural resources, directly from the people of the Añangu Community.
There will be time to visit the craft shop, where the community’s inhabitants display and sell unique, handmade items, supporting their creativity and work.
We’ll return to the community center to enjoy lunch at the restaurant and rest at the lodge.
In the afternoon, after a delicious local lunch, we’ll embark on an exciting boat excursion along the Añangu Creek, a unique blackwater ecosystem where you may observe monkeys leaping from tree to tree, caimans, and sometimes even giant otters, found only in pristine environments.
After dinner, get ready with your flashlight for a nighttime walk, where it’s possible to spot various types of insects, reptiles, and even mammals, such as some nocturnal monkeys.
Day 3
Enjoy the sunrise during breakfast and visit our sustainable community projects to learn about the Kichwa worldview. Then, take a walk along one of our trails in the terra firma forest, offering an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife, giant ceiba trees, strangler figs, bamboo canes, vines, and endemic shrubs of Yasuni.
We’ll return to the hotel for a delicious lunch and a well-deserved rest before heading to the second observation tower, which rises 36 meters above the ground. From there, you’ll have great chances to spot a variety of colorful birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and other species from this ecosystem.
In the afternoon, upon returning to the hotel, you’ll have time to relax and prepare for a traditional dinner featuring local Amazonian flavors, such as maito, a grilled fish wrapped in a bijao leaf. For the adventurous palate, try grilled palm weevil larvae, locally known as chontakuru.
After dinner, we’ll enjoy a unique activity on the Napo River aboard the ancestral catamaran to learn more about the legends and traditional songs of the Kichwa community. Meanwhile, the women will grill delicious snacks over an open fire to share with the guests.
Day 4
For a perfect last day, you have the option to participate in the Guayusada ritual. This begins early, around 4:30 AM, when the Kichwa family shares the sacred ancestral guayusa drink. This ritual is a way to pass down their ancient knowledge to new generations. You’ll hear traditional songs, and if you wish, your dreams can be interpreted by a wise mamakuna from the community—truly a mystical experience!
Afterward, we’ll return to enjoy breakfast while our staff gathers your luggage for the journey back to El Coca. We’ll take you in our comfortable motorized canoes, offering one last chance to appreciate the Ecuadorian rainforest scenery as we reach our dock.
