Sample itinerary
Please note that the guides will discuss the itinerary with you every night and morning. Planned activities can change because of the weather or if you want to try something different.
As well as the trails described here, there is a chance to visit the Panacocha reserve, a series of lagoons joined by the river. Here it is possible to see the Pink Dolphin, fish for piranha, swim in the warm waters and look for squirral, howler and capuchin monkeys.
Day 1 – Fly Coca, transfer to lodge, camain spotting, night hike
After arrival in Coca, you are taken to our passenger transport boat at the Río Napo Harbour in Coca. You have lunch on the boat as it enters Chaullayacu, the small stream connecting the lagoon at Sani Lodge with the Río Napo. We follow the stream for about 30 – 45 minutes before arriving at the lodge, where there are welcome snacks and drinks.
Just before sunset, there is an introductory canoe ride or forest hike. Once the sun has disappears, we can hike in the forest to look for spiders, insects and night monkeys or ride in the canoe on the Chaulla.
Our expert native guide paddles us close to birds, amphibians and other Amazon wildlife. (There is a healthy population of the endangered Black Caiman living here).
After dinner, there is the chance to go out in the canoe again, or walk into the rainforest (optional).
The cuisine is innovative, combining examples of fresh, local ingredients with an international style. Vegetarian, chicken and fish dishes will be served. Fresh bread, baked daily and exotic fruits will greet you in the morning. At lunch, you can sip on refreshing exotic juices, like guanabana, guava, passion fruit, cactus fruit, citrus, and coconut. And in the evening after a beautiful meal, original deserts and fine Ecuadorian coffee will send you happily satisfied to a comfy chair in the lounge to reflect on the days adventures in the Amazon.
Day 2 – Chorongo and Linderacion Trail. Night hike
After breakfast, it’s a 45-minute canoe ride across the lagoon to enjoy the morning action (birds, caimans, monkeys, manatees.) We reach our trail start point at the western most part of the lake, from where we take 3 or 4-hour hike on the Chorongo Trail. We search for the mysterious Chorongo, otherwise known as the woolly monkey.
The Linderacion Trail is gentler trek in the humidity of the afternoon, taking us 3 hours to hike back to the lodge.
After dinner, there is the chance to go out in the canoe to go caiman watching, or walk into the rainforest (both optional).
Day 3 – Watchtower and Aguila Trail
Following breakfast we head to a 30 metre high watchtower in the canoes. If we are lucky, we can hear the howler monkey. The tower is built around a mighty, emergent Kapok and this is a great place to get a raptor level view on the Amazon and peer into the rainforest canopy. Bird watching from this vantage point is amazing.
We stop for lunch and pick up the Aguila Trail, our native guide explaining to us how locals use the rainforests plants flowers for medicinal and food purposes. There is always the chance to spot wildlife on the way back to the lodge, where we have dinner.
Day 4 – Coto Trail and watchtower. Piranha fishing (optional)
The Coto Trail is a good 5 hour trip - 2 hours in the canoe and the rest exploring the flora and fauna of the area. You head around the many fingers of the lagoon through multiple ecosystems, watching birds and crossing muddy stretches on log bridges, looking and listening for the howler monkey.
As we float back to the lodge, there is the option to fish for piranha.
On our return to the lodge, we watch the sunset over the rainforest canopy from the watchtower. After dinner, there is the chance for one last canoe trip to go caiman watching, or walk into the rainforest (both optional).
Day 5 – Transfer out
We eat breakfast on the boat on the three hour ride to Rio Napo Harbour in Coca. From here, we take a taxi to the airport and fly back to Quito. End of services.
Note: This trip is available as a 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 day trip. Exact itinerary is dependent on your wishes and weather conditions. Contact the office for more information.
What’s included
Sani lodge accommodation, native bilingual guide, Quito-Coca-Quito flights, guided expeditions as listed, meals and water from lunch on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
Not included
Tips, insurance, soft or alcoholic drinks, international flights, personal items and equipment, airport taxes.
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