From: £1,102
From: $1,467
On arrival in Coca (morning), 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.
In the afternoon we set off on our first hike along trails through nearby swampland, with your expert native guide who will explain all about the typical vegetation and animals found here, as well as the traditional and medical use of the local plants.
After dinner, we can look for caiman or go for a short hike in the forest.
After breakfast, experience jungle life from the tree tops from our 36m observation tower.
More than 565 species of birds have been registered as seen from here so far, including colourful birds such as macaws, toucans and hummingbirds and with a bit of luck you may get a close view of howler and squirrel monkeys or even a sleepy sloth snoozing in the canopy.
The tower gives you a unique perspective, opening up a whole new world of Amazonian. After exploring the nearby trails, we return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, after relaxing a little in our hammocks, we set of f to hike the Chorongo or Coto trails, in fantastic terra-firme forest to discover the different rainforest creatures and plants and the role they play in this complex ecosystem. Orchids, vines, strangle figs, ancient trees; bromeliads are all part of this fabulous tropical rainforest. Dinner at the lodge.
After dinner explore our black-water Oxbow Lake, one of the increasingly rare havens for the endangered black caiman, supporting a healthy population that can grow up to 6m in length (optional).
After breakfast departure to the Napo River to board the boat and visit the parrot-clay lick at Yasuní National Park (USD35) for a wonderful view of hundreds of parrots searching for a gap to land and eat the earth. Continue with a hike on the south of the Napo inside Yasuní National Park considered one of the most biodiverse area in the world, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.
Head back to Sani Community Center to visit a native house to get a taste of how a typical Kichwa family lives. Enjoy the food, drinks, customs, and culture of the Sani community and learn how the lifestyle of the locals is environmentally sustainable. Return to the lodge late in the afternoon for a well-deserved dinner.
After dinner take a night walk to see how myriads of insects, spiders and frogs come alive at night (optional).
Explore the hidden corners of Sani Lodge on a 7 hour hike (optional, shorter walks possible) along the Chorongo Largo trail for a close encounter with stunning wildlife such as woolly monkeys, lively squirrel monkeys and white fronted capuchin monkeys, parrots, macaws, toucans and with a bit of luck tapirs and even peccaries.
Discover the magic world of untouched and virgin forest. A picnic lunch will be served in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by tree ferns, ancient kapoks and palm trees. Return in the afternoon to the lodge for dinner.
After dinner you can once again choose to head out on a small walk, if you still have the energy.
An early start today as we take the boat back 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 mid morning.
Note: This trip is available as a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 day trip. Exact itinerary is dependent on your wishes and weather conditions.
Sani Lodge accommodates only 20 guests, emphasising quality rather than quantity, and thereby offering you a more intimate experience with the rainforest.
The lodge itself consists of ten private, thatch-roofed cabanas, each with a modern bathroom, and there is a camping area for those who want to get even closer to the Amazon.
The cabanas are spaciously designed for double occupancy, and have screened in windows to guard against insects while you sleep. Electric lights at the lodge run from ecologically friendly solar energy instead of a noisy generator so the night sounds will be pure and natural.
Oil lamps are also provided for those who appreciate that rustic feel.
The bar, lounge, and dining room at Sani Jungle Lodge overlook the lagoon and offer both first class service as well as premier views of wild life and of the setting sun. There is an observation tower nearby for those who wish to spot birds as the sun goes down.
These trips are designed to be open to people of all ages and abilities, albeit it’s advised that children are aged 7 or over.
You need to be able to step into and out of a boat and the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the trip.
Walks are short in length but you may be on your feet for 2-3 hours as you stop to look at wildlife. There are shorter (and longer) walks for those who don’t want to walk so far – your guide will talk to you about preferred activity levels.
There are also rides in boats/canoes that can last up to 2-3 hours, depending on the tour.
The Amazon is very hot between midday and early afternoon, so we rise early, between 0600 and 0700, to catch the animals at dawn when they are very active. We leave the lodge early, go on an activity, and then relax when the sun is at its hottest.
As the day cools, we head off in the afternoon and in the evenings go on hikes or caiman spotting. Evening meals are usually around 1930-2000, after which we relax at the lodge and listen to the sounds of the Amazon.
You can pick and choose activities along with your guide and group, although the guide’s decision is final.
The kitchen can accommodate vegetarian and most other special dietary requests. A variety of international and traditional cuisine is offered to guests.
Meals are prepared by an excellent culinary staff, and include classic international cuisine, as well as local dishes. Fruits and forest products feature heavily.
A light snack is available for those who leave on very early trips, with a larger breakfast available later.
Lunch: Is provided in the dining room about 13.00. Boxed lunches are provided to visitors taking full day trips.
Dinner is served about 19.00-19.30.
All drinking water at the Lodge is filtered and there is always some available, as well as tea and coffee.
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.
Passengers are always accompanied by a naturalist guide and Native Guide from the community.
The lodge employs people from the local Kichwa Sani Isla community.
A perfectly balanced adventure combining Machu Picchu’s ancient majesty with the wildlife wonders of a Galapagos cruise.
A superb Galapagos cruise aboard the MC Anahi, offering close wildlife encounters and flawless small-ship comfort.
Sani Lodge is an eco-lodge dedicated to ecotourism, environmental conservation, and community in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
It is owned and operated by members of the Sani community, and profits from the jungle lodge are reinvested into the community.
With extensive knowledge of Amazon wildlife and biodiversity they can give Sani Lodge guests the true experience of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
Landscapes vary from the drier south to the more humid north.
The Highlands, or sierra, encompass two Andean Cordilleras (the Central and Western), which run north to south through the country. Ecuador’s largest volcano is Chimborazo (6,310m) whose summit, because of its proximity to the equator, is the closest point on earth to the sun. Several of Ecuador’s volcanoes are still active, and it’s a great area for trekking.
Descending the steep, east-facing slopes of the eastern Cordillera, one passes through a transition zone comprising dense cloud forest and humid high jungle, before entering the Amazon lowlands.
This mainly primary rainforest covers a third of the country, accounts for 5% of the population and stretches across Ecuador, from its Colombian to its Peruvian borders.
The Galapagos Islands are simply unique. Lying 600 miles off the mainland, the archipelago comprises the summits of gigantic equatorial volcanoes.
The flora and fauna of the Galapagos, long separated from their continental cousins, have evolved differently. Charles Darwin used his observations there to develop his theory of Evolution.
Ecuador is the second smallest South American country, and one of the most varied.
It comprises three main geographical areas: the coast, highlands and Amazon plus is home to the Galapagos Islands.
Because of its relatively compact size, it makes a great holiday destination as you can move from highlight to highlight fairly easily and rapidly.
Good kit is vital for every trip.
Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo’s fantastic ethical and high-performance outdoor gear.
You can also read our blog about a day in the Amazon rainforest of Peru.
Please note: Guests should arrive in clothes which they do not mind getting slightly dirty or wet, and should wear footwear that is suitable to walk on a rainforest trail. Sun cream, insect repellent, hat and waterproof clothing should be carried in hand luggage and kept accessible for the journey to the lodge.
You may want to keep your binoculars and camera handy, too.
All bedding, toilet paper etc. is provided at the lodge (or camp, if camping).
Ecuador lies between latitudes 4º south and 2º north. Overall, climate varies according to time of year, altitude and region.
In the Ecuadorian highlands, there is little temperature variation by season as temperature depends largely on altitude.
In Quito, shade temperatures range from 6 to 10ºC in the morning and from 19 to 23ºC in the afternoon, with cool nights. In the lower basins between mountains, it gets significantly warmer.
Rainfall depends on whether an area lies closer to the eastern or western Andes. To the west, June-Sept is the dry period and Oct-May the wet (with often a short, dry spell in Dec or Jan).
The best period to visit Quito and trek and climb volcanoes such as Cotopaxi is the west Andean dry season of June-Sept and Dec/Jan. This is also Ecuador’s high season. During the Oct-May wet season, most rainfall is in the afternoons.
To the east, Oct to Feb are dry and Mar-Sept are wet. Overall, the southern highlands are drier than the northern highlands.
On the Pacific coast, rainfall becomes less from north to south. The coast can be enjoyed year-round, although from June-Sept mornings are often grey with the garua mists.
Jan-May is the hottest and rainiest time of year.
In Ecuador’s Amazonian region, rain can fall at any time, but Dec-March is usually the driest season and Mar-Sept is usually the wettest period.
Galapagos can be visited at any time of year.
The warm season is Jan-Jun, bringing calm, warm waters (around 70°F) and sunny days (72-9°F or 22-32°C), February and March being the hottest and sunniest months with blue skies and sunshine.
The islands receive slightly more rainfall during these months, occasional heavy bursts in the afternoon. Great for snorkelling and you can spend a lot of time in the water without wetsuits, with great, clear waters.
The dry ‘garua’ season is Jun-Dec an it’s a great time for marine life. August and September are the coolest when you may need a jacket in the evenings and the sea can be choppy and temperature drops around 15-24ºC on average.
There can be mist on the islands in the mornings (garua) which usually burns off by midday leaving overcast skies or a sunny afternoon.
Sea temperatures may drop to 60°F- 72°F (15-22°C) during this time and snorkellers will want a wet suit for prolonged periods in the sea.
A perfectly balanced adventure combining Machu Picchu’s ancient majesty with the wildlife wonders of a Galapagos cruise.
A superb Galapagos cruise aboard the MC Anahi, offering close wildlife encounters and flawless small-ship comfort.
