Napo Cultural Center 4 Days

Arrival at Napo Cultural Center after a trip through Napo River from El Coca City. The members of the kichwa Añangu community will welcome you with a traditional and refreshing ice cold “wayusa”. After lunch you will have a hike along playas trail to watch the amazon wildlife, and during the rest of the day you will have the opportunity to go kayaking to enjoy the sunset in the vastness of Napo River. After dinner you have the rest of the night to rest.

After an early breakfast we head in the motor boat to the highlight of the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, where we can observe a parrot clay lick in the riverside of Napo. Then we walk around 30 minutes through “pericos” trail to reach an amazing parakeet clay lick, where we’ll watch up to 11 species of parrots and parakeets. The morning ends with a visit to the intercultural interpretation center “Kuri Muyu”, which is handled by women, and we learn about the kichwa culture, customs and traditional use of natural resources. After lunch, you go to a one hour hike to in order to climb up the 35 meter observation tower, to spot a variety of birds, howler monkeys squirrel monkeys, parrots and sloths. After having dinner, we experience a unique activity onboard a catamaran to hear legends and traditional chants of the community.

After an early breakfast, visit the sustainable projects around the community, and go to a walk in the Mama - Kuna road, which is an excellent opportunity to see more native wildlife. In the afternoon, after a delicious local lunch, we go in a paddle canoe through Añangu stream, to spot the endemic fauna of the black water ecosystem. Upon your return, you’ll have traditional dinner, called maito” which is grilled fish wrapped in a “bijao” leaf. If you want to taste something unusual, you can try the grilled worms called “chontakuru”. At night we’ll have a brief walk to see nocturnal wildlife around the lodge.

Early in the morning, at around 4:30, you can take part of the optional “wayusada” ritual with the kichwa family. This has been a way to pass their ancient knowledge to their new generations. Share the traditional chants and have the chance to interpret your dreams during this mystical experience. After this activity head back for breakfast and then begin your return to Coca City.