Containing some of the richest and most biodiverse habitats of the Amazon to the east of the Andes, Ecuador’s upper Amazon basin is brilliantly accessible. The accommodation within these idyllic settings showcases the true splendour of this corner of the country. Comprising less than 5% of the total population, the inhabitants of the Ecuadorian Amazon are a melting pot of smaller communities who live fascinatingly traditional lives in the jungle, with ancient traditions and ceremonies that are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
Accessed from Quito usually by 30-minute flight into Coca, you will then head onward by boat to some of the more remote jungle lodges on the rivers and tributaries of the area or board a boat cruise. The Amazon itself starts at the east of the Andes, where the terrain suddenly plummets 10,000 feet over just 30 miles. Coca is set just 40 miles from the foothills on the edge of the Amazon area, where local communities can enjoy more successful agriculture and breed livestock.
Joy can be found in the smaller critters here as well as the larger ones; armies of ants, small and colourful frogs, butterflies and lizards are all in abundance. Bats, monkeys, sloths, river dolphins and caiman are also common, and there are over 550 recorded bird species here, including green parrots, toucans and macaws.
The activities within the rainforest usually consist of guided walks with naturalists who can help to point out the less obvious of the wildlife and unusual natural aspects of the Amazon, and canoeing and white water rafting are available for the adventurous.
The landscape is one of long, wide and winding rivers, fringed by fertile rainforest that harbours an incredible array of flora and fauna.
On the Anakonda you can explore in style with luxury suites, expansive outdoor spaces and gourmet meals, as expert guides immerse you in the sights, sounds and cultures of the Amazon.
Napo Wildlife Centre Eco-Lodge is an authentic style lodge in the heart of the Amazon in Ecuador. Rooms are large and luxurious.
Sacha Lodge is in a great location within a pristine rainforest sanctuary. Comfortable for those seeking the wild.
Set within 42,000 hectares of pristine rainforest, Sani Lodge is an environmentally conscious, community run lodge in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Set deep within the Amazon La Selva Lodge can be booked as part of your adventure with Natural World Safaris.
The area has an excellent range of ecolodges and jungle camps with unbeatable settings amidst the sights and sounds of the natural world of the Amazon, such as Huaorani Ecolodge which blends perfectly into the terra firma rainforest in which it is based.
Contact one of our Destination Specialists to start planning your journey to Ecuador. Please note we recommend a budget of from £7,000 / $10,000 USD per person for our style of trip to this destination.