YACHANA LODGE
Yachana Lodge is an award winning, Amazon ecotourism destination that inspires thousands of international and Ecuadorian visitors each year.
'Yachana' is an indigenous Kichua word that means 'A place for learning', which is the best description of what we do. As you embark on your journey deep into the Amazon, you can be proud that your visit is helping to address education, conservation and sustainable development in a unique way in this environmentally sensitive region. At Yachana, we believe the future of the rainforest is inextricably linked to the well-being of its inhabitants; only those who call the rainforest their home can ensure its survival.
Yachana Lodge is the only Ecuadorian Amazon lodge that hires virtually all local staff and indigenous naturalist guides. Our personnel receive extensive and continuous training and have years of experience providing a true eco-tourism experience and award-winning service. All of our guides are from the Amazon region, which means they have an intrinsic understanding of the rainforest. Additionally, they are fluent in English, Spanish, Kichua and other indigenous languages
SAMPLE ITINERARY - 5DAYS/4NIGHTS
DAY 1:
Your journey into the Amazon Jungle starts in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
During the 30 minute flight over the Andes from Quito to the jungle town of Coca you'll
enjoy amazing views of snow covered mountains and the endless green expanse of
the rainforest as you begin your descent into the Amazon.
At the Coca airport you’ll be greeted by your Yachana guide, transported by bus to the
river port and then board our 57 foot (18 meters) motorized canoe for the three hour
trip up river. A box lunch will be served as we navigate the Napo River, so please let us
know of any dietary restrictions in advance of your trip. Also, life vests are provided so
you can fully relax and enjoy your ride along one of the largest tributaries to the
legendary Amazon River. At Yachana Lodge, you’ll receive a warm welcome from our
native staff who will serve you a refreshing beverage and snack while introducing you
to the Lodge facilities.
After you’ve had a chance to rest and wash up, your guide will take you on a short hike
to an overlook where you can see the splendor of the rainforest reach out as far as the
eye can see in every direction. On clear days you can even see Sumaco Volcano rising
up in the distance. If you don’t want to take the hike up the hill to the overlook, you can
also choose to visit our beautiful Butterfly House.
DAY 2:
After breakfast, your guide will lead you on a journey into the rainforest where
he’ll explain the uses of various plants and amaze you with the diversity of birds and
animals that inhabit the rainforest he calls home. You’ll return to the Lodge for a
traditional Amazon lunch. After lunch you’ll have an opportunity to rest or explore the
Lodge grounds on your own.
Later in the afternoon you’ll have the option of staying at the Lodge or visiting a local
healer where you’ll participate in a traditional cleansing ceremony. This is an
interesting cultural experience where you’ll also have the opportunity to practice your
skills at using a blowgun and spear. Afterwards you’ll have time to rest and clean up
before dinner. Dinner is served at 7:00.
On one of your evenings, you’ll have a chance to take a night walk to discover a totally
different side of the forest. On this walk, you’ll experience the small insects,
amphibians, reptiles and other animals that only come out at night.
DAY 3:
You have the option to start your day early by participating in a bird watching
excursion before breakfast, or you can sleep a little longer before enjoying another
splendid breakfast, the first of the day’s Amazon culinary delights. After breakfast, your
guide will lead on a hike in search of the endemic hoatzin, a prehistoric bird found only
in select areas of the Amazon, and then to the Yachana Technical High School, where
you’ll have a chance to interact with the region’s next generation of leaders. This will
take most of the morning and will give you an opportunity to see how a meaningful
education is making a difference in the lives of many young people from the Amazon
region. If you want, you can return to the Lodge before lunch and participate in an
Amazon cooking class led by our chefs. After lunch, there’s time for a siesta before you
try your hand at making a natural fiber basket and a traditional ceramic bowl from
Amazon clay. After dinner there’s free time for your own leisure activities or optional
activities scheduled by the Lodge.
DAY 4:
Before breakfast you have the chance to participate in a second
bird watching
excursion, and after breakfast you’ll enjoy a forest hike to a different area of our 4,300-
acre Protected Forest. Your guide will show you native flora species which have been
used for medicinal purposes for hundreds if not thousands of years and also for
building homes, making baskets, twine, weapons, clothing and food. After lunch you’ll
have time to relax and then you have the option of visiting a local family doing gold
panning in the river or you may float down the Napo River in an inner tube or return to
the high school for further interaction with the students.
DAY 5:
You’ll have a hearty breakfast and then travel by canoe
from Yachana to the
city of Coca for your flight back to Quito. As you navigate downstream you’ll have one
last opportunity to appreciate the vastness of the Amazon rainforest and reflect on your
experience at Yachana.
*Please be aware that Yachana Lodge cannot guarantee that you see wildlife because
of the unpredictable nature of animals and due to the fact that the area around the
Lodge has been impacted by human presence.
