INFORMATION:
Thank you very much for your interest in LA SELVA JUNGLE LODGE, located in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest basin of Ecuador. LA SELVA has been in successful operation for about sixteen years. We are a highly respected jungle lodge in South America, which won the “ECOTOURISM AWARD” at World Congress on Tourism and Environment.
La Selva provides guided rainforest tours with trained nature guides and native assistants. However, there are many other exciting options available and you can create your own itinerary between swimming, fishing, bird watching or simply relaxing and enjoying our gourmet food and personalized service.
You should know that “in the jungle anything is possible”, and you will find the ultimate amazon rainforest experience that will surprise as well as overwhelm your senses.
LA SELVA, or “Amazon jungle”, is about sixty miles from the town of Coca, down the Napo river (one of the main tributaries of the Amazonas river) and one mile inland from the river itself.
We would like to take this opportunity to inform you that after many meetings with the local witch doctors and with their help and support, we invented ¨hot water¨. However the most adventurous guests still have the option of taking showers with ambient temperature water, too.
We take tremendous pride in the food we serve here. Our culinary background is French, and we apply our skills to offer local ingredients and dishes with fresh tropical fruit juices that accompany each meal. For all food and drinks, we use purified bottled water brought directly from Quito. La Selva Lodge does serve vegetarian meals and can prepare meals for special diets upon request as well. Please do not hesitate to mae a request and a delicious vegetarian diet will be handled very well by us.
The desing of the cabins are influenced by the natives, built with the same material that people in the region use for their housing. They are comfortable with mosquito nets over each bed. For each cabin we provide bottled purified water daily.
To begin, a motorized canoe will be waiting for the group to take them down the River Napo (approximately 2 hours). During the ride downstream, a boxed lunch prepared in the morning will be ready for each guest.
Upon arrival to La Selva dock, our staff will help you carry your luggage. (Carry ons as well as camera gear will be the guest´s responsibility). A complementary welcome cocktail will greet everyone in the bar and this will be the first time to meet the nature guides.
In order to give the first class service La Selva is well known for, we have prepared a random sample itinerary. The first excursion will be an organized activity, and then the guests may choose one of the innumerable possibilities that we are glad to offer below:
WALK TO SILVERIO'S HOUSE: Cross Garzacocha Lake. 2.5 to 3 hour walk on an underdeveloped trail which is a bit physically challenging. Half of the walk takes place in primary forest and the other half passes the huts of our indigenous neighbors along the Napo River.
MANDICOCHA TRAIL: An easy trail close to the hotel which is usually filled with wildlife no matter what hour of the day it is. The excursion can last as long as you want.
MANDICOCHA-MANDIYACU: A 3 to 4 hour trip. Follow the Mandicocha trail until you reach Mandicocha Lake, which has a completely different ecosystem than Lake Garzacocha where the hotel is located. Board paddle canoes for a 1.5 hour glide down the Mandiyacu stream. One easily sees the myriad of wildlife that presents itself along the shores of the stream. Arriving at the Napo River, board a motorized canoe for the trip back to La Selva.
EL SALADO: It's a 2 hour excursion often combined with a picnic lunch and trips across the Napo River. Visit a site where, with a little luck, parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen by the thousands.
HIGH FOREST TRAIL: Cross the Napo River and arrive at a challenging mountainous trail which offers yet another ecosystem. It is a chance to see birds and other wildlife nowhere else seen. Also a chance to eat lemon ants. The duration can vary between 3 to 5 hours.
PILCHE TRAIL: Cross Garzacocha Lake then walk one hour more. Witness an enormous colony of leafcutter ants and whatever wildlife may come your way.
NIGHT EXCURSIONS: Canoe or walking trips after dark to view nocturnal animals such as caiman, monkeys, insect, and owls. Sample the La Selva nightlife.
135-FOOT OBSERVATION TOWER: Not far from the lodge you can spend many hours observing wildlife of all kinds with a bird's-eye view.
BUTTERFLY FARM: Available every afternoon and is close to the lodge. Watch and photograph butterflies at close range. With any luck, witness the miracle of metamorphosis.
PEDRO'S TRAIL: Two versions available. Cross Garzacocha Lake, walk through virgin forest, and arrive at the tower (approximately 4 hours). Or pass Butterfly Farm and join the trail in the middle (approximately 2 hours).
CHAWAMANGO'S TRAIL: Head east at Mandicocha trailhead and walk parallel to the lake. Arrive at Napo River. Return by elevated walkway and cross Garzacocha by canoe (approximately 3 hours).
LITTLE CHAWAMANGO: Short trip by foot around the edge of Lake Garzacocha and return by canoe.
*There are nightly excursions to search for caiman, owls, frogs, and insects, etc. in case guests are interested. All of the the excursions will be organized day by day with your guide and the group.
PACKING LIST:
Please pack as light as possible for La Selva since there is a national airline restriction of 33 pounds (15 kilos) maximum per person for baggage.
• Passport
• Dollars in small denominations as well as travel checks for bar service, gratuities or souvenirs
• Credit cards are not accepted at the lodge
• Prescription medicine
• Personal, first aid and cleaning kit; (towels and soap will be provided)
• Flashlight (available for sale)
• Camera, batteries and enough film (suggested: ISO 400)
• Binoculars (THIS IS A MUST)
• Rain poncho (available for sale)
• Insect repellent
• Suntan lotion
• Ziploc Plastic bags
• Rubber boots; (If you are under size 6 or over size 12)
• Tennis shoes
• Extra socks (knee socks are good if you wear shorts and boots)
• Long sleeve and short sleeve shirts
• Long light pants and shorts
• Hat (available for sale)
• Bathing suit
• Sweater & lightweight jacket
