Self-Launched Amazon Adventure – Ecuadorian Jungle & Wildlife

Make your own way to Quito Airport's domestic terminal and catch a LATAM or Avianca flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca) — book in advance for the best fares (~£55–75 one way). On arrival, take a mototaxi or taxi into town (~£2) and drop bags at your guesthouse. Head to the river port and arrange a shared motorised canoe transfer with a local operator along the Napo River (1.5–2.5hrs, ~£10–15pp). Many community lodges and budget guesthouses sit directly on the waterways — check in, grab lunch from a local comedor, and join a self-booked afternoon trail walk with a local naturalist guide. As dusk falls, organise a caiman-spotting canoe ride on one of the oxbow lakes (bookable directly with guides at the port or via GetYourGuide for ~£12–18pp). Bring a torch for your first taste of the Amazon at night.

🚌Domestic flight Quito–Coca (~£55–75). River canoe transfers arranged locally (~£10–15pp). Mototaxi in Coca (~£1–2).

🛏Hostal San Fermín or similar budget guesthouse in Coca, or a community eco-lodge on the Napo River (~£15–25pp/night)

• →Domestic flight Quito → Coca (book direct with LATAM or Avianca, ~£55–75)
• →Motorised canoe transfer along the Napo River (~£10–15pp shared)
• →Afternoon rainforest trail walk with local naturalist guide (~£15–20pp)
• →Dusk canoe ride scanning for caiman on oxbow lake (~£12–18pp)

Rise early for a guided hike to a canopy observation tower — several community reserves and eco-lodges near Coca offer access for a small fee (~£10–15pp). At 30–36m above the forest floor, you'll scan the treetops for toucans, macaws and — if lucky — monkeys moving between branches. Mid-morning, paddle or take a canoe to a nearby floodplain lake to watch hoatzins, capuchins and squirrel monkeys at the water's edge. Lunch back at base from your lodge or a packed meal prepared by your host. In the afternoon, explore the lake system by canoe at your own pace. After dark, strap on your head torch for a self-led or guided night walk (~£10–15pp with a local guide) to spot frogs, insects and roosting birds — a completely different Amazon from the daytime.

🚌All movement by canoe or on foot — included in guide fees or lodge rates.

🛏Same community eco-lodge or riverside guesthouse as Day 1 (~£15–25pp/night)

• →Guided hike to canopy observation tower (~£10–15pp)
• →Morning canoe paddle to floodplain lake for wildlife spotting
• →Afternoon free canoe exploration of lake channels
• →Guided night walk to spot amphibians, insects and reptiles (~£10–15pp)

An early-morning motorised canoe ride (approx. 1.5hrs each way, ~£10–15pp) brings you to a parrot clay lick on the Napo River — one of the Amazon's most spectacular natural sights, as flocks of parrots, parakeets and occasionally macaws descend to feed on mineral-rich clay. A local guide helps with species identification. Afterwards, arrange a visit to a Pilchi or Kichwa community — these are bookable via local agencies in Coca (~£15–20pp including transport) and include demonstrations of traditional food preparation, plant medicine and community craft. Return to the jungle trails in the afternoon, following a guide who highlights medicinal plants and smaller species often overlooked. End the day with a dusk canoe glide as wildlife activity peaks. Toast your final night with a local beer (£1–2) at your lodge.

🚌Return motorised canoe to clay lick (~£10–15pp). All other travel by canoe or foot.

🛏Same community eco-lodge or riverside guesthouse (~£15–25pp/night)

• →Morning canoe excursion to parrot clay lick on the Napo River (~£10–15pp + guide)
• →Community visit to Pilchi/Kichwa village with cultural demonstrations (~£15–20pp)
• →Guided medicinal plants trail walk in the afternoon (~£10–15pp)
• →Dusk canoe wildlife cruise

After an early breakfast, take your canoe back to Coca (approx. 1.5–2.5hrs). Allow time in Coca to pick up snacks, change money or browse the riverside market before your return flight. Book your Coca–Quito domestic flight in advance (~£55–75 with LATAM or Avianca). On arrival in Quito, take the Metrobus or Ecovía public bus into the city centre (£0.35) or a shared taxi (~£8–12). Celebrate your Amazon adventure with dinner in La Mariscal or La Floresta neighbourhood — traditional Ecuadorian ceviche de camarón and llapingachos run to around £6–10 per person.

🚌Canoe back to Coca (~£10–15pp). Domestic flight Coca–Quito (~£55–75). Public bus or shared taxi into central Quito (~£1–12).

🛏Not required — return to Quito for onward travel or pre-booked accommodation.

• →Canoe return to Coca (~£10–15pp)
• →Explore Coca riverside market before departure
• →Domestic flight Coca → Quito (~£55–75)
• →Celebratory dinner in Quito's La Mariscal neighbourhood (~£8–12)