What should I bring?

You’ve definitely made an excellent choice of vacation spots if you have booked a trip to the Amazon Rainforest. Now it is time for you to prepare for it.  Here are some suggestions for the essentials that you should bring for your visit.

Clothing

The most important piece of clothing is nice quality walking shoes, such as hiking shoes or boots. Some trips will provide you with rubber boots due to the presence of mud and a significant amount of water, however for longer, dry climates hikes, your hiking boots will come in handy. 

You should bring  clothing for the heat, but long sleeves and pants are recommended to decrease insect bites and avoid scratching your skin on trees and shrubs. Also, because it is the rainforest but can also be sunny, bring an impermeable jacket, a warm sweater for chilly nights, a nice hat, sunglasses, and rain trousers for extra wet days! Don’t forget to bring your swimming suit if you want to enjoy a sunset river swim.

Essentials for the Rainforest

Usually guides will have a basic aid kit, but you’ll want to bring plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent, and anti-itch cream in case you get bitten. Also, bring a comfy backpack to carry clothing layers and other essentials for day trips. To help reduce the amount of plastic and stay hydrated, bring a large refillable water bottle; there will be refill water stations at La Selva Amazon Lodge.

It is also strongly advised to bring binoculars to get a closer look at wildlife high off the ground in the trees or to enjoy those astounding bird watching hikes!

Electronics

-Camera and plenty sd cards / water-action camera is always a good idea

-Extra camera batteries

-Flashlights

-Zip lock bags to put electronic devices away at night or when hiking.

-Chargers for phones, cameras, etc. 110V.

Cash

Cash is required for personal expenses such as tips, bar services, or purchasing souvenirs at local indigenous communities; credit cards are not accepted.

Mesmerizing Species

Ecuador’s compact size is offset by the incredible variety of landscapes and wildlife found within its border lines. When getting to the deep jungle, you’ll be arriving in the Amazon of Ecuador,  one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet.

Yasuni National Park, a 3,800 square mile swath of forest area a few hours south of Coca-Cola, is home to over 500 different bird species, 200 different mammals, and over 100 different reptiles and amphibians.

Wildlife

• Venezuelan Red Howler Monkey: these monkeys can be found from Venezuela to Brazil, alerting tourists to their presence with profound growls early in the day and while the sun is setting. They have the most powerful call in the New World, which can be heard two miles away.

• Pink River Dolphin: dolphins can be found on day excursions by canoe on Amazon tours in the tranquil lagoons and rivers. They usually move in groups and smack the water’s surface in unison before diving in search for fish.

• Gekos: annually, naturalists seek out new animal species in the jungle. A new species of gecko, tiny enough to fit on the end of a pencil, was discovered in Ecuador in 2010. The brightly colored creatures are frequently seen alongside turtles laying on the logs, rock formations, and coasts of the Oriente’s tributaries.

• Caimans: Ecuador has four caiman species: white, brown, black, and crowned dwarfs. These caimans are night time animals that can be seen after dark on excursions along the banks of the jungle’s swampy rivers. The black caiman is the Amazon’s largest predator, reaching lengths of up to twenty feet.

• Capybaras: these animals are the world’s largest rodents, they usually climb through the forest along the pathways beneath the canopy, staying close to the water. Capybaras  avoid the heat by relaxing in wet areas during the day and could indeed stay underwater for up to five minutes to avoid predators.

• Three-Toed Sloth: they are the world’s slowest animal and are frequently observed in the tree branches along the Amazon’s trails and rivers. Because of extra vertebrae in their neck, the sleepy animal has an advantage in the treetops where they can turn their heads 270 degrees.

Make sure to carry a camera with you so you can picture these outstanding animals! Or just keep an eye to seek for them.

A perfect trip

The Ecuadorian jungle contains one-third of the country and is home to one out of every ten species on the planet. These species are mostly Pink river dolphins that appear in wetlands in front of rowboats, sloths that usually hang from nearby trees and monkeys that are frequently seen on daily excursions. A trip to this incredible location is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Keep reading to get some information on why visiting the Amazon Rainforest is the best option you have when it comes to budgets.

Lodges on budget!

For backpackers, Caiman Lodge experiences provide an eye-opening look into the treasure of the jungle. It offers a low-cost jungle adventure for those who are on a tight budget, without sacrificing service or experience.

There are a great number of characters (animals) who appear around each bend in the river. Traveling with a local guide gives you a new appreciation for a place in which time shifts in sync with the incredible variety of life around you.

Here, days are invested on big journeys and then nights are spent on excursions to find alligators that appear only in the dark. Nevertheless, relaxing is also important and you’ll have the opportunity to do it at the end of the day.

Mid-range Lodges

Tourists often visit The Napo Cultural Center lodge, which has a stronger cultural perspective than other lodges. Here, visitors  will be introduced to local town sustainable initiatives, taught about Kichwa culture, shared local legends and chants, and given the opportunity to participate in a morning Wayusa ritual. Furthermore, during nature forest treks in Yasuni National Park, visitors will get to see incredible wildlife.

Luxury Lodges

With a larger budget, you can stay at lodges such as the highly regarded Napo Wildlife Center, a pleasant eco-lodge situated within the protected Yasuni National Park. You will undoubtedly be in good company, as past visitors include National Geographic and the BBC. Aside from the unbelievable wildlife and cultural experiences, perhaps the most memorable experience is knowing that all money given from your visit will be donated to the local Anangu Quichua community to fund local projects.

However, there is a second option for those with a larger budget. The Anakonda cruise down the Napo River, which visits the Yasuni National Park and takes you kayaking into the forested area through peaceful lagoons. Fine dining, floor-to-ceiling windows in luxurious suites, jacuzzis, and an onboard 24-hour front desk are among the features of the Anakonda cruise ship.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll have a great and unforgettable time. Don’t forget to ask us any questions if you need more information!

Parks & Reserves

Parks and reserves are areas of the rainforest that have demonstrated great potential in terms of diversity, wildlife, and outstanding qualities. This is true for many areas of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. 

The primary goal of parks and reserves is to protect and safeguard their boundaries in order to keep these areas as pristine and unaffected as possible. Tena Province is not a park or reserve, but it is a feature-rich region with many benefits and is well-known for a great Amazon trip.

Yasuni National Park

The Yasuni National Park maintains world records like no other place; its compact size conveys an unbelievable diversity of species and flora at exceptional levels, earning it the title of the world’s most bio diverse location. This outstanding natural destination, located in the provinces of Orellana and Pastaza, was designated as the Yasuni National Park in 1979 in order to protect the area’s authenticity and uniqueness. 

The park drew worldwide attention, and in 1989 it was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNSESCO. To put it into perspective, here are some impressive records: One hectare of Yasuni’s park contains the same number of trees and insects as all of North America.

The Cuyabeno Reserve

The Cuyabeno Reserve is an excellent reserve in the main rainforest with specific ecological factors identified no other place in the world, owing primarily to its closeness to the Andes. The reserve’s countless ecosystems, including a network of permanent and semi-permanent rivers, swamped forests, rivers and streams, and swamps, provide the ideal environment for various types of vast amazon mammals such as Tapirs, Pumas and some others. 

The reserve is unquestionably a real Amazon experience, including over 500 species of birds and over 300 species of fish, anacondas, caimans, and the once facing extinction pink dolphins.

Tena (Capital of Napo)

Tena, the capital of Napo, is a tiny town known for its rivers and secondary jungle; visitors can arrange a variety of daily activities directly in its city center. A few lodges in the region are easily accessible by land transport and offer short tours at reasonable rates as well as a wide range of activities such as white water rafting and horse riding, a perfect blend that would not be conceivable in primary rainforest.  

Tena is also famous for its white water rafting. The Tena and Pano rivers congregate in the area, creating the ideal environment for some adrenaline-pumping rafting, which can effortlessly be set up as day tours from Quito.

Nature at its finest

The Amazon Rainforest is known for being one of Ecuador’s four worlds, is a true natural wonder that can provide you with that extra something you were searching for when visiting this wonderful country. The Amazon Rainforest covers the Amazon River Basin in its entirety, covering 1.7 billion acres. Brazil contains 60% of the rainforest, with the remainder spread across Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and, of course, Ecuador.

The Ecuadorian Amazon region, colloquially known as El Oriente, takes up the eastern portion of the country from the eastern slopes of the Andes to the eastern border. Climate here  is warm and tropical, and the forests receive a great deal of rain. Despite its remote location, it is easily accessible from Quito via nonstop flights to towns such as Coca and Lago Agrio.

Wildlife

The Amazonian jungle is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including large mammals such as tapirs, jaguars, monkeys, and river dolphins, as well as colorful birds such as macaws, parrots, tanagers, and even a species of fungus that has newly discovered to have the capacity to decompose plastic naturally. The Amazon rainforest is a veritable treasure trove of life on the planet.

Ideal location to visit!

The Ecuadorian Amazon is a perfect destinaion for tourists. This region has a wide variety of visitor lodges that provide guests with convenient accommodation options and a nearly unending list of daily activities. The majority of these jungle lodges offer all-inclusive packages that include lodging, food, and naturalist guides to accompany guests on their adventurous excursions into the woods.

Ecuador has a well-developed tourism industry in the Amazon region, but the importance of conserving this faraway, rich, and unique region is never overlooked. The jungle lodges are all designed with eco-friendly intentions in mind, and they work hard to protect the environment. They not only give visitors the opportunity to experience the wild Amazon, but they also enlighten them on the importance of the region’s conservation.

Flora and Fauna

The Amazon Jungle’s fascinating Flora and Fauna provide the feeling of living in a dreamland. A new plant species is demonstrated practically with every move. Flowers, herbs, and spices like Yuca root, cinnamon, and orchids, which serve as the foundation for many medicines, foods, and decorations, can be appreciated in their natural habitat.

There are over ten million animal, plant, and insect species. The estimates are outstanding, if not conquering. Mammals, birds, and insects interact with you as you travel through the lush jungle. The Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle is home to fifteen different species of primates, which swing from tree to tree while birds representing half of South America’s avifauna fly overhead.

Jungle adventures

The Amazon rainforest in Ecuador is an absolutely incredible adventure. By taking the winding mountain road from Quito into the deep, lush Amazon rainforest you’ll have the biggest adventure. Make sure to use your  walking boots since you’ll find yourself surrounded by dense vegetation. You’ll be surrounded by the jungle and the noises of wild birds, howler monkeys, and other animals.

Accessibility

The Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is relatively more accessible by Amazon norms, and it can be visited from a variety of different entry points, offering a variety of distinct memories. A short trip from Quito, preceded by a 2-3 hour motorized canoe ride, will take you right into the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon basin.

The  ride is an exhilarating experience in and of itself, allowing you to witness the jungle and the abundance of native animals in this diverse and special ecosystem.  Quite apart from this option, you can also take trips to the Amazon that do not go as deep into the rainforest and can even be accessed for the most part.

Incredible Wildlife

The rainforest is home to a variety of and captivating wildlife that can only be seen in the jungle if you travel to places like the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. When you visit a lodge here, you can go on excursions where you can look for all of these strange and fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

Eye-catching Birdlife

Birds are native animals as well, but the Ecuadorian Amazon’s bird life is so unique that it is reason enough to visit the jungle. Bird enthusiasts should not overlook the chance to visit the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. The Ecuadorian Amazon is thought to have at least 320 bird species. Consider this place a birdwatcher’s paradise! Macaws, parakeets, and parrots are all possible sightings in the jungle. 

Meanwhile, there are herons, egrets, bitterns, tinamou, ducks, hawks, crakes, and other birds. A number of the lodges provide the services of a birding guide to help you get the most out of your visit.

Memorable activities

The Amazon rainforest offers a diverse range of activities. You could go on a bird watching tour early in the day because dawn is a great time to see a lot of bird life. After breakfast, you might go to a genuine indigenous Amazon village to gain knowledge more about how people are adjusting their traditional way of life to the contemporary age while preserving traditional customs. 

Later, you could go piranha fishing, take a canopy walk, or swim in an Ecuadorian Amazon lake. You could even go for a walk before dinner to see the vivid insect and frog life that is more active during the night. These are just a few examples of the numerous options available.

Trips & Dreams Travel work with a wide range of Amazon basin lodges in Ecuador and can find the right lodge for you based on your requirements and budget to ensure that you get the best possible experience from your Ecuadorian Amazon adventure.

Mobilization 

Transportation in the Amazon can indeed be restricted to land or could be a mixture of different methods. Each lodge will take a different approach based on the area you’re entering, the level of depth, and some few other considerations. Getting there is part of the adventure; visitors will be amazed as you shift from an Andean setting to the Amazon forest.

Commercial Airlines

Commercial flights are limited to lodges in the vicinity of Lago Agrio, Coca, or Macas, with the latter being the less regularly used destination. The Cuyabeno reserve in primary rainforest is located in Lago Agrio, formally known as Nueva Loja; a commercial flight allows quick access with a flying time of 45 minutes approx. 

Coca, officially known as Puerto Francisco de Orellana, is the most popular destination for taking a commercial flight to begin an Amazon tour. Residence to Yasuni National Park, Coca also offers easy access from the main capital to the Coca and Napo rivers, where many lodges can be visited. The flight time is the same as Lago Agrio, but keep in mind that your flight is only part of your journey.

Small Planes & Canoes

Many lodges are in such remote places that getting there through any other ways would be lengthy, preventing you from starting your activities on day one. Small planes fly passengers deep into the remote primary jungle, providing an additional factor as you fly over the Amazon jungle to your lodge. Such excursions will be slightly more expensive to encompass these additional costs, but they are definitely worth it. 

Canoe rides are an activity that will be included in your tour in some way. Long canoe rides (2 to 3 hours) are necessary to reach lodges established on river banks, and they are commonly utilized on a daily basis for the in and outs of the river.

Buses and others

Buses can take you to all reference places for Amazon tours (Main Provinces & Towns), with the only drawback being the time needed to get there. The bus ride to Coca and Lago Agrio for primary jungle tours will take approximately 8 hours. Buses run throughout the day and night; taking a day bus is the best way to enjoy the scenery. 

You’ll save a lot of money because bus tickets range from $8 to $10 one way, compared to a round-trip flight that can cost up to $180. As there is no commercial airport in Tena, buses are your only option for transportation unless you hire private transportation or take a cab. Most people, if not all, require land transportation.

Important things to know

Traveling to Ecuador’s jungle takes your experiences to another level. Even most experienced travelers are impressed by this region and its surroundings. There are different rustic lodges that have gourmet food, luxury sections and relaxation spots in which you can also appreciate nature and life. There is no doubt that the Ecuadorian Amazon or the Oriente has captivated many tourists, adventurers and scientists. 

Creating new memories means exploring and discovering new paths into an area that has piqued the interest of travelers for decades. Keep reading for a glimpse of what to expect when visiting the Amazon in Ecuador. 

What to expect?

A visit to the Napo River into the compact primary Amazon forest brings you up close and personal with the many creatures that call the jungle their home. In the beautiful green forest and muddled waters, you’ll see monkeys, Caiman Alligators, Pink River Dolphins, Sloths, and a dizzying array of colorful birds. Magnificent Rainforest scenery and landscapes make for absolutely incredible trip photos, and friendly neighborhood tribes eagerly await visitors to share their cultural traditions.

Here you’ll get the chance to take some trekking and cano rides that will take you deep into the forest, where your local guide will point out wildlife and demonstrate the many medicinal benefits of jungle plants. Visits to tribal communities to gain knowledge about their traditions and way of life are examples of cultural activities

Best time to visit (Climate)

The wet rainforest season in Ecuador lasts from February to July, with daytime temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius and 35cm of rain. On the other hand, the dry season (August to January) is hotter, with highs in the mid-30s Celsius and less rainfall. The dry season can be quite hot and humid. Above all, because the wildlife, plants, and tribal people are present all year, there is no best or worst time to visit.

Make sure to go on hikes!

Hikes from lodges through compact primary forest place visitors in the midst of the jungle’s wildlife. Long-lived trees shade the forest floor, where animals like Tapirs, Pygmy Marmosets, and Emperor Tamarins can be found in the bushes and on trees.

Days needed for a full experience

Ecuador Amazon visits should last four, five, or eight days. At least, that is the amount of time cruises run.  We suggest the full 8-day trip itinerary, which takes you from Coca City down the Napo River to the Peruvian border, with stops at the famous Yasuni National Park along the way.

Amazon Rainforest

There are multiple choices for jungle tours in Ecuador’s Amazon. When booking a stay at one of Ecuador’s many Amazon lodges, tourists frequently choose a package of days and nights that includes activities and excursions organized by the lodge. And after booking a tour, the company specifies where visitors will stay, but they run their own activities and trips, frequently through different places of the Amazon.

Tours in Cuyabeno

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve tours are significantly less expensive than those in Yasuni, but visitors can still see a lot of wildlife. Multi-day tours typically cost around $100 per day all-inclusive, though this can differ slightly on the tour’s lodging. Some tours of Cuyabeno depart from Lago Agrio rather than Nueva Loja.

• 4-Day Amazon Jungle Tour in Ecuador
• Tapir Lodge – 4-Day Amazon Jungle Tour in Ecuador

Tours in Yasuní

Yasuni National Park tours have been generally the most expensive in Ecuador, because it is the most distant and protected area of the forest. The lodges, on the other hand, are absolutely lovely and will offer the most amazing experience along the Ecuador Amazon river.

If you want a memorable and glamorous adventure, search into a tour with lodging at Sacha Lodge if it’s within your budget. This is considered the best in the Ecuadorian Amazon!

There are also widely known camping and kayaking excursions in Yasuni for those who want to get as connected to nature as possible while exploring as much of the forest as possible. It’s not your typical lodge experience, but it’s an incredible adventure.

Tours in Tena

Tena jungle tours are usually the best choices for budget travel in the Amazon because that is the most widely obtainable jumping-off point in the Ecuador jungle and is located right on the border of the forest. There are some fantastic Ecuador rainforest tours available here at a low cost!

Tours in Tena are not located in the deep Amazon, and you may not see the same wildlife as in Yasun or Cuyabeno, also they are usually shorter than those deeper in the Amazon, lasting two to four days. Three-day or four-day tours from Tena typically focus on the Mishuall area.

• Tena 2-day Jungle Tours
• Tena 3-day and 4-day Jungle Tours

Rafting Tours

Tena is a tourist place for rafting through the Amazon, one of the most memorable Amazon tours Ecuador has to provide, as well as traditional nature and wildlife tours. Rafting adventures depart from Tena on rapids of varying difficulty, so even first-timers can participate. In addition, safety kayaks complement rafters to ensure their safety.

Several of the rafting adventures and tours can be lengthened over several days with extra jungle walks and basic lodge accommodations in the Tena rainforest. If you want both experiences, excursions like this one from Tena along the Napo River incorporate rafting and discovering the Amazon.

Helpful Hacks

Yasuni is reached by river from the oil frontier town of Coca. It’s not worth staying in the night, so you might plan to arrive early in the morning and make a connection with your canoe transport. Coca can be reached from Quito by plane (45 minutes) or bus (8-10 hours). Take a night bus from Quito’s Quitumbe Terminal to Coca in the morning).

A canoe ride from Coca to the Yasuni entrance takes about 2-3 hours, depending on current flow and water level.

Very important!

Tourists must obtain permission to access Yasuni National Park, as well as a place to stay. The alternatives are mostly limited to just a few luxury lodges with high prices. As a result, Yasuni accommodation is the major limitation.

Yasuni is certainly not an effortless destination to reach on your own. While it is theoretically possible to set up your own canoe transportation to the Aangu community, pay entry fee, and try to arrange basic places to stay, it is logistically demanding. Above all, it’s difficult to find trustworthy contacts in Coca. As a result, 99% of tourists book an organized tour that includes permissions, canoe transfers, a guide, and lodging.

Remember, it is all jungle!

Even though Amazon river cruises provide comfortable accommodations on board, you will inevitably come into contact with some bugs and creepy crawlies anywhere along the path.  You better be  prepared to appreciate all types of wildlife, including small critters, and don’t forget to bring insect repellent to not get any bug bites.

Pack the goods!

Start preparing for heat, humidity, rain, and strenuous hiking. Visitors should bring  an umbrella, a light rain jacket, long-sleeved cotton slacks or leggings, good walking shoes, and a swimsuit (for river activities or Jacuzzis). Also, make sure to bring some binoculars and a camera with a good optical zoom will allow you to get up close and personal with the Amazon wildlife.

Drink water!

If you are not used to hot and humid weather, you may become dehydrated without even realizing it. So remember to bring a refillable bottle of water with you on the journey and to use it every time you have the opportunity to.  Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also essential!