The Jungle
The Amazon rainforest takes up much of Ecuador’s eastern half, and a visit to the jungle offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the rivers and flooded forest of the world’s largest rainforest.
The Rio Napo is one of the Amazon’s main tributaries, and the Manatee Amazon Explorer sails on the river, mostly in the lowland rainforest of the Yasuni National Park. Staying on a coat allows you to visit different parts of the jungle while staying in relative comfort, with air conditioning and hot showers. Excursions include exploring oxbow lakes, trekking through the jungle and visiting native communities.
If you prefer to stay on the ground, the Tapir Lodge is located in the remote Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, one of the most pristine areas of jungle in Ecuador, with rivers, lagoons and flooded forest. The Cuyabeno Reserve has more than 550 species of birds and 12,000 species of plants, including 60 species of orchids, as well as anacondas, caimans, pink river dolphins, monkeys and tapirs. The lodge is located on the banks of the Cuyabeno River, and accommodation is in simple rooms with private bathrooms and hot showers.