LA SELVA jungle lodge, situated in the Amazon Basin, nestled in primary forest is Premier among Ecuador´s jungle experiences. Even the most casual visitor, with the help of staff naturalists and native trackers, can expect to see at least 5 species of monkeys, perhaps a sloth, maybe an anteater, and with no effort, 100 species of birds including parakeets, toucans, all kinds of macaws and parrots. Don't count on a jaguar but it has happened. You will not be prepared for the quality of food and service you will receive. And the amenities are everything you could ask for. LA SELVA`S distinct company design: to treat all clients as guests rather than tourists makes it the "way to go" for the discerning who do not want to be considered to be cattle, out as personal "guests" of the rainforest who have come to explore in a place of infinitive marvel and wonder. La Selva´s slogan is "in the jungle anything is possible" and at this lodge you will find the ultimate rainforest experience that will surprise, as well as overjoy your senses.

LA SELVA has been in successful operation for about 22 years, and it is highly respected (if not the best) jungle lodge in South America, a winner of THE "ECOTOURISM AWARD" at The World Congress on Tourism and Environment. The lodge sits snugly above a lake called Garzacocha, described by one guidebook as the most beautiful lake in all of the Amazon. Bamboo bungalows with thatched roofs are connected to each other and the bar and restaurant by an elevated walkway. Flush toilets and hot water showers are tastefully disguised inside each dwelling. Besides guides experience in the rainforest with trained Naturalist guides and Native assistants, there are many other options available to you that you can create on your own: kayaking, swimming, fishing, bird-watching or simply taking a siesta in the hammock hut.

For the ultimate jungle experience, in a lodge that prides itself on its ability to cater to whatever your personal needs may be La Selva is the choice.

www.laselvajunglelodge.com

Kapawi is located near the Peruvian border of Ecuador, in the Southern Ecuadorian Amazon Basin long the Pastaza River. Largely built without nails to proximate ancient native building techniques the appealing lodge attempts to involve native ashuar culture with their activities and has received mixed success and some criticism over their practices. Beautiful situated, Kapawi provides multiple activities such as visits to the Achuar communities, hikes in the rain forest, canoeing, camping, and bird watching. The lodge offers three alternative programs: easy, moderate, and difficult that you will choose depending the time that you would like to spend on the trails. Flight to the lodge is by small plane and there have been many cases of guests having to stay over an extra day on either end of their trip because of poor weather conditions for flying. Guests would be well-advised to plan for the extra time and many happy travellers have said it was well worth the wait.

Fifty miles down the Napo River from the frontier town of Coca one follows a boardwalk to a small lake where you will find Sacha Lodge located on a private 3,200 acre reserve. The lodge provides lots of activities escorted by an English speaking guides who will show you the wonders of the tropical rainforest. Sacha Lodge's maximum capacity is 40 guests. Each of 26 the rooms, which include single, double and (upon request) triple accommodations, provides a private bathroom with flushing toilet and hot shower. All cabins are screened against insects, and contain ceiling fans above two comfortable double beds. The lodge does good job, having taken many pages from La Selva Jungle Lodge´s book (see above) and is an efficiently run operation where many guests leave contented.

The Napo Wildlife Center, NWC Lodge is located on a blackwater lake, Anangucocha lake, reach after a mildly challenging cance trek up a tree-choked stream. A joint venture between the Tropical Nature Conservation System and some relatively recent arrived Quichua indians, the lodge seems to be making a good go at its collaboration and producing a good product. Visitors will have excursions escorted by a native Anangu assistant, and a bilingual naturalist guide. Both guides will make your days informative and enjoyable with excursions every day.