5 Days Yasuní Wildlife and Kichwa Culture Experience
Five days in Yasuní with the Gualinga family: parrot clay lick, monkeys, the canopy tower, a morning with the Sani community and a full day on Panacocha Lagoon.
4.9· 159 reviews- Difficulty
- Moderate – every walk is optional
- Group size
- 2–6 people · solo travellers welcome
- Price per adult
- From $920 (2 sharing)Solo from $1,090
- All-inclusive: lodge, meals, guide, park fees and transfers from Coca.
Travelling alone? You're welcome – we'll match you with another small group, or book a private guide to have the trip to yourself.
About this Yasuní tour
Sinchi Wayra Lodge is a family lodge on the Napo River, inside Yasuní National Park. The Gualinga family runs it; they belong to the Sani, a Kichwa community of the Amazon, and most of our staff are Sani.
Five days is the length most of our guests choose. You walk two forest trails, watch parrots on a clay lick from the canoe, climb a 40 m canopy tower and spend a morning with the women's association in Sani Warmi. Day 4 is a full day at Panacocha Lagoon, where pink river dolphins live, with piranha fishing after lunch.
Highlights
- Parrot clay lick at sunrise, watched from the canoe
- Two forest walks: the Anaconda Back Trail and the Sani forest on the north bank, towards Cuyabeno
- The Yasuní canopy tower, 40 m (130 ft) above the forest, at sunset
- A morning in Sani Warmi: blowgun, medicinal garden, lunch cooked with the women's association
- A full day at Panacocha Lagoon: pink river dolphins (with luck) and piranha fishing
- Optional: the macaw and parakeet clay lick (USD 55 per person)
Who it is for
- You want the full mix: wildlife, forest walks and time with a Kichwa community.
- You like a calmer day on the water after two days on the trails.
- You want a small family lodge and small groups.
Not for you if you want air conditioning, hot showers or a resort. We have cold showers and power from 6:00 to 22:00, and a small battery fan is a good idea. Every walk is optional, but day 2 is rugged: if you cannot walk on uneven ground, tell us and we plan an easier day.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 - Down the Napo River to the lodge
MorningCanoe from Coca down the Napo River to the lodge
About 10:00 pickup · 2.5 h by canoe · easy
We meet you in Coca, at the airport or the pier, and board a motorized canoe down the Napo River into Yasuní National Park. On the way you will likely see herons, kingfishers and river turtles. At Sinchi Wayra Lodge you settle into your room while lunch is prepared, then explore the garden and the hammocks.
AfternoonAnaconda Back Trail behind the lodge
1 to 2 h · easy to moderate
The Anaconda Back Trail starts right behind the lodge. The forest here is wet, so stretches of the trail run along fallen palm trunks: wear the rubber boots we give you. Your Sani guide shows you medicinal plants and giant trees and finds what you would walk past: monkeys, dart-poison frogs and, with luck, a sloth. We come back at dusk, when the forest is loudest.
EveningNight walk on the boardwalk by torchlight
After dinner · easy
With headlamps we follow the boardwalk near the lodge. At night the forest belongs to other animals: you will see frogs, toads and strange insects, and you will likely see a small snake or a tarantula. Your guide explains how each one uses the dark to hunt or to hide. Bring a headlamp and long sleeves.
Day 2 - Parrots, monkeys and the north bank
MorningParrot clay lick by canoe and hike to the giant trees
Sunrise start · canoe, then a rugged hike
Breakfast is at sunrise, then we go 30 minutes upriver by canoe to the parrot clay lick. From the boat you watch four species of parrots and parakeets come down to eat the mineral clay: first the noise, then the colour. Then a rugged hike through primary forest to giant trees the Sani consider sacred. You will likely see Napo saki monkeys and golden-mantled tamarins. Expect mud, roots and steep slopes.
AfternoonSani forest on the north bank, towards Cuyabeno
Canoe crossing and trail walk · moderate
After lunch we cross the Napo River to the Sani forest on the north bank, towards Cuyabeno. Narrow trails lead through dense forest where we look for black-mantled tamarins and dart-poison frogs, with toucans and macaws calling overhead. Your guide points out what you would walk past alone. We are back at the lodge at sunset, in time for dinner.
Optional, USD 55 per person (USD 60 from 2027): the macaw and parakeet clay lick instead of this walk, with macaws up close.
Day 3 - The Sani community and the canopy tower
MorningSani Warmi: school, garden and women's association
About 4 h · easy
We visit Sani Warmi, the central village of the Sani community, with its school and women's association. You try the blowgun, walk through the garden of medicinal plants and food crops, and cook lunch together with the women. Handicrafts are on sale, from jewellery to pottery, and your visit supports the association. The Sani are about 800 people, and tourism helps them protect their forest.
AfternoonYasuní canopy tower at sunset
Short walk, 40 m (130 ft) tower · moderate
A short forest walk leads to the Yasuní canopy tower on a small hill. A staircase takes you 40 m (130 ft) up to a platform above the treetops, with a view over the forest canopy to the Napo River. Toucans and parrots fly past below you, and monkeys move through the nearby trees. We stay for the sunset. Bring binoculars. After sunset the canoe takes us back to the lodge, and your guide's torch picks out the red eyes of caimans along the riverbank.
Day 4 - Pink river dolphins and piranha fishing at Panacocha
Full dayFull day at Panacocha Lagoon
1.5 h by canoe each way · easy
Panacocha is a large blackwater lagoon an hour and a half from the lodge, known for its wildlife. Pink river dolphins live here, and with luck you will see them surface. We eat a packed lunch on the water while watching birds, then try piranha fishing. If you catch one, the kitchen cooks it for your dinner. We are back at the lodge in the late afternoon.
Day 5 - Back to Coca
MorningCanoe back up the Napo River to Coca
Early start · in Coca about 10:00 · easy
A last breakfast at sunrise, then you pack and say goodbye to the family. The canoe takes you back up the Napo River to Coca, and we reach the pier around 10:00. If you have a morning flight to Quito, we take you to the airport in time. Thank you for staying with us: your visit helps the Sani protect this forest.
Your route
Where each day takes you
Tap a day to light up its places, or tap a place for details. Faded places belong to other tours.
Not to scale: the lodge area is enlarged so nearby places stay readable. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
What our guests say
What's included
- Canoe transport Coca – lodge – Coca
- 4 nights at Sinchi Wayra Lodge, private bathroom
- All meals, with coffee and tea
- Parrot clay lick visit
- Sani guide (Spanish, English, Kichwa)
- Starlink internet at the lodge
- All activities in the itinerary
- Yasuní National Park entrance fee
- Rubber boots
Not included
- Flight or bus from Quito to Coca (the flight takes 35 min)
- Hotel in Coca
- Macaw and parakeet clay lick: optional, USD 55 per person (USD 60 from 2027)
- Private guide: optional, USD 500 per group (USD 550 from 2027)
- Bottled and alcoholic drinks, tips, laundry
What to bring
- Binoculars
- Headlamp or torch
- Insect repellent
- Sun block
- Hat and sunglasses
- Small battery fan
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable shoes, long sleeves and long socks for the trails
- Camera
- Refillable water bottle
- Waterproof day pack (or one with a rain cover)
- Cash in USD 10 and 20 bills
Other ways to see Yasuní
Per adult, all-inclusive, compared with this tour.
Good to know before you book
Do your showers have hot water?+
Unfortunately, our power supply does not currently allow us to prepare hot water and the clear shower water is at ambient temperature. With the warm temperatures in the rainforest, a refreshing shower is very welcome for most of our guests and therefore you won't freeze when showering.
Are the rooms equipped with air conditioning or a fan?+
No, our power supply does not allow this, unfortunately. There is no electricity after 10 PM, but the temperatures are not so stifling and absolutely okay for a restful sleep for most of our guests. Unless you are particularly sensitive, we recommend you take a battery-powered fan with you.
How do we return to Coca after tour end?+
We will depart at the lodge at sunrise with our motorized canoes and will arrive in Coca around 10:00 in the morning and bring you to the airport if needed. If your flight schedule requires you to be at the airport earlier, we can align our departure from the lodge accordingly.
How do we get from Coca to the lodge on tour start?+
We will pick you up around 10:00 in the morning at the airport or directly at the pier in Coca. We will get in touch with you a few days before your arrival to coordinate the pickup with your flight/bus schedule.
How can we get to Coca (Puerto Francisco de Orellana)?+
You can get to Coca (OCC) either by bus or by a 35 minute flight from Quito, where we will start our 2.5 hour transfer to the Sinchi Wayra lodge by motorized canoes.
LATAM and the Ecuadorian airline Aeroregional are both flying from Quito (UIO) to Coca (OCC) once per day in the morning.
If you prefer bus, we recommend Cooperativa de Transportes Baños (WhatsApp or cooperativabanos.com.ec). Transportation to Coca is not included in the tour.
What is the cancellation policy for bookings?+
Refunds for booking cancellations will be made as follows:
- 95% refund for cancellations 90 days before the start of the tour
- 50% refund for cancellations 60 days before the start of the tour
- 25% refund for cancellations 30 days before the start of the tour
- 0% refund for cancellations less than 30 days before the start of the tour
The cancellation policy is effective regardless of the reason for cancellation.
Do you provide WiFi at the lodge?+
Yes we do have Wi-Fi available at the lodge, powered by Starlink (100+ Mbit/s Download / 30+ Mbit/s Upload). It is available at the main building and at the most rooms.
Do the rooms have electricity?+
Yes they do and it is available from at least 6 AM to 22 PM. Each room has multiple standard US outlets.
What payment methods do you offer?+
During the booking process we will ask you for your credit card payment (Visa or Mastercard), processed through Stripe as payment provider.
If you prefer wire transfer, reach out to us to find a solution.
Which tour would you recommend if I can't decide?+
In this case, our standard 5-day/4-night tour is the best option for you, as it includes a variety of activities that give you a comprehensive experience of the Amazon. The tour features wildlife and bird watching from a boat, rainforest hikes, and an introduction to our local Kichwa culture.
Do I have to tip my guide and the staff?+
Tipping is a completely voluntary gesture toward your guide and the hospitality team. If you enjoyed your tour with us, you are welcome to tip your guide directly — preferably in cash or, alternatively, via credit card using a secure payment link. A tip jar is available in the dining area for tips for the hospitality team. All of our staff greatly appreciate it.
Have a question about this trip?
We're happy to tailor it to your group, dates and interests.