In the middle of the Amazon Rainforest - Day 3 and 4 at the Napo Wildlife Center
SOLEQMASTER
Diego and I spent our first 1.5 days at the Napo Cultural Center and were allowed to visit the Añangu community. We traveled from Coca to the Napo Cultural Center on the first day. On the second day we visited different parrot spots and drove to the Napo Wildlife Center, where our 3rd day began.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AMAZON RAINFOREST – DAY 3 AND 4 AT THE NAPO WILDLIFE CENTER
The 3rd day – our “full day” at the Napo Wildlife Center – started with an expedition. For this we went by canoe to the other side of the lagoon and then walked along a path to an observation tower, which is perfect for watching birds and monkeys. It also gave us a small glimpse of how big the Amazon rainforest is. The jungle seemed infinitely wide, so that I felt very small and all problems seemed insignificant.
Unique impressions on the observation towers
Impressed by nature, we all kept a lookout for animals with our binoculars and soon discovered squirrel and howler monkeys, toucans, parrots and other bird species. Since it started to rain after a while, we left again the 35 meters high observation deck, which was also built on top of a gigantic ceiba tree. Our way back to the canoe took a little longer as Miguel educated us about various plants and their medicinal significance. In addition, a family of howler monkeys crossed our path and we were able to observe a spider monkey high up in the trees.
After having lunch around 12:30 p.m., we had free time until 4 p.m. Diego and I used the time to explore the grounds, observe and photograph various animals including birds and caimans that were in the lagoon. In between, we were called by Miguel and spontaneously got into a canoe with other lodge visitors to go to another shore site on the lagoon. Here other guides of the lodge had spotted an anaconda sunning itself. Unfortunately, the snake, about 7 meters long, had retreated back into the bushes by the time we arrived. Despite this, the little spontaneous excursion was exciting and brought us even closer to the wildlife feeling.
Canoe expedition
Then in the afternoon around 4 p.m. we went on a canoe trip with our helmsman Jonathan and our guide Miguel to see more wildlife. It was fascinating to be so deep in the jungle and part of the wildlife for a brief moment. Caimans first got our attention, then we saw and heard parrots calling and hoatzin birds flying from branch to branch.
After a while the bushes moved and suddenly monkeys were running over the branches above our heads. The spectacle passed only a few meters from us and a whole family of squirrel monkeys crossed the path. Even capuchin monkeys, which were also in the forest patch, we could observe directly.
Inspired by the impressive experience, we continued by canoe to another spot in Yasuni National Park. Here we saw different birds, which had the most different colors and forms and also with us for astonished faces provided. Our excursion ended when the sun set around 6:15 p.m. and until our dinner at 7:00 p.m. we had time to relax and process the impressions. Dinner was to be our last meal at the lodge because the next morning we left the Napo Wildlife Center at 5:00 a.m. to head to Coca. So Diego and I helped ourselves to the delicious evening buffet, then packed our bags and went to sleep.
Farewell to the Napo Wildlife Center and return to Quito - Day 4
The alarm clock rang at 4:15 a.m. in the morning and that meant that Diego and my last day had begun and from now on it would be back to Quito. Punctually at 5:00 a.m. we left the Napo Wildlife Center and paddled about 1.5 hours to the “Añangu boat stop”. There the motorboat was already waiting for us, with which we drove back to the capital of the province Orellana, to Coca. At about 8:30 a.m. we arrived in Coca, could relax briefly at the dock, then Diego and I took a 5-10-minute cab ride for $2 to the terminal and drove about 8 hours back to Quito.
Tired and a bit exhausted, but enriched because of all the experiences and impressions, we arrived in Quito in the evening.
The conclusion of the trip? Ecuador is always great and in any case worth a trip, the Yasuni National Park, should not be omitted in any case! To live for a few days in the Amazon rainforest and to live with the indigenous Añangu community is will be unforgettable for me. Thus, it remains to say quite clearly that I can highly recommend a trip to the Yasuni National Park to everyone.
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