La Selva



	La Selva Jungle Lodge from GALAPAGOS TRAVEL


			The La Selva Jungle program is available in two standard lengths; 5-days/4-nights and 4-days/3-nights. If you have the time we recommend the longer stay - just like the Galápagos, you are going a long way to get to the Amazon Basin, and making quite the effort to get there, so give yourself time to really be immersed in the experience. The 5-day/4-night excursions are available Monday to Friday, or Saturday to Wednesday, while the shorter 4-day/3-night excursions are available Wednesday to Saturday, or Friday to Monday. Sample Itinerary Day 1; Arrival • Morning transfer to the Quito airport for a 45 minute flight to the jungle frontier town of Coca. Following a quick transfer to the river port, you will begin a 3-hour long-boat excursion down the Napo River. The farther downriver, and away from civilization, you travel the riverbanks and forest begin to come alive. Once at the La Selva docks you are in tropical primary rainforest (parts of the river journey have been in secondary forest). From here there is a 45 minute walk "inland" from the river along an elevated split bamboo boardwalk. Arriving at the shores of Lake Garzacocha you will board a native dugout canoe for a paddle across the lake to the lodge. At last, you have reached La Selva Jungle Lodge! Following lunch you will begin exploring the wonders of the surrounding forest with your guide (although the journey from Coca to the lodge will already have already been a festival for your senses). Days 2, 3 & (maybe) 4; At the Lodge • Days at the lodge will be full, with morning and afternoon guided excursions (plus possibly an evening outing as well). The lodge guides will go over possible destinations with the group, including numerous walks and canoe journeys. Favorite destinations might include a forest canopy observation tower, the butterfly house, or a clay lek mobbed with parrots. Day 4 or 5; Departure • Early morning breakfast at the lodge. Shortly after sunrise you will begin the journey back to Quito - the dugout across the lake, boardwalk to the river, 3-4 hour longboat up the Napo, and 45minute flight to Quito. Upon arrival (mid-day) you will be transferred back to your hotel. Accommodations at the lodge are in rustic native style elevated cabins. All cabins have private bathrooms (with hot showers), and mosquito nets on the beds. Separate buildings house the bar/library and dining rooms. La Selva takes great pride in the quality of food presented in the dining room. Electricity at the lodge is from a generator (set well away from the cabins), and it is possible to recharge camera batteries from outlets (110 volts/U.S. style plugs) in the bar. While there are electric lights at much of La Selva, the generator is off beginning at 10pm, and there are no outlets in the individual cabins. The La Selva Lodge experience is all inclusive; program includes airport transfers in Quito, porterage of 2 pieces of luggage per person, accommodations at the lodge (double and shared double cabins), all meals beginning with lunch on your arrival day through breakfast on your departure day (including coffee, tea and water, plus fresh juices at breakfast). Daily excursions, whether on foot, by dugout canoe, or longboat, are led by an expert Naturalist Guide and Native Tracker. Group size is kept small (usually 8 or less people per group) and the trail interpretation is in English. Prices are $837 per person for the 4-day program, or $972 for the 5-day program, including the Quito to Coca flights. The package does not include the Yasuni National Park Entrance fee ($25 per person), sodas or alcoholic beverages, or gratuities to the guides and staff ($10 per day, per guest, suggested). Packing guidelines: Everyone's needs are different when traveling, and only you can decide what will work best for you. As you consider your options you might keep in mind that forest colors help to blend into the surroundings and may increase the chances of seeing wildlife, although this is not a necessity. Flashlights, ponchos, insect repellent and T-shirts are also available for purchase at the lodge. Temperatures throughout the year are typically in the low 80's, with some humidity. Rain is possible year-around, with the high water months being June-August, and November. The La Selva Lodge staff has compiled the following suggested packing list: • Rubber boots are suggested for hikes (the lodge has boots to loan available up to men's size 12) • Quick-drying loose pants and long sleeve shirts for hikes (shorts & T-shirts are okay if you prefer). • Light fleece, lightweight jacket & rain poncho • Bathing suit • Camp shoes: sneakers or tevas are good. • Socks for each day (knee socks are good if you wear shorts with rubber boots). • Prescription medicine (make sure you have sufficient supplies). La Selva periodically tests the area around the lodge for malarial mosquitoes, and has never found any. However, there is no way to test the entire river, so prophylactics for Malaria are recommended. You should also check with your doctor or travel medicine specialist for other suggestions. • Flashlight (you might prefer the headlamp variety). • Camera, with plenty of film or memory, and batteries (suggested film ASA 400). • Binoculars • Insect repellent • Sunscreen and wide-brim hat for sun protection • Plastic bags with zip loc: to protect gear from rain • Sunglasses • Waterbottle • Small backpack/daypack • Passport • Dollars or travel checks for bar service and gratuities
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	About Our: Trips \| Yachts \| Itineraries \| Departure Dates and Prices \| Guidebook About: Natural History of the Galápagos \| Conservation in the Galápagos \| Visiting Mainland Ecuador Special Stuff: Photo Gallery \| Frequently Asked Questions Special Trip: Other Destinations \| Madagascar \| Antarctica \| Arctic \| Iceland \| Easter Island



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