Ecuador’s Amazon is home to more animals and plants than anywhere else on Earth.
This is the far western part of Amazon Rainforest. It’s where the first trickles of the Amazon River begin and where the forest presses up against the Andes. This location is linked to its incredible diversity. To put it into perspective, it’s even home to more life than other Amazon regions.
When you exit the plane, you will be greeted by sun, tropical temperature and high humidity. The amount of sun provides energy for this vast expanse of Amazonia. To give a clue to this, even the country’s name of Ecuador means equator in Spanish.
Jump straight to our recommended Amazon Tours in Ecuador
The jewel in the crown of Ecuador’s Amazon is called the Yasuni National Park. Yasuni is the most well known protected area of Ecuadorian Amazon and contains a record-breaking number of species.
Your gateway to Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest is called Puerto Francisco de Orellana. It’s also known as El Coca. From here, you can enjoy some of the top-rated Amazon lodges and river cruises.
On these Amazon tours, you will travel in or near protected areas to see an amazing level of biodiversity.
The two main protected areas of Ecuador’s Amazon are:
- The Yasuni National Park
- The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
These lay on either side of the Napo River. These areas are connected. And this means surrounding rainforest is home to a similar level of species. This river later merges with others to form the mighty Amazon and provides your way of entering the forest.
Both the Cuyabeno Reserve and Yasuni National Park contain impressive wildlife. On guided tours, you can see many different animals and plants.
A rarity for the northern Amazon, the Yasuni area contains different clay licks. These are areas where you can see a variety of colorful parrots. You can also enjoy guided rainforest walks to spot different animals. See colorful birds, different monkeys, interesting reptiles and fascinating frogs.
For a fantastic experience, there are some excellent lodges and cruises in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. Here, we will mention our pick of top lodges and cruises for tours of this incredible tropical forest.
Amazon Rainforest Tours in Ecuador
To make the most of Ecuador’s Amazon, choose a recommended expedition lodge or cruise.
We have picked Ecuador Amazon tours that provide a fantastic rainforest experience. These offer wildlife-rich rainforest, comfortable accommodation, delicious meals and professionally guided tours. You will explore the Amazon led by knowledgeable, well trained and friendly guides.
The tours can also look after your transfers and connections from Quito and El Coca.
Amazon Cruise or Rainforest Lodge?
Whether you would prefer an Amazon cruise or a rainforest lodge depends on your personality and interests.
Cruises visit different rainforest sections. This means you explore a larger area of Amazon.
They can also provide more comfort as they offer air-conditioning giving you a more hotel-like base to return to after guided jungle tours.
Rainforest lodges, however, can provide more connection to the Amazon. You can often see and hear birds and troops of monkeys crossing the rainforest above your cabin.
The walkways connecting different lodge areas are on raised walkways. This means you can also see animals simply when walking between areas. See monkeys, lizards and other wildlife from the comfort of you lodge itself.
So let’s have a look at some of the top Amazon tours in Ecuador.
The Sacha Lodge Amazon Tour, Ecuador
The Sacha Lodge is surrounded by a 5,000 acre private reserve next to the Yasuni National Park.
After you arrive in Coca, you will be escorted up the Napo River. You will then board an engineless boat to be paddled across the Pilchicocha Lake to the Sacha Lodge. The lodge is found across the lake, nestled on the bank.
Even on the journey to the lodge, you will enjoy fantastic rainforest sights. See many different birds and have your first introduction to Ecuador’s Amazon.
A main feature of the Sacha Lodge is the incredible canopy walkway.
See the video below for a little introduction.
The walkway is supported by three large canopy towers. These towers are then connected by a 940-foot (275-meter) long canopy bridge. And it’s suspended 94 feet (30 meters) above ground level. With your guide’s help, the walkway provides a fantastic place for you to spot birdlife and different animals.
You may also spot troops of monkeys making their way across the forest.
The Sacha Lodge itself then offers comfortable cabins and en-suite bathrooms. Your bathroom include a hot shower and flushing toilet. All of the cabins are then spaced between the trees in the rainforest. For your meals, you will enjoy delicious cuisine in the dining room or lakeside eating area.
There is then a lodge bar to enjoy a drink in the evenings. And on at least one of your evenings, you will enjoy a BBQ by the lake. With its canopy walkway, expert guides and wildlife-rich rainforest, the Sacha Lodge is one of our favorites.
To check availability with the Sacha Lodge, you can send them a request using the button below.
The Sacha Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLocated in a 5000 acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge provides a safe and comfortable base for you and your
The Manatee Amazon Cruise, Ecuador
Aboard the Manatee Cruise, you will travel to different Amazon areas. And you will focus on exploring the magnificent Yasuni National Park.
The Manatee Amazon Explorer offers you a luxury cruise of Ecuador’s Amazon.
Enjoy the Yasuni clay lick, canopy tower, glamping and fantastic guided rainforest walks.
For an introduction, click the video below.
After your excursions, return to the comfort of the vessel. You have a choice of different spacious suite options. Each suite offers large windows, so you can stay connected to the rainforest. You can even see different birds while relaxing in your room. All suites then provide modern en-suite bathrooms.
You will be treated delicious cuisine in the dining room and can relax in the comfortable social areas. There is also a bar and observation deck to enjoy.
To check if your travel dates are available, you can send the Manatee Cruise a request using the button below.
The Manatee Amazon Cruise
El Coca, EcuadorThe Manatee Amazon River Cruise is a fantastic cruise for adventures into the wonderful Yasuni National Park, one of the
La Selva Lodge Amazon Tour, Ecuador
For a little luxury in Ecuador’s Amazon, we recommend La Selva Lodge.
Not only a luxury experience, La Selva Lodge is also Rainforest Alliance certified. This should give you peace of mind that you’re with a responsible operator.
Enjoy guided tours in the surrounding rainforest. Head out scouting for different monkeys. See howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, capuchins and tamarins. You will also find many parrots, toucans, orchids and more with your professional Amazon Rainforest guide.
La Selva Lodge also offers a fantastic canopy tower to look over the canopy. This is a great place to see many different birds. You will also enjoy seeing the different shades of green over the tops of the trees.
The excellent La Selva Lodge then goes a little further in terms of a luxury experience. The lodge offers an on-site spa for a massage, hot water pools in the family suites and a dedicated honeymoon program.
To check availability, you can send a message to the lodge using the button below.
La Selva Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorI wanted to let you know that we had an amazing experience at Le Selva! The service, accommodations, guides, tours,
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise
The Anakonda is the larger sister vessel of the Manatee Cruise above.
The cruise offers the same high standard of service and guided tours. And the Anakonda Amazon Cruise offers a fantastic experience of Ecuador’s Amazon.
Your air-conditioned suite offers the perfect place to relax after your jungle expeditions. Explore the Amazon with your professional and friendly guide aboard skiff expeditions and on forest walks.
See an amazing diversity of Amazon Rainforest wildlife. Spot the curious squirrel monkeys, loud and confident howler monkeys and many different birds.
Visit the Yasuni clay lick to see colorful parrots feed from the clay. Observe the Amazon from a tall canopy tower. And enjoy cultural activities to learn about life in the jungle.
Your suite offers floor-to-ceiling windows so you can stay connected to Amazon. You can even spot parrots flying over the canopy and other wildlife from the comfort of your bed.
You will then be treated to delicious cuisine in the dining room, a drink at the bar, or relaxing with a book in the lounge. The sundeck is also a great place to enjoy rainforest scenery and admiring the constellations on crystal clear evenings.
To check availability for your dates, you can send a message to the Anakonda Cruise using the button below.
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise
El Coca, EcuadorAs one of the only two luxury cruises in Ecuador’s Amazon, the Anakonda Amazon Cruise was designed to provide an
Combine with Galapagos
To experience Ecuador’s most famous nature sights, you can also combine La Selva Lodge and the Galapagos Islands on the Amazon Rainforest & Galapagos package.
Enjoy three nights at La Selva Lodge, three nights on the Galapagos, and three nights at a hotel in Quito. You can also modify the program.
The Galapagos & Amazon Combo Tour
Ecuador, QuitoEnjoy 3 nights on a luxury class catamaran to experience the Galapagos Islands and see fantastic animals like Giant Tortoises,
Amazon Rainforest Tours in Ecuador
And here is our summary selection of Ecuador Amazon tours:
- Popular
The Sacha Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorLocated in a 5000 acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge provides a safe and comfortable base for you and your
- Popular
The Manatee Amazon Cruise
El Coca, EcuadorThe Manatee Amazon River Cruise is a fantastic cruise for adventures into the wonderful Yasuni National Park, one of the
La Selva Lodge
El Coca, EcuadorI wanted to let you know that we had an amazing experience at Le Selva! The service, accommodations, guides, tours,
The Anakonda Amazon Cruise
El Coca, EcuadorAs one of the only two luxury cruises in Ecuador’s Amazon, the Anakonda Amazon Cruise was designed to provide an
The Galapagos & Amazon Combo Tour
Ecuador, QuitoEnjoy 3 nights on a luxury class catamaran to experience the Galapagos Islands and see fantastic animals like Giant Tortoises,
About the Author: Ash Card is a frequent visitor to the Amazon and has a passion for helping visitors get the best experiences from tropical destinations. Ash has interests including tropical destinations, rainforests and wildlife. Feel free to contact Ash for tour help in the Amazon. When not helping tourists with tours and info, Ash can be found salsa-ing the night away or posing near waterfalls.