With this new option, rainforest adventurers will have the opportunity to experience both La Selva Jungle Lodge and the camp sites in the Amazon basin. The routes followed are constantly changed according to the physical ability of the group, personal interests, logistics, weather and even whimsy.

You will stay 4 nights at LA SELVA jungle lodge doing the normal excursions and 2 following nights you will enjoy camping at Mandicocha which is consider one of our best locations for trekking and have a deep contact with the pristine nature.

Our campsites have a rustic kitchen/ dining room constructed in the traditional style of the region. The toilet facilities are latrines. All tents are set on a bamboo platform with a thatched roof. The tents are roomy and contain roomy camping mattresses, each with a comfortable pillow. Clean sheets and towels are provided daily. Kerosene lanterns light the campsite; however, a personal flashlight is required. A logistical team of 15 make the whole thing possible. They will have all in order by the time we get to camp. They will carry your packs, and maybe even a tune or two.

All our expeditions are very flexible and we will organize and manage day by day with the guide and our guests. Please find below our Sample Random Itinerary.

SAMPLE RANDOM ITINERARY

DAY 1: Morning flight from Quito to Coca. Motorized canoe trip of two hours to lodge. Lunch, Storage of valuables in hotel safe. Change into field clothes (we suggest that the clothing used for arrival and departure be left at the lodge to keep them from being soiled). Your introduction to the Amazon Jungle. First excursion and overnight at La Selva jungle Lodge. There are Night Excursions (caiman hunt, search for owls, frogs, insect excursion, etc) available every night.

DAY 2: La Selva Jungle Lodge. Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am. Departure for the excursion 7:10 am. Lunch will be served 1:00 o’clock. Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure. At 7:00 o’clock, Dinner. Night Excursion.

DAY 3: La Selva Jungle Lodge. Early wake up call at 6:00 am, breakfast at 6:30 am. Departure for the excursion 7:10 am. Lunch will be served 1:00 o’clock. Afternoon: Leisure time until 4:00 pm that is your departure to the next adventure. Dinner. Night Excursion.

DAY 4: Camp Site. Breakfast. This day we go camping at Mandicocha.

DAY 5: Camp Site.

DAY 6: Breakfast, in the morning excursion around the pristine nature. In the afternoon we return to La Selva Jungle lodge. Dinner. Night Excursion, available. At night farewell celebration among friends, a toast to life and the amazing Amazon Rainforest.

DAY 7: Early wake up to catch the flight back to Quito. Arrival in Quito around noon time.

Details some of our activities that can be done while you stay with us at the lodge.

WALK TO SILVERIO’S HOUSE: Cross Garzacocha Lake. Two and a half to three hour walk on a purposely underdeveloped trail which has some physical challenge. Half of the walk takes place in primary forest and the other half passes the huts of our indigenous neighbors along the Napo River.

MANDICOCHA TRAIL: An easy trail close to the hotel which is usually filled with wildlife no matter what hour of the day you do it. The excursion can last as long as you want.

MANDICOCHA-MANDIYACU: A 3 to 4 hour trip. Follow the Mandicocha trail until you reach Mandicocha Lake which has a completely different ecosystem than Lake Garzacocha (where the hotel is located). Board paddle canoes for a one and half hour glide down Mandiyacu stream. One easily sees the myriad of wildlife that presents itself along the shores of the stream. Arriving at the Napo River, board a motorized canoe for the trip back to LA SELVA.

EL SALADO: It’s a two-hour excursion often combined with a picnic lunch and trips across the Napo River (see following). Visit a site where with a little luck, parrots, parakeets and macaws can be seen by the thousands.

HIGH FOREST TRAIL: The duration can vary between 3 to 5 hours. Cross the Napo River and arrive at a challenging mountainous trail which offers yet another ecosystem. It is a chance to see birds and other wildlife nowhere else seen. Also a chance to eat lemon ants.

PILCHE TRAIL: Cross Garzacocha Lake then one hour or more of walking. See and enormous colony of leafcutter ants and whatever wildlife may come your way.

NIGHT EXCURSIONS: Canoe or walking trips after dark to view nocturnal animals such as caiman, monkeys, insect, owls. Sample the LA SELVA nightlife.

135 FOOT OBSERVATION TOWER: Not far from the lodge you can spend many hours observing birds flying by at eye-level, wildlife of all kinds, and yes, a bird’s-eye view of it all.

BUTTERFLY FARM: Available every afternoon. Close to the lodge, watch and photograph butterflies at close range. With any luck, witness the miracle of metamorphosis.

PEDRO’S TRAIL: Two versions available. Cross Garzacocha Lake, walk through virgin forest, and arrive at the tower: 4 hours.

Short version: pass Butterfly farm and join trail in the middle (two hours).

CHAWAMANGO’S TRAIL: Head east at Mandicocha trailhead and walk parallel tot eh lake. Arrive at Napo River. Return by elevated walkway and crossGarzacocha by canoe, 3 hours.

LITTLE CHAWAMANGO: Short trip by foot around the edge of Lake Garzacocha. Return by canoe to the lodge.

RUTH’S TRAIL: Across Mandicocha, it goes on and on and on. Good place to look for Jaguars. (Named after owner’s mother)

Please note: flights Quito/Coca and Coca/Quito operate daily EXCEPT FOR SUNDAYS. If your Amazon Light Brigade itinerary ends on a Sunday, you will have to book an extra night at La Selva.

Level: (moderately) challenging

Prices & Departures for 2004

Available year-round	7D/6N Daily except Sundays
Per Person in Double	$899
Per Person in Single	on request
Flight Quito/Coca/Quito	$130 (daily except Sundays)
Extra night at La Selva	$144
Reserve Entrance Fee	$15

(Subject to change)