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| DESTINATIONS
> MAINLAND ECUADOR >THE AMAZON > LA SELVA LODGE
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| La Selva Lodge |
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La Selva lives up to its name which means "the jungle". It is located in the heart of the untouched tropical rain forest in the most complex eco-system on earth. Activities include forest hikes, bird watching and the opportunity to learn about the wealth of medicinal plants found in the deep jungle. Silent dugout canoe trips at night are dedicated to caiman spotting. A visit to a nearby butterfly farm supported by the lodge is a must.
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Departure Days:
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A flight from Quito to Coca brings you to the commercial and main base for the fledgling oil industry. From here you take a motorized boat ride down the Coca river for about 60 miles. When you get to La Selva's isolated dock, a half mile boardwalk of bamboo slats keeps you above a vast mysterious palm swamp as you make your way to the lake. The boardwalk ends at Garzacocha Lake where paddle canoes await you to take you across. A quarter mile along the lake, the lodge begins to peek out at you. It is your first expedition of discovery in what will be a vacation filled with marvel and wonder. |
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There are 17 thatched cabins that come of native design: rustic, authentic, comfortable. The cabins could be described as private bungalows that are dry, cozy and immaculately clean, although made entirely of secondary rainforest materials and designed to blend with the surroundings. Each one has a private bathroom, a hammock and mosquito netting on each bed. The gathering spots are the spacious dinning room and an open-air combined bar and lounge area with a wrap-around view of the lake. There is also the hammock hut available for afternoon "siestas" (spanish for nap) or reviewing the great shots of the day from your digital cameras.
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Kayaks on the Lake
Guests may take out kayaks to explore the lake on their own anytime they wish. The kayaks hold one or two people and paddlers must sign in and out at the bar. Kayak instructions will be available from the staff. La Selva will arrange kayak races and other prize-winning activities with the kayaks. It is child's play and free drinks for the winners but enjoy that silliness and exhilaration. |
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Camping Nights
With this new option you will have the opportunity to experience both the lodge and the camp site in the Amazon basin. The trails followed are constantly changed according to thephysical ability of the group, personal interests and weather. Guests stay for the 4 night program at LA SELVA jungle lodge and the two following nights enjoy camping at Mandicocha, a unique rainforest highway. |
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The Butterfly Farm
The interest in the butterfly farm is overwhelming. Now entering its 15th year of operation, guests have enjoyed this attraction even more than expected. Only 5 minutes from the lodge, a guide will take you there at least once during your stay; however, many people go back a second and third time on their own. La Selva's Butterfly farm was designed to present an ecologically sound, sustainable alternative way to help preserve the rainforest. It is another step in the lodge's ongoing effort to find viable ways (besides ecotourism) to help save this beautiful rainforest. |
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Tree Tower
Not far from the lodge you can observe many birds flying by at eyelevel, wildlife of all kinds, and, yes, a bird's-eye view of it all, from the top platform of our observation tree tower With perhaps the highest species list in the neo-tropics, la Selva uses native birding experts for those guests with this singular passion. The Natives speak minimal English, but know the names of all the birds, and, more importantly, how to find them. Please specify in advance if you are a birder and would like to take advantage of this service. |
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