June 19 | Luggage Tetris and Old Town Wandering
Our adventure into the Ecuadorian Amazon began with… luggage management! With two back-to-back trips—Amazon and Galápagos—we had to play expert-level Tetris with our bags. Some things were stashed at the Wyndham by the airport, other items at the lovely Patio Andaluz in Quito. We even had to hunt down a duffel bag, which led to a fun walk through the old town. After our successful shopping mission, I grabbed my camera, and we wandered through the charming streets capturing some street life before settling in for lunch at a cute rooftop spot called Lavid. A little more wandering, then back to the room to sort our gear for the next leg of the trip. Dinner was at the hotel while we prepped for jungle time.
June 20 | Slow and Easy Travel Day
Today was gloriously slow—checkout from the old town, Uber to the Wyndham, late lunch at the buffet, and a relaxed evening prepping for our early start tomorrow. It felt good to hit pause before the jungle pace picked up.
June 21 | The Journey to Napo Begins
The adventure was officially on! After a lazy morning and a final round of bag-checking, we met up with Crystal, a fellow NatHab traveler, and Jorge, our transfer guide. A quick hop over to Coca by plane, then straight into the heart of the Amazon. Because our flight arrived late, we got upgraded to a faster boat—think floating lounge chairs zipping down the river. At the mouth of the black water river, we swapped to dugout canoes, paddled by two oarsmen and our guide Andres. By the time we reached the lodge it was dark, but the glow of the lodge reflecting off the glassy water was pure magic. After a hearty dinner and muck boot fittings, we found a surprise waiting in our room: a bubbly outdoor tub under candlelight. Jungle luxury!
June 22 | Parrots, Poison Darts, and… Grubs?
We kicked off with a pre-dawn breakfast and set out along the black river to visit a parrot clay lick. We saw several species of parrots but the elusive macaws avoided us. After a jungle hike to a second clay lick, we had a surprise cultural visit to a local indigenous village. Alan climbed a 167-step metal tower (yes, a lightning rod), while Crystal and I learned traditional skills from the village women—song, dance, dart-making, and blowgun practice. Shock of the day: I hit the target on my first try! Then came the snack sampling: hearts of palm, plantains… and yes, roasted grubs (surprisingly bacon-y!). After some souvenir shopping, we were treated to a delicious shrimp lunch. On the way back to the lodge we cruised slowly, spotting colorful birds and three species of monkeys. To top it off, it was BBQ night back at the lodge!
June 23 | Canoes, Critters, and a Not-So-Graceful Tumble
Our morning canoe ride was quiet at first, but patience paid off with caiman sightings, vibrant birds, and even a red-capped cardinal. After lunch, we tried to track down night monkeys on foot (no luck), but spotted a nightjar and a laughing falcon instead. I had a less-than-elegant moment when I wiped out on a steep path before dinner—bruised but undeterred! Alan rounded out the day with a night hike, getting up close with tarantulas and frogs while I rested my battered knee.
June 24 | Elusive Macaws and Jungle Storms
Up early again for another crack at spotting scarlet macaws. No luck with the stars of the show, but plenty of other wildlife kept us busy—Pygmy owls, aracaris, and a brief glimpse of the shy golden-mantled tamarin. The afternoon brought more adventure as Alan and Crystal tackled a 210-step tower climb under ominous storm clouds. They were rewarded with shots of toucans and oropendulas while I wisely stayed grounded.
June 25 | Magical Jungle Farewell
Our final day started in total darkness, paddling down the black water river by 4:45 AM. The banks twinkled with lightning bug larvae like nature’s fairy lights. Caimans watched us with glowing eyes, and we passed dozing kingfishers as the river whispered around us. We switched to the larger riverboat—basically jungle first-class seats—and glided back toward civilization. Midway, we picked up more travelers and took in the last sights and sounds of this incredible place.
Final Thoughts
The Amazon delivered everything we dreamed of and more—wildlife in every direction, cultural connections, and a deeper appreciation for this fragile, magnificent ecosystem. Yes, there were a few mosquito battles and one dramatic fall, but the experience was unforgettable. Next stop… the Galápagos Islands!