The Napo River is the source of all life in the Ecuadorian Amazon. With origins on the eastern slopes of the central Andes, the Napo River ultimately drains into the Amazon River. Per square mile, Ecuador’s rainforest has more biodiversity than anywhere else on earth – with over 500 species of birds, 16,000 plants, jungle mammals, and more insects than can be counted – and it all comes from the banks of the mighty Napo.

With a length of 668 miles and a discharge of 246,400 cubic feet per second, the Rio Napo is the largest river in Ecuador.

Just as the Rio Napo is at the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon, it is also at the heart of our itineraries at Sacha Lodge. Isolated in the dense tropical jungle, Sacha can only be reached by motor canoe. Your Amazon adventure begins when you embark your canoe in the gateway town of Coca, Ecuador. A short half hour flight takes you from metropolitan Quito to Coca, where a guide will meet you and help you into the canoe. From here, you will enjoy a two-hour ride up-river to the Lodge. Along the way, keep your eyes open to spot the first wildlife of your immersion in the jungle.

Animals you might see in the Rio Napo

Other than the canopy itself, which can be enjoyed from Sacha’s Kapok Tower or Canopy Walk, the shores of the Rio Napo and Sacha’s private Lake Pilchicocha are among the best places to see wildlife. Birds love to fly down to catch the insects just above the water’s surface, and monkeys frequent the lower branches in search of low-hanging fruit. Other animals can be spotted drinking on the banks of the Rio Napo as well. In addition to the animals that visit the Rio Napo are those that call it home, including:

• Caiman
• Piranhas
• Giant otters

The Parrot Clay Lick

Another fascinating phenomenon that can only be seen in a few places throughout the entire Amazon is the parrot clay lick. An early morning canoe ride will take you to one of the best parrot clay licks in the world, where hundreds of colorful parrots and parakeets flock to lick the exposed clay wall. The basic clay helps the parrots to balance their acidic fruity diet and boosts their immune systems against infections with its high levels of antioxidants. The Rio Napo provides an unparalleled front row seat to this curious natural event.

What happens when the river floods?

Flooding is an important and essential part of the ecology of the rainforest, and it doesn’t mean that you’ll have less access to activities. While it’s true that seasonal flooding might limit the number of trails you can hike on, it does offer guests an excellent opportunity to explore the jungle via canoes and kayaks.