Naku Center
5 Days / 4 Nights
Deep in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, Naku Center offers a truly transformative experience unlike any traditional rainforest lodge. Owned and operated by the Sapara Nation, one of the world’s most endangered Indigenous cultures, the center was created to protect the rainforest while sharing the Sapara people’s ancestral wisdom, spiritual traditions, and profound connection with nature. Accessible only by a short flight from Shell or a multi-day trek through the jungle, Naku provides an intimate immersion into one of the most remote and pristine regions of the Amazon.
Guests stay in beautifully crafted open-air cabins built in the traditional Sapara architectural style, where modern comfort blends harmoniously with the surrounding rainforest. During their journey, visitors explore primary rainforest with Sapara guides, canoe along the Conambo River, learn about medicinal plants, participate in dream interpretation sessions, cultural workshops, traditional ceremonies, and meaningful exchanges with the local community. Every visit directly supports the preservation of Sapara culture, education, healthcare, and rainforest conservation, making Naku Center an extraordinary destination for travelers seeking an authentic, immersive, and purpose-driven Amazon experience.
Itinerary
Flight from Shell to Llanchama Cocha
Your adventure begins with an early morning transfer from Quito to Shell, gateway to one of the most remote regions of the Ecuadorian Amazon. From Shell, you will board a scenic light aircraft flight to Llanchama Cocha, enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the vast rainforest, winding rivers, and untouched wilderness below.
Upon arrival, you will continue by traditional motorized canoe, navigating through the pristine waterways that lead deep into the ancestral territory of the Sapara Nation. As you approach Naku Center, you will be welcomed by members of the community with a heartfelt traditional Sapara welcome ceremony, an opportunity to experience their hospitality, ancestral traditions, and spiritual connection with the rainforest. After settling into your accommodations, you will have time to relax, enjoy your first Amazonian meal, and prepare for the extraordinary cultural and natural experiences that await in the days ahead.
Wisdom of the Forest
Over the next three days, immerse yourself in the extraordinary natural and cultural heritage of the Sapara Nation through a series of enriching experiences led by local community members and expert guides. Explore the pristine rainforest on guided walks, where you will learn to identify medicinal plants, discover their traditional uses, and gain a deeper understanding of the delicate balance that sustains one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
As the sun sets, gather around the fire for traditional storytelling, where Sapara elders share ancestral legends, their worldview, and the importance of dreams in their culture. Throughout your stay, you will have the opportunity to participate in healing plant rituals, learn about the Sapara interpretation of dreams, experience traditional face painting using natural pigments, and enjoy meaningful cultural exchanges that provide a unique insight into their way of life. For those seeking a deeper spiritual connection, an optional ancestral ceremony with a Sapara guide may be arranged, offering a respectful introduction to the community’s sacred traditions and their profound relationship with the Amazon rainforest.
Departure
After breakfast, your Amazon journey concludes with a heartfelt Gratitude Ceremony, a meaningful Sapara tradition that honors the rainforest, its spirits, and the connections formed throughout your stay. This special farewell offers a moment of reflection and appreciation for the experiences shared with the community and the extraordinary natural environment that has welcomed you.
Following the ceremony, you will transfer by canoe back to Llanchama Cocha Airstrip for your scenic flight to Shell, where your ground transportation will be waiting for the return journey to Quito. As you travel back to the Andes, you will carry with you unforgettable memories of the Ecuadorian Amazon and a deeper understanding of the Sapara people’s culture, traditions, and enduring commitment to protecting one of the world’s most pristine rainforests.
*Important information: Itineraries are subject to change due to various factors, including weather conditions, regulations and requirements established by park authorities, airline operations beyond our control, the guide’s discretion, and safety considerations.
About Naku Center
The Naku Center is an eco-tourism project founded and run by the Sapara Nation in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. Dedicated to protecting the rainforest, the Sapara created this center as a way to share the magic of the Amazon Rainforest and exchange millennial knowledge of the forest, dream and spirit world with friends from around the world through an immersive rustic experience. Located deep within the forest, only accessible by a short plane flight, get ready for a unique experience unlike any other.
Welcome to our fixed departures with Manari and Belén who will guide you to a spiritual connecting experience!
Included
- Transfer Quito – Shell – Quito
- Flight Shell – Llanchama Cocha – Shell
- Accomodation in Naku Center
- All meals
- Excursions with local guide
Not Included
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Tips for guides and staff (the suggested tip is $10 to the guide and $15 to the staff per passenger)
- Travel and health insurance.
- Souvenirs.
- Personal Expenses.
- Any other item not specified above.
Price upon request
What’s included
- Transfer Quito – Shell – Quito
- Flight Shell – Llanchama Cocha – Shell
- Accomodation in Naku Center
- All meals
- Excursions with local guide
Accommodations:
We describe the Naku Center as rustic luxury. Each person will sleep on a single bed on an open air platform with a covered thatched roof. Each bed comes with full linens and a mosquito net. The bathrooms are fully functional, including running filtered water, showers and compost toilets. There are outlets available to charge devices thanks to our solar power technology.
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