The Upper Amazon Basin - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 347

Cabañas Panacocha is four hours down the Río Napo by private
launch (seven hours by motorized water taxi). The accommodations
are set on an oxbow lake formed by the Río Panayacu, a tributary of
the Napo, which is now under protected status. While in the past the
facilities had the reputation of being a bit worn out, its newly reno-
vated and constructed cabins are now much nicer, with natural con-
struction, private baths and water at nature's temperature.

An English-speaking guide will accompany you on various nature
trails and canoe rides across the lake. Much of the forest is primary,
so the wildlife in this area is prolific. A small observation tower abuts
the lodge and provides great dawn and dusk birding opportunities.
Swimming and fishing are also available (no need to worry about pi-
ranhas). Panacocha is a great place to stay if you don't mind rustic
conditions and are on a bit of a budget.

As with other ecolodges in this region, the only way to arrive is with
prearranged reservations and a boat ride up the Río Napo (from
Coca). Contact Luis García of Emerald Forest , Amazonas 1023 and
Pinto, Quito,

2-2526-403, fax [phone].

If you're a budget traveler looking for a deep-jungle experience, then
Cabañas Jarrin is the place to go. Don't expect top-quality natural-
ist guides, magnificent observation towers, parrot licks, or incredible
accommodations. Do expect simple but more-than-adequate comfort,
shared baths, swimming parties, and young gringo travelers. Jarrin
is near Panacocha and offers hiking trails and canoe excursions.
Guides are available, but not all of themspeakEnglish. Rooms are de-
cent and the atmosphere, while still mellow, is a bit livelier than at
the more expensive lodges.

In Coca contact Expediciones Jarrín , Napo and García Moreno,

6-880-251. From Coca, the boat ride takes four hours. Or you can
take the seven- to nine-hour boat ride from Tena. $$

Yuturi Lodge falls in the high-priced ecolodge category, along
with Sacha and La Selva, although it is less expensive than its com-
petitors. By private launch, Yuturi is about five hours down the Río
Napo from Coca, offering a more remote location. It is set along the
Río Yuturi, a southern tributary of the Napo, on land leased by the lo-
cal Quichua community. In addition to participating in the normal
ecotourism activities associated with this region, you can visit the in-
digenous community for a taste of native life.

Cabins are very rustic and mosquito netting is draped over all the
beds. The common roomprovides a nice setting above the river. Enjoy