Canopy Tower
and Rainforest
 
Napo Wildlife Center®, Ecuador

The 120-ft. (36m) high forest canopy tower is located about 20 minutes from the lodge deep within the terra firme forest, and complements the observation tower that is attached to the dining hall.  Ascending the sturdy, 12-story, galvanized metal tower allows you to pass through different levels of the forest and emerge on top of the canopy.  Here you cross onto a platform that is actually built into the crown of a huge emergent Ceiba tree and experience the canopy.  The tower base is secured below the roots of the tree, an indication of both the ecological sensitivity and safety of the tower.  It is not just the view that draws naturalists to the canopy.  Here you see animals and birds that are simply unavailable from below.  Carefully sited after studying the region, Howler and Spider monkeys pass nearby, colorful tanager flocks pass right through the tree, Blue-and-yellow Macaws fly past, toucans call from all sides, and rare hawks and eagles are seen regularly. 
  

Below and at right: Experience the 
rainforest another way
- from a dugout canoe.