Tours through the rainforest
All of our guides are indigenous people, part of the Kichwa community and they do have great experience and knowledge of the rainforest. The guides do not damage the forest with their machetes, nor do they harm bird nests to show guests the eggs nor do they permit taking fossils or orchids from the forest.
How you can contribute as our guest
By visiting the forest and the indigenous community you are supporting the region with your money, which is going directly into the community. Furthermore you are also enhancing the self-confidence of the local people and will help to keep them motivated to protect their forest.
Over the years the Kichwa communities have suffered from prejudices and have been constantly underestimated. The racism they are facing still is very strong.
You as our guests are coming from far away because you are specifically interested in their lifestyle and culture. You show them that you appreciate their simpler way of living, the fact that they are still speaking their own indigenous language: the Kichwa, that they are using the medical plants directly from the rainforest and that they are still following their own faith in a world that usually has a totally different culture. This appreciation of their world gives them the confidence to continue their way of living.
What about insects and malaria?
There are no occurrences of malaria or dengue known in the area of the Alto Río Napo where the lodge is located. Therefore a prophylaxis is NOT necessary. The disease appears regionally around the area Coca, for example. Only 100 km down the river this Malaria region can be found, as well as near the North Coast. However, this does not mean that there are no biting insects in our area at the Lodge. Throughout the nights the biting insects are not active but during the day they are. That is why we recommend you to wear long sleeves and trousers during their most active hours. After dusk you do not have to worry about getting stung while wearing short sleeved clothes.
Is the rainforest dangerous?
Large cities are far more dangerous than our rainforest! Besides that we will always make sure that you won’t get lost in the jungle and if there is an emergency you are only one and a half hours away from the hospital cantonal José Maria Velasco Ibarra del Tena. We also introduced an emergency plan on site.
Vaccinations
To enter Ecuador no vaccinations are necessary.
However, we recommend Yellow Fever and Tetanus.
For more detailed information please ask your doctor or the Institute of Tropical Diseases.
Travelling with children
Yes, of course, you can bring your kids! The tours are organized locally depending on your interests and abilities.
Especially fascinating for children is the animal rescue center AmaZOOnico. Perhaps you will not be able to join our more exhausting tours through the forest but instead you can go swimming, build rafts, go fishing or try your luck with the blow gun. Of course you can simply choose a shorter jungle tour or leave your children with us while you are going on a longer trip. We can offer board games, too.
Climate
The climate here is tropical; the temperatures are varying daily between 20°C and 30°C.