Venture deep into the amazon rainforest to connect with the native Achuar people and stay at their stunning ecolodge. You'll spend 8 days exploring beautiful rivers, spotting rare wildlife alongside native guides and relaxing in a hammock at your cottage. You'll also have the opportunity to spend time in Achuar communities to learn about their way of life and deep connection to the beautiful rainforest that surrounds you.
Right for You?
Starts at:
$1,850/person
Speaks: English, Spanish and Other Local Language
Highlights
- Get immersed in a beautiful, remote part of the Amazon
- See rare wildlife, with hundreds of species of birds just outside your door
- Learn about the rainforest directly from your native hosts
- Connect with the Achuar people and learn about their way of life
- Kayak and swim in pristine rivers, directly outside your cottage
- Relax in comfortable, private rooms with stunning views of the rainforest
Details
Itinerary
Pick Up - Guests will be picked up from their hotel in Quito beginning at 05:30 am.
Departure from Quito - Guests will be driven until arriving in Shell. Breakfast (Lunch Box) will be provided for every passenger. Short stops will be made during the trip for bathroom breaks and photo opportunities.
Arrival in Shell - Guests will be welcomed by our Achuar representatives and will be assisted onto small planes. The 50-minute flight from Shell will pass over unbroken pristine rainforest, arriving at the airstrip of the local Achuar community. There you will be welcomed by Kapawi guides, who will escort you on the final leg of your journey, a beautiful 30-minute canoe ride into the majesty and tranquility of the rainforest.
Lunch at Kapawi Ecolodge - After lunch guests will have the opportunity to relax, unpack, and situate themselves with the surroundings.
Afternoon - we will have a quiet activity where guests can walk along one of the Pastaza River beaches. Here, our guides will give guests an introductory orientation session with information about the rainforest and the Achuar culture, while enjoying a beautiful sunset. Back to Dinner.
Early morning - guests will have the opportunity to finding and spotting the great variety of birds that the southeast Rainforest of Ecuador offers like Hoatzin, Aninga, Speckled Chachalaca, White Eared Jacamar, Cocoi Heron, Neotropical Cormorant, and the Great Egret.
After breakfast guests can take a walk, approximately 2 hours with stops, where they will learn about medicinal plants of the area and tropical forest ecology.
Lunch at Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve. Time to rest. Afternoon: guests will be able to explore, via kayak, the Kapawari River and its connecting lagoons, while looking at the local wildlife such as the pink river dolphin. As the river is quite calm, swimming is completely safe.
At night after dinner, we will explore the Kapawari River in search of nocturnal animals such as monkeys, alligators and birds. All this coupled with a fantastic starry sky Kapawi.
Early morning - Our guides will escort guests on a 30 minute motor boat ride to reach one of the best natural attractions, the Claylick, where guests will see different species of parrots, macaws, and parrots such as the Cobalt-Winged Parakeet, Chestnut- Fronted Macaw, and Yellow Crowned Amazon.
After breakfast - departure to Ishpingo trail beginning with a 30 minute canoe trip to the beginning of the trail. Guests are kindly asked to be prepared for crossing some log bridges. This trip is combined with a canoe or kayak trip up the Ishpingo River in order to observe the local wildlife along the river’s shoreline. Lunch will be provided during the trip. Return to Kapawi for Dinner.
After dinner guests can partake in a spectacular night walk, observing the many different kinds of insects and amphibians that are found around the hotel.
In the morning you can choose from a bird watching Activity or go to the Claylick.
After breakfast guests will take a walk, approximately 2 hours with stops, where they will learn about the benefits and uses of the palms to the Achuar and the important ecological role played by insects and animals in the forest. Lunch at Kapawi Lodge.
After lunch guests will visit one of the Achuar communities that is located close to the lodge. This is one of our most popular activities offered in Kapawi, because of the significant cultural contribution to the Achuar people. Guests will have a chance to see a community and its members and purchase some traditional handicrafts.
Overnight in the community. You'll be glamping - equipped with comfortable tents and beds, charming rustic furniture, and excellent service. Our guests will be able to enjoy gourmet meals and champagne. This is also an opportunity arrange a mystical Achuar rituals, such as: Ayahuasca or Natem (Shaman $ 120 per person).
Early morning guests are offered the unique experience of participating in a traditional ceremony involving the drinking of a local Achuar tea called guayusa. The ceremony will begin at approximately 4am, where guests will drink the purifying tea around a campfire, while an Achuar man will interpret the dreams of the participants. Towards the end of the ceremony, everyone will be able to enjoy the sunrise. Breakfast at Kapawi Lodge.
After breakfast and rest our Chef will prepare and teach how to prepare the famous Achuar Ceviche (Ceviche Class) after lunch various activities will be offered, including fishing, kayaking and hiking trips to explore the surrounding areas.
After breakfast departure to the Pastaza-Kusutkao Trail. Guests will arrive at the trail after a one hour motor canoe ride up the Pastaza River. Guests are kindly asked, once again, to be prepared for crossing log bridges, as the trail can become quite swampy. At the end of the trail, guests will end at the Kusutkao River, where they will be met with lunch by the Kapawi staff.
After lunch guests have the option of kayaking back down to Kapawi Amazon Lodge three hours of wildlife approximately. Dinner at Kapawi.
At night after Dinner the guest can choose from a night walk in a different trail or go to a canoe ride.
After breakfast - departure for a full day activities. Our guides will escort guests along the Pitzacocha or Pama trail. During this time guests can learn about the forest and its benefits for the Achuar people. Our guides will also teach guests about Achuar hunting techniques and Arutam the spirit of the forest. Picnic lunch in the forest.
After lunch guests will visit one of the Achuar communities that is located close to the lodge. This is one of our most popular activities offered in Kapawi, because of the significant cultural contribution to the Achuar people. Return to the lodge followed by dinner.
After a Traditional typical dinner - cultural activities (legends in hammock house, traditional greetings around a campfire. Guests will also be able to learn the art of Achuar face painting and how it relates to their different activities.
Early morning our guides will bring guests to specific points near the hotel, in order to locate various species of birds.
Breakfast and preparation for departure - In the last few hours before departure from the Achuar territory, guests can participate in a blowgun contest to demonstrate who is the best hunter among the guides and guests.
Departure - Fly back to Shell. Box Lunches will be provided. Return to Quito along the same route as the arrival.
What's Included
Your Local Host
Kapawi Amazon Lodge
Locally Owned Community Project
Step into a world where ancient traditions meet the pristine wilderness of the Amazon at Kapawi Amazon Lodge. Nestled in the heart of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, this unique lodge offers more than just a stay — it's a gateway to experi
Getting There
