THE AMAZON RAINFOREST PROGRAMS

KAPAWI

Discribed as "the perfect eco-lodge in Ecuador" and considered por Internacional Conservation like one of the best projects in the world. Kapawi Ecolodge and reserve it is located in the banks of the Pastaza River, offers personalized excursions, gourmet food It works in community with the Achuar community in a new model of comunitary ecotourism project and in 2011 this community will handle the lodge.

The lodge accomodates 40 visitors. Offer 20 double rooms with private bathrooms, sun heated showers and electricity provided by solar panel system. Every room has a wide terrace that allows you to observe the daily visitors such as: ducks, hummingbirds, egrets, parrots, or you can listen to the music of the myriad frogs at night

YOUR ACTIVITIES
The Lodge provides multiple activities in programs that are characterized by their flexibility: we allow you to design day be day, with the rest of your group and your guide, the most suitable program for your interests and desired activity level. Most itineraries include visits to the Achuar communities, hikes in the rain forest, canoeing, bird watching, and other activities. According to your interests and physical condition (but not your age!), we offer three alternative programs: easy, moderate, and difficult. These programs depend mainly on the distance and time you would like to spend on our trails; all other activities can be included in any program.

Easy path: Short hikes in the rainforest (up to 1.5 hours) on well-defined trails
Moderate path: Medium distance hikes in the rain forest (up to 4 hours) and sometimes crossing flooded areas
Difficult path: Demanding hikes of over 4 hours and in some cases all day or more, in poorly defined, hilly, and often flooded trails. Porters will carry food and supplies for longer expeditions. Excellent physical condition is required.

CUYABENO LODGE

Day 1. The TAME flight leaves to 10:30 towards Bitter Lake, of there 2 hours and average trip in Bus and soon in canoe by 2 hours surrounded by the dense vegetation. Arrive to Cuyabeno Lodge approximately at 17h00. At night talk about the next days activities. Day 2: 6 a.m. Birdwatching. Breakfast. Exit by the Cuyabeno river in canoe, soon long walk to arrive at the flooded forest. Lunch picnic. Trip in canoe by the forest flooded, until arriving at the Great Lagoon, where dolphins and manatíes will be able to be observed.

Day 3:
6 a.m.. Birdwatching. Breakfast. Exit by the river soon to initiate a long walk through the forest to observe: toucans, parrots, papagayos, guantas, and the vegetation like orquídeas, bromelias, and palms. After the lunch we made a long trip by the channels and lakes. At night we will leave to observe the caiman.

Day 4: 05:30 a.m. Breakfast. Return by canoe and car towards Lago Agrio. Arrival to the airport to take the flight to Quito, arrival approximated 13:00.

SACHA LODGE

Located to 2 and half hours of navigation from the Coca city by the Napo River this private reserve counts on 2000 hectares. The comfort that offers this lodge for the tourist is of first, counts on 10 double cabins constructed with materials of the zone with deprived terraces to observe the jungle and a traditional hammock, has electrical light, deprived bath, hot water, service of restaurant with international and vegetarian food, bar outdoors and area of food alongside right to the edge of the lake. ACTIVITIES - The observation tower of Birds that counts on 43 meters of stop, constructed next to a great Kapok tree for stability lends to the visitor an impressive view of the landscape, as well as to the dawn can be observed toucans, parrots, and dozens of colorful species of birds. Many ornithologists visit Sacha, but of 550 species of birds they have registered themselves in this area, and our specialist guides helped to see them him.

- The Way of the orquídeas
- Natural black water Pilchicocha, lagoon, part of the Napo River.
- Forest of palm, that in white motorized is reached in one hour, and that many people choose to repeat.
- The long walk area, that is a new addition of 300 meters in length, the wonders of the Ecuadorian forest, next to the top of the trees, will discover dozens of animals and vegetable species that rare time are seen from the ground.
- The House of the Butterflies, that constitutes the greatest farm of butterflies in Ecuador. Designed like an alive exhibition, it shows as these wonderful insects become the beautiful colorful butterflies, including the spectacular Morph of blue color, that flies free of flower in flower.
- The parrots lick, that this closely together of Sacha, and is an accessible place to observe a great amount of these beautiful multicolor birds. It’s located in the entrance of the National Park Yasuni.

LA SELVA LODGE

Deep in the virgin forest, La Selva lodge, is reached by plane from Quito and then by dugout canoe. Has seventeen cabins built in the traditional Indian style of the region and each with private facilities on a hill overlooking a lake named Garzacocha, Heron Lake. The bar and restaurant hug the shore ready for magical sunsets, toucans parrots and a permanent view over the evergreen landscape.

ACTIVITIES:
- Walk by a native´s house, cross Garzacocha Lake, three hours walk on a purposely trail. Half of the walk in primary forest and the other half passes the huts of indigenous people.
- Mandicocha trail, an easy trail filled of wildlife. The excursion can last as long as you want.
- El Salado, Two-hour excursion often combined with a picnic lunch and trips across the Napo River, thousands of parrots can be seen.
- High forest trail, from three to five hours trail, it’s a chance to see birds and wildlife. Try the lemon ants.
- Pilche Trail, cross Garzacocha Lake then one hour or more of walking. Find an enormous colony of leafcutter ants and wildlife.
- Night excursions, Canoe or walking trips to see nocturnal animals such as caiman, monkey, insects and owls.
- Observation tower, for bird-watching.
- Ruth´s Trail, good trail to look for jaguars
- Chawamangos´s trail, to Mandicocha lake and walk along the lake. Return by elevated walkway and across Garzacocha by canoe.
- Butterflies farm.

BATABURO LODGE

Accommodation in double rooms with the private or share facilities, mosquito-nets and electricity (110 v), canopy observation tower of aprox. 132 feet.

In the main cabaña, which serves as bar/dinning room, there is a space to relax in hammocks and enjoy the view of our lagoon "Amaroncocha", which is right behind the cabaña.

This lodge offers tours of 4 or 5 days with the accommodation in the lodge. Beside, there is the possibility to make tours ranging from 6 to 15 days with accommodation in the lodge and in tents.

COTOCOCHA LODGE

Cotococha Amazon Lodge is located 200 km east of Quito, at an altitude of approximately 500 meters. The area forms part of the Upper Amazon Basin , characterized by small Quichua communities and abundant vegetation. Due to the location near the Andes, the area is rich in tropical humid forests, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world with a high number of endemic species in flora and fauna. The comfortable lodge overlooks the amazing Napo River with its small islets of stones and sandy shores.

The lodge offers 17 beautiful and spacious bungalows, built according to traditional architecture in harmony with the surrounding rainforest. All bungalows are equipped with a private bathroom with hot and cold water showers, a private veranda with reclining chairs or hammocks to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle. The lodge becomes very romantic at night, with lots of candlelight around the gardens and social areas. The cozy lounge with fireplace offers comfortable seats to read or share your travel experiences with other travelers. Several tropical drinks are offered at the bar. The restaurant is partly open-air and serves great local & international food.

The lodge provides activities and excursions in a flexible way. You are able to design your own itinerary day by day, in coordination with your local guide, customizing your trip according to your wishes and interests. Most itineraries include visits to the local communities, hikes in the rain forest, canoe trips, night walks, cascade visits, river tubing or rafting, and other activities. Some excursions will be shared with other passengers, but to maintain a high level of personal service the group size is limited to 12 in most conditions. Bigger groups are possible and additional guides will be used when necessary, in order to enjoy your trip in the most comfortable and safest way.

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