• Canoe

  • Claylick-parrot

  • claylick-parrots-2

  • Monkey

  • Quito

  • Pastaza-River

  • Gator-or-Croc

Deep Amazon Voyage

The booking of this tour supports community owned initiative of the Achuar ethnic group in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Thanks for being a sustainable traveler!

Day 1
Quito – Achuar Community

Pick up: Guests will be picked up from their hotel in Quito beginning at 6:00am.

Departure from Quito: Guests will be driven along the new “Oriental” highway, passing through Tambillo, Latacunga, Ambato, and Banos before arriving in Shell. Breakfast 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 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. Once there, you will be welcomed by our guides, who will escort you on the final leg of your journey – a beautiful 30 minute canoe ride that heads into the majestic tranquility of the rainforest. Lunch at the Ecolodge & Reserve will be served upon arrival. Afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to relax, unpack and familiarize themselves with the surroundings.

Afternoon: We will have a quiet activity where quests can walk along the shores of the Pastaza River. Here, our guides will give guests an introductory orientation session with information about the rainforest and the Achuar culture, all while enjoying a beautiful sunset. Dinner will be serve afterwards.

Day 2
Achuar Community

Early Morning: Our guides will escort you on a 30 minute boat ride to reach one of the best natural attractions: the Claylick. Here, guests will see different species of macaws and parrots such as the Cobalt-Winged parakeet, Chestnut-Fronted Macaw and Yellow Crowned Amazon.

After breakfast guests can take a walk that lasts approximately 2 hours with stops; on this trek guests will learn about medicinal plants of the area and tropical forest ecology.

Lunch at the Ecolodge & Reserve followed by a resting period.

Afternoon: guests will be able to explore, via kayak, the Kapawari River and its connecting lagoons. On the journey guests will be looking out for the local wildlife such as the pink river dolphin. As the river is quite calm, swimming is completely safe.

After dinner: Guests can parake in a spectacular night walk, observing the many different kinds of insects and amphibians that are found around the hotel.

Day 3
Achuar Community

Early morning: guests will have the opportunity to find and spot the widest variety of birds that the southeast Rainforest of Ecuador offers. birds like the Hoatzin, Aninga, Speckled Cahchalaca, White eared Jacamar, Cocoi Heron, Neotropical Cormorant, and the Great Egret are viewable.

After breakfast guests will take a walk (approximately 2 hours with stops) where they will learn about the benefits and uses of the palms of the Achuar and the important ecological role insects and animals play in the forest. Lunch at the Hotel will be had afterwards.

In the afternoon some activities will be offered. Fishing is one activity where you can reel in piranha or catfish. Alternatively, you can learn the art of making crafts with the staff at the Achuar Hotel.

At night after dinner, we will explore the Kapawari River in search of nocturnal animals such as monkeys, alligators and birds. All this will be done under a fantastic and starry night sky.

Day 4
Achuar Community

On this day guests have the option of going bird watching up the Kapawari River or going to the Claylick. Afterwards we will have breakfast and prepare for departure.

This day will be a day full of activities. Firstly, our guides will escort guests along the Pitzacocha 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 the Arutam spirit of the forest.

We will then have a 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 the most popular activities offered in Kapawi, mainly because of the significant cultural contribution to offers the Achuar people. Guests will have a chance to see an authentic community along with its members. and even be able to purchase some traditional handicrafts. Return to the lodge followed by dinner.

After dinner: Cultural activities (legends in hammock house, traditional greetings).

Day 5
Achuar Community – Quito

Early morning: Our guides will bring guests to specific points near the hotel in order to locate various species of birds. Shortly thereafter we will return for breakfast and being preparation for departure.

In the last few hours before departure from the Achuar territory, guests can participate in a blowgun contest to find who the best hunter is among the guides and guests. Guests will also be able to learn the art of Achuar face painting and how it relates to their different activities.

The return trip will normally have you leaving the lodge mid-morning by canoe, then flying by small plane form Achuar territory to Shell. From there, you will transfer to your private overland transportation in order to start your comfortable trip back to Quito accompanied by one of our tour guides. The overland transport to Quito has an estimated arrival time of mid or late afternoon, depending on weather conditions. Your entire return journey will provide one final opportunity to experience the beauty of this unique part of the world.

  • Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
  • Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
  • Entrance fees where applicable.
  • Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
  • Transfers
  • Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.

Kapawi Ecolodge
Amazon Rainforest Region