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The Huaorani ecolodge started operation in 2008 and offers a very personal experience with both rainforest nature and the infamous Huaorani tribe.
The Huaorani are a timeless people – their origins are unknown and language has no relation to any other know language. For thousands of years they have made the lush Ecuadorian rainforest their home and now they are embracing eco-tourism as an opportunity for small groups of tourists to get to know their culture and traditions whilst supporting the community.
The lodge is built in an area of pristine virgin rainforest boasting a great diversity of wildlife and plant species – tours are accompanied by both a native Huaorani guide as well as a local naturalist guide to translate who together explain the wonders of the forest to guests.
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| PAST CLIENTS FEEDBACK |
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| "At the Huaorani Ecolodge, I got a good sense of life in the Amazon. While the comfortable Huaorani-style cabins provided unexpected indulgence in the rainforest, I was able to experience many aspects of Huaorani culture and lifestyle. From walking in the forest searching for peccaries and learning to use a blowgun, to identifying edible fruits hanging off the trunks of forest trees, traveling up and down rivers in a dugout canoe poled by native guides, eating yucca and palm fruits, and enjoying the nightly serenades of frogs and cicadas, I learned both the art and the science of the jungle." (Abigail Rome, USA) |
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ITINERARIES |
| 4 DAYS |
| Day 1 |
An early start (hotel pickup) takes you by private bus down the valley of the volcanoes - descending slowly towards the rainforest you pass some of Ecuador’s most famous peaks on route with time for photo-stops on a clear day.
From the town of Shell your group will board a light aircraft for the 45-minute flight to the community of Quehueriono, and then a short canoe ride along the Shiripuno River to the lodge.
An introductory briefing is followed by freetime to settle into your new lush green surroundings. |
| Day 2 |
An active morning of guided hikes on the Ceibu and Hormiga walking trails – your guides will spot and explain all of the wildlife that you encounter on-route.
In the afternoon we visit the Cocha Pequeña oxbow lake where with luck we might see the Hoatzin bird, Anaconda, Capybara and caiman alligators. Then we visit the salt-clay lick which many rainforest creatures use as a mineral-rich dietary supplement.
After dinner there is a special night-walk to look for nocturnal species. |
| Day 3 |
An unforgettable morning out in the rainforest trails with a Huaorani hunter – here you will learn about jungle survival techniques such as setting traps, making a fire without matches, building a simple shelter, using a blowgun and machete, and how to catch fish in small creeks amongst others.
After an optional swim in the river the group heads for an informal social visit into the community which may include visiting local households, sampling a bowl of chucula (a sweet drink made from bananas), admiring their handmade artefacts, visiting a garden with local crops, and maybe you will even be invited to play a game of community soccer! |
| Day 4 |
A morning trek on the Cascada Trail takes you to a picturesque waterfall. Along the way you will learn how to weave, make a blowgun, hollow out a canoe and make a spear.
We then return to the lodge for last minute packing and farewells before the return journey to Quito via Shell. |
| 5 DAYS |
| Day 1 |
An early start (hotel pickup) takes you by private bus down the valley of the volcanoes - descending slowly towards the rainforest you pass some of Ecuador’s most famous peaks on route with time for photo-stops on a clear day.
From the town of Shell your group will board a light aircraft for the 45-minute flight to the community of Quehueriono, and then a short canoe ride along the Shiripuno River to the lodge.An introductory briefing is followed by freetime to settle into your new lush green surroundings. |
| Day 2 |
An active morning of guided hikes on the Ceibu and Hormiga walking trails – your guides will spot and explain all of the wildlife that you encounter on-route.
In the afternoon we visit the Cocha Pequeña oxbow lake where with luck we might see the Hoatzin bird, Anaconda, Capybara and caiman alligators. Then we visit the salt-clay lick which many rainforest creatures use as a mineral-rich dietary supplement.
After dinner there is a special night-walk to look for nocturnal species. |
| Day 3 |
An unforgettable morning out in the rainforest trails with a Huaorani hunter – here you will learn about jungle survival techniques such as setting traps, making a fire without matches, building a simple shelter, using a blowgun and machete, and how to catch fish in small creeks amongst others.
After an optional swim in the river the group heads for an informal social visit into the community which may include visiting local households, sampling a bowl of chucula (a sweet drink made from bananas), admiring their handmade artefacts, visiting a garden with local crops, and maybe you will even be invited to play a game of community soccer! |
| Day 4 |
A full day away from the lodge canoeing downstream to the Huaorani Village of Nenquepare (6-7 hours in the canoe looking out for wildlife as you go with a stop for lunch and optional swim).
On arrival to Nenquepare there is time to trek to an impressive waterfall.
Tonight we have an unforgettable night camping in the rainforest. |
| Day 5 |
morning departure to the Via Auca – that is the road built by oil companies to extract petroleum from within the Huaorani territory. Here you witness the crude reality facing the rainforest dwellers of our collective thirst for oil as you ride alongside miles of pipelines - it is a tough but eye-opening end to the trip!
From Coca we fly back to Quito. |
The 8-day trip broadly follows the same itineraries as above but with more time visiting different hiking trails and is obviously a more indepth peak into the rainforest world.
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LODGE BACKGROUND
The Huaorani Lodge was built small to accommodate only 10 people per visit – it was designed to be intimate, harmonious and ecologically sustainable whilst not impacting negatively on the Huaorani villagers.
Accommodation is provided in 5 comfortable double (or twin) cabins built in the traditional Huaorani style with thatched roof, mosquito netting, private bathroom with shower and flush-toilet, porch with comfy chairs, 24-hour electricity provided via solar panels, as well as environmentally-friendly soap and shampoo.
The restaurant provides nutritionally balanced meals hygienically prepared by the local chef, and fruit / tea / coffee / safe drinking water are on hand throughout each day.
Guests can also enjoy the bar providing beer, wine and soft drinks, and a hammock house overlooking the Shiripuno River.
ACCOMMODATION
| Cabins: twin / double |
| Private bathroom: yes |
| Showers: yes |
| Mosquito nets: netting surrounds each hut |
| Electricity: Yes, solar-powered |
| Boots / Rain ponchos: Yes |
ACCESS/TRANSPORT
The tour starts and finishes in Quito.
Transport route varies between the 4 and 5 day trips. Both start with a 5 hour bus ride down the Andes to the town of Shell followed by a small plane journey into the deep Amazon. The 4day trip makes the same return journey, whilst the 5-day trip continues onto Coca before flying back in a regular plane.
Transport costs amount to $250 per person. A supplement may be charged for departures outside of the regular set days.
| 2010 PRICES PER PERSON |
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4 days (Mon-Thu)
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$600 |
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5 day (Thu-Mon) |
$750 |
Inclusions:
- Accommodation based on twin/double share
- All meals
- Activities as listed in itinerary
- Local Huaorani guide + bilingual naturalist guide
- Use of rain poncho / boots / umbrella
- Bio-degradable soap and shampoo
Exclusions:
- Transportation ($250 per person on regular trip start days)
- Entrance fee to Huaorani territory ($10 per person)
- Single supplement
- Drinks from the bar
- Rubber boots larger than size 10UK / 10.5USA / 44EURO
- Tips and other personal expenses
Contact us to book this trip
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