5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS - DISCOVERING THE PINK RIVER DOLPHIN
Day 1: Departure from Quito to Shell (It is recommended to leave at 5:30 am in order to be on time for the flight). Upon arrival in Shell you will be welcomed by our Achuar representatives and will be assisted onto small planes. A 50-minute flight from Shell will pass over unbroken pristine rainforest, arriving at the airstrip of the local Achuar community. Welcome and beautiful 30-minute canoe ride into the majesty and tranquility of the rainforest. Lunch. In the 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. Diner. Night walking to explore Pastaza River in search of nocturnal animals such as monkeys, alligators and birds. All this coupled with a fantastic starry sky Achuar.
Day 2: 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 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 Achuar Lodge. Time to rest. Afternoon: guests will be able to explore, via balsa raft, the Pastaza 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. After dinner: optional: 1. – guests can partake in a spectacular night walk, observing the many different kinds of insects and amphibians that are found around the hotel.
Day 3: guests will have the opportunity to finding and spotting the great variety of birds that the southeast Rainforest of Ecuador offers like Hoatzin, Anhinga, Speckled Chachalaca, White Eared Jacamar, Cocoi Heron, Neotropical Cormorant, and the Great Egret. 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. In the afternoon some activities will be offered: including Fishing where you can fish for piranha or catfish. 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. At night after dinner, we will explore the Pastazai River in search of nocturnal animals such as monkeys, alligators and birds. All this coupled with a fantastic starry sky.
. In the event that guests do not want overnight camp, they have the option to return to the cottage.
Early morning: guests will have the opportunity to find and identify a great variety of birds, which offers the rainforest southeast Ecuador such as Hoatzin, Aninga, Spotted Chachalaca, White Eared Jacamar, Cocoon Heron, Neotropical Cormorant, and Great Egret. Breakfast and departure activity full day: our guides will accompany guests along the Yutui trail. During this time, guests can learn about the forest and its benefits for the Achuar people. Our guides will also teach clients about Achuar hunting techniques and the myths related to the rainforest. Picnic in the forest. After lunch: guests will be able to visit one of the Achuar communities located near the cottage. This is one of our most popular activities offered by Achuar Lodge to the important cultural contribution to the Achuar people. Guests will have the opportunity to see a community of its members and buy some traditional handicrafts. Dinner in the community provided by Achuar Lodge.
Day 4: This day the guests could go to Bird watching upstairs Pastaza River or to go to the Claylick. Breakfast and departure for a full day activities: our guides will escort guests along the Pitzacocha trail and Lagoon. During this time guests can learn about the forest and its benefits for the Achuar native 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 an Achuar community. This is one of our most popular activities offered in Achuar Lodge, 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. Return to the lodge followed by dinner. After dinner: cultural activities (legends in hammock house, traditional greetings) Guests will also be able to learn and practice the art of Achuar face painting and how it relates to their different activities. (Standard Itinerary)
.In the event that guests do not want overnight camp, they have the option to return to the cottage.
Early in the morning: guests are offered the unique experience of participating in a traditional ceremony involving the consumption of an Achuar tea called Guayusa. The ceremony will begin at 04 a.m., where they will be able to take the purifying tea around a bonfire, while an Achuar man will interpret the participants’ dreams. Towards the end of the ceremony, everyone will be able to enjoy the sunrise. After breakfast: various activities will be offered, including fishing and the making of handicrafts. After lunch: guests can go kayaking and hiking exploring the surroundings. After dinner: cultural activities (legends in the house of hammocks, traditional greetings).
Day 4: 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. Fly back to Shell. Lunch Box will be provided. Return to Quito along the same route as the arrival.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS - LIVE THE ACHUAR ECOSYSTEM
Day 1: Departure from Quito to Shell (It is recommended to leave at 5:30 am in order to be on time for the flight). Upon arrival in Shell you will be welcomed by our Achuar representatives and will be assisted onto small planes. A 50-minute flight from Shell will pass over unbroken pristine rainforest, arriving at the airstrip of the local Achuar community. Welcome and beautiful 30-minute canoe ride into the majesty and tranquility of the rainforest. Lunch. In the 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. Diner. Night walking to explore Pastaza River in search of nocturnal animals such as monkeys, alligators and birds. All this coupled with a fantastic starry sky Achuar.
Day 2: 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, Yellow Crowned Amazon. 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 Achuar Lodge. Time to rest. In the afternoon: guests will be able to explore, via balsa raft, the Pastaza 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. 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.
Day 3: 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. Breakfast and departure for a full day activities 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 Achuar Lodge, 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. Return to the lodge followed by dinner. After 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.
Day 4: 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. Fly back to Shell. Lunch Box will be provided. Return to Quito along the same route as the arrival.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
