Photos courtesy of SCOTT ARVICKSON
Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest is a tropical garden of colorful blossoms, billowing ferns and giant trees providing a green sanctuary to rare and exotic wildlife with intriguing insects, unique species of birds and butterflies and magical sceneries. Whether you want to trek through untamed trails in the jungle or just relax in a hammock surrounded by armies of fearless hummingbirds, INCA HOLIDAYS offers you an exotic experience that will alter your perception of the natural world.
On your Amazon tour, you’ll see howler monkeys and macaws, and possibly the elusive jaguar. Amazon lodges, such as Sacha Lodge, Kapawi and La Selva, provide both adventure and serenity: twilight hikes in search of nocturnal creatures, a bar and lounge with a phenomenal view, exhilarating swims in pristine lakes and blackwater creeks.
These are eco-conscious Amazon adventures offering a paradise for nature-lovers, photographers, birders and anyone who wants to experience the best of amazon rainforest!
La SELVA JUNGLE LODGE
Deep in the forest La Selva is necessarily remote. But with dugout canoes, with horses and with brute manual labor, they brought to this paradise as much luxury as possible. Seventeen cabins built in traditional style of the region, on a hill overlooking Garzacocha Lake. At La Selva you can choose from an array of activities:
Bird-watching – with perhaps the highest species list in the neo-tropics, La Selva uses native birding experts for those guests with this singular passion.
Daily expeditions in the rainforest include a night excursion.
La Selva offers 3 and 4 night excursions, high-end accommodation & service, wellness and spa facilities, a 38meter Observation tower and deep amazon experiences.
Prices include accommodation based in double cabin, all meals, daily excursions, transportation within the jungle.
Prices do not include airfare Quito – Coca – Quito US$240 (subject to changes), bar and personal expenses.
Located in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon Basin, Sacha Lodge is a haven for nature lovers, birdwatchers, scientists and adventure seekers. It provides comfortable accommodation, first-class meals and expert guides in order for you to fully enjoy the wonders of the tropical forest.
Sacha Lodge’s guests will be divided into small groups, each of which will be led by a native guide with expert knowledge of the rainforest’s medicinal and other useful plants, and a bilingual naturalist guide educated in biology and ecology of the area. The lodge has an observation tower and a butterfly house
Sacha offers 3 and 4 night programs starting / ending any day of the week except on Sundays. Prices include accommodation based in double cabin, all meals, daily excursions, transportation within the jungle.
Prices do not include airfare Quito – Coca – Quito US$240 (subject to changes), beverages and tips.
Price includes transportation Quito / Hamadryade/ Quito (private services, local driver)
Price does not include lunch upon return from Hamadryade
DESCRIPTION BY HAMADRYADE OWNERS:
The Hamadryade Lodge was built on an old gold mine site, on top of a hill in the Rainforest. We wished to use this very particularity because of the opportunity it represented for us: a chance to fix what had been destroyed in the past, turn something ugly into a place where nature could regain its rights and display all the wonders it has to offer.
When we arrived, the site was almost bare, with only a few trees surviving on this now hostile soil. First advantage for us, we didn’t have to cut trees to make space for the buildings, we only cleared the opportunist plants that prevented a healthy regeneration of the ground, and start planting endemic plants to restart a productive cycle by naturally enriching the soil with nitrogen. Twice we planted these species of plants and burned them until the soil was ready to receive a larger range of plants, flowers and small trees.
This is the very essence of the Hamadryade, as these Greek Deities, not only we wish to protect the Nature, but we work to develop its health and beauties. We sealed the bad memories of this mining past under a luxurious garden, hosting a large variety of local flowers, and plants attracting again numerous species of birds, butterflies and small animals.
ACTIVITIES
Jungle Hike: In the calm surroundings of our propriety, Hamadryade introduces its 2-hour Jungle hike. You will get the chance to experience the fauna and flora of the secondary rainforest, some parts of which had never been touched or cultivated by the human hand.
The walk had been designed with the help of our licensed local guide as an alternative for those who would like to get a genuine jungle experience without necessarily making it a full-day excursion.
The path starts at the lodge and winds up for approximately an hour through natural labyrinths and wild streams to the Valle Hermoso indigenous community. After a pause you return to the lodge, inspired by the beautiful natural formations of our “back yard”. Enjoy!.
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Jatun sacha is the «big forest» in Kichwa language ; a large biological reserve that has benn under protection far many years. Large and small rivers slither through primary and secondary rainforest, still inhabited by many animal species, home to large flocks of birds.
The hike is approximatly 13kms long, and you’ll need about 5-6 hours to complete it. It is not a very hard hike, but it is physical and will challenge your legs at the end of the day. You’ll arrive at the Santa Barbara Kichwa community where you’ll reach another track along the river or you’ll find a dugout canoe to come down on the river Arajuno if available.
If it is not easy, it is because it is real jungle ; thick, muddy and sooo green. If you want the real amazonian experience it will have to be through Jatun Sacha.
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Amazoonico Animal Zoo / Walk to the beach in Misahualli and board a long canoe and start a journey down river on the Napo towards the Amazoonico Animal Rescue center. A 45min canoe ride through one of the largest amazonian river enjoying breathtaking sceneries.
Then you’ll arrive at the Amazoonico, on the Arajuno River, in the middle of the Selva Viva jungle reserve. The Amazoonico was set up to rescue and care for the Amazonian animals who escaped trafic or injuries. There you’ll see monkeys roaming free, ocelots, boas, tapirs,… and many other animals.
Enjoy the trip back to Misahualli and arrive for a late lunch in the village. This activity can easily be combined with the Shiripuno community for example.
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KICHWA COMMUNITY
Shiripuno is a kichwa community close to misahualli. A women’s association will receive you in this part of the community to share with you their culture and their knowledge of the kichwa life in the amazon rainforest.
From making chocolate, paning gold, see the traditionnal dances, to understanding the realities of the life of the kichwa people, you’ll spend a lovely day filled with interesting and nice activities.
You can spend a full day or just a half day there, enjoy a nice traditionnal lunch with the Maito, fish/chicken cooked in a large leaf with jungle spices. This activity can also be combined with another hald day one.
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LAS LATAS WATERFALL
A short walk in the jungle will lead you to this amazing waterfall droping in a natural swimming pool, the perfect spot for a refreshing bath in the jungle on hot days.
Along the way you’ll enjoy the rainforest and its wonders, following a track leading to another one of these amazon wonders. Our indigenous guide will also give you a multitude of information along the way as he spots tree frogs, insects, medicinal plants,…
From that nice walk and refreshing swim, we’ll take you to Misahualli for lunch in the village, enjoying the sight of monkeys playing on the main square.
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PACKAGE PRICES INCLUDE
Lodging and all meals / access to swimming pool / ½, 1, 2 or 3 full day activities.
Prices do not include: all beverages, optional massages.
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HALF DAY ACTIVITIES
- Walk in the forest
- Visit to Kichwa Community
- Walk and refreshing bath in a waterfall
- Boat tour to a lake
- Tubing in the river
- Visit to Museum