Kapawi Amazon Lodge in Ecuador

Kapawi Lodge is probably the most ecologically and culturally sensitive lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The lodge was built on the edge of the Kapawi Lagoon and the houses were built on stilts in order to minimize the impact caused to the surrounding vegetation.
Sewage goes through a three-step drainage process and pumped onto the forest floor. The sewage drains into a cesspool and the excess water runs into a second cesspool and then into the last from which it is pumped onto the forest floor. Yeast is spread on the ground to accelerate decomposition

Our canoes are equipped with four-stroke outboard engines, which reduce noise and pollution considerably. Electric outboard motors for small and sensitive rivers are also available.

The entire lodge is powered by solar energy. Seventy-two 75 watt solar panels cover 80% of all the lodge's energy needs. Our solar-heated showers provide 5 gallons of hot water per person each day.

The Kapawi project facilitated the Achuar's initial request for partnership with the outside world; thus, creating the Pachamama Alliance, a USA based foundation, committed to halting the destruction of the rain
forests and the loss of its indigenous cultures and wisdom. Kapawi now belongs entirely to the AchuarIndians, after having been trained in different areas such as management, house keeping, mechanics,
maintenance, etc.

Kapawi is located near the Ecuadorian and Peruvian border, in the Southern Ecuadorian Amazon Basin on the Pastaza River, a major tributary of the Amazon. Kapawi is one of the most pristine and isolated points in the Amazon Basin, accessed only by air. No logging or oil drilling have been done here. The closest town is within ten days walking distance. A private plane will take you from Quito to the Kapawi Reserve in less than two hours. An additional canoe ride (1 1/2 hours) is necessary to reach the lodge.

The area of Kapawi EcoLodge is home to 600 known species of birds (and continues to grow). ; That’s four times the species in all the broad-leaf forests of North America and more than in all of Europe….in an area no larger than Manhattan.
Ecuador’s tropical rain forests contain more than 20,000 plant species, some 7,000 more than throughout all of Europe;
Many insect species including bright colored butterflies most of which have not been identified by scientists. One tree may contain more ant species than in all of England.
Several thousand plant-species are used for medicinal purposes by the Achuar.
There are mammals such as fresh water dolphins, monkeys, bats and several kinds of rodents (including capybaras) that you may see depending on the time of year.
Since they are mainly nocturnal, mammals like jaguars, ocelots, jaguarundis and other big cats are difficult to spot. It is common to find animal tracks.
It is possible to see amphibians and reptiles such as frogs, caimans and snakes. Certain reptiles, like snakes are rather hard to find because they run away when they feel ground vibrations.
In our log book, there are several sightings of monkeys, Capybaras, tapirs and many other Mammals. However the most common ones are pink dolphins during the river experience. Last February some of our guests saw a melanic jaguar (black jaguar) on the beaches of the Capahuari River. We've also registered a young manatee in the Oxbow Lake near the lodge, and it was the first sighting ever in this area of the Achuar territory. We have several reports of Giant Otters in the Capahuari River close to the lodge. We also have some sightings of Crested and Harpy Eagles for this year.

The great advantage of being in Kapawi is that you do not have to adjust your interests to fixed programs. We offer customized programs according to your interests and physical abilities. Most programs will include visits to Achuar communities, treks in the rainforest, canoeing and birdwatching. Camping and fishing (you have to eat what you catch) are also available.

The lodge can host 40 people in 20 double rooms with private bathrooms, sun heated showers, and electricity provided by a photovoltaic system and wide terraces where guests can observe the myriad daily visitors: ducks; hummingbirds; egrets; parrots and a varied assortment of more than a dozen others. There is also a bar, library and boutique. The meals are one of the best things about the lodge - great Ecuadorian and international food is served daily.

"About my trip , simply perfect. Kapawi people are really kind , are great naturalists, and the lodge is an incredible place, where we spent three great days. The only thing that went wrong was that it was too short, but that was my fault. I'll try to fix that next time, as I am sure this wont be the last. Thanks for everything." - Albert

Transportation costs: Combination air and land: Quito-Shell-Quito land $60 + Shell-Kapawi-Shell US$274.00 + 12% IVA tax

Not included: Achuar community fee: US$10.00 per passenger + $2.50 per night. Any other National or International tax. Soft beverages, alcoholic drinks or souvenirs. Government taxes are not included.

Notes: Single Rate is available for passengers who don't want to share a room. For singles who are willing to share, double rate will apply. Due to varied weather conditions, it is recommended that you entertain the idea of adding an extra day to your itinerary after visiting Kapawi to make sure you meet your connecting flights to your next destination. Children under 12 years of age pay half price when accompanied by an adult in the same cabin. Children under 3 years of age pay half price for the transportation rate Quito-Kapawi-Quito. These rates are subject to change without prior notice. Other transportation routes can be arranged upon request and per Operation Department written approval.
For reservations with children under 7 years old we highly recommended hiring a private guide for the group´s excursion.

PRIVATE CANOE RIVER CRUISE BY CANDLELIGHT $150 PER COUPLE
Embark by canoe upriver accompanied by a bottle of wine, candlelight, snacks and comfortable cushions to experience an entertaining and cozy time. We will turn off the motor and allow the canoe to follow the river´s current, allowing you to listen to the sounds of the jungle, observing the star-filled sky, creating a magical and unique experience.

SPIRITUAL CLEANSE
Visit the Shaman (Medicine Man) of our community to get a spiritual cleansing and allow yourself to feel the experience of the ancestral knowledge of an expert who will cure your issues with his wisdom from nature.
CAMPING NIGHT $70.00 PER PERSON (COST OF CLEANSE DURING A CAMPING NIGHT)
LODGE NIGHT $140.00 PER PERSON (COST OF CLEANSE AT THE LODGE)

ROMANTIC CEREMONY AT KAPAWI $250.00
We invite you to share in a unique experience of a promise of love with your partner at the Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve led by the Lodge Director, followed by a romantic candlelit dinner with a glass of wine. Your room will be waiting for you with special decorations for the occasion.

ACHUAR WEDDING IN THE COMMUNITY $500.00
Visit a home in one of the Achuar communities which will open its doors to you in with a warm welcome so you can enjoy an extraordinary Wedding. The Achuar people will take care of creating the wedding of your dreams led by the community´s Shaman (Medicine Man), who will perform a cleansing of the couple so that their married life begins or continues in the best way possible. You may stay the night camping with special decorations and then participate in the Wayusa Ceremony at daybreak, drinking this traditional beverage while the wise Achuar people interpret your dreams.

NATEM CEREMONY $160.00 PER PERSON
During a visit to an Achuar Community where each one of the visitors will introduce themselves, the Shaman (Medicine Man) will prepare Natem (a drink that comes from an infusion of the root of the Ayahuasca plant) which will allow him to discover both the physical and spiritual issues of the visitors. The Shaman will invite you to enjoy the drink and later perform a cleansing of each of the integrated visitors.

NATEM CEREMONY AND CLEANSE $200.00 PER PERSON
All of the traditional ceremonies of the Achuar culture happen with the native Shamans of the area with approval from the NAE (Achuar Nationality of Ecuador) with respect to its customs and to the visitors.

In order to continue providing the best service to all of our guests we have designed the new overland transportation option:

Type of Transportation:
" Fully Equipped vehicles with air conditioning, reclining seats and drivers with basic English language knowledge.
" Every group will be accompanied by one of our well prepared-bilingual Tour guides from and to Quito.

Services Provided:
" Every transport will count with a water and fresh fruit station available for our passengers.
" Blankets in the case you need them will be available as well.
" Environmental Music (low volume)
" Box lunch

Itinerary:
" PICK UP - Quito: You will be picked up from your hotel at the time our Operations department will inform prior your trip. Pickups will start at 6:10 am.
6:30: Depart from Quito, then you will take the new "Oriental" highway passing by Tambillo, Latacunga, Ambato, Baños, before arriving to Shell.
9:00: Lunch box will be served provided to every passenger. Some short stops will be made during your trip in order to use toilets and to take pictures of the landscape (this aspect will depend on weather conditions).
11:00: Arrival in Shell. You will be welcomed by our representatives and will be assisted on your small planes boarding to take your flight over the rainforest in order to arrive to Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve.

Main Natural Attractions to be seen:
Your Kapawi Ecolodge Adventure starts the moment you depart from Quito. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the amazing landscape while you pass by different towns, mountains and volcanoes, such as the following:
* Cotopaxi volcano: with an altitude of 5897 meters above the sea level, rises one of the highest active volcanoes in South America above our Andean region. With an absolutely symmetric cone, Cotopaxi offers an amazing view and represents one of the main attractions of our Ecuadorian mountain region.
* The Ilinizas volcanoes: this majestic snowcapped volcano with two peaks is the link between Pichincha and Cotopaxi provinces. It has difficult access but in reward offers a great natural richness to its guests, with a high flora and fauna diversity, such as "chuquiragua", variety of liquen, moss, swallows, blackbirds, rabbits among other species from our Andean region.
* Tungurahua volcano: is one of the top five highest volcanoes in Ecuador with an altitude of 5016 meters located at 87 miles south from Quito. The small and beautiful city of Baños known for its thermal spring waters is located on Tungurahua volcano's hillside, 5 km north direction. This volcano is part of the Sangay National Park. Other representative mountains and volcanoes around this area are the Chimborazo (6310 m. the highest in Ecuador) and the Altar (5319 m.)
* Machachi: this is a small city located in the "Canton Mejia" it is famous and recognized for its traditional-folk fests such as "el paseo el chagra" which shows the costumes and traditions of the people in the mountain region of Ecuador.
* Latacunga: is the capital of Cotopaxi province, located near the Cotopaxi volcano at the Ecuadorian Andes mountain chain foothills. The main traditional fest in this city is the "Mama Negra" a religious syncretism celebrated with lots of happiness and color, attracting thousands of tourists every year with its music and colorful costumes used on the parades.
* Salcedo: located in the heart of Ecuador in the southeastern direction from Cotopaxi province, with big agricultural and cattle activities. It is well known for its delicious fruit ice cream and the traditional "pinol".
* Ambato: is the capital of Tungurahua province, known as "Ciudad de las Flores y las Frutas", "Cuna de los tres Juanes", "Jardin del Ecuador", represents one of the most important cities in Ecuador.
* Baños: the complete name of this beautiful city is "Baños de Agua Santa" located in the Tungurahua province only 180 km from Quito inside a valley surrounded by waterfalls and hot spring waters at the Tungurahua volcano hillsides. Baños has a population of 18,000 inhabitants, an altitude of 1806 m above sea level and an average temperature of 20°C, offering plenty of activities for tourists such as hiking, horse riding, rafting, climbing, motorbike tours, bungee jumping among others.

Trip back To Quito:
When you land at Shell's airport after enjoying your flight over the rain forest one more time, our representatives will be assisting you taking your private land transportation for your trip back to Quito. We will also offer lunch for our passengers at a first class hotel 10 minutes from Baños with no extra costs. After this, while your journey back to Quito you will have the chance to make specific stops to admire a other beautiful sites that our country offers, such as the waterfalls of:
" "Pailon del Diablo"
" "Manto de la Novia"
The route you will take is basically the same as the one on the day you enter Kapawi. However the time you depart from Shell will depend on the amount of passengers and weather conditions for every excursion.
Arrival time in Quito: 20:00 hrs (approximate)

WAITING TIMES
In cases of delayed flight due to operational or climatic conditions and the passengers can not take the flight at the programmed time, we will offer them the following activities:

At Coca, we will take the passengers to the Mision Hotel where they will have the opportunity to appreciate different animals as parrots, toucans, etc. A lunch or a snack will be given. This activity will be offered for passengers going in or departing from Kapawi. If the climate conditions do not allow the take off of the flight at the programmed day, we will offer accommodation on the Auca Hotel for our passengers.

HOTEL LA MISION
It is located in the riverside of the Coca's river, this hotel has wide spaces and balconies where the guests can contemplate the river and its fauna, this is also a perfect place for relaxing while waiting.

HOTEL EL AUCA
It lies on the main strip of Coca. It has a modern design, in its gardens you can appreciate diverse vegetation with a courtyard with some hammocks. Each room has a private batch with semi-warm water, the floor, walls and ceiling are made of wood panels and a fan mounted on the ceiling.

Our delegates will be in permanent contact with the passengers during the days of entrance and departure from Kapawi. The passengers will be informed about the final route and departure times the night before of their Kapawi excursion date. Our Kapawi Operational Department will contact the passengers at the hotel in order to inform the final details of the operations.

Ecuador Tours and Travel

Kapawi Amazon Lodge

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