Welcome to the Amazon Rainforest, the world's largest remaining tropical rainforest. More life hums, buzzes, chatters and bubbles here than anywhere else on the planet. One Amazonian tree can host more ant species than all of the British Isles put together, one hectare of forest boasts about as many frog species as all of North America, and the great expanse of the jungle contains more than twenty percent of the earth's vascular plant species. Here you can find a monkey small enough to sit on your fingertip, an eight pound toad, a spider that eats birds, and the world's largest snake, the 30-foot anaconda. Moreover, forty percent of all of all the earth's fresh water flows through the Amazon basin; more water than in the basins of the next six biggest rivers combined! In the Amazon River there are islands as big as Switzerland and otters bigger than men, and at certain points along it you can be in the middle and see neither shore. It snakes and swivels thousands of miles and draws in water from over 1500 water sources, including the Rio Napo in Ecuador, one of its primary tributaries. Plants are found in this equatorial swath of green. This rainforest is home to thousands of indigenous inhabitants, who make up nearly 200 distinct nations, including the Siona, Sequoya, Cofan, Shuar, Zaparo, Huaorani, and Quichua. The indigenous tribes that live in Ecuador's rainforest are the ancient keepers and guardians of the world's biological heritage - having lived there for more than 10,000 years; they know its trees, its animals, and its rhythms better than anyone. From the Amazon come some of our favorite foods: avocado, black pepper, Brazil nuts, cayenne pepper, cashews, chocolate (cacao), cinnamon, eggplant, figs, ginger, sugarcane, vanilla, and yams. The rainforest also produces many medicines, such as quinine for malaria; curare for multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease; as well as many industrial products, including latex, resins, timber, oil, and other minerals. Ecuador, with its 2% share of the Amazon (known as the Oriente), provides unparalleled opportunities for experiencing the magic of the rainforest. Not only does it have one of the world's best developed infrastructures for rainforest tourism, but most destinations are accessible within a day's journey from Quito
A trip to the Ecuadorian Rain forest is a unique experience. Its geographical location near the Andes makes it different in climate and vegetation than other areas of rainforests in the Amazon. This part of the Amazon basin is known as tropical humid forest, one of the most biological diverse regions in the world with a high number of endemic species in flora and fauna.
ATC offers rain forest excursions to four different regions in Ecuador, which can be easily divided in two different areas, the upper Amazon basin and the Lower Amazon basin:
Upper Amazon Basin:
- Tena Area
Lower Amazon Basin:
- Cuyabeno Area
- Coca Area
- Lower Pastaza Area
A great area for people with limited time to travel, having never experienced a trip into the Amazon.
Tena, known as the port to the jungle, is a small city situated in the Napo province. Lodges within the Tena area form part of the upper Amazon basin; the jungle near the eastern cordillera of the Andes, at an altitude of approximately 400-600 m. above sea level. Many white water rivers come down the eastern slopes of the Andes, forming major streams in this area, such as the Napo River, one of the tributaries of the Amazon. Quichua indigenous people, who speak a dialect of the original Inca language 'Quechua', inhabit the surrounding region. The beautiful rain forests offer an interesting flora, insect life and indigenous culture, but it will be difficult to see real wildlife. This area is reached by public bus or private car in 5-6 hours from Quito. During this trip you will cross a 4065 m. high pass and a great variety of landscapes and eco-systems before arriving in Tena and the surrounding jungle.
One of the best areas to visit the Amazon; an enormous diversity in landscapes, small rivers and lakes with excellent bird watching opportunities as well as abundant wildlife. There is the choice between basic cabins for the more adventurous or a more comfortable lodge for your stay.
Cuyabeno is a National Wildlife Reserve, located in the northeastern part of Ecuador, in the province of Sucumbios. The reserve protects more than 600.000 hectares of mostly intact flooded forests. It is part of a Pleistocene Refuge, one of several areas of Amazon rainforest that survived the last Ice Age, making Cuyabeno one of the 'hot spots' of biodiversity on earth. Various lake systems are found within the reserve, hiding an interesting flora of 'Igapo' forests with its special 'Macrolobium' trees, as well as an amazing fauna, with species such as fresh water dolphins, various caimans, Amazon manatees and giant catfish. Small tribes of indigenous people, mainly Cofanes, Sionas and Secoyas, inhabit the area. Cuyabeno is a special place; its diverse jungle offers good wildlife seeing opportunities and excellent birding in an area, which is among the most beautiful of the whole Amazon. The Cuyabeno Reserve entrance is reached by private transport from Lago Agrio in 2-3 hours. A flight from Quito will take you in 30 minutes to the oil town of Lago Agrio, capital of Sucumbios.
A great area for a jungle experience. From rather simple places to stay to excellent lodges, for those with a profound interest for the Amazon. Diverse areas, lots of birding and wildlife observing possibilities.
Coca is a small oil town situated in the Orellana province along the Napo River. From this city depart various trips deeper into the jungle. Southeast of Coca we find the Huaorani Reserve, where the Bataburo Lodge is situated. The Huaoranis are one of the most primitive ethnic groups of the Ecuadorian Amazon, who still maintain part of their ancestral lifestyle. The surrounding area offers terra firma forests and great wildlife. Further off stream the Napo we find different lodges, some of excellent quality. Most of them border the Yasuni National Park, a protected area known for its enormous biodiversity. The forests in this area are in majority terra firma, with some varzea-flooded forests often surrounded by lakes. Great jungle hikes are available as well as abundant birding opportunities, including a couple of parrot salt licks. Wildlife can be spotted. Quichua speaking indigenous people sparsely inhabits the area. Besides staying in a lodge, it's also possible to stay on a boat, sleeping in a comfortable cabin and making daily excursions in the forests along the Napo River. Coca is best reached by plane, within a 30 minutes flight from Quito.
In this area we find currently one lodge, Kapawi. Located near the Peruvian border, close to the Pastaza River, Kapawi is one of the best eco lodges found in the Amazon. Achuar indigenous built the lodge, using traditional techniques combined with low-impact technologies. The Achuar people make up a majority of Kapawi's staff, receive a monthly rent from the lodge and will inherit the business outright of Kapawi by 2011. The surrounding area offers great jungle of lush terra firma forests, flooded forests and various lakes. Excellent birding and good wildlife observing opportunities. The lodge is reached within 3 hours from Quito; two flights with small aircrafts, followed by a 1-hour canoe trip take you to lodge.