Tena

The Amazon is diverse. It is known around the world for its biodiversity in flora and fauna. It also has many people that live there whose different ethnic groups are made up of a variety of indigenous nationalities. The beauty and natural treasures of this jungle are a real testimony to its health.

Your journey will begin with one hour of traveling from Tena to the “Jatun Yuca” (Napo River), where you will participate in a demonstration about the importance of the conservation of the jungle’s environment. You will travel to the interior of the jungle where you will build your knowledge about its biodiversity, as well as the customs and traditions of the Kichwa. You can choose to lodge in our attractive traditional cabañas, or stay with a native family.

DAY 1:
Leave from the city of Tena towards the jungle. This will last about 35 minutes during which the guide will give explanations and share information about living in the jungle. As will be explained, we will head towards the Serena Community, crossing over a bridge that traverses the large Jatun Yacu, which in our Kichwa language means “Río Grande.” Once we arrive to the community, we will leave about 25 minutes later in the direction of the cabins, which are located where the two rivers, the Iluculin and the Río Napo, unite. Visitors will receive a warm welcome from the family. Once we get to the cabins, each traveler will find their respective rooms. Before starting any activity, we will go towards the Iluculin River to cool off in its rich and beautiful water. While we have fun, the guide will give us a small talk about the community and what’s around.

Lunch – 12:30 PM

After eating lunch, we will have about an hour to rest. Then we will start with an activity around the cabins that should last about 2 hours, during which the guide will give many explanations about medicinal plants, animals, and ancestral methods. We will return at about 4:00 or 5:00 in the afternoon.

Dinner – 7: 30 PM

DAY 2:
Breakfast – 8:30 AM

The trek begins at 10:00 AM

There are two different tours on this day. If the travelers want to take a distinct route, they can speak with the guide and organize it. Otherwise, this day will be reserved for visiting waterfalls and taking walks through the jungle.

On this day, we will move to the Cando sector in the Amaromgachi community. Through this route, we can observe a variety of diverse ornamental plants. We will continue our way down the path to the magnificent waterfalls known as “Pinpilala” and the “Face of the Devil.” We will also visit a natural lagoon surrounded by huge rocks and the jungle, which covers everything. Visitors will have a beautiful day to enjoy themselves.

We will return by 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon. Lunch will be a little behind schedule, but we will always have food available for everyone.

Dinner – 8:30 PM

DAY 3:
Breakfast – 8:30 AM

The jungle consists of many mountain ranges where you can see all of nature including the animals that live there. In this section, the jungle is flat and practically untouched. There are parts in which people from the community have worked to cultivate the land, but that’s not to say it’s not beautiful and big enough to explore more and have fun.

The trek begins at 10:00 AM

This trek is wonderful to walk through in the jungle. Here we can observe a large variety of life. The trek will take us approximately 2-3 hours to arrive to the Pibi sector. We will take a little path by the side of the Iluculin River. Along the way, there is a great space for camping and at night we can organize a bonfire. If one of the travelers wishes to experiment with a cleansing, he can do so with leaves from the jungle which are said to bring good moments in his life for the future. The shaman will delight with his rhythmic hymns and ritual performances, for one of which he will use a hallucinogenic plant called “ayahuasca” which makes people see their hidden visions while good spirits surround them throughout the ceremony.

DAY 4:
On this day, we return to the cabins to then visit a museum. Methods and tactics of the jungle will be demonstrated and traditional weapons that our ancestors used long ago can be seen, too.

The museum has a bar with a view of 2 rivers and it’s just beautiful. If someone wishes to have a beer, go for it and enjoy yourself! After lunch, we will return to the city of Tena, at which point our tour will come to an end.

**If a traveler would like to stay longer, continue on other routes by canoe, or only see biological reserves, this can be arranged before the excursion begins.

We can organize 3 days in the jungle in the high part of the Río Napo and the last day we can come down by canoe to the low part of the river to visit the museum, an animal sanctuary, and other beautiful places nearby.

And if visitors only want to see the low part of the Río Napo, of course we can stay 4 days and 3 nights, but here there is only private housing and less activity because this sector has already been colonized. Nevertheless, to visit places like the museum and zoo, it’s great. These treks can be made by canoe with motors that will take us to a number of diverse places. To do this, we just need to be well informed and organized before leaving.