A guide to Napo’s Amazonian gastronomy
15/11/2023
An immersive experience in the indigenous cultures of Yacuma
15/01/2024Exploring the Amazon forest with children What is the best tour to explore the Amazon as a family?
Songbirds, bright colors, lots of questions about the world around them, the best family trip at Yacuma Ecolodge
It is always a good time to start planning family vacations, put together itineraries, choose new and unique destinations, of course there is nothing better than enjoying time as a family, we want to tell you about a magical place to explore the world with the help of those you love The Amazon is rich and diverse, it is actually home to 25% of the world’s species. There is so much to see and explore! that a vacation will never be enough for you, but satisfied, of course, you will be with the infinite number of experiences that you and your family are going to live.
Now we want to talk to you about Yacuma, a lodge immersed in the depths of the forest where birds wake up residents and visitors with a friendly and natural symphony; The lodge is made up of 17 bungalows that receive their energy from solar panels and protect people after dark. There is color everywhere!, in the flowers that decorate the paths, in the butterflies that feed on the salt on the pier, in the delicious local food and in the reflection of the birds in the calm waters of the Chontayacu River. It is a place in harmony from every angle you see it.
If you are looking for an ideal itinerary to enjoy the Amazon, we have one that might interest you.
Day 1:
From Quito, you will travel as a family through the Andes Mountains until you enter the Ecuadorian Amazon to reach the Santa Rosa community. From there, an exciting boat trip across the Tena River awaits you so you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the tropical forest while They go to the cozy lodge where their administrator and the staff will be ready to receive you, talk about some informative details of the stay.
Our staff is warm and cheerful, they will tell you stories about the region while you and your family try the traditional drink “Guayusa” which is quite popular in the indigenous communities of the sector for having healing and energizing properties.
After this introduction you will be assigned to your bungalows, which are truly comfortable and quiet. Each bungalow was built with natural materials that do not affect nature. Once you are settled in, you can relax for a moment or explore the surroundings of the lodge.
After a delicious lunch, prepared with local products, we will visit the “Hidden Lagoon” of Yacuma, one of the most beautiful settings in the Reserve. Upon arrival, our staff will help you navigate over water lilies and bright green algae. When the days are sunny, the reflection of the sky in the water is truly beautiful and peaceful, birds will cross from one end of the lagoon to the trees at the other end while the sounds of nature will set the mood for your canoe ride.
Birds abound in this area, especially hoatzines, one of the most enigmatic species on the planet, however they are not the only birds here, you will see orioles, tanagers, black-faced dacnis and many more.
Back at the hotel, you will enjoy a delicious dinner composed of fresh and local ingredients in the dim light of our dining room; Right now they can share their best experiences in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle.
To end your first day, our expert guide Rolando will take you on an exciting night walk to observe the fascinating creatures that take over the jungle at night such as luminescent insects and many amphibians.
Day 2:
After a peaceful night in the bungalows you will wake up listening to the birds singing, which is always peaceful and happy; Start your day with a delicious breakfast, usually consisting of milk, tea or coffee, fresh fruit and green banana. With enough energy, prepare for a day full of exciting adventures.
When everyone is ready and with their exploring boots on, they will join a walk through the fascinating jungle, they will explore the diversity of flora that grows in the region and Rolando will help them distinguish the medicinal plants of the Amazon. During the tour you will surely come across the striking bromeliad flower, one of the icons of Yacuma Ecolodge.
Then we will visit the Napo River, so that all family members can immerse themselves in its calm waters and relax in the flow of the river surrounded by lush vegetation or greet the people who live in communities near the shore.
However, this is not the only activity they will practice in the water, tubbing is one of our guests’ favorite activities. Floating from the shore, a black buoy leads them following the current of the Napo River, and something we really like are the sunsets that usually accompany this activity; When you arrive at the shore, Rolando will wait for you to show you the traditional panning for gold, a technique that the communities performed to trade with other cultures in the country.
Day 3:
This day is full of dynamism and interaction with the indigenous communities that inhabit the Ecuadorian Amazon; We will begin by taking you on a warm visit to the Ecuadorian Amazon to meet a family from the Kichwa Indigenous Community of Chontayacu and observe the crafts they make in ceramics and transitional accessories with beads such as earrings and necklaces, you will learn about their symbolism, and the reason for the colors that paint each piece and enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters of the Chontayacu River.
In the afternoon we will take you and your family to explore and learn more about making organic chocolate from scratch. It will be an immersive experience, you will go to the cocoa fields to harvest the fruit, and you will see the drying and grinding processes until you obtain the delicious final result.
And as the sun sets they will embark on an optional adventure, piranha fishing; In a calm boat in the middle of the River with your fishing rod you will have the opportunity to catch your dinner that the lodge’s cooks prepare when you arrive in Yacuma.
To end this day we will all gather around a warm bonfire to tell about our experiences in the Amazon forest, and share fascinating stories in the middle of a beautiful nighttime atmosphere.
Day 4:
On the last day of your trip to the Amazon forest of Ecuador and if the weather permits, you should wake up very early to visit the salt mine and admire the colors of the birds that are in our private reserve. We suggest observing the birds with stealth and a lot of silence to Don’t bother our friends. Back at the lodge you can organize your luggage and we will wait for you eagerly for the next adventure.
