Area of Operations

Ríos Ecuador runs its operations in the beautiful Napo province. The name "Napo" comes from one of the longest river of Ecuador, stretching more than 870 miles from beginning to end. Melted snow and ice from the glaciated peaks of the Andean volcanoes Quilindaña, Antisana, and Cotopaxi supply the water that fills the Napo. As a major affluent of the mighty Amazon river, the same waters that flow though the Napo, rage through the Amazon and eventually make their way into the Atlantic Ocean.

A world of adventure awaits you in the Napo province. In addition to impressive whitewater, the Napo boasts thousands of exotic plant and animal species; the Napo region is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the Amazon basin, harboring at least ten percent of the world's plant species and fifteen percent of its bird species. Colorful birds and butterflies contrast the nearly impenetrable green of the tropical forest where majestic animals like the infamous jaguar lurk.

Temperature average: 25 Celsius Degrees
Height:  518 meters above sea level
Distance from Quito: 4-5 hours.

Choose from among the following itineraries:

ethnic groups & forest (economy)

ethnic groups & forest (first class)

rainforest only

OPTION 1
Ethnic Groups and Forest
(economy class; programs from 2 to 3 days)

Learn about the Quichua Culture - its fantastic mixture of mythology, shamanism, and focus on survival  - while you explore the Napo's exotic landscape. If you want to experience the world of the native amazonian peoples, this is without a doubt the best option.

Day 1
Arrive in the jungle city of Tena, the doorway to the Ecuadorian Amazon, and continue on to a small village of jungle cabins where you are ceremoniously welcomed by your Quichua guide Delfin and his family. Relax and prepare to explore the jungle the following day.

Day 2
At dawn, experience the absolute harmony of the Amazon jungle; learn about the areas trees, medicinal plants, and wildlife. In the evening, pan gold out of the river as people have done for centuries.

Day 3
No trip to the mysterious Amazon jungle is complete without a touch of mythology.  Begin the day by interpreting your previous night's dreams.  Later, go into the forest with Delfin so that he may share with you several Quichua legends amidst the setting that gave them birth. Swim beneath waterfalls and, according to native mythology, absorb the energy and power of the waters. In the afternoon, lounge in one of the camps many hammocks strung in the peaceful jungle eviron. In the evening, hike to a spot that offers a splendid view of the Napo river. During your last night in the jungle, enjoy the instrumental music and dance of a traditional Quichua goodbye ceremony.

2 to 3 days Ethnic groups and forest (Economy class)
Season	All Year
Price	US$ 37 per person per day
Includes	Lodging, 3 meals per day and much entertainment.

OPTION 2
Ethnic groups, Forest, and Rafting
(first class; programs from 3 to 5 days)

3 days/2 nights

4 days/3 nights

general info/meals

The perfect package for those looking for the "jungle" experience with the comforts of home. Take long day and night walks in the forest, experience the surrounding indigenous communities (Quichuas), pan for gold, take canoe trips, enjoy delicious national and international cuisine, and learn a little ornithology and botany.  Moreover, do all this from the comfort of cozy, eco-cabins.

FOREST TOUR A
(3 days/2 nights)

Day 1: Arrival at lodge at 1 p.m. or earlier by taxi (included) from Archidona.
Lunch in our famous Restaurant Pangaea.
After lunch you can choose between two options for your jungle excursion:

Option 1:
HORSEBACK RIDING WITH GUIDE(S)
This unforgettable excursion is suited for both beginner and experienced riders. Accompanied by our professional guide and on well trained horses you'll take a very varied ride of about three hours.

The trip goes through rivers and streams, along sloping hills and amongst rich flora. During the ride you can enjoy wonderful views. This entire excursion takes place on the private property of Hacienda Hakuna Matata.

Option 2:
HIKE WITH GUIDE(S)
An experience in itself is the guided (bilingual naturalist guide) walk from some three hours. The medicinal properties of plants and trees, insects and age-old customs are explained by our professional guide. Walking through private jungle, secondary forest and fields, step by step you’ll get closer to that unique wisdom that distinguishes the indigenous people of the area from the non-natives.
Dinner in Restaurant Pangaea.
Overnight stay in a cabaña for 2 persons with private bathroom and hot shower.

Day 2: INTRODUCTION TO THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON JUNGLE.
Early in the morning -after breakfast- you’ll leave the lodge for a two hour drive. In a small native village on the banks of the Río Arajuno, you’ll board a ‘canoa a motor’ and navigate the Arajuno, Napo and other rivers.

Unlike the traditional tours that are organized in this area we designed an extra value alternative! During this Amazon excursion a whole range of activities are offered. Depending on weather conditions, number of participants and specific interests of the group, your guide will put together the route.

Rich flora, in primary and secondary forest, and fauna, in the form of birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles, will be introduced by our professional guide(s) during walks and canoe trips. Explanations of the use of medicinal plants, trees and herbs by the native people will be given. Tubing on one of the quiet rivers through primary forest is a spectacular experience. Lunch will be served on the trip.
Return to the hacienda at about 6 p.m.
Dinner in Restaurant Pangaea.
Overnight stay in cabaña for 2 persons with private bathroom and hot shower.

Day 3: RAFTING CLASS III - III+
Early morning breakfast in Restaurant Pangaea. Afterwards, a 25 minute drive to Tena and then into the jungle takes us to the start of our rafting adventure on the Upper Napo river also known as the Jatuyacu river, which means “Big Water” in Quichua. BIG is probably the best word to describe this river: big waves and tons of fun! This jungle river shows no signs of contamination as it flows from the Llanganates National Park – an extremely rugged and uninhabited mountain range believed by some to be the hiding place of Inca gold.

On arrival at the river we’ll receive a brief explanation about the trip and important safety measures that must be considered. Then we’ll be ready to start our adventure. An amazing journey for beginner and expert rafters awaits; a perfect combination of exciting rapids and calm natural pools, not to mention the wonderful surrounding jungle scenery. The Napo river, being one of the principal tributaries of the great Amazon River, is an adventure that´s a must when visiting our lodge! No rafting experience is necessary to enjoy this ride.

At noon, we’ll have a freshly prepared picnic lunch on the river bank, and then continue our tour. Before dusk, we’ll drive back in Tena after a day of great adventure filled with adrenaline and excitement. At 5pm you will depart for Quito.

Notes: Private or public transportion from Quito to Tena can be arranged for an extra cost. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help setting up transportation.

FOREST TOUR B
(4 days/3 nights)

Day 1: Arrival at the lodge at 1 p.m. or earlier by taxi (included) from Archidona.
Lunch in our famous Restaurant Pangaea.
After lunch you can choose between two options for your jungle excursion:

Option 1:
HORSEBACK RIDING WITH GUIDE(S)
This unforgettable excursion is suited for both beginner and experienced riders. Accompanied by our professional guide and on well trained horses you'll take a very varied ride of about three hours.
The trip goes through rivers and streams, along sloping hills and amongst rich flora. During the ride you can enjoy wonderful views. This entire excursion takes place on the private property of Hacienda Hakuna Matata.

Option 2:
HIKE WITH GUIDE(S)
An experience in itself is the guided (bilingual naturalist guide) walk from some three hours. The medicinal properties of plants and trees, insects and age-old customs are explained by our professional guide. Walking through private jungle, secondary forest and fields, step by step you’ll get closer to that unique wisdom that distinguishes the indigenous people of the area from the non-natives.
Dinner in Restaurant Pangaea.
Overnight stay in cabaña for 2 persons with private bathroom and hot shower.

Day 2: INTRODUCTION TO THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON JUNGLE.
Early in the morning -after breakfast- you’ll leave the lodge for a two hour drive. In a small native village on the banks of the Río Arajuno, you’ll board a ‘canoa a motor’ and navigate the Arajuno, Napo and other rivers.

Unlike the traditional tours that are organized in this area we designed an extra value alternative! During this Amazon excursion a whole range of activities are offered. Depending on weather conditions, number of participants and specific interests of the group, your guide will put together the route.

Rich flora, in primary and secondary forest, and fauna, in the form of birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles, will be introduced by our professional guide(s) during walks and canoe trips. Explanations of the use of medicinal plants, trees and herbs by the native people will be given. Tubing on one of the quiet rivers through primary forest is a spectacular experience. Lunch will be served on the trip.
Return to the hacienda at about 6 p.m.
Dinner in Restaurant Pangaea.
Overnight stay in cabaña for 2 persons with private bathroom and hot shower.

Day 3: RAFTING CLASS III - III+
Early morning breakfast in Restaurant Pangaea. Afterwards, a 25 minute drive to Tena and then into the jungle takes us to the start of our rafting adventure on the Upper Napo river also known as the Jatuyacu river, which means “Big Water” in Quichua. BIG is probably the best word to describe this river: big waves and tons of fun! This jungle river shows no signs of contamination as it flows from the Llanganates National Park – an extremely rugged and uninhabited mountain range believed by some to be the hiding place of Inca gold.

On arrival at the river we’ll receive a brief explanation about the trip and important safety measures that must be considered. Then we’ll be ready to start our adventure. An amazing journey for beginner and expert rafters awaits; a perfect combination of exciting rapids and calm natural pools, not to mention the wonderful surrounding jungle scenery. The Napo river, being one of the principal tributaries of the great Amazon River, is an adventure that´s a must when visiting our lodge! No rafting experience is necessary to enjoy this ride.

At noon, we’ll have a freshly prepared picnic lunch on the river bank, and then continue our tour. Before dusk, we’ll drive back in Tena after a day of great adventure filled with adrenaline and excitement.
Return to Hakuna Matata Lodge. Dinner in Restaurant Pangaea.
Overnight stay in cabaña for 2 persons with private bathroom and hot shower.

Day 4: BEACH AND RIVER
After breakfast you can visit the Pre-Columbian rock carvings (petroglyphs) and natural pools that are located only a few steps away from your cabaña! There are also marked trails with different levels of difficulty where you can do a short hike or just relax on the white sandy beach which invites sun worshippers and enjoy the crystal clear water of the Rio Inchillaqui.
Lunch in Restaurant Pangaea. After lunch, transfer to Archidona to take return transport to Quito.

Notes: Private or public transportion from Quito to Tena can be arranged for an extra cost. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help setting up transportation.

GENERAL INFORMATION
(about option 2)

Deep in the Amazon rainforest of the Napo Province, surrounded by breathtaking primary forest, rest the cabins. The cabins are large and comfortable, and each has a terrace and hot water. Moreover, the structures are ecologically sound, constructed only of materials typical of the region. In addition to the cosy accommodations, the lodge offers a restaurant that makes excellent national and international cuisine, as well as a small bar and lounge area where you may relax and enjoy your surroundings.

MEALS*

Breakfast
Our buffet style breakfast includes fruit, cheeses, ham, homemade jams, eggs, honey, yucca, patacones, and, of course coffee, tea and milk.  Also, we make our own bread fresh every day.

Lunch
By lunchtime we are almost always away from the cabins, therefore, lunch usually consists of sandwiches, chicken, cheese, fruits, juice, chocolates, and salads that we pack and bring with us on the trail.

Dinner
Supper, a delicious main course followed by dessert, coffee, tea or aromatic waters, is the most extensive meal of the day, and is always enjoyed by candlelight.

*Please notify us of special dietary restrictions.

JUNGLE ONLY
(programs from 1 to 4 days)

We offer the "Jungle Only" package for those seeking pure adventure. Each day begins with a beautiful view of the volcanos Sangay, Altar, and Sumaco becuase the cabins' operation center is located in a cliff to 100m on the Anzu river.  Trekking in primary forest, tubing and canoeing in the river, and much more. The "Jungle Only" is an extremely flexible, capable of being customized to suit the tastes of every individual.

Select from the following itineraries the activities you would like to participate in:

Day 1
Travel fromTena for the expedition center and cabins located in the Cando community and surrounded by the homes of local Quichua families. Upon arrival, and after greeting our neighbors, we unpack and take a long walk (approximately 4 Km) to familiarize ourselves with the area. The walk includes a refreshing dip in the Napo river. After exploring and relaxing in the river, we canoe back to the cabins for lunch. Following lunch we head back into the forest to learn about the area's trees, medicinal plants, and wildlife. In the evening, after dinner, you may visit the Quichuas that live in the surrounding community. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about their culture first-hand.

Day 2
After a buffet style breakfast, we embark on a 3 to 4 our walk in the rainforest. The focus of our walk is jungle survival; everyone has a chance to try their hand at a few jungle survival techniques. At the conclusion of our morning hike, we have lunch at the cabins and canoe to the high part of the river from where we continue on foot to a sector known as "Amorangachi." We conclude the day with a wonderful candlelit dinner.

Day 3
After breakfast we set off on yet another new adventure. First we ascend a small mountain, a trip that takes us past 5 waterfalls.  On the return journey, we cool off in the pools beneath the waterfalls.  In the evening, we test our luck at gold panning under the direction of native guides before heading off to watch the sunset from a 100m cliff overlooking the Anzu river.

Day 4
At dawn, from the comfort of the cabins nested high on the cliff, we marvel at the majesty of volcanos Great Sumaco, Altar, and Sangay. After having breakfast we canoe through the jungle in search of the many butterflies, birds and insects that make it their home. In the evening, we swim in the river and soak up the tranquility of our surroundings before dining for the last time on the exquisite cuisine prepared in camp by our highly skilled cooks.

Jungle Only tour (from 1 to 6 days)
Season	All Year
Price	US$ 40 per person per day
Includes	Lodging, 3 meals, transportation from Tena to the cabins and return, guided walks in the rainforest and much entertainment

general  info | rafting | kayaking | about us | jungle lodge | reservations | photo album