Kapawi
Ecological Reserve
| About Kapawi | About the Lodge | About
the Achuar Indians |
Trip Tips | Location Map | Trail Map |
| Travel & Leisure |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
ECUADORIAN
RAINFOREST Kapawi
|
ABOUT KAPAWI:
Located 100 miles east of the Andes in a remote part of the Ecuadorian Amazon, Kapawi is a joint project between OINAE (Organization of Ecuadorian Achuar Nationalities) and CANODROS, a tour operator in Ecuador, with the common goal of developing the Kapawi reserve with a minimum of cultural and environmental disturbances. It is a ground-breaking example of how tourism enterprise works with an indigenous group by sharing benefits and respecting the land and traditions of the people. The project was begun in 1993, the lodge opened in 1996 and the entire installation will revert back to the Achuars in 2011.
Kapawi has earned the "Ecotourism Exellence Award" by Conservation International. Kapawi has been included in Jan/Feb 2001 National Geographic's ADVENTURE magazine's "Compass: Need To Know" column under "Guilt-Free Globe-Trotting and in Jan/Feb 2001 National Geographic TRAVELER magazine "Travelwatch" column's "Best Practices" under the title A Milestone Ecolodge.
GETTING THERE:
Because of its very remote location, getting to Kapawi is definitely a part of the overall experience.
As of 2005, the following is in effect:
| Quito to Kapawi: Morning 45 minute flight on an MK Fokker 80-passenger plane to Coca where you switch to a small place, such as the twin otter 19-passenger prop, for 45 minute flight to the Kapawi airstrip. A short walk brings you to the river and your motorized canoe for 15 minute trasnfer to the lodge. |
Kapawi to Quito: Begin with the 15 minute motorized canoe transfer to the community where a short walk takes you to the airstrip for 45 minute small plane flight to Coca, where you take the MK Fokker 45 minute fight to Quito. |
Because of the use of small aircraft, it is imperative to limit your luggage to only the essentials. Plan to leave suitcases in Quito and bring only a duffel-style bag and a day-pack. Check Rainforest Basics and Kapawi Trip Tips to make sure you are properly prepared.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Also because of its remote location and total dependence on air service to get to and from the Lodge, it is highly recommended that you budget an extra day after your stay just in case weather prevents departure from Kapawi as scheduled.
WHAT TO DO THERE:
| RAINFOREST: Kapawi offers a variety of excursions and forays into the rainforest, tailored to fit the desires of its guests. They range from 1 hour to full day excursions and from easy to challenging. They explore "terra firma" (forest which is never flooded), "upland terra firma" (old growth forest with thick canopy), lowland swamps, and river and lake shorelines. All of the rivers and lakes in the area can
be navigated in small dug out canoes, inflatable rafts or motorized canoes. Rivers include
the Capahuari, Kusutkau, Ishpingo, Lobo and Pastaza; lakes include Huitococha, Lalococha,
Ahuanococha, Lobococha, Kapawi, Patococha and Pitzacocha. |
|
Peoples of
the Rainforest: |
 |
HOW TO INCLUDE KAPAWI ECOLOGICAL RESERVE IN YOUR ECUADORIAN VISIT:
IMPORTANT: Remember to leave a free day after the end of your visit to Kapawi just in case your departure is delayed due to weather.
There are two packages available:
- 4-days/3-nights Friday to Monday
- 5-days/4-nights Monday to Friday
