Since 1993 the best option to visit Ecuador and Galapagos
In the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin,
known as the Oriente, much is
still as it always has been. A
tropical rainforest of towering
trees, diverse flora and inhabited
by the birds, animals, insects,
reptiles and fish, much as it
always has been. Sharing this
forest are the indigenous
ofEcuador's’ nine Amazon tribal
groups many of whom still live a
traditional lifestyle and some of
whom
have avoided completely contact with our culture.
The rainforest of the Amazon jungle is home to many Indian tribes from history like
the Jivaro (the head hunters) and the Aucas (who were first contacted in 1956).
These people still maintain much of their culture and traditional lifestyle.
The historical names, often coined as insults by outsiders, have now been replaced
in favor of the correct tribal names, the Shuar and the Huaorani .
The intrepid adventurer traveling with Safari can explore these rainforests by
dugout canoe , along the rivers of the upper Amazon, while our guides explain the
ways of the jungle. These rivers are home to a variety of wildlife including piranha,
caymen, electric eel, pink dolphins and giant peiche, a variety of monkeys, river
otters, jaguars and other mammal species.
Toucans, parrots, macaws and the hundreds of other species of birds make the
Amazon jungle one of the best birding spots in the world. Safari offers weekly
camping expeditions to meet the Indigenous and to see the rainforest they call
there home.
In the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin, know as the Oriente, much is still as it always has
been. A tropical rainforest of towering trees, diverse flora and inhabited by the
birds, animals, insects, reptiles and fish, much as it always has been. Sharing this
forest are the indigenous of Ecuador's’ nine Amazon tribal groups, many of whom
still live a traditional lifestyle and some of whom have avoided completely contact
with our culture.
Access to the Jungle is down one of the three roads from the Andes. In the north
from Quito, the best and most reliable, to the south there is a road from Baños to
Puyo, the largest town in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and in the south there is access
from Cuenca to Macas.
The forest along the roads has been
opened for settlement, and so for at
least 10 kilometers either side of the
roads there are coffee, cacao and
banana plantations and pastures for
cattle.
Larger areas around the towns are
also settled by colonists, making a
home for themselves in the jungle.
There are airfields at Lago Agrio, Coca
and Macas, all with scheduled flights
from Quito. These services are notoriously unreliable, and the weather can also stop
flights. Many villages in the forest have landing strips cut out of the forest, and air
charters are arranged from Shell in light aircraft.
Once away from the roads inside the rainforest the rivers are used for travel, and so
most settlements are along the banks of the rivers where dugout canoes can be used for
transport. Hiking through the rainforest is tough and muddy, a challenge for the
adventurer, although from November to April there are some fantastic hikes from Andes
to Amazon, passing down ancient trade routes, through cloud forest and remote villages.
The Amazon rainforest, contrary to its image can be a very comfortable and healthy place
to visit. To avoid health problems the three most important things are to try to avoid being
bitten by insects, and be careful with personal hygiene, and to drink only boiled water.
It is usually not necessary to take prophylactics
for malaria, cholera etc. These many tropical
diseases exist only at a background level, and
the temporary visitor is very unlikely to be
exposed to them. The only time it is certainly
worth taking prophylactics is if there is
something epidemic in the area to be visited,
or if you plan to stay in the jungle for more
than a few days.
The malaria that we have in the Amazon basin
is cloroquil resistant, and so the weekly tablet,
Larium, is the best choice normally, if you run
the risk of being exposed to malaria by living
with a family, or if it becomes epidemic. Yellow
fever injections are worth while, as is an anti-
tetanus booster. Injections against hepatitis
should be up to date.
The precautions that you can take to avoid insect bits include the use of personal insect
repellent, long sleeve shirts and slacks, never leave the door to your room or tents open,
even during the day, not turning on an indoor light while the door or tent flap is opened
at night. Be cautious about laying on the beaches, as sandflies may be a problem.
Don't pet the animals or birds that many people have living around their homes. In
pasture or grass areas be cautious about the possibility of chiggers. Rubber boots provide
protection for your legs against both chiggers and sandflies, another strong reason for
using them in the jungle.
Rainfall averages about 350 millimeters per month throughout the year, although the
second half of the year tends to be slightly less than during the first half, there can be
enormous daily variations. The rainfall is usually limited to short periods of heavy rain,
although it can rain all day. September is usually the driest month and March the
wettest.
Temperature remains very steady
through the year, and only varies with
altitude. In Puyo at 600 meters it is
usually around 20C and at
Limoncocha at 200 meters the
average temperature is 24.5C.
The coolest month is usually July and
the hottest November, but the range
is little over 1C.
There are two distinct classes of trip.
There are those that visit the more
populated areas with vehicle access to
the destination, or very close to it. Many
of these tours are near the towns of
Misahualli, Tena and Puyo. While you are
going to see the birds and butterflies, and
experience the rainforest, there is little
chance of seeing animals in the wild,
because of the pressure of population. The emphasis on many of these expeditions is more
recreational.
The other class of trip use canoes as their principal form of transport, and go deep into the
forest, increasing the chance of seeing animals. These trips are usually run out of Coca,
Largo Agrio and also out of Macas. You can also fly into the jungle by light aircraft. from
Shell, near Puyo. Often these trips will be more informative. Different types of trips in
different areas can be combined to create a more complete jungle experience.
For the visitor there are different ways to explore the rainforest:
1. There are jungle lodges, usually expensive, deep in the forest where visitors can
experience the forest and have their best chance of seeing monkeys and other
mammals.
2.There are canoe expeditions, combined with camping or basic accommodation,
usually these include something of the culture of the area often with a community or
family visit.
3.There are both indigenous families and communities who welcome visitors and are
as interested in your culture as you are in theirs.
Av. Del Establo 118 - Site Center
Valle de Cumbaya
Ecuador: (593) 2 3670120
France 09.75.18.03.40
e-mail: admin@safari.com.ec
Quito-Ecuador
Av. Del Establo 118 - Site Center Valle de Cumbaya
Ecuador: (593) 2 3670120
France 09.75.18.03.40
e-mail: admin@safari.com.ec
Quito-Ecuador
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What the
people
say about us
“We just came back for
a 21 days traveling
around Ecuador and
Galapagos. We use safari
tours by
recommendation of a
friend. They were very
professional and help us
with a lot of particular
things. Hugo our guide
for the land travel shows
us many things that were
not even included in our
itinerary. The cruise on
board the Archipell yacht
was unforgettable. Safari
organizes everything for
us, all the transfers and
hotels. We really can
recommend Safari tours
Ecuador. ”
Michel and
Francoise, France
“ The best
travel in
my life”
Anna
Kraft.
U.K.