Ecuador Jungle Journeys

The Oriente offers the outdoorsy traveler—the contemplative Henry Thoreau-type or the extreme X-Games-type—everything that he desires. Want to go kayaking? Head to Tena for world-class class IV+ rapids (and anything below), where internationally renowned kayakers have been heading for only the past few years. How about some volcano-scaling or jungle-trekking? Make the jaunts up to the Antisana Ecological Reserve or down to Parque Nacional Sangay. Most traditional indigenous culture resides within the Oriente as well. Head to Quichua, Shuar, Siecoya, Huoarani, and many other communities spread throughout the Oriente. Many communities have ecotourist lodges set up to handle large business retreats, and others offer rooming and activities for solo travelers. Most of these communities are only a few kilometers from major Oriente cities such as Tena, Puyo, and Macas. Others are much deeper into the forest, such as the Achuar of Yasuní Nacional Park. Watch shaman demonstrations, go on jungle treks to find medicinal herbs, swing like Tarzan from long, green vines, or howl like a monkey from the top of the rainforest canopy. The best incentive yet—your having fun and learning about the jungle translates to a sustainable life for indigenous communities of the Oriente. Be an ecotourist and enable the continuation of a slowly vanishing but ancient culture.

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