Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND TOURS
Cajanuma ranger station between Loja and Vilcabamba is
the most popular and accessible entrance to the park
(entrance fee $2).
By Bus Buses from Vilcabamba drop you on the main road
9km from the entrance (tell the driver you are going to
Podocarpus).
By taxi A taxi from Vilcabamba is approximately $15.
Tours There are hikes ranging from one hour to several
days. If you are planning to stay longer, you are better off
arranging a tour in Vilcabamba.
The Oriente
East of Quito, the Andes drop
dramatically and snowcapped mountains
give way to verdant swathes of tropical
rainforest stretching 250km to the
Colombian and Peruvian borders.
Ecuador's chunk of the Amazon basin,
known as the Oriente (“The East”),
constitutes almost half of the country's
6
JUNGLE TOURS
If you dream of striking out on your own and hacking through dense jungle like a modern-day
explorer, dream on. Unguided travel is strongly discouraged by the government and not
advisable, considering how inhospitable and inaccessible parts of the Oriente remain. Guided
tours are the best option and are relatively cheap, costing $30-50 per person per day. Prices
rise if you stay in a luxurious lodge or air-conditioned river cruiser, but bear in mind that some
discomfort is part of the jungle experience. Always check that your guide has a permit from
the Ministry of Tourism. Generally the larger the number of people in your group, the lower
the price. Solo travellers usually have to share a cabin or pay a higher rate for a separate room.
Tours range from two to eight days and can often be booked at the last minute. For tours
around Puyo and Tena, a couple of days will give you an insight into life in the Oriente, but if
you are travelling deep into the jungle, more than four days is recommended, because nearly
two days will be spent travelling.
You must prepare thoroughly and pack essentials before heading into the jungle. Take
plenty of insect repellent, long-sleeved tops, trousers, waterproofs, a torch and boots. A
first-aid kit is also advisable, although the guide will carry one. Anti-malarials and yellow fever
vaccinations are recommended (see p.35). You must carry your original passport , as copies
are not su cient at military checkpoints.
Magic River Tours 18 de Diciembre, at C Primera,
Pacayacu T 02 262 9303, W magicrivertours.com.
German-owned company specializing in canoe trips
in the Cuyabeno reserve. Five days from $330.
Neotropic Turis J Pinto E4-340 near Amazonas and
Wilson T 02 252 121, W neotropicturis.com. Four-day
tours to Cuyabeno Reserve, staying in Cuyabeno Lodge ,
from $350.
Rainforestur Amazonas 410, at Robles T 02 223
9822, W rainforestur.com. Wide range of jungle tours
throughout the Oriente via Lago Agrio, Coca, Puyo and
Tena. Four days in Jamu Lodge from $220.
Safari Tours Reina Victoria N25-33, at Av Colon T 02
255 2502, W safari.com.ec. Wide range of jungle tours
through Puyo, Tena, Coca and Lago Agrio.
Tropic Ecological Adventures Av República 307, at
Almagro, Edif Taurus T 02 222 5907, W tropiceco.com.
Tours and ecotourism projects throughout the Oriente.
Four days on the edge of Yasuní from $670 in Sani Lodge ;
from $860 in Huaorani Eco Lodge (not including flights
from Puyo). Indigenous community stays available.
TOUR OPERATORS
It's easiest to book your tour in Quito, particularly
for those going via Coca and Lago Agrio. For shorter
tours to secondary jungle, operators in Tena and Baños
are also useful (see listing for those towns). Booking
locally in Coca and Lago Agrio is more di cult so it's
better to make arrangements beforehand. The following
Quito operators are recommended:
Dracaena J Pinto E4-453, at Amazonas T 02 254
6590, W amazondracaena.com. Offers tours of Cuya-
beno, staying at Nicky Amazon Lodge and Dracaena
Camp Site (5 days; $240).
Gulliver Travels Juan Mera N24-156 T 02 252 9297,
W gulliver.com.ec. Tours in Cuyaben from $220 for four
days.
Kem Pery Tours Pinto 539, at Amazonas T 02 222
6583, W kempery.com. Offers trips to the Huaorani
reserve staying in Bataburo Lodge (4 days $350, plus
$20 donation to the Huaorani). Trips also to Napo
Wildlife Centre, Yuturi Lodge, Sacha Lodge and Tapir
Lodge.
 
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