Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Oriente
Unfolding from the Eastern Andean slopes of Ecuador to the borders of Colombia and Peru
for over 50,000 square miles (130,000 sq km) is the largely remote Oriente, or 'East' re-
gion of Ecuador. Often referred to as the Amazons, the many rivers that flow from the
frosty peaks of Andean volcanoes slides into tributaries that eventually join the infamous
basin in Peru. This jungle area comprises of five provinces that take up half of Ecuador but
which only 5% of the country's people call home. Besides the reach of the Incas in the -
and the occasional missionary or adventurer, these people and their lands remained abso-
lutely secluded from the outside world, living hunter and gatherer lifestyles in small vil-
lages along rivers. In the 1960s, foreign corporations began corrupting the land for its oil
and to this day much of the Amazon and natives' way of life is threatened by exploitation
of natural resources.
However, a wealth of sustainable initiatives to develop ecotourism in the Oriente has built a
bridge between tourists and indigenous communities in a way that supports local villages
and reveals rainforest life to outsiders without interrupting the natural harmony of the
jungle. Pioneering eco-lodges that seamlessly blend into the surrounding flora allow for-
eigners to disconnect from the outside grind and experience the unsurpassed biodiversity of
the Amazons with the aid of native naturalist guides, who can educate on anything from
jaguar hideouts to bioluminescent tree species.
Some of these are easy to get to and more affordable than you'd expect. In fact, one could
reach the 'Gateway To The Amazons' city of Tena within a 4-hour drive from Quito, and
nearby jungle cities like Puyo and Coca are so accessible yet so wild that most travelers are
content with just stopping there, perhaps using the towns as bases for deeper jungle excur-
sions. Others looking for total immersion in the Amazons will want to book a flight from
the Oriente's inmost airport in the oil town of Shell which shuttles outsiders in private
planes over the rainforest canopy to hidden eco-lodges for extended stays.
However you plan your stay in the Oriente it's difficult to leave disappointed. The majority
of travelers in Ecuador completely bypass the region in favor of the Galápagos or
Ruta del
Sol
, leaving the jungle a veritable playground for adventure, wildlife watching, native vil-
lage visits or tranquil retreats. For adventure, the splendid 'Cinnamon Capital' of Tena is
where you'll the world-class white waters of the notorious Napo and - Rivers, which inter-
national adrenaline junkies pilgrimage to for half-day tours to 10 day journeys. In terms of
indigenous communities, the Huaorani, Achuar, Shuar, Kichwa, Siona, Cofán and others
who inhabit the Oriente can offer glimpses into native life either through tours or volunteer
projects. And when it comes to wildlife, no two words joined into one can describe the
Amazon more.
