The Kapawi Amazon rainforest lodge offers a fantastic ecotourism adventure.
It is located deep in Ecuador's Amazonian region and it is the remoteness of the area that makes the project so special. Its isolation has helped to protect the indigenous tribes as well as the wildlife of the area.
The canopy is teeming with birdlife and the itineraries, tailored to suit your needs, range from short hikes to demanding treks and visits to the Achuar Indian communities. You choose your own itinerary from the many options available at the Kapawi.
Background information – the lodge
The Kapawi Project began in 1993. The goal was to start a new trend in eco-tourism, providing a monthly means of economic support and jobs to the Achuar Indians located in Kapawi as well as in other communities nearby.
The lodge was built in accordance with the Achuar concept of architecture (not a single nail was used!). Environmentally friendly methods such as solar energy and rubbish recycling are also being used.
In January 2008 the Achuar community took over full ownership of the lodge and staff are currently undergoing a training process which will allow them to manage operations 100% independently by 2011. It is an exciting project which sees members of the community being trained in all aspects of leadership and marketing, as well as teaching English in the community and training kitchen staff to become chefs.
The region and its people
Kapawi is located in the most remote area of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, in the province of Pastaza. Flights land at Sharamentsa, from where motorised dugout canoes will take you the hour and a half to Kapawi. Sometimes the weather in the tropical rain forest can cause minor delays. Our recommendation is for you to consider adding an extra day to your itinerary after visiting Kapawi to make sure you meet your connecting flights to your next destination.
Achuar is the name of one of the four groups of the linguistic family Jivaro - Achuar, Shuar, Aguaruna and Huambisa. With a population of about 80.000 people, the Jivaro group is by far the most important homogeneous culture in the Amazon basin. Well known in the past for their internal wars, the Achuar now live peacefully in small villages.
They are small scale farmers and also hunt, fish and gather fruits etc. in the rain forest.
At the beginning of the 1970's the Achuar were the only Jivaros who had not suffered any loss of culture due to contact with the Western world.
Getting there
You fly to Kapawi from a town called Shell. Currently there are no flights from Quito to Shell, so instead you will travel overland. The journey will take about 4 - 5 hours and takes you through beautiful Andean Highlands. From Shell the one-hour flight leaves around lunch time (weather permitting) and takes you over miles and miles of untouched rainforest.
We use a smaller aircraft suitable to land at the airstrip at the Achuar community of Wachirpas, located on the banks of the Pastaza River. There you will be welcomed by your Kapawi guides who will escort you on the final leg of your journey, a beautiful 30 minute canoe ride into the majesty and tranquillity of this remote part of the world.
Once in Kapawi, you will be miles away from any civilization - the nearest town is a 2 week walk through the forest. This remoteness is what makes Kapawi such a special and unique place. Please remember that because the only way in and out of the area is by air, we are 100% dependent on the weather.
You can combine your Amazon adventure with a magical trip to the unique Galapagos Islands. Choose a cruise, or if you want to get active have a look at our popular Multi-Activity Holiday.
If you want to extend your stay on the mainland, why not venture into the Andes on horseback, go white water rafting or combine both those options and more on our Ecuador Active trip.
Please contact the office for information and advice.
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