KAPAWI

Kapawi is one of the most remote, ecologically responsible and culturally sensitive eco-lodges in the world. Your visit helps the Achuar people in their work to preserve their nearly two million acres of pristine rainforest in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon

Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve is located in one of the most remote and well protected parts of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Deep in the nearly two million acres of the Achuar people’s territory, Kapawi is accessible only by air—flying in small planes over an unbroken green expanse of rainforest. In addition to consistently receiving high praise for its gracious hospitality, creature comforts, excellent cuisine, and complete menu of activities, Kapawi is also an award winning Ecolodge noted for its ecological design and sensitivity, and for its abundance of wildlife and rich biodiversity. Located in the territorial lands of an indigenous nation (6,000 people in 64 communities) still living as they have for generations and in intimate harmony with nature, Kapawi provides guests a range and depth of cultural experiences unmatched by any other rainforest lodges.

Come and be at ease, and learn about the Achuar way of life and appreciate the rich flora and fauna of our home. Share in thier vision of protecting the Achuar lands for future generations and for the world

The Rainforest

One of the most distinctive features of tropical rainforests is their biological richness, particularly with regards to numbers of species. The diversity of plant species here is the highest on earth with some experts estimating that one square kilometer may contain over 75,000 types of trees and 150,000 species of plants, constituting the largest collection of living plants and animal species in the world. One in five of all the birds in the world live in Amazon rainforests.

A typical four-square-mile patch of tropical rainforest contains up to 1,500 species of flowering plants, 750 tree species, 125 mammal species, 400 bird species, 100 reptile species, 60 amphibian species, and 150 butterfly species.

During the past seven years, 570 species of birds have been recorded in the Kapawi area. This number includes the seasonal migrants from Patagonia or North America. Though everyone wants to see toucans, macaws and parrots, these and many others birds cannot be seen until they fly out across a river or other forest gap or gather in the mornings at our NATURAL parrot saltlick. However, many hawks, kingfishers, orioles, flycatchers and anis can be easily spotted or you can walk in the forest to look for shy and inconspicuous ant birds, tinamous, manakins, and puffbirds. And once in a while even a harpy eagle or fiery topaz hummingbird may present itself as a rare surprise!

As you walk through the rainforest, you may be overwhelmed by the silence that belies the existence of around 200 species of mammals. Understanding that most rainforest mammals are hard to find because they are mostly shy, nocturnal and well camouflaged. If you are searching for these animals, some patience, luck and a good guide will allow you to see them.

The Kapawi Lodge

The founding vision of Kapawi Eco-lodge and Reserve is to create - in one of the most remote environments in the world - a haven of ease, good taste, and understated luxury. To this end, skilled Achuar craftsmen came together to build a series of comfortable cabins in the vernacular style of the rainforest, using local materials but upgraded in design and furnishings to appeal to the tastes and requirements of today's traveler.

A raised boardwalk connects all of the guests cabins and the several large communal buildings at Kapawi, all of which rest on stilts around the edge of an ephemeral lagoon crowded with plant and bird life. There are 18 double rooms, each with private baths. Some of the rooms can also be converted to triples and some of the rooms share a balcony looking on to the lagoon and are ideal as family accommodations.

Each of the thatched roof guest cabins is an expression of authentic, traditional Achuar design concepts, meaning that they are attractive, spacious, sustainable, well-ventilated, and creature-proof. Each cabin has a spacious screened-in sleeping area and private bath with solar heated water available on most afternoons. Cabins are fully screened - windows, floors, roofs - and each bed has its own mosquito net. Every room is equipped with a security box. On your balcony you can relax in a hammock or deck chair and observe the daily visitors: ducks, hummingbirds, egrets, and kingfishers. You can listen to the night music of the multitude of frogs and other nocturnal creatures.

Kapawi Itinerary

The standard excursion to Kapawi begins and ends in the city of Shell (one of the gateway cities to Ecuador's southern Amazon region) on either a Monday or a Friday. These are the days that regular air transport between Shell and Kapawi has been scheduled. Due to these operation days we offer you the following standard programs, according to your individual scheduling needs:

• 4-day program: 3 Nights/4 Days, Friday to Monday-Although a limited time, we can promise you activities that will provide you a good understanding of the rainforest and the Achuar culture.

• 5-day program: 4 Nights/5 Days, Monday to Friday-This is the best seller program, plenty of time for learning and gaining a deeper understanding of the rainforest and the Achuar with time to relax and contemplate as well.

• 8-day program: 7 Nights/8 Days, Monday to Monday or Friday to Friday-The ideal program, with plenty of time to experience all of the activities, including camping in the forest or spending the night in a community, learning more about the Achuar cosmo-vision and having more chances for wildlife sightings.

It is possible to make special arrangements to travel to, or return from, Kapawi on days other than Mondays or Fridays. Private charter air-flights are involved and additional costs may apply.

Kapawi Activities

At Kapawi you have choices.
We do not offer our visitors a fixed program of activities. Once you arrive at Kapawi Ecolodge, you (or your group)-and your guides-will be able to organize a set of experiences that most suits your individual interests and your desired level of activity. Almost all of your itineraries will include some combination of visits to the Achuar communities, hikes in the rain forest, kayaking in rivers and streams, and bird watching.

You have the choice of the following activities: Bird watching, hiking on the self-guided trail, night canoeing, clay lick visit, night guided hikes, swimming & tubing, kayaking & canoeing, fishing, overnight camping, Achuar community visits, resting and relaxing.

Birding
Kapawi lodge is a paradise for dedicated bird watchers and amateurs alike. More species of bird are found in the Kapawi area alone than in all of North America. For birders the early morning trip to the clay lick is an adventure not to be missed.

Kapawi Location

Kapawi Ecolodge is situated deep in the nearly two million acres of the Achuar people's traditional territory near the confluence of the Pastaza and Capahuari Rivers-the former a major, the latter a minor tributary of the Amazon-near the border between Ecuador and Peru. This area is one of the most remote and well-protected parts of the western Amazon Basin. It is a remote and pristine region, untouched by logging, mining or petroleum extraction.

The closest road is a ten-day walk from the lodge. The rivers are not navigable to the lodge from the nearest outposts of civilization. Kapawi is accessible only by air. The entrance to the lodge and to Achuar territory, flying in a small plane over the uninterrupted vastness of green triple-canopy rainforest, is one of the unique highlights a visit to Kapawi provides.