Ecuador Amazon Jungle Expeditions

Hamadryade Lodge - 3 & 4 Days Tour

Hamadryade Lodge

The lodge is an opening within the Rainforest, an elegant example of contemporary architecture nested at the heart of an exuberant nature. The luxurious bungalows with their sumptuous bathrooms will offer a unique opportunity to live this Amazonian experience. Overlooking the Napo River, the sounds of the Jungle will accompany your dreams for a perfect night. Each bungalow is a tribute to the mysterious cultures of various Amazonian ethnic groups, a harmonious alliance between tradition and modern design.

Our Philosophy
They have a great engagement as an Eco- and Ethnio-lodge. They do not only work in order to preserve and protect the unique ecosystem, but they also work closely with the local communities through various development projects. This philosophy appears in every corner of the Lodge creating a unique ambiance for you.

From this philosophy, they were able to define a set of architectural and decoration concepts. For the buildings they created a harmonious ensemble, well integrated into its environment without having to copy the traditional styles. Those are constructions purely elaborated around a family core, according to a specific environment, all of which is hardly suitable for a touristic use. The Toquilla (Cardulovica palmata) roofs for instance require a regular use of powerful pesticides mixed with diesel to ensure the durability of the roof. In the communities, those pesticides are useless because families make fire under the roof on a daily basis, the smoke being an efficient agent to protect the leaves.

The infrastructure for water and electricity is underground so that is was not necessary to cut trees.
Each Bungalow is a tribute to the nature as well as to some of the ethnic groups cultural esthetics and symbolism. The colors they chose for the bungalows are directly inspired by the Amazonian Environment: the red soil, the wings of a common butterfly, tree leaves, wild flowers. Each ceiling displays the main animal and vegetal symbols from four important ethnic groups: Quichuas, Shuars, Huoaranis, and Cofanes. These symbols and representations give to each bungalow a proper identity with an ethnic and even mystic dimension.

Hamadryade Lodge

Activities
A large range of activities are available for the guests: from trips to the Rainforest to raft on wild rivers, you will be offered a unique opportunity to discover the Amazon forest from an unexpected angle.

Not only they offer you a unique chance to discover the Amazon Rainforest and its delicate ecosystem, but you will get the opportunity to understand the bond that unites it with the people of the various ethnic groups living here.

• Visit the largest butterfly garden in the Oriente
• Walks through the Rainforest with experienced guides who will help unravel the mysteries of its ecology
• Initiation to ethno botanic and presentation of cultural features and ways of life of the different ethnic groups of the Ecuadorian Oriente;
• See caves, giant trees and large waterfalls within the Rainforest
• Visits to local communities where you will be explained the traditional ways of life of the people living within the forest
• Trips on the Napo River in canoa
• Access to the main tourist features in the region, the “Amazoonico” animal reserve
• All can be arranged at your convenience; long duration trip require to be planned in advanced to ensure a perfect experience.

Itinerary
Deep Forest Adventure - 3 Nights
Day 1: Drive from Quito to the lodge
Day 2: Trip to Jatun Sacha/Chichicorumi
Day 3: "Las Latas" Falls - Butterfly Garden
Day 4: Return to Quito

Ethno/Eco Adventure - 4 Nights
Day 1 : Walk through the Rainforest/Mariposario
Day 2 : Jatun Sacha Reserve (Ornitho/entomology - Ethnobotanic tour)
Day 3 : Huaorani Community
Day 4 : Amazoonico Animal Reserve

We recommend that the trips to the huoarani community do not take place on week-ends; you can also choose to visit Quichua Communities.

Price 2009:
Deep Forest Adventure - 2 Nights USD 565 .- per Person
Ethno/Eco Adventure - 3 Nights USD 868 .- per Person

Prices are quoted per person in US Dollars, and may change without prior notice according to transport prices, entrances fees.

Included in the price:
Private transportation Quito-Jungle-Quito, Suites with sumptuous private bathroom and separate toilets, breakfast and 3 courses dinner and lunch, purified water, guided tour in the butterflies garden, swimming pool and towels. For children under 10 the accommodation is free (while sharing parents' room) Children under 12 sharing with adults: 50% off (free for children under 2 years). Extra bed in the suites can be provided.

Not included in the price:
Telephone calls, purchases from the fair trade boutique, beverages, health spa treatments.