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11 Comments
Heidi Ortega
on August 20, 2024 at 2:33 am
Super buenos los tours excelente guía y la comida exquisita tuve la oportunidad de hospedarme en el lodge y el servicio y la hospitalidad están a la altura.Sigan así
Thank you so much for your visit. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed our services. Your support and enthusiasm not only bring us great joy but are also crucial for the success and growth of our project. Every positive experience you share helps us continue to improve and provide the best possible service. We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you back in the future and sharing more special moments with you!
We had the most amazing time with Edgar in April 2023. I traveled with my husband and our two children in their 20s. This was the experience of a lifetime. Edgar and his teammates knew exactly where to go to see the most astounding flora and fauna in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
We stayed in the jungle lodge and in tents on platforms along the river. The hikes and boat excursions happened at all different times of day, the better to catch jungle lifewhen active.
One of the most amazing sights was seeing an anaconda wrapped around a caiman in one of the tributaries. We were within an arm’s length of the deathly embrace. We were shocked when we returned the next day to see the dead caiman floating—confused as to why the anaconda killed it and left.
I started keeping track of the wildlife we saw, but then had to give up because it was so abundant. Our guides were so adept at spotting things that very few mere mortals can. They patiently waited until we could zero in with our binoculars or cameras.
We always felt safe and well fed. I would highly recommend this tour to travelers who are seeking a rustic, authentic adventure.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re thrilled to hear that your visit to the deep Amazon was such an unforgettable experience and that you enjoyed the trip with us. We’re excited to have been part of your adventure and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future.
Absolutely one of the very best adventures we’ve had in all our travels. Edgar Noteno and his team are fantastic and really went out of their way to make this a very special trip for me and my family. If you want a really special and memorable adventure, Edgar and his staff will make it happen for you.
Hoa Allen, gracias por tu visita estamos muy emocionado que hayas pasado de lo mejor en nuestra casa en la selva tropical. Estamos muy felices por tu visita en el futuro si vuelves estamos aqui .
Muchos abrazos.
Hey people,
we have been with Edgar and team on an canoe trip to the selva. It was in every aspect a totally magnificant trip: we have seen a lot of interesting animals: the rose river doplphins, the american kingfisher, different species of monkeys and fish, kaimans… Maria cooked very lovely vegetarian food for us and Domingo installed a full campsite in the wood for us. And Edgar guided us, explained us everything and tought us the way of living in the woods. We recomend every adventurer under you to go to Kichwa Lodge. They are authentic people who provide a real adventure and the tourism can help the indigineous community to purchase a sustainable way of living without being dependend on petrol companies or wood exploitation.
Hola Joahna gracias por tus comentrios . Estamos muy felices que disfrutaron en este viaje a las profundidaes de la selva tropical. Muchas y muchas gracias.
Si vuelven en el futuro te esperamos.
Kichwa Lodge is the only eco-tour option in the Cuyabeno region owned and operated by a local indigenous community. It is based about 2.5 hours in a motorized fiberglass canoe down the Aguarico river from the launch point near Shushifindi which, in turn, is about a two hour car ride from Coca. Thus, it’s quite distant from any major population center and from other eco-lodges which, almost uniformly, are owned and operated by more upscale, Quito-based concerns.
The above holds definite advantages for the visitor who appreciates a more rustic (e.g. no internet) experience and who has a genuine interest in directly supporting a local indigenous community that has extremely limited employment opportunities and faces significant hardship. Compared with regional alternatives, I suspect the flora and fauna and degree of personalization are also significantly enhanced with Kichwa Lodge.
Edgar Noteno, a local Kichwa, established and manages the lodge. He employs on a part-time basis about 20 individuals from his community of about 1,600 who live in nearby Playas de Cuyabeno. Edgar speaks passable English and is directly involved in making all arrangements with and on behalf of potential visitors. This includes arranging air transfers to Coca (usually from Quito), transportation to and from the lodge, and overnight accommodations in Coca, if needed. In other words, to the extent possible, he provides “full service.“
Activities are varied (and can be tailored). Examples include canoe trips to identify exotic avian species, daytime and nighttime walks through the forest to see and learn about an amazing variety of Amazonian plants and animals, and visits to the Kichwa and Cofan communities. Those who have more time can even plan camping trips to the Ecuadorian-Peruvian border. Edgar is often the guide, but others may assist. They share information from a local indigenous perspective so that there are opportunities not only to experience nature, but to get a sense of the Kichwa culture and how it is changing. (I experienced an unfortunate but mild and brief intestinal contratemp which, interpreted as a “bad spirit,” two of my guides extracted by waving healing plants over me in the forest… I felt completely better later that evening.)
Kichwa Lodge is a genuine, once-in-a-lifetime adventure for those willing to go further afield. The staff work very hard to make your experience comfortable and rewarding. It is best to make arrangements directly through Edgar (at the time of this writing, working through a travel agent or third party was not possible). If you are unable to reach Edgar through WhatsApp, communicate with him by email. He will step you through the process.
Je reviens du Kichwa lodge où j’ai passé 5 jours et 4 nuits incroyables ! L’organisation était très bonne, la nourriture délicieuse, la chambre confortable et le guide excellent ! Le projet a été créé par les gens de la communauté Kichwa de playa de Cuyabeno, l’argent reste sur place pour aider les populations locales. Je recommande chaudement ce lodge si vous voulez découvrir ce merveilleux parc naturel qu’est le Cuyabeno.
Merci beaucoup pour votre visite, nous sommes très heureux que vous ayez passé un bon moment avec nous et que vous ayez appris à connaître notre travail.
Quand vous voudrez revenir, nous vous accueillerons à bras ouverts.
Merci
Super buenos los tours excelente guía y la comida exquisita tuve la oportunidad de hospedarme en el lodge y el servicio y la hospitalidad están a la altura.Sigan así
Thank you so much for your visit. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed our services. Your support and enthusiasm not only bring us great joy but are also crucial for the success and growth of our project. Every positive experience you share helps us continue to improve and provide the best possible service. We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you back in the future and sharing more special moments with you!
We had the most amazing time with Edgar in April 2023. I traveled with my husband and our two children in their 20s. This was the experience of a lifetime. Edgar and his teammates knew exactly where to go to see the most astounding flora and fauna in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
We stayed in the jungle lodge and in tents on platforms along the river. The hikes and boat excursions happened at all different times of day, the better to catch jungle lifewhen active.
One of the most amazing sights was seeing an anaconda wrapped around a caiman in one of the tributaries. We were within an arm’s length of the deathly embrace. We were shocked when we returned the next day to see the dead caiman floating—confused as to why the anaconda killed it and left.
I started keeping track of the wildlife we saw, but then had to give up because it was so abundant. Our guides were so adept at spotting things that very few mere mortals can. They patiently waited until we could zero in with our binoculars or cameras.
We always felt safe and well fed. I would highly recommend this tour to travelers who are seeking a rustic, authentic adventure.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re thrilled to hear that your visit to the deep Amazon was such an unforgettable experience and that you enjoyed the trip with us. We’re excited to have been part of your adventure and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future.
Absolutely one of the very best adventures we’ve had in all our travels. Edgar Noteno and his team are fantastic and really went out of their way to make this a very special trip for me and my family. If you want a really special and memorable adventure, Edgar and his staff will make it happen for you.
Hoa Allen, gracias por tu visita estamos muy emocionado que hayas pasado de lo mejor en nuestra casa en la selva tropical. Estamos muy felices por tu visita en el futuro si vuelves estamos aqui .
Muchos abrazos.
Hey people,
we have been with Edgar and team on an canoe trip to the selva. It was in every aspect a totally magnificant trip: we have seen a lot of interesting animals: the rose river doplphins, the american kingfisher, different species of monkeys and fish, kaimans… Maria cooked very lovely vegetarian food for us and Domingo installed a full campsite in the wood for us. And Edgar guided us, explained us everything and tought us the way of living in the woods. We recomend every adventurer under you to go to Kichwa Lodge. They are authentic people who provide a real adventure and the tourism can help the indigineous community to purchase a sustainable way of living without being dependend on petrol companies or wood exploitation.
Hola Joahna gracias por tus comentrios . Estamos muy felices que disfrutaron en este viaje a las profundidaes de la selva tropical. Muchas y muchas gracias.
Si vuelven en el futuro te esperamos.
Kichwa Lodge is the only eco-tour option in the Cuyabeno region owned and operated by a local indigenous community. It is based about 2.5 hours in a motorized fiberglass canoe down the Aguarico river from the launch point near Shushifindi which, in turn, is about a two hour car ride from Coca. Thus, it’s quite distant from any major population center and from other eco-lodges which, almost uniformly, are owned and operated by more upscale, Quito-based concerns.
The above holds definite advantages for the visitor who appreciates a more rustic (e.g. no internet) experience and who has a genuine interest in directly supporting a local indigenous community that has extremely limited employment opportunities and faces significant hardship. Compared with regional alternatives, I suspect the flora and fauna and degree of personalization are also significantly enhanced with Kichwa Lodge.
Edgar Noteno, a local Kichwa, established and manages the lodge. He employs on a part-time basis about 20 individuals from his community of about 1,600 who live in nearby Playas de Cuyabeno. Edgar speaks passable English and is directly involved in making all arrangements with and on behalf of potential visitors. This includes arranging air transfers to Coca (usually from Quito), transportation to and from the lodge, and overnight accommodations in Coca, if needed. In other words, to the extent possible, he provides “full service.“
Activities are varied (and can be tailored). Examples include canoe trips to identify exotic avian species, daytime and nighttime walks through the forest to see and learn about an amazing variety of Amazonian plants and animals, and visits to the Kichwa and Cofan communities. Those who have more time can even plan camping trips to the Ecuadorian-Peruvian border. Edgar is often the guide, but others may assist. They share information from a local indigenous perspective so that there are opportunities not only to experience nature, but to get a sense of the Kichwa culture and how it is changing. (I experienced an unfortunate but mild and brief intestinal contratemp which, interpreted as a “bad spirit,” two of my guides extracted by waving healing plants over me in the forest… I felt completely better later that evening.)
Kichwa Lodge is a genuine, once-in-a-lifetime adventure for those willing to go further afield. The staff work very hard to make your experience comfortable and rewarding. It is best to make arrangements directly through Edgar (at the time of this writing, working through a travel agent or third party was not possible). If you are unable to reach Edgar through WhatsApp, communicate with him by email. He will step you through the process.
Je reviens du Kichwa lodge où j’ai passé 5 jours et 4 nuits incroyables ! L’organisation était très bonne, la nourriture délicieuse, la chambre confortable et le guide excellent ! Le projet a été créé par les gens de la communauté Kichwa de playa de Cuyabeno, l’argent reste sur place pour aider les populations locales. Je recommande chaudement ce lodge si vous voulez découvrir ce merveilleux parc naturel qu’est le Cuyabeno.
Merci beaucoup pour votre visite, nous sommes très heureux que vous ayez passé un bon moment avec nous et que vous ayez appris à connaître notre travail.
Quand vous voudrez revenir, nous vous accueillerons à bras ouverts.
Merci