Ricancie Lodge - Amazon Jungle Lodges - Ecuador Rainforest Travel & Tours

stands for Indigenous Community Network of the Upper Napo for Intercultural Exchange and Ecotourism. It was founded in 1993 with the goal improving the quality of life for some 200 Quichua families. Then as now, its primary objective has been the defense of the Quichua territory against encroaching mining and oil companies. Furthermore, tourist groups were being sent into these communities by external travel agents while paying only minimal reimbursement fees and leaving behind trash and bad feelings, which led to conflict within the communities. With organized tourism activities, RICANCIE pursues a self-determined development path and offers new perspectives for our children. While RICANCIE continues to enjoy the support of international organizations, it is proud of its independence and all decisions regarding RICANCIE events and strategies are taken by a Council whose members come from participating villages

RICANCIE generates resource-friendly fobs and new sources of income for our village members through activities related to community-based ecotourism. Profits are used for projects in participating RICANCIE communities. A by-product has been the revitalization of cultural traditions and an increase in the self-confidence of the Quichua communities involved. The project also protects our territory and offers an alternative to intensive agricultural practices, which lead inevitably to the continued deforestation of primary rainforest.

“Machacuyacu – Capirona” Circuit. If you would like to experience some of the variety of Kichwa life, visit Machacuyacu, located on the left bank of the Napo River, then cross the Napo at Puerto Misahualli and continue to Capirona. It is possible to include a visit to the biological station Jatun Sacha, situated on the road between Tena and Ahuano. In this forest reserve one can cross a bridge through the canopies of the trees, twenty metres a bove ground, and walk amongst the monkeys and toucans.

The community of Chva Urcu is located in Tena while the forest reserves of the community are found in an isolated region above Ahuano travelling along the Arajuno River. This community has decided to use their protected forest exclusively for ecotourism, without any local development in the area. In this way, those who visit the forest in Chuva Urcu can enjoy nature in all its splendour in a large primary forest zone. Of all the RICANCIE communities, Chuva Urcu is the most pristine.

The community of Galeras is tucked between two cordilleras and is the most remote of the RICANCIE communities. Located on the other side of the River Napo on the banks of the River Huambuno, one has to travel first in bus (1.5 hours,) then in canoe to Misi Cocha (10 minutes,) and finally, walk through primary and secondary forest (2- 3 hours.)

Huasila Talag is located on the banks of the River Huasila, five minutes from the Tena- Sirena road. It takes forty- five minutes to reach the community by bus from Tena. The community is relatively developed and contains the only carpentry workshop of the RICANCIE communities. On the five- minute walk from the road to the tourist cabañas one crosses through the community, the football/soccer field, high school, community meeting place, and finally the agricultural land. The cabañas are on the edge of the community’s forest reserve.

Machacuyacu is situated a short distance (30 minutes walking) from the Vía Misahualli, 45 minutes in bus from Tena. The community is structured around the typical open plaza encircled by houses, a school and a meeting area. In Machacuyacu one can see the traditional everyday life of the Kichwa with some modern additions. You will be invited to participate in the preparation of some local food and drink, local agricultural practice, and in making your own handicrafts, taught by members of the community. At night, by the light of candles, local folkloric legends are told to give the visitor an even greater understanding of the way of thinking and beliefs of the people.

Río Blanco is situated deep within the forest. To arrive, one must travel first by bus (1.5 hours,) then canoe (20 minutes,) and finally on foot (2-3 hours.) The hike requires some effort, walking along a ridge of small hills. The tourist facilities are surrounded by relaxing scenery beside the River Huambuno which runs quietly through the forest and community. Río Blanco is known for its medicinal plants and shamanic ceremonies. The two Yachaks (or Shamans) are central figures in the community, as is true of Shamans in most of the RICANCIE communities. They offer their services to tourists interested in learning more about themselves and, at the same time, the Kichwa cosmovision.

Cost of tour includes

Reception and introduction to the program in the central office of RICANCIE, transport from RICANCIE to community, food, lodging in cabins equipped with private or shared bath, simple beds and mosquito nets.
cultural program (with music and Kichwa dance) will be available to groups of 4 or more passengers, with a minimum Tour duration of 4 days
Tour the forest with native guides of the same communities, accredited by the Ministry of Tourism and Corporation RICANCIE.

· Demonstration of crafts, and visits to the houses of the Kichwa families.

We facilitate rubber boots for the long walk. Service of warehouse in the RICANCIE office for the luggage

Note: Within our culture the ceremony of shaman is sacred , which is why it is not included in the daily cost and is made upon special request of the visitors, with an additional cost of $30 per group. For the spiritual cleaning it is recommended to give a small gratuity according to the wishes of the visitor.

If English translation services are required, a request must be made at least one week before entering and a total of $30 per day is payable to RICANCIE with the cost of the package.

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