TRAVEL AGENCY

AMAZON

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. 

Ricancie (Red Indígena de Comunidades del Alto Napo para la Convencia Intercultural y el Ecoturismo), Av del Chofer and Hugo Vasco (coordinates nine community-based ecotourism enterprises based in the upper Napo region around Misahuallí and Ahuano. Accommodation for the most part is in fairly rustic cabañas, usually equipped with shared showers and occasionally flushing toilets, but a few are still without running water. Circuits are available whereby you visit a series of neighbouring communities as part of one package, and prices depend on group size but start at around $45per person per day including food, lodging, transport, guides and excursions, but Shamanic ceremonies and an English translator cost $3 extra (make requests at least a week beforehand). In most cases, drop-ins cannot be accommodated and arrangements should be made a few days in advance.

Capirona on the Río Puni about 3km south of Misahuallí. One of the world's first community-based ecotourism projects, with well-marked trails through colourful capirona trees to a salt-lick cavern that is great for seeing nocturnal creatures. Every tour is treated to excellent cultural presentations of song, dance and the making of traditional crafts. Reservations are essential and should be made well in advance during high season.
Chuva Urcu south of Ahuano on the Río Gusano. The community has built pleasant cabañas overlooking the river, and lead strenuous two-day hikes (bring a water purifier) to the top of the Chuva Urcu mountain ridge, where fantastic views make the trek worthwhile. Other activities include gold panning, basket weaving, and spear fishing for catfish.
Cuya Loma Twenty minutes east of Tena on the Misahuallí road. Easily accessed community offering programmes strongly based on presentations of Kichwa culture and traditions, and shamanic demonstrations of medicinal plant healing. One of the families has created an archeological museum displaying traditional clothes, kitchenware and hunting tools. Half- to three-day visits are possible, and drop-ins are welcome.
Las Galeras on the Río Guambuno beyond the Río Blanco community. The community offers moderate to difficult hikes in and around the forested hills of Sumaco Napo-Galeras reserve to spectacular mountain viewpoints, along with lessons in shamanism, Kichwa cooking and medicinal plants. A moving traditional farewell ceremony is enacted on the final night.
Huasila Talag about 12km southwest of Tena on the Río Talag. Located in the Andean foothills, this community offers mountain hikes in the nearby Cordillera de Huasila, excellent for birdwatching, butterflies and orchids, and walks along the Jatunyacu. Explanations of medicinal plants are given, and in the evening villagers demonstrate how to make chicha.
Machacuyacu 15km east of Tena, north of the Río Napo. Set in a scenic location on elevated ground dotted with viewpoints over the Napo valley, the Machacuyacu community members lead hikes throughout the picturesque landscape as well as to caves steeped in myth, and demonstrate the use of a blowgun in addition to hunting and fishing techniques.
Río Blanco north of the Río Napo and Ahuano, reached by a two-hour uphill hike. Well-established enterprise offering attractive cabañas in a peaceful setting twenty minutes' walk from the community. The typical four-day programme here includes guided hikes in the beautiful Cordillera Galeras and cultural presentations, but a highlight is the medicinal plant garden tended by an expert shaman, who can explain the uses of over four hundred species.
Runa Huasi on the Río Arajuno, near Ahuano. Easily reached from Tena, this community has prettily decorated cabañas a ten-minute walk from AmaZOOnico, an excellent animal rehabilitation centre, which is visited during a stay. Hikes are also offered in local primary forest to a fossil lake, and lessons are given on medicinal plants.
Salazar Aitaca a 1hr drive east of Tena then a one-hour hike over steep, muddy trails. Few tourists have visited this community deep in primary forest, but after the exertions of getting there (pack light) you can enjoy beautiful waterfalls, a lagoon, petroglyphs and the best chance of spotting wildlife in the area. One for the independent, fit and adventurous.

Additonal. Transport Quito-Tena-Quito

Transport Tena-community-Tena

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