The Quichua of the Upper Napo River

"Tena"

"Ecuador"

This program has been developed with a network of Upper Napo Quichua communities called the Red Indigena de Comunidades del Alto Napo para la Convivencia Intercultural y Ecoturismo. RICANCIE is a pioneer initiative by indigenous communities in Ecuador. The purpose of this program is to provide a sustainable alternative for the use of rainforest resources and to promote indigenous self determination. We invite you to visit - and thus support - this effort, which has become a model for other indigenous communities all over Ecuador and the Amazon Basin.

This journey offers a great opportunity to visit a rainforest community and learn about its culture, including medicinal and other plant uses, traditional stories, etc. Its accessibility makes it unbeatable value-for-money for anyone seeking a genuine insight into life in the rainforest.

The Itinerary

DAY 1:
Early departure from Quito arriving midday in the provincial capital of Tena. From here, we continue by bus to the community of Venecia. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2:
After an early bird breakfast, we trek in about 2 hours to the community of Capirona. During the walk, our guide talks about the surrounding flora and fauna. Lunch in Capirona. After lunch, free time to swim in the river, explore the area around the village, or swing in a hammock. Mid-afternoon, we travel by foot through the forest to our next campsite. After dinner it is story-telling time around a bonfire; this includes a few of the legends and myths of the Quichua Wuichua community. Overnight.

DAY 3:
After breakfast, we embark on a search for different species of birds, such as parrots, toucans, hummingbirds and guans. Return to the community. Lunch. Free afternoon. After dinner, a night walk through the forest; this is an entirely different experience from day hiking through the forest. If lucky, we might encounter some of the rainforest's night shift creatures, such as kinkajous, fruit bats and whip scorpions. Overnight in Capirona village.

DAY 4:
After breakfast, we join a minga (a community work party).- this might involve re-thatching a house or harvesting crops - the minga activity depends on the community needs. Lunch and then head downstream in a dugout canoe. Fishing poles will accompany us. In the evening, a farewell dinner with chicha (traditional yucca beverage) and Quichua music. Overnight.

DAY 5:
Rise early for your last breakfast in the rainforest with your Quichua hosts. Afterwards, head down river in a motorized dugout canoe to the community of Huano. Return to Tena and Quito by bus.

General Information

What to bring A daypack, binoculars, flaslight, sunscreen, insect repellent, rain poncho. RICANCIE provides rubber boots in most sizes.

Degree of difficulty The rainforest hikes are accessible to anyone with reasonable fitness up to the age of, say, sixty. You will only ever have to carry a day pack with your rain poncho, binoculars and camera equipment.

3 days/2 nights
Per person	1	2	3-4	5-9
USD	$ 966	$ 582	$ 459	$ 373
EUR	€ 802	€ 483	€ 380	€ 309
GBP	£ 541	£ 326	£ 257	£ 209

(*) Price last updated on 23 February 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .

4 days/3 nights
Per person	1	2	3-4	5-9
USD	$ 1111	$ 694	$ 560	$ 477
EUR	€ 922	€ 576	€ 465	€ 396
GBP	£ 622	£ 388	£ 313	£ 267

(*) Price last updated on 23 February 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .

5 days/4 nights
Per person	1	2	3-4	5-9
USD	$ 1287	$ 826	$ 682	$ 581
EUR	€ 1068	€ 685	€ 566	€ 482
GBP	£ 721	£ 462	£ 382	£ 325

(*) Price last updated on 23 February 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .

Price Includes:
Accomodation excursiones and meals. Naturalist bilingual guide and local guide, Private transportation

Price does not Include:
tips, alcoholic drinks, extra personal expenses

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