We bought this little piece of Amazonian Forest to protect and respect it. We love it even more because of its imperfections, stigmata of a past exploitation... a gold rush took its toll on some small areas, leaving deep scars on the ground. We knowingly chose to build the lodge on this very same place, somehow to embellish this invisible wound and help it heal.

This forest is a living organism that requires attention, so we help it, selecting the tree species that will help building a stronger and more stable ecosystem.

Take up a challenge is worth something only if its consequences are positives; this is what we are trying to do, helping the forest to grow healthier and embellish, our small brick to the gigantic wall that is the protection of the Amazon Forest.

Not only we protect our forest, but we also do everything not to harm the rest of the jungle around. Hence the necessity for us to use rainwater for the needs of the Lodge and cleaning it afterwards, avoiding the use of the water from rivers or worse, underground water. Used waters from the kitchen and showers are filtered before reaching the soils; moreover, we are using biodegradable amenities products ensuring a lesser pollution. As for the toilets' used waters, they are going through a sceptic bio-tank system, as well as depolluting plants, using a natural process to progressively reduce the levels of pollution. This way we can avoid harmful pollutions to the rivers and underground waters. Even our swimming pool functions on a chlorine-free treatment, using Ozone to treat the water against germs and algae’s.

Finally, all this is only a narrow vision of what really is the protection of the environement, making us an Eco-Lodge. In fact, an ecosystem, is not only the habitat, but also everything that inhabits it; including Human communities as they harmoniously live within the forest. These communities not only rationally exploit the products of the forest as Cocoa, fruits, the plants that they use for construction, or craft, they especially use a large range of plants for a rich pharmacopoeia.

This pharmacopoeia is a key element in these populations' cultural life, allowing them to heal bodies' as well as spiritual wounds. Therefore it exists an indefectible bound between humans and there environment, obviously at a basic survival level, but also through their cultural and spiritual life. It is this bound that should be protected and sometimes revitalized so it does not suffer from the damages done to the forest and acculturation processes. It is also obvious that this very bound is the key to protect the Amazonian ecosystem; therefore, the philosophy we wish to develop has to be Eco as much as Ethno-Friendly oriented, both being inextricably connected, in order to act towards a real protection of the environment.

It is from humans' activities that comes the threats to the environment, and the solution could only be found amongst people whose lives reflect a deep respect of the Nature that surrounds them.

From this philosophy, we were able to define a set of architectural and decoration concepts. For the buildings, we wanted an harmonious ensemble, well integrated in 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.

Therefore, we went for a new kind of design for the region, preferring the vision of French architects (Olivier Donnet and Caroline Tresse). We chose pure and simple lines, contrasting with the exuberant Nature around. Space being integrated in luxuriance, an opening under the canopea, lines amongst a chaos of curves. This choice of space is going towards an integration of light in the buildings, allowing to regulate atmospheric humidity through a natural aeration.

As for water and electricity, nothing was done that could damage the site, we have everything buried, avoiding cutting trees.

Through the decoration, our Ethno-friendly philosophy prevails again in every corner of the Lodge and the Bungalows, allowing an harmonious alliance between modern and traditional. Each Bungalow is a tribute to the Nature as well as to some of the ethnic groups cultural aesthetism and symbolism. The colours we chose for the bungalows are directly inspired by the Amazonian Environment : the red soil, the wings of a common butterfly, tree leaves, a wild flower. Each ceiling displays the main animal and vegetal symbols from four important ethnic groups : Quichua, Shuar, Huoarani, and Cofane. Theses symbols and representations give to each bungalow a proper identity with an ethnic and even mystic dimension.

PRICES 2011 FOR THE HAMADRYADE LODGE ; prices are per person, in US Dollars (rates based on Suite Bungalow)

 MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER

• Cabins: The yacht accomodates 30 passengers in 14 cabins doubles with a private bathroom, air conditioner, and hot water.
• Accomodations and Services: Dinning room, bar, laundry, store, reading room and balcony. Canoes, bird watching, jungle walks, fishing, river exploration, lakes and lagoons, swiming, night

FRIDAY
Depart from Quito in the morning (11:00), flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), arriving to Coca at around 12:00. Transfer to the Napo River port then the motorized canoe ride downstream will be approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Once aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer will start navigating downstream. The courteous crew will attend to your needs and the guides will introduce you to the surprising Amazon world, its people, more than 600 species of birds, and hundreds of botanical wonders. The Manatee sails along different ecosystems and important natural reserves such as the Yasuní National Park and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve.

SATURDAY
Parrots and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve Early departure by motor canoe to visit a very special corner of the jungle, the clay banks of the river where different species of parrots gather daily to eat this clay that helps them digest the seeds they feed on, it is quite a sight, colorful and noisy! Then, back aboard the Manatee to sail upriver and reach one of the tributaries of the Napo to observe the flora and fauna, the surprising pygmy monkeys and then a trek to the facilities of what used to be South America's Summer Institute of Linguistics in Limoncocha, currently the only Biological Reserve of Ecuador. Upon reaching the Limoncocha Lake, we will board a canoe and travel along the banks of this marshy ecosystem, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. There is a possibility to fish for piranha, and for a short walk. At night, it is possible to observe the black caimans that inhabit the lagoon; quite an experience... Late return to the Manatee for dinner and overnight.

SUNDAY
Culture / The Amazonian man / Giants of the Forest The adventure today begins with a visit to the Museum of Pompeya, a small archaeological sample with Amazonian funeral urns that date back several centuries, as well as utensils and ways of life of the ancient denizens of the rain forest, which can still be seen today. We will also have the opportunity to see the giant trees of the Amazon, like the kapok, which rises over the forest canopy to more than 80 meters high, with huge, protrading roots. Guests can also try rowing the canoes on a tranquil tributary of the Napo River up to the house of a native family, to share a moment with them and learn their ways of life.

MONDAY
The Return While the Manatee navigates upriver, the guides wrap up our knowledge of the great Amazon region. Then transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Note: Every night there will be additional activities such as conferences, review of the flora and fauna and night outings. This itinerary is subject to change for safety and technical reasons.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE

• HIKES
• SWIMMING
• CANOE TRIPS
• PADDLE NATIVE CANOES
• BIRDWATCHING
  

  SANI LODGE

• Birdwatching - Cuyabeno is a privileged place for birding. Boasting a birdlist of more than 520 species of birds, Cuyabeno is a delight for seasoned as well as beginner birdwatchers.
• Canoeing - Located in the heart of a lagoon complex and flooded forest, Tapir Lodge employs local dugout canoes as the only transportation around the area.
• Caiman watching - When the night comes, we will jump in our canoes and with our flashlights we will search for Caimans.  Four species of caimans inhabit the reserve, the biggest being the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) measuring up to 5 meters long, but this type of caiman is a rather shy and rarely seen. The most common is the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) measuring up to 3 meters.
• Piranha fishing (catch and release) - Fishing has become one of the favorite activities among our guests. Even if you can't catch anything, fishing in the afternoon is a great time to relax while looking at the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see and listening to the exotic sounds of the rainforest.
• Jungle treks - In our jungle hikes we walk under the canopy and experience the primary forest from within.  Our excursions will take you through pristine Terra Firme and "cananguchal" (temporarily flooded forest) ecosystems. Our guides will help you to understand the complexity of the forest and its relations. Walking through very dense vegetation, we will listen to the wonderful voices of the rainforest, we might even bump into the shy Tapir ( Tapirus terrestris ).
• Indian communities - Tapir Lodge works together with the Siona community of Puerto Bolivar. The Siona have lived in harmony with the jungle for centuries and nowadays they have chosen the eco-tourism activities in order to improve their live standards and protect the environment.
• Shamanism - Learn more about these millenary communities with their Shamans. Walk through the forest in company of a Shaman apprentice and learn the medicinal uses of plants. Be part of a traditional healing ceremony or simply talk with these knowledgeable and friendly men.

• Aguasanta Market - a local market where you can interact with the local community.
• Hikes - through primary rainforest to discover the immense biodiversity of the Ecuadorian jungle.
• Traditional Amazon healer - participate in a traditional cleansing ceremony, view native fishing methods & try your skills at using a blow gun or spear.
• Indigenous community - visit a typical indigenous house & learn directly their way of life.
• Birdwatching & canoe trips
  
• Ecotourism projects - health care, Micro-enterprise & agricultural projects (jams, coffee, chocolate etc)

• 12 Double cabins (with twin beds)
• 1 Single cabin (one double bed)
• 1 Triple cabin (three single beds)
• 1 Quadruple cabin (one double bed & two single beds)
• 1 Family cabin (one double bed & 5 single beds)

• Walk to Silverio's House (2 to 3 hour hike through mainly primary forest passing huts of indigenous neighbours along the Napo River)
• Mandicocha Trail (an easy trail filled with wildlife)
• Mandicocha-Mandiyacu (3 to 4 hour trip that includes a 90 minute trip in paddle canoes)
• El Salado (2 hour excursion combined with a picnic lunch for a possibility to see parrots, parakeets & macaws in their thousands)
• Piliche Trail (see enormous colony of leafcutter ants)
• Night excursions (canoe & walking trips to see such wildlife as caiman, monkeys, insects &owls)
• 135-foot Observation Tower (a bird's-eye view of the surroundings)
• Butterfly Farm (close to the lodge, watch & photograph butterflies at close range)
• Ruth's Trail (a good place to look for jaguars)

• Parrot Clay Lick
• Dining Room Tower
• Professional Canopy Tower
• Lakes & Creeks
• Forest Trails & HIkes
• Birdwatching
• Añangu Community