This is an example of our preferred hotel, though availability is not guaranteed. If a given hotel is not available for your tour date, we will reserve you a room at a hotel of similar appeal and quality in the same area.
Kapawi Lodge
Kapawi is one of the most remote, ecologically responsible and culturally sensitive ecolodges in the world. A visit to Kapawi helps the Achuar people preserve their nearly two million acres of pristine rainforest in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
In addition to consistently receiving high praise for its gracious hospitality, creature comforts, excellent cuisine, and complete menu of activities, Kapawi is also an award winning Ecolodge noted for its ecological design and sensitivity, and for its abundance of wildlife and rich biodiversity. Located in the territorial lands of an indigenous nation (6,000 people in 64 communities) still living as they have for generations and in intimate harmony with nature, Kapawi provides guests a range and depth of cultural experiences unmatched by any other rainforest lodges.
Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve is located in one of the most remote and well protected parts of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Deep in the nearly two million acres of the Achuar people?s territory, Kapawi is accessible only by air ? flying in small planes over an unbroken green expanse of rainforest.
Kapawi Ecolodge Amenities
Kapawi Ecolodge is built entirely using traditional Achuar architecture and fans out around an ephemeral lagoon which is crowded with plant and bird life. A wooden boardwalk meanders its way from the river through the jungle to the lodge itself, and continues on out over the lagoon, providing an ideal location for early morning bird watching and sipping freshly brewed coffee.
The lodge provides 19 guest rooms, each with private bath, and two centrally located communal structures - a large dining room and the separate lounge/library - which serve as the social and meeting center.
The comfortable lounge area is equipped with a well supplied bar, library, and boutique that stocks essential items (film, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, etc.), as well as Achuar handicrafts and souvenirs. The library houses a wide range of novels, magazines and anthropological and wildlife resource books.
Enjoy the self guided trail, an easy 45 minutes walk around a loop, where you will be able to experience the sounds and the magic of the forest by yourself.
At the end of your day you are invited to swing in a hammock or relax in a reclining chair on the lodge\'s wide veranda and watch the sunset while listening to the sounds of the jungle and sipping something delicious from the well-stocked bar.
Dining at Kapawi Ecolodge
In Kapawi\'s kitchen a tasty combination of Ecuadorian and International dishes are prepared, as well as local fare from the rain forest area. Vegetarian dishes are always available. While the staff provides full service at mealtimes, a semi-buffet light breakfast is provided at 5am for early-rising birdwatchers.
Accommodations
The founding vision of Kapawi Ecolodge and Reserve is to create, in one of the most remote environments in the world, a haven of ease, good taste, and understated luxury. To this end, skilled Achuar craftsmen came together to build a series of comfortable cabins in the vernacular style of the rainforest, using local materials and created to appeal to the tastes and requirements of today\'s traveler.
A raised boardwalk connects all of the guests cabins and the several large communal buildings at Kapawi, all of which rest on stilts around the edge of an ephemeral lagoon crowded with plant and bird life. There are 18 double rooms, each with private baths. Some of the rooms can also be converted to triples and some of the rooms share a balcony looking on to the lagoon and are ideal as family accommodations.
Each of the thatched roof guest cabins is an expression of authentic, traditional Achuar design concepts, meaning that they are attractive, spacious, sustainable, well-ventilated, and creature-proof. Each cabin has a spacious screened-in sleeping area and private bath with solar heated water available on most afternoons. Cabins are fully screened - windows, floors, roofs - and each bed has its own mosquito net. Every room is equipped with a security box. On the balcony relax in a hammock or deck chair and observe the daily visitors: ducks, hummingbirds, egrets, and kingfishers. Listen to the night music of the multitude of frogs and other nocturnal creatures.
Services
Energy
A solar system at Kapawi supplies the energy needs of the lodge and is supplemented by a backup generator. All guest rooms have 110 volt power, are efficiently illuminated with energy-saving lamps, and have electric outlets for recharging camera or personal device batteries. No artificial illumination exists along the boardwalks since it could modify the behavior of nocturnal animals, so guests will need to bring a flashlight for use when walking at night.
Water
All drinking water at the Lodge is filtered through a flush-back and sand filter, and finally purified with ozone. Glass carafes of purified water are provided in each room, and there is always a large dispenser of purified drinking water available in the dining room. Biodegradable soap and shampoo are provided in the bathrooms and showers.
Swimming
Swimming can be safely enjoyed in the lakes and rivers around the lodge. The water temperature is perfect and refreshing. Swimming, or just gently drifting down a river in a rubber inner tube, can be a highlight of your stay.
Satellite Phone and Internet
A satellite internet connection and satellite telephone connection at the main office can be used in emergencies.
