Exploring the Ecuadorian Amazon

For the past three days, we have been staying at Cotococha Amazon Lodge in the jungle of Ecuador. We had to travel on steep and treacherous roads, seemingly in the clouds, to arrive, but the adventure was worth it.

Cloudy ascent through the mountains.

The Cotococha lodge was beautiful, and we stayed in wonderful cabañas with screen windows, so we could hear the animals around us as we slept. There was no electricity, so we were brought lanterns every night as it grew dark.

Our cabaña at Cotococha Lodge.

A Heliconia flower, very common here.

Capuchin monkey at a local market, eating rice.

A canoe used for transportation on the Rio Napo.

Located on the Rio Napo, we were able to visit local indigenous villages by canoe and explore surrounding areas. The first place we visited was called Amazoonico, which houses animals native to the jungle that were being kept illegally as pets. They have some 600 animals there– macaws, toucans, tapirs, caimans, monkeys, ocelots– and some very helpful volunteer guides who could tour us around the entire place. We were followed by a very interesting bird named Trompita, because her voice sounded like a broken trumpet.

Trompita, a grey-winged trumpeter.

Brown woolly monkey.

Pecari

Guangana

From here, we went to a local Kichwa village, where we were able to learn how to pan for gold in the river, how to make a fermented drink out of yuca, how to craft the traditional ceramic bowls, and how to use a blow dart.

Learning how to make a yuca fermented drink.

Sarah using the blow dart.

Returning in the evening to the lodge, we made chocolate from cocoa beans and ate it like fondue with bananas and biscuits.

The next day I was unfortunately sick, but the group was able to explore waterfalls and tube down the Rio Napo, almost being swept away by the current. We spent the afternoon enjoying each others’ company and the sounds of the jungle. Mostly just playing heads up on our phones and telling stories.

Today, we left the jungle early and headed to Salasaca, where we met Anita, a Salasaca indigenous woman, and her family. They made lunch for us from the local plants grown on their property. They also showed us how to weave clothing and told us about the traditional wear. We got to dress up in their clothes, but the Kichwa people are typically much smaller than typical Americans. Anita was probably about 4’8″.

The group wearing traditional Salasaca clothing.

Anita helping me with the clothes.

From there, we headed to Patate, Hacienda Leito, where we’ll be staying for the night. It’s a beautiful property overlooking the mountains, nestled under the Volcan Tungurahua. It hasn’t erupted in a while but technically it’s still active. We’re out of range for getting covered in lava, but still could be covered in ash. Who knows!

Hacienda Leito in Patate.

Volcan Tungurahua.

Tomorrow, we head to Cuenca, where we’ll meet our host families of the next three weeks. We’ll be taking classes in Cuenca at CEDEI, and will go on weekend excursions from there.