Huaorani guide, Eme, shows us how hunters call a toucan

Visiting the community of Quehueri’ono

An all round cool adventure in the Amazon, but that’s only the beginning…

A visit to the Huaorani Lodge is about learning about the remarkable Amazon forest from the people who have lived here for centuries. Community interaction and education is a significant part of this itinerary. The Huaorani Lodge is a community owned and operated lodge – designed specifically to help preserve the territory and traditions of the Huaorani community.

The fight to protect the Huaorani culture and environment first came to the fore in the mid nineteen nineties. Moi Enomenga of the Quehueri’ono community was featured by the New Yorker magazine and was the principle character of Joe Kane’s book ‘Savages’ (1995); an NBC television documentary later told of his struggle to protect his people’s land from oil companies. Moi’s experiences gave him a new perspective. He came to believe that ecotourism could provide a means by which his people might receive an income while maintaining the integrity of their culture and conserving their rainforest territory.

The ecolodge is one of the outcomes of Moi’s vision. The project to build and run the lodge was developed by the Ecotourism Association of Quehueri’ono – representing five communities on the upper Shiripuno River – and a well know pioneer ecotourism operator based in Quito. Low impact and local participation were given priority.

Carefully chosen expert guides (who have spent significant time with the Huaorani) and Huaorani community members join travelers throughout this trip. Not only are travelers accompanied by local guides on this trip, but they will also spend time visiting the Huaorani Community of Quehueri’ono. There is no set agenda for the community visits – sometimes visits will include a welcome ceremony, sometimes a dance, sometimes travelers are welcomed into a household for the afternoon, sometimes they help the Huaorani in the field… It all depends on what the community’s agenda is for the day. Travelers can also purchase crafts directly from community members. It is very common for community members to causally stop at the lodge and campsite to visit travelers.

Waterfall retreat from Nenkepare campsite

The Huaorani Lodge is one of the lodges that Adventure Life has worked with on an USAID funded project with the Rainforest Alliance. The purpose of this project is to support to community owned lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The goals of this project include the preservation of at least 200,000 hectares of Amazonian rainforest in Ecuador — combined with training and technical assistance to community-owned lodges located in or adjacent to protected areas. The focus is on reducing negative impacts associated with tourism — and reevaluating the most successful and practical practices of responsible tourism. The Huaorani Lodge – as all lodges involved in the project – specifically requested to be involved.

With the help of seasoned travelers, journalists, and local experts, Traveler discovers properties that exhibit strong local color, authenticity, a sustainability ethic, and community involvement. Further research narrows the list down to our very best picks—places you can count on for a great overnight (and cultural) experience.

Here are a few details on just why these accommodations made the list.

The Madidi River -- Enroute to the Bolivian Amazon's Chalalan Lodge

EcoCamp in Torres del Paine National Park

Ecuador's Sacha Lodge makes National Geographic Travelers 2011 Stay List

EcoCamp
EcoCamp is designed to expose travelers to nature as in a camp tent but with the comfort and sophistication of a four star hotel. The structure is built to interfere as little as possible with the surrounding Torres del Paine environment, and to take full advantage of the site. EcoCamp gives sight to the park’s granite pillars right from the dining room and from many dormitory domes. Here the environment is the star. Travelers come very far to be outdoors in the park, so indoor amenities are as little as possible to encourage as much time outdoors as possible exploring the trails of Torres del Paine. The maximum capacity will be 30 guests so the feeling of intimacy, the idea of being in a Nomadic convoy in a remote environment will be kept even if the EcoCamp is full.

Sacha Lodge
Sacha has long recognized how rich and rare its surrounding environment is – and has designed a number of structures to highlight the region. This includes its kapok tower; this 135-foot tower is situated on a hill and constructed around a giant kapok tree for stability. This tower allows guests another opportunity to climb into and above the rainforest canopy. And its recent 940-foot (275-meter) long canopy walkway – at approximately 94 feet (30 meters) above the ground – is exclusive to the lodge. While at Sacha, travelers paddle dugout canoes along blackwater creeks and lakes; swim with piranha; take night walks and canoe trips in search of caiman and other nocturnal creatures. This is the Amazon – and Sacha is designed educate and immerse travelers in the jungle during the day, and relax in comfort at night.

National Geographic Traveler definitely has some nice things to say about Chalalan, Sacha, and EcoCamp (and we certainly share their sentiments) — but how about a few recommendations directly from the source. Here’s just a few things our travelers are saying about their time at these lodges.

What our travelers are saying about Chalalan:
“The Chalalan Lodge experience is just fantastic. Madidi Park is everyone’s dream of a rainforest-lush, beautiful, and filled with wildlife. Everyone at the lodge was super. Ricoberto, our guide, was knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. The meals were delicious and the service was great. Every time I got back from a hike someone was waiting to greet me with a glass of cold lemonade. This was a fabulous tour!” – Kathy R.

What our travelers are saying about EcoCamp:
“Our EcoCamp dome was beyond our wildest dreams – wood floors, a comfy king-sized bed, floor to ceiling windows, a spacious bathroom – all the comforts of home with none of the environmental impact. After settling in, we headed back to the main dome where we were to have all our meals. Our first night, a delicious steamed salmon for dinner awaited, wine…plus good conversation with new friends. We agreed right then and there that life just doesn’t get much better.” – Jesson B.

What our travelers are saying about Sacha Lodge:
“I can’t tell you how impressed we were with the facilities. I constantly found myself thinking about how much it must take to maintain the place which essentially sits on stilts above the water and mud. Our guides, David and Poncho were excellent. Their knowledge is extensive and I am still amazed at their ability to spot wildlife in the jungle. On the evening of our arrival, Sacha hosted its once weekly barbecue at the boathouse. The food was delicious! All of the mysterious and fascinating sounds of the jungle could be heard right out of the windows of our cabin. What an experience!” – Charles A.

Want to go?

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capuchin monkey in the Amazon

Rainforest Alliance and Adventure Life team up in the Amazon

Adventure Life staff member, Julia Kocubinski, is getting ready to depart for the Ecuadorian Amazon to review, learn from, and lend insight to the Amazon lodges currently working with the RA on this project: Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve, Huarani Ecolodge, Sani Lodge and the Napo Wildlife Center. Adventure Life is honored to be one of three international tour operators to partner with the RA on this project. Stay tuned for updates upon Julia’s return.

Safe & successful travels Julia!

Approaching the remote La Selva Lodge - Ecuadorian Amazon

Missoula, Montana ecotourism specialists Adventure Life are currently offering an awesome 75% discount on their September 2009 La Selva Lodge Ecuadorian Amazon tours. Even in today’s tough economic climate, this deal makes Amazon jungle explorations more affordable than ever.

Travelers reserving space on Adventure Life’s La Selva Lodge – Ecuadorian Amazon tours departing in September 2009 at the regular price of $1,045 can save $800 on the cost of a second traveler when sharing accommodations. That means the second traveler can experience the Ecuadorian Amazon for only $245, a 75% savings!

To read the entire feature, click here!

Traveler outside of her dome at Torres del Paine's EcoCamp

EcoCamp at sunrise -- hard to beat that view

A remote welcome from Sacha Lodge, in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Madidi River, enroute to Chalalan Lodge in Bolivia

Waterfall hike in the Costa Rican jungle during a stay at Selva Bananito

Visit largest parrot and macaw clay lick in the 4.4 million acre Manu Biosphere Reserve

By Shannon Beineke
Ecotourism has skyrocketed in recent years. As a result, many lodges around the world are now claiming to be eco-friendly, but it can be hard to tell which places are truly considerate of environmental issues. Fortunately, the very best eco-lodges in Latin America leave zero room for doubt.

EcoCamp in Patagonia
In Patagonia of Chile, EcoCamp helps visitors make minimal impact on the environment. The dome-shaped design was inspired by huts of the nomadic Kawesqar people. EcoCamp units are less vulnerable to 100 mph winds. While Kawesqar huts were made from local materials covered in animal skins, EcoCamp domes are made from sturdy materials collected outside of Torres del Paine National Park. Each foundation-free dome is removed seasonally so the land can fully recover, and using 17 hours of sun each day, solar panels power toilet fans and indoor lighting. It’s no wonder EcoCamp was the first Chilean hospitality company to receive the esteemed Enviromental Management Systems Certification: ISO 14001 from the SGS of Switzerland.

Sacha Lodge in Ecuador
Sacha Lodge is located on a private 5,000-acre reserve. Approximately 50 miles east of Coca in Ecuador, it’s nestled on Pilchicocha lagoon, near the dark and mysterious Napo river. This eco-friendly lodge is almost completely concealed by forestry. In fact, “Sacha” is the Quichua Indian word for “forest.” Each thatched-roof hut is made of local materials and screened in to keep insects at bay. A diesel generator powers the electricity. Remember, “lights off” is at 10:00 pm! Also, each unit has its own bathroom, complete with biodegradable soaps and shampoos. Runoff water is treated with ozone to keep the environment intact. With miles of footpaths and canoe routes nearby, Sacha Lodge is the ideal eco-friendly “home base” for Amazon Basin exploration.

Chalalan Lodge in Bolivia
The San Jos de Uchupiamonas are an indigenous Amazon community in Bolivia. They’ve lived in the Madidi National Park jungle for centuries. With help from Conservation International, the natives built solar-powered cabins and created Chalalan Lodge. Traditional building styles and local Madidi materials were used to keep construction eco-friendly. Now guests can enjoy home-cooked meals, musical shows, dances, and even moon-lit canoe rides. All of the proceeds help over 100 local families sustain life in the Amazonian jungle. Their precious home is among the most ecologically sensitive areas in the world, so it needs to be respected and protected. Be prepared for a trip! Chalalan is a 5-hour boat ride from the nearest town.

Selva Bananito in Costa Rica
Selva Bananito is run by Rain Forest Conservation Through Tourism, Inc. It’s the only eco-lodge in Costa Rica built with recycled waste wood. During construction, instead of being set in the forest, each cabin was placed in an area that had already been affected by humans. In addition, Selva Bananito doesn’t even offer electricity! This makes it ideal for an environmentally low-impact getaway. The lodge is located near Muchilla Mountain in Limon, at the south end of the Cordillera de Talamanca range; home to the gargantuan La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. Over 2 million acres of protected land in this area make the “green belt.” It’s the least-explored territory in all of Costa Rica, so Selva Bananito guests can discover unspoiled nature without harming it.

Manu Wildlife Center in Peru
The Manu Wildlife Center offers access to 40,000 acres of rainforest, with more than 30 miles of nearby footpaths to explore. Guests can see several species of monkeys and birds close up as they wander through the Amazon. They can also visit the largest tapir lick in the world, 120-foot-tall canopy platforms, or lakes full of hoatzins and giant otters. The Manu Wildlife Center offers a one-of-a-kind experience both outside and indoors. Guests can enjoy screened-in bungalows, electricity, showers with hot running water, and all-cedar walls. The lodge was built with salvaged wood from uprooted trees, gathered after flooding. This makes Manu an eco-friendly lodge, surrounded by one of the most magnificent creations in nature: the Amazon rain forest.