What We Offer: Eco-tourism

In addition to their activities of vigilance and protection of the area, the Yacu Tayta group joined with two other communities of the Yanayacu Pucate basin to conduct an eco-tourism Project in the region.

Eco-tourism is an important complement to the activities designed for the sustainable management of the area’s natural resources. The organization has formed an infrastructure and trained personnel for tourist activities, including guides, cooks, drivers, administrators and helpers.

 After four years of experience in the management of groups of visitors as partners of the “Rumbo al Dorado” (Heading to El Dorado) consortium, the organization now works autonomously, and has developed its own expedition programs to the Cocha El Dorado.

The Journey

Group Size: minimum four and maximum eight passengers. For smaller groups, ask for special programs and prices.

Lodging

The refuges are small shelters constructed with local materials from the jungle, protected with mosquito netting and able to house up to 8 passengers. The refuges have bathrooms, showers, dining room and two bedrooms with four beds in each.

They are run on solar energy. Communication is by radio only.

Meals

The meals offered are based on fish, chicken, and vegetables. Some of the ingredients are bought in the city and the rest are purchased in the community. This allows them to prepare delicious high-quality, healthy regional meals. Special instructions (such as the need for vegetarian meals) should be given well in advance of the trip.

The food is prepared by local people who have been educated regarding food preparation, hygiene and quality of the ingredients. Three meals are included in the package: breakfast, lunch and dinner. During long journeys, a box lunch is included. Cooking and drinking water is treated.

Expeditions:

Travelers are guided by a bilingual guide and local guides from each community visited, experts who know the area inside out. River trips are taken on comfortable, safe wooden boats, with roofs to provide shade and reduce solar exposure. In the dry season, when water levels decline, “peke peke” or canoes are used when necessary. The boats are equipped with life jackets. Expeditions can also be organized for photographers, nature-lovers, and for those who enjoy recreational fishing.

It is important to point out that travelers who embark upon this adventure should be in good physical condition and in excellent general health, and should possess a willing spirit to adapt to very different circumstances from those they are used to. The boat trips can be long and tiring, sometimes lasting up to 6 hours and with hikes of up to 3-4 hours, depending on the program.

Modes of transportation to be used outside of the Reserve can vary depending on the wishes of those that are traveling.

Tourist Programs

Each program can be adapted to the specific interests and needs of the group and to their physical fitness level.

 Special attention is given to bird-watchers, scientific groups and nature photographers, for whom we are able to provide qualified biologists and local experts in the region on request.

Since the area is a Government-protected region, passengers will need to be familiarized with the rules and regulations issued by reserve headquarters.

Time of Visit

• The dry season, when there is little rain, lasts from June through November/December. Water levels decline considerably, boat navigation is slower, and this is also the most recommended time for observation of local animal species such as caimans, river otters, and local and migratory birds.
• The rest of the year it is rainy and much of the region is covered with water, most of all in February and March, when one can observe impressive flowering and fruiting plants and trees. It is also easier to see primates and mammals at this time, in those areas of the reserve that remain dry.