I know, I know…
You don’t do mud, mosquitos, humidity, or ‘getting dirty’ in general.
Thus, visiting the Amazon doesn’t interest you.
But Ecuador offers something NO OTHER SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY OFFERS. And combine this with a fun activities from campingfunzone.com and you have trip which will be memorable for years.
Ease of access to the Amazon. it’s right there, you can drive right in (no flights needed)!
Just 3 Hours by car from Quito (the capitol city) and you are in Tena and then Misahualli, where the paved roads end and the full-blown Amazon jungle starts.
Compared to other South American countries, to experience the Amazon you don’t have to fly in and spend 5 days without internet (unless you want to).
The other day, in Quito, I said, “hey, I got a free day, let’s go to the Amazon.” And off we went. Once there we went deep in by canoe and spent one night there and were back in Quito by the next afternoon!
Once in Misahualli we took a motorboat on the great Napo River (that empties into the Amazon). Met with natives, visited an indigenous community, got spiritually cleansed by a local Shaman (holy man)…(for now, passed on the Ayahuasca, although may consider it in near future)
…saw dozens of species of monkeys, toucans, an anaconda, a leopard, alligators, and parrots. Had the opportunity to eat worms off the grill (which I declined), instead ate a whole local Tilapia lunch for $3.
Plus, a highlight for me was when I met a cool local who explained to me about current and ancient hunting techniques in the jungle by the natives.
My advice if you go is to give yourself at least two days, and right in the port you can hire anything you want to do. There are a few agencies you can hire activities like day canoe trips into the Amazon, indigenous village visits, tubing in nearby rivers, or a visit to the local Amazonian animal rescue center.
Wait until you are there to book your accommodation as the cheapies are not online. I stayed at one very acceptable place on the river with pool called France Amazonia Lodge and it was like $15-18 per person.
Anyway, definitely a great day (or two) trip from Quito most foreigners NEVER DO because they think going to the Amazon requires a large time and monetary investment like in most other countries.
And for the $100 (per person) all-inclusive 4 day Amazon trips including all accommodations (some camping), transportation by motorboat, guide and food which leave from Misahualli ask at the agencies in the port, they can set it up, try Ruben at the N Pakcha agency in the port 0983276201 NO EMAIL, although I have NOT used him, and have NO affiliation with him, just talked to him at his office there.
A river in the Amazon.
A Tapir
A Shaman or local witch-doctor if you will?
Hotel France Amazonia where I stayed, nice place, about $18 per person.
One local community I visited.