Yachana Lodge

Location:
Quito Office: Vicente Solano E12-61 and Oriental Ave.
Ecuador

Hotel

V!VA User‘s Description

Yachana Lodge, the only officially certified eco-lodge in Ecuador's Amazon by the Ministry of Tourism, means "a place for learning" in the local language of Quichua. It does a good job of making guests comfortable in its spacious and modern facilities while teaching them about local communities, and the challenges the communities face in the effort to balance rainforest protection, modernization and survival.

When you step off the canoe that brings you from the town of Coca up the Napo River, you may be surprised to step onto a cobblestone path, paved all the way up to the lodge entrance. Manicured flowering bushes and plants are scattered across the closely trimmed grass - adding to the feeling that there is nothing really wild about this jungle adventure. Unlike many other rainforest lodges, all rooms are fully enclosed with screened-in windows. The bathrooms have 24-hour hot water and potable water from the tap. Paths connect all the buildings, so you never have to set foot even on the grass, if you wish.

Activities are all optional and include hikes of varying difficulties through the secondary and primary rainforest as well as visits to communities where activities like basket weaving, pottery-making and traditional ceremonies are offered. The nearby cacao farm, where Yachana Gourmet harvests for their chocolate production, makes for an interesting trip as well. Don't expect to see as many large animals as other Ecuadorian reserves, the area has been highly populated for some time and much of the large wildlife has been hunted or chased deep into the forest.

As a place of learning, Yachana makes a strong effort to make guests aware of the community's needs. Based a ten-minute walk from the small town of Mondaña, FUNEDESIN, Yachana's umbrella organization, has played the role of fairy godmother to the town, helping with construction in town, funding for the medical clinic, which serves about 30 communities along the Napo River, and assistance to the elementary school. In September 2005, an experimental education high school run by FUNEDESIN opened, focusing on teaching conservation, sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism. Yachana is the only Ecuadorian rainforest lodge that hires all of its lodge staff and guides from the local community or other rainforest communities.

This Hotel is: Expensive

Room Prices:
Price Description:Price per Adult:

3 nights: $480

4 nights: $640

Price per Child under 12:

3 nights: $240

4 nights: $320

Contact Information:
Phone: 593-2-256-6035, 593-2-252-3777, Cell: 593-9-709-9933
E-mail: info(at)remove-this.yachana.com
URL: www.yachana.com

Traveler Reviews of Yachana Lodge

Outstanding experience

Rating: 100%

I have just returned from four days in Yachana and had the most fantastic time. The lodge is truly lovely, the the projects they are undertaking there are really admirable. Our guides, Hector and Juan, were incredibly knowledgeable and had realy interesting stories to tell about indigenous life in the jungle. I found the environment absolutely enchanting and didn't want to leave! Not really the place to go to see lots of animals, it is not deep enough into the jungle, but a great place to unwind and absorb the natural environment.

By V!VA User from London, Aug 30, 2006

Best jungle tour ever!

Rating: 100%

Really liked the feeling of yachana lodage, the guides and locals were really friendly. It was good value for money, and your money is going to a really worthy cause. Some other rainforest tours are aimed at disturbing the wildlife to please tourists. At Yachana you get to live with the wildlife and observe it, without disturbing its natural habitat.

By V!VA User from London, UK, Jul 31, 2006

an experience you do not want to miss!

Rating: 100%

THE ACCOMODATION WAS DELIGHTFUL, AND THE FOOD EXCELLENT... PLUS WE HAD A GUIDE WHO KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERY TREE, PLANT AND ANIMAL. IT WAS BOTH EDUCATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL. THE LODGE ALSO SUPPORTS A HIGH SCHOOL UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN ECUADOR....WITH HANDS ON EXPEPRIENTAL LEARNING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOTOURISM AND AGRICULTURE.

By Paula Newton from BOISE, IDAHO, Nov 02, 2005