I have dreamt about travelling into the Amazon since I was a kid. To me the jungle screams ultimate adventure. An inhospitable place where everything from the roots of the trees to the prehistoric Cayman beasts operate on an eat or be eaten philosophy.
I was not disappointed...
We flew into Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. If you have time to spare I suggest spending a day or two exploring the city. Take the Teleferico up the mountain to get an astounding view, drink some hot chocolate, and rent a horse for $15 to take you on a scenic stroll. From Quito we took a bus to Tena.
Tena is like the gateway to the Amazon in Ecuador. Many people will only go this far to get just a taste of the Amazon, but this is still upper basin. To really experience the jungle in all its glory, you must keep going.
We spent one day exploring the area and finding a tour agency as you must have a guide to go any further.
As a rule we do not book things in advance from the US as it will be MUCH more expensive then just showing up and booking in person. We have never had issues with this method. There is always an opening with someone as people always want to make money.
Also, the guides in Ecuador are incredibly proficient. Every guide has to study for a minimum of 3 years and typically speaks 3 languages, Spanish, English, and the native tribe language of the region.
We found an agency with an opening that could take us the very next day for a 4 day excursion into the Amazon with a private guide. Total cost for 2, $800 including the guide, food, accommodations, activities etc.
From Tena you must take an overnight 6-8 hour bus straight East into the jungle. This bus ride is not for the faint of heart. We had an absolute speed demon driving our bus and we actually arrived hours early at 3am.
Our guide took us down to the dock on a massive lake where we would have our first stay with a local family. The family was to pick us up and taxi us to the other side of the lake, but as we arrived much earlier than expected we had to wait for some time. Our guide entertained us by mimicking the sounds of a baby Cayman. When a mother Cayman hears this noise it makes her protective and dive into the water after her baby.
Hearing a roar from the midst of the darkness followed by a splash while on this tiny rickety dock in the Amazon at 3am was at the very least entertaining.
Our home stay was really a not more than a platform off the ground with a bed and a bug net around it. I LOVED getting to see how a family with 4 young kids lives, survives, and thrives in this part of the world.
Our first full day we hiked to a 1,000 year old tree with a hole in the middle large enough to meditate in. To the Shamans this is a holy tree that we were only permitted to visit briefly.
We hiked through the lower Amazon basin learning about the flora and fauna of the land. My favorite tree was called Dragons Blood. When you cut this tree it secretes a liquid that is eerily similar to blood, and when rub in your hands turns to a medicinal white paste.
Later in the afternoon we got to fish for dinner, Piranha!
To fish for Piranha you must put raw meet at the end of your hook and splash the water ferociously as if there is a feeding frenzy happening. When you feel a tug you yank your wooden stick with the hook up and hope to see that menacing little creature at the end.
The children of the household came with us and they the 7 year old caught much bigger and many more Piranha then we could ever dream to. We did eat what we caught for dinner and to this day that is the most delicious fish I have ever had.
Later that night we went Cayman hunting. Not to kill them, but just to see and admire the modern dinosaurs.
The way to hunt a Cayman is to shine a bright flashlight out into the lake and look for their eyes reflecting back at you. When you've spotted one you would race over and just observe. My favorite part of this excursion was seeing the bioluminescent bugs that lined about 2 feet of the entire edge of the lake.
Every day was filled with an awe inspiring activity just like this day. From finding the largest gathering of Macaws I have ever seen licking clay for the minerals to leaving the lake and travelling 3 hours by boat down the Napo river and camping on the middle of a sand bank.
My favorite day was visiting the indigenous tribe. We had the opportunity to see how they live, dance, and even eat with them. They made us grilled palm grubs, and for a bug they were pretty tasty! Much better than Cuy (guinea pig) which they eat regularly in both Peru and Ecuador. The grubs tasted like really juicy bar-b-que. Except the head did crunch a little too much like a bug for me.
I could go on and on about this experience. It is definitely one that I recommend. Put it on your list and reach out if you need any help!