AMAZON RAINFOREST

The Amazon Rainforest covers 1.7 billion acres in South America, the majority of which is in Brazil and Peru. Amazonia or the rainforest region and tributaries to the Amazon River cover portions of Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

Amazonia is the most bio-diverse area in the world. The region is home to 40,000 species of plants and over 400 species of both mammals and reptiles. 1:5 species of birds that exists on this planet is found in the Amazon Rainforest, the same is true for species of fish. In total 1:10 known species on this planet can be found in the Amazon Rainforest.

The eastern portion of Ecuador is tropical, lush green rainforest. This region, known as the Ecuadorian Amazon or Oriente, covers approximately half of the country's total area. Though the Amazon River does not flow through Ecuador, all the rivers flowing east of the Andes contribute to the mighty river, making Ecuador known as the Headwaters of the Amazon.

The Ecuadorian Amazon is easily accessible, has good infrastructure, and is home to many indigenous settlements, which welcome visitors. The relative closeness to the Andes makes the temperatures milder than in other Amazon regions. This region is topical and humid the Ecuadorian Amazon hosts temperatures of 77 to 95 F and rainfall of 110 to 160 inches annually. The constant moisture and heat produces an environment that sustains the principal attraction rainforest's abundance of life. It is home to more species of plants and animals than in the rest of the world's ecosystems combined. The Ecuadorian Amazon is considered one of the richest and most complex plant and animal habitats in the world. Over 100 species of trees per acre live in some regions. The rainforest of Central America compares with only 40 species of trees per acre.

The jungle is a thick, layered mesh of life forms. The upper canopy's trees reach 165 ft towards the sky, providing the structure for other plants and animals to subsist. Beneath their broad evergreen leaves and branches is a world of textures and smells. Trees, vines, orchids and bromeliads intertwine becoming the hiding place for the birds and animals that live in the area.

Travelers seeking animals, luck will improve with a good guide and sharp eyes. Mammals of the rainforest include tapirs, monkeys, ocelots and jaguars. Many tourists observe monkeys, bears, capybaras, manatees and caimans while visiting the perimeter of the rainforest. There are more birds in this region then any other vertebrate. Approximately 1000 species make their home in the forests, lagoons, and open areas of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The variety of multicolored birds includes parrots, toucans and macaws.

Amazon Regions

The primary tourist routes into the Ecuadorian Amazon are along the Rio Napo, at 530 miles long it is the longest river in Ecuador and a major tributary of the Amazon river. Tena, the capital of Napo Province a 6-hour bus ride from Quito is the starting point for most journeys into the heart of the Amazon. Tena is also the whitewater capital of Ecuador with excellent class III, IV and IV runs.

Ecuador has established an extensive system of national parks and working with scientific stations they protect and area covering 3,035,250 hectares of the Ecuadorian Amazon. To protect this unique area there is the Yasuni National Park and Biosphere, The Sumaco-Napo Galeras National Park, The Limoncocha Biological Reserve, The Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, Fauna Reserve of Cuyabeno and Podocarpus National Park. The Yuturi, Yasuni, Tiputini, Tivacuno and Cononaco are all surrounded by virgin rainforest.

A visit to either the Napo or Aguarico basin offers numerous opportunities to observe the complex ecosystem of the forest, marshes, flood plains, and river and vast number of species that make the rainforest their home including freshwater or pink dolphins, piranhas, monkeys, caiman, river otters and more than 400 species of birds.

The Ecuadorian Amazon is home to a number of indigenous groups including the Quichua, Shuar, Achuar, Secoya, Siona, Huaorani and Cofan. Many of these groups had little contact with the outside world until the last century and have been established as  separate nations by the government of Ecuador.  These groups are both important activists in the protection of their economical, political and cultural interest. Many have established eco-lodges which allow visitors to experience the culture of the group and learn about their way of life in the jungle while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Because of oil exploration, banana, coffee and cocoa plantations travelers must now travel farther into the jungle to get a good look at the animals and birds. Due to the amount of travel required we recommend a minimum of four days in the rainforest to get the most out of an Amazon experience.

**Anti-malaria tablets and yellow fever vaccination are recommended for all travelers visiting the Amazon region.

Amazon Lodges

While there are a number of Amazon Lodges in Ecuador we highly recommend the following lodges for the best rainforest experience:

Kapawi Lodge - A combination of nature and cultural adventure

Napo Wildlife Center - Located in Yasuni National Park the most luxurious Amazon Lodge in Ecuador

Sacha Lodge - the most complete experience with a canopy walk, birding tower, butterfly farm an excellent location and excellent service