{"id":38834,"date":"2013-08-11T02:58:40","date_gmt":"2013-08-11T06:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=38834"},"modified":"2020-08-24T03:54:34","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T07:54:34","slug":"ecuador-amazon-rainforest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/ecuador-amazon-rainforest\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecuador Amazon Rainforest"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Amazon Rainforest Romp<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you ever start Jonesin\u2019 for an Indy revival, complete with steaming jungles, rugged terrain, heart-thumping adventure and breathtaking beauty that would make Harrison Ford proud, you might want to set a course for South America and consider an Ecuador Amazon rainforest romp !\u00a0 Pretty sure you can leave the bullwhip at home and don\u2019t don the fedora, unless you can really rock the stylish look.<\/p>\n

The Amazon River, long shrouded in mystique and associated with adventure, the unknown and, mostly, the country of Brazil, is one of the last great bastions of exploration left on planet Earth. The Amazon River Basin and its tributaries drain an expanse of 2,670,000\u00a0square miles.\u00a0 Just marvel at that number for a scant moment.\u00a0 The dark heart of the Amazon River Basin has always been the Amazonia Rainforest, an area of dense tropical rainforest, covering 2,100,000\u00a0square miles, making it the largest rainforest in the world.<\/p>\n

While admittedly, a majority of the Amazonia Rainforest does fall in Brazil, over 42,000 square miles of it belongs to Ecuador.\u00a0 While on a relative basis this area seems \u201csmall\u201d by comparison, some of the most unspoiled, remote and, frankly, near inaccessible parts of the Amazon are found in Ecuador.\u00a0 Because it is so underdeveloped and pristine, it teems with life and diversity.\u00a0 There are 24 distinct \u201ctropical life zones\u201d found within Ecuador\u2019s section of the Amazon and almost 1\/3 of all the Amazonia bird species are located within the borders of Ecuador.\u00a0 It truly makes for Indy-style romp and adventure, navigating the remote terrain and exploring the hidden wonders that await.<\/p>\n

Approximately 96% of Ecuador\u2019s Amazon zone is not readily accessible by road, making the process of traveling within it, as challenging as traveling to get there.\u00a0 From the larger Ecuador cities of Quito and Guayaquil, it is possible to rent a small charter airplane and touch down on one of several tiny air strips that dot the Amazonian basin, such as the one in the outskirt town of Shell Mera.\u00a0 For the more adventuresome, you might go for a charter that drops down smack dab in the midst of the rainforest.\u00a0 Not for the feint of heart!<\/p>\n

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Larger charters can also be commandeered in Quito or Guayaquil, but don\u2019t be surprised if you share cargo space with domestic farm animals and other \u201cunique cargo\u201d.\u00a0 What? You were expecting fruity drinks with umbrellas, comfy first-class seating and a course of filet mignon? Snap out of it! This is a rainforest romp Indy adventure, remember?<\/p>\n

The closest you will get to a traditional commercial airline experience is the sparse weekly flights from Quito to Amazon locales such as Puerto Francisco de Orellana (locally known as \u201cCoca\u201d).\u00a0 Think you are finally going to get the comfy \u201call clear\u201d…not so fast!\u00a0 That little commercial jaunt generally entails the commercial flight…a 4×4 joy ride…a canoe trip down the Amazon RIver and, depending on your final destination…a short (or not so short) hike to your final destination site.\u00a0 Set aside a whole day to get from Point A to Point B.<\/p>\n

If this whole Indy adventure is starting to sound a bit complicated, then you fully understand why most travelers to Ecuador\u2019s Amazon Basin choose to book through an experienced tour specialist.\u00a0 They would handle all the details, inclusive of air, road and…yes, canoe transport, with an experienced guide accompanying you most of the way.\u00a0 The can also assist in making reservations for your preferred Amazon lodge, but that bit of fun and excitement is something you might want to reserve for yourself.<\/p>\n

The \u201cbest\u201d time to travel to Ecuador\u2019s Amazon is likely the dry season, which covers November, December and January, but there is no time when the area is not truly \u201ctropical\u201d…hot, humid and wet.\u00a0 Pack accordingly and dress intelligently. If you survive the harried adventure to get there, you will be justly rewarded.\u00a0 Ecuador\u2019s chunk of the Amazon Basin has extreme biodiversity, including incredible vegetation, varied birds, beasts, reptiles and insects. A tapestry literally bursting with life.<\/p>\n

Roughly speaking, species already accounted for in the rainforest include 80,000 trees; 3,000 land vertebrates; 2,000 freshwater fish; almost half the world’s 8,500 species of birds; and 1,200 different kinds of butterflies. Among these diverse life forms, many of them endemic to the region, and some of them endangered, there are all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures: a monkey small enough to sit in the palm of your hand [pigmy marmoset]; the world’s largest rodent [capybara]; the world’s biggest snake [anaconda]; and the world’s noisiest animal [the howler monkey, whose voice can carry as far as 10 miles].\u00a0 Remember, those are discovered, verified and cataloged species.\u00a0 Who knows what mysteries await on your particular journey?<\/p>\n

Thus far, we have discussed mostly flora and fauna.\u00a0 However, in the Ecuador Amazon Rainforest basin there are many unique and intriguing indigenous tribes, the biggest groups being the Siona-Sequoia, Cofan, Huaorani, Quichua, Shuar and Achuar. Some of them have only recently been in contact with people outside the Amazon environment, and it is thought that there are still small groups that continue to be totally isolated. The history of the Amazonia people is likely even more intriguing than the exceptional wildlife experience.<\/p>\n

However, it pays to note that many Amazon residents do not readily acclimate to visitors, who often arrive in the form of miners, colonists, travelers, tourists, photographers, travel writers, anthropologists, botanists, priests or policemen. Some have opened up to the tourism traveler, recognizing that they cannot remain isolated forever, and that tourism is a lesser evil than the logging and mining that destroys their homeland. But wherever you go in the Amazon rainforest, it is wise to do so with a sensitivity and a respect to the peoples whose home it has been for thousands of years.<\/p>\n

Also, it pays to consider that one\u2019s lodging accommodations can vary dramatically in such an extreme environment.\u00a0 There are rustic and basic accommodations, moderate level abodes and, surprisingly, somewhat deluxe options. In the latter category, please do away with fantasy visions of penthouse suites at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.\u00a0 We are talking \u201crelative Amazonia luxury\u201d.\u00a0 However, it pays to do your research, because each unique encampment offers flora and fauna advantages and if by chance accommodations should not meet your standards, it is not like you can walk across the street for option #2.<\/p>\n

Lastly, we offer our \u201cEcuador Amazon Rainforest Adventurers\u201d packing tips checklist:<\/p>\n

Good\u00a0binoculars for wildlife viewing (an absolute must).<\/p>\n

Camera\/video gear with spare batteries.<\/p>\n

Two or three pairs of lightweight long pants.<\/p>\n

Two or three long-sleeved lightweight shirts.<\/p>\n

Two or three T-shirts.<\/p>\n

One or two pairs of shorts, mostly for indoor wear.<\/p>\n

Lightweight sweater or jacket (it does rarely get damp and chilly at night).<\/p>\n

Rain gear (although most lodges provide ponchos).<\/p>\n

Three pairs of cotton socks.<\/p>\n

Comfortable, but rugged, waterproof footwear, such as hiking boots.<\/p>\n

Three pairs of absorbent socks.<\/p>\n

A bottle or canteen to carry water.<\/p>\n

Ziplock-type plastic bags to cover items you\u2019d prefer not get wet.<\/p>\n

Insect repellent (DEET product with at least 20% concentration).<\/p>\n

Flashlight or headlamp bright enough for use on night walks.<\/p>\n

A hat for sun protection.<\/p>\n

Sunglasses.<\/p>\n

Sunscreen lotion with a high SPF rating.<\/p>\n

Comfortable pair of sandals, mostly for indoor use.<\/p>\n

Personal toiletries and medications (carry medications with you when arriving and leaving the lodge).<\/p>\n

A photocopy of your passport.<\/p>\n

Money (in small US$ bills and coins).<\/p>\n

Any special and\/or medical need options not covered.<\/p>\n

Check with your local embassy, consulate or travel medicine specialist to see if any inoculations are required.<\/p>\n

Fully forewarned, tropical jungle gear in hand, you are now set to embark on your Amazonia rainforest romp in Ecuador.\u00a0 Godspeed and, oh…one last suggestion.\u00a0 If you perchance enter a cavern, tomb or otherwise ancient looking structure and happen upon an odd looking golden relic of say, I don\u2019t know, a monkey head just laying about on a stone pillar… strongly consider just leaving it alone and softly walking away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are 24 distinct \u201ctropical life zones\u201d within the Ecuador Amazon Rainforest and almost 1\/3 of all Amazonia bird species are located within the borders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":308,"featured_media":38738,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[2044,2197,32097,32087,32088,32091,32089,32093,32099,7731,32092,32086,32094,13762,32096,32098,24964,32090,32095,8898],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Why-You-Should-Invest-In-Ecuador.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38834"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/308"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38834"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38834\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38845,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38834\/revisions\/38845"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38834"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=38834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}