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Explore Yasuní National Park BEST FOR: NATURE ENTHUSIASTS
Over one million acres of largely undisturbed forest sits deep in the east of the country. One of the richest biodiversity areas on Earth, Yasuní National Park is also the largest protected area in mainland Ecuador and an ideal spot in which to truly appreciate the sheer scale of the Amazon. Here, the thunder of colossal waterfalls echoes along the forest floor, permeated only by the shrieks of leaping monkeys. Travellers can navigate past the dense mangroves by canoe, deftly dodging the caimans that linger just under the surface, before taking to land to hike beneath an ancient canopy of entwined trees. Scuttling armadillos, tapirs, capybaras and boa constrictors are among the wildlife species to look out for — and sharp-eyed visitors may even spot the slinking spots of a jaguar.
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Clockwise from top left: An outing with the Indigenous Huaorani; a red-bellied titi monkey over the Amazon River; birdwatching on a canoeing tour in Yasuní National Park; cooking palm grubs with the Amazonian Kichwas
Stay in a jungle lodge BEST FOR: FAMILIES
Located near the town of Archidona, Hakuna Matata Lodge offers a range of activities suitable for all ages. Claiming to be the only Ecuadorian Amazon lodge with onsite stables, it arranges guided horse-riding tours, designed for beginners, on South American criollo horses. There are gentle, family-friendly rafting experiences available on the Anzu river, and the nearby Jumandi cave system is easy to access. For a sweet treat, book a pod-to-bar chocolate workshop to learn how to grind cocoa beans before tasting your own creations. Those looking for extra relaxation can head to the lodge’s private beach on the Inchillaqui river.
hakunamatata-ecuador.com
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Unwind with spa treatments BEST FOR: WELLNESS-LOVERS
Coveted therapeutic ingredients grow wild in the Amazon, where a well-placed machete cut can yield a curative sap or alluring fragrance. The rainforest’s native ingredients are used in beauty products and spa treatments all over the world — so why not try them at the source? A short drive from the town of Tena, in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, Arahuana Jungle Resort & Spa is a peaceful enclave, disturbed only by the sounds of chattering birds and distant storms. At its spa and wellness centre, guests can try facials and body treatments, including pinda and hot stone massages, designed to reduce the tiredness that can come with jungle adventures. Those stopping here for a few days should also visit the nearby Laguna Azul to soak in natural pools.
arahuana.com
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Kayak through mangroves BEST FOR: FIRST-TIME ADVENTURERS
A kayak tour from the town of Tena is the ideal option for those who are feeling adventurous but aren’t quite ready to jump off a waterfall or spend a week in the jungle. One of the many Amazon gateway towns scattered across Ecuador, Tena is close enough to the action to let travellers experience some of the rainforest’s top highlights on a one-day tour. Kayak under low-hanging trees, with even lower-hanging monkeys watching on, and keep eyes peeled for pink river dolphins. They’re playful and curious and, while they shouldn’t be disturbed, they’ll sometimes come and dive beside the strangers exploring their pristine home.
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