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The
expedition
Why go there?
This is
your chance to discover an unspoilt region of the Amazon rainforest,
to really leave the beaten track behind and to immerse yourself in a
culture that belongs to the forest. You can experience the
incredible biodiversity of the area, and find real warmth without
luxuries. But this is an opportunity offered by a variety of
agencies. What makes our project different is that it offers you the
rare opportunity to escape the false "ecotourism" trap, where
community events are staged and the business is own by foreigners,
channelling profits into their businesses not back into local hands.
But not here. Shiwiar Ikiam is completely self-managed and locally
owned. You will not be invading or disrupting our culture but
helping to preserve it. Our expedition offers you a wonderful
opportunity to experience the jungle as it is, but more importantly
to give something back to a community.
Where will I Go?
The Shiwiar territory is
rather big. Ouf of all our territory, we elected the community Juyuintsa to receive the Ikiam expedition, being the
newest and the most isolated and therefore holding the highest
levels of biodiversity.
Who should go?
If
you have a strong interest in the fantastic biodiversity of the
Amazon rainforest, if you are not afraid of the lack of western
comfort and if you are sufficiently open minded to interact with a
very different culture, then this expedition is for you. Visitors
should be in reasonably good physical condition You must read and
accept the code of conduct before booking the
expedition.
What will I do
there?
What you choose to do is completely up to you, this
is not a travel agent's tour and you will not be stuck to a fixed
agenda. We can take you on canoe trips down the river, teach you how
to harvest and plant yucca, make handicrafts, and build traditional
houses. We will prepare our customary food for you, share our
legends and cosmogony with you, and demonstrate the use of medicinal
plants. You could also spend the night camping on the river bank, if
you wish. You will have the chance to see dozens of plant and animal
species, and to relax listening to the forest
symphony.
What will I
eat?
We currently eat what we hunt, fish, harvest from our
chacra or collect from the forest. Nevertheless as we do not want to
put more pressure on the wildlife of our territory, you will have to
mostly eat western food. Don't worry, you will have the opportunity
to taste our local fish and yuca, and we will offer you plenty of
chicha.
Where will I
sleep?
You will sleep in a bed inside a traditional house
specially built to receive visitors. Don't worry, we will provide
you with a good mosquito net. Nothing fancy but very
typical.
What should I
bring?
To fully enjoy your stay, we recommend you to bring
light clothing, long sleeved shirts and trousers, several pairs of
socks, rubber boots and a spare pair of shoes. Insect repellent,
efficient sun block, hat, sunglasses, a rain coat or rubber poncho
and a bathing suit are essential. Malarial prophylaxis (Chloroquine
or Mephaquin) are also indispensable.
Of course don't forget
your camera with films, binoculars and a flashlight. Lots of plastic
bags are essential to keep things dry. Extra precautions are
necessary for digital cameras (it's very humid in the forest!).
Reading a book with the sounds of the jungle around you is something
you are bound to enjoy.
Above all, remember that you must
pack lightly as there is not a lot of space in the
plane!
How long can I
stay?
The duration of your adventure is up to you. We
recommend a stay of 5 days/4 nights to be able to fully enjoy the
forest and our culture, but people can stay much longer if they
wish.
Is it safe?
There
is nothing to be afraid of, but obviously you need to be cautious.
Do not go in the forest alone, touch branches or leaves without
checking first that nothing is sitting on them, or put your hands
into holes. But remember that you are with indigenous people who
know the forest, and that it is far less dangerous than people
usually think!
There is however a low risk of malaria, as in
other parts of the Amazon. The use of repellent is therefore
strongly recommended. While the risk is low here, prophylaxis are
essential, and if you have any questions we recommend that you seek
professional advice.
In case of an emergency, we have a radio
that we can use to call for an aerial ambulance.
How do I get there?
Our territory is
located in the province of Pastaza, in the Ecuadorian Amazon region,
and is only accessible by plane from Puyo (Shell).
To access
the site from Quito, you can take a bus up to Puyo (5 hours- US$ 5),
where you need to change and take another bus to the village Shell
(15 minutes-US$ 0.25). It is also possible to fly from Quito to
Shell (1 hour - 100 US$).
From Shell you need to take a
flight to Shiona (1 hour and 5 minutes) in a Cessna (5 passengers
maximum). We will welcome you at the air strip and take you to our
village of Tanguntsa by canoe (half an hour).
The price of
the flight depends on the number of people in the plane. It is
currently set from a minimum of 200 US$ return per person, depending
on the number of passengers, up to 600 US$ if you are travelling
alone.
How much does it cost, and
where will my money go?
The expedition costs 65US$ per
person daily, this includes everything (accommodation, guide, canoe,
and food) except the plane. The flight currently costs from 200US$
per person (depending on the number of people in the plane), up to
600 USD if you are alone.
Once the operating costs have been
paid, all benefits are used to fund the work of the FUNSSIF and the
ONSHIPAE, who are fighting to legalize our territory and conserve
its biodiversity. Therefore your money helps to protect the
rainforest and its inhabitants, while allowing you to have a great
time. How can you spend a dollar more happily?
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