Home
News
Travel
Podcasts
Features
Sales/Ventas
Culture
Sport
Nightlife
Contact Us
Sacha Ursay
The force of the jungle Sunday, 2 March 2008 by Hannah Simon photos by Kathleen Prevost A vast majority of travelers and backpackers seek an authentic experience – one that is not tainted with commercial interests or filled with cliché tourist traps. Carpedm Adventures, in association with the Secret Garden hostel, offers such an experience. Their four-day excursion into Tena, one of the best cities for ecotourism in Ecuador, allows travelers to learn about indigenous communities in the Oriente while soaking in the beauty of the rainforest. The tour is aptly called Sacha Ursay, a Kichwa name that translates into “the force of the jungle.” Tours stay in the Sacha Ursay lodge throughout the duration of the trip, excluding one night spent in hammocks in a nearby cave. “Sleeping in the cave was one of the coolest things I have done on my trip so far,” recent group member Christina Olson says. “Waking up in the morning to the sound of rain while swinging in a hammock under the
Classifieds
cover of a massive cave was an unforgettable experience.” The main lodge is approximately a 30-minute walk from the nearest road and is an exquisite balance between modern comforts and a realistic jungle experience. Group members can enjoy basic necessities like beds, mosquito nets and toilets while appreciating the beauty of the rainforest sans electricity. “The best part of the trip was the walk through the selva, with the explanations from the shaman,” says backpacker Tristan Bussink, a recent participant in the Sacha Ursay adventure. Fidel Sergio Tanguila, a community shaman and member of the host family, leads the tour through the jungle terrain, educating the group about everything from the medicinal uses of plants to how anacondas are trapped on the jungle floor. His explanations of shamanism and the spiritual connection between the jungle and the indigenous communities living there are fascinating and empowering. At the cabaña lodge, activities include tasting Kichwa food such as yucca and traditional teas, as well as learning how to make jewelry from seeds and chocolate from the cacao plant. Although the family does not speak English – Kichwa is their native language but they speak fluent Spanish as well – group members have a unique opportunity to learn about the fascinating Kichwa culture. Most indigenous families in Tena live sustainably off the land, growing plants and respecting the delicate nature of the rainforest. Tour groups are undeniably able to appreciate the tranquility of the towering jungle trees and waterfalls. The Sacha Ursay tour also includes a canoe ride down the river Napo and a visit to the local wildlife rescue centre, AmaZOOnico. Visitors pay $2 entrance fee into the reserve, which only receives funding through donations and the selling of local crafts. The rescue center plays host to wild animals confiscated by the Ecuadorian government from the black market or donated by individuals who were keeping them as pets. Animals like spider monkeys and ocelots as well as exotic birds like parrots and toucans can be found at the wildlife center, many of them living free in the area or in enclosures depending on safety and health regulations. Tours will leave feeling like they have truly taken part in an authentic and realistic tour of Tena and the jungle. From the sincere family members and amicable guides, group members are bound to feel like they have been given a genuine glimpse into the indigenous community of Tena. “It was a perfect mix of culture, exercise, relaxation and fun,” Olson says. “Trips like these make you realize how important these places are and puts a face on the people that depend on them to survive.”
“Sacha Ursay is the signature tour for the Secret Garden hostel,” says Paul Parreño, President of Carpedm Adventures travel agency. Carpedm Adventures has been associated with the Secret Garden hostel since December 2007, but the hostel been working with Rene Shiguango, a licensed jungle guide since mid-2005. Shiguango has been involved in ecotourism for 12 years. “Originally we were working with a company based in Quito,” says Brad Kidd, general manager of the Secret Garden, a hostel that is celebrating its fifth year in Old Town, Quito. “Rene was definitely a godsend for us and we love the fact that he is so community-oriented.” The four-day trip costs $135 (not including transportation to Tena), but only $20 commission from each customer goes to the travel agency and the hostel. The other 85% goes back to the indigenous community and the family who hosts the tour groups. The proceeds are spent on everything from food and supplies to the cost of sending the family’s children to a public school in Tena. Shiguango self-organizes all the tours specifically for Carpedm Adventures and the Secret Garden hostel, which facilitate the tour between their customers and Shiguango’s business. Those who are not staying at the hostel are completely welcome to participate in the tour. “The tour can be coordinated at a moment’s notice, based on demand.” Kidd says, and although they usually organize tours when three or four people express interest, the trip is much more enjoyable when experienced with a larger group. According to Parreño, Sacha Ursay runs at least once every two weeks, which gives the host family ample time to prepare for new tours.
Tour details
Bus ride from Terminal Terrestre Cumandá, Old Town to Tena costs $6 (5-6 hours) Tour provides each person with rubber boots and a water proof poncho because of the wet rainforest environment
Other information Paul Parreño: phone - 2954713, paul@carpedm.ca José Antepara E4-70 y Los Ríos
Rene Shiguango phone 87291835, sachaursay@yahoo.com Augusto Rueda y Tena (B Las Playas)
Add a Comment
< previous
next >