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Kapawi is the largest
community-based project ever developed in
Ecuador. The EcoLodge was built in co-ownership
with a private entity to create and provide a
high standard of service in one of the remotest,
most pristine and isolated points
in the Amazon Basin, away from oil
exploitation and other destructive practices.
Kapawi is built on a lagoon. Water levels
vary throughout the year's seasons and provide the
perfect setting for your accommodations. The lodge accommodates up
to 50 guests and was built in accordance to the Achuar
concept of architecture. It offers 20 double and triple
rooms with private bathrooms, sun heated showers and
electricity provided by a solar panel system. Every
room has a wide terrace. One thing you should
keep in mind during your stay here at Kapawi is that
you are in the “jungle”. Insects are by far the most
numerous form of life in this habitat, even though
the rooms are screened through the walls and floors,
you may have some unwanted “guests” in your cabin.
At the moment up to 70% percent of
all the employees that work at the lodge are
Achuar. Tourists give a contribution of US $10
dollars as an entrance fee. For these
communities their main income comes from
ecotourism.
The reserve is located at 240 kilometers from
Quito, the Achuar Territory has 5,000 square
kilometers, and an indigenous Achuar population
of 4500. Kapawi is located in one of the areas
with the highest biodiversity on Earth, with
10,000 different species of plants and more than
540 different species of birds. Situated near
the Ecuadorian and Peruvian border, Kapawi is in
the Southern Ecuadorian Amazon Basin on the
Pastaza River, a major tributary of the Amazon,
and can only be accessed by air and boat. The
closest town is within ten days walking
distance.
The Kapawi project was initiated in 1993 to
start a new trend in ecotourism. It was built in
partnership with the FINAE, Federation of Achuar
Indigenous People in Ecuador, by providing a
monthly means of economic support and jobs to
the Achuars, superior to the relatively limited
lifestyle in an area of 5.000 square kilometers
with a population of 4,500 people in 56
communities. In 2011, all installations will be
transferred at no cost to the Achuars.
Kapawi has also provided a launching platform
for the Achuar as it has brought the area to the
attention of many people from non governmental
organizations that invested money and time to
develop projects to reinforce the structure of
the FINAE organization and developing different
projects parallel to ecotourism such as: health,
communications, transportation, and education
for the entire Achuar territory. |
