Important information

CLIMATE: Tropical, with an average year-round temperature of 26° C. The rainiest season goes from April to August. The nights are often cool. Luggage: You can bring up to 20 pounds (impermeable bags are much better than suitcases), plus a backpack for personal effects. Extra luggage may be left in the hotels in Quito . Documents: Valid passports are required for foreign travelers. What to wear: light cotton clothing, comfortable and informal, long and short-sleeved shorts, t-shirts, shorts and pants (no jeans). Some lodges provide rubber boots, others rent them and as a last resort you can buy them, they are very cheap. Money: the priced do not include tips, drinks or the entry fees to the National Parks and/or Ecological Reserves. Payments for bar consumptions or purchases are done in U.S. dollars and in cash. Vaccinations. As far as we know, no vaccination is required in this area, however, passengers are recommended to check with their doctor in order to obtain the most updated information on preventative medical measures to take.

TIPS: As in many places, it is customary to tip the guide, the bartender and the service personnel. In any case, tipping is at the complete discretion of the passenger.

WHAT TO BRING: Passport / appropriate shoes and clothing for a warm, humid and frequently rainy climate / Light shoes or strap sandals (not flip flops) / bathing suit / waterproof jacket or poncho / Rubber boots (if a traveler forgets or does not have these, they are always available for rent or purchase) / Hat or cap / insect repellant and sunscreen lotion / binoculars and a flashlight / Daily medication if needed / video and/or photo camera, extra rolls of film and batteries.

RESERVATIONS: All of the packages require deposits and/or pre-payment in order to reconfirm reservations. The confirmation will include the deadline for receiving payment, after which the reservation will be automatically cancelled.

ITINERARIES: Due to the nature of the programs, the itineraries are always subject to change without prior notice, in the interest of ensuring the comfort and safety of the passengers.

CANCELLATIONS: All of the programs include (non-reimbursable) cancellation fees that will be communicated in each case. The only way to have a fully confirmed reservation is by fully pre-paying. (See here)

AGE: The tours, excursions, packages and products are completely safe for people of any age. There are no limitations for questions of risk. There is a great variety and any special needs should be communicated ahead of time. Insofar as the adventure and discovery are centered on the rainforest and outside of the facilities, people must be able to walk by themselves without assistance. (In some cases, individual assistance may be offered, subject to availability and an extra charge, and should be requested at the time the reservation is made).

LODGES: These are public or private properties which, in the interest of conservation, prepare tourism programs based on more or less large constructions to house guests, according to their category and price. The owners/managers and the staff are very involved in the issues of environmental preservation, and some products even base community development on the success of its teachings. Some properties have already passed into the hands of native groups, and their representatives are responsible to their own community and ethnic groups for the success of these facilities.

FLOATING HOTELS. These are riverboats that are especially built to navigate the rivers of the Amazon basin. Their itineraries, although scheduled and approved, are always subject to change depending on the water level in the different times of year. They are ideal for elderly passengers and families with small children, since guests can remain on board and decide whether or not to participate in the land excursions depending on their difficulty and/or extension.

TOURS , EXCURSIONS, HIKES. These will always be led by native and/or naturalists. They will explain in detail every element of the jungle that the group passes by. During these outings, they will always be attentive to the individual needs of the group in order not to demand more physical effort than necessary for ensuring a pleasant and fruitful stay. It is more than sufficient to be in reasonably good physical condition to take par t in a 2 to 4 hour walk at a slow pace, with occasional breaks. Upon request, specialized itineraries can be arranged: for birdwatchers, nature photographers, ethnographers, anthropologists, those interested in medicinal plants, communities, etc.

ILLNESSES: For many years now, reported cases of malaria have been reduced to very few cases annually in eastern Ecuador , whereas previously it was the main and most reported disease. However, for safety's sake, travelers are recommended to take logical precautions and to tell their physicians that they are planning to spend time in the jungle. Travelers are strongly urged not to drink water from any available source, only when provided in the lodging facilities where it is purified.

MEDICINES: If you take medicines regularly, take enough with you for your entire trip, especially if they are prescription and/or special medications. Make sure to protect them against moisture. In order to be covered in any unforeseen event, it is preferable to purchase travel insurance from your home country.

IMPORTANT: Independent or solo travel in the jungle is not recommended. All of the itineraries are the result of the millennia of knowledge that the natives have of the rainforest. They know where to go, at what time of year, what to do, what to warn about, and what to avoid. They are experts of their surroundings and are perfectly prepared to assist the tourist in any situation. They are always available to answer questions and will accompany you on each walk or hike.

ENTRANCE AND ADMISSION FEES: These are NOT included in any case and serve to fund the different environmental and/ or community conservation efforts in the region. The amount to be paid is displayed in each case. Normally, this payment is made directly upon arrival at the destination.