HAKUNA MATATA LODGE

Arrival – Journey to the Amazon Rainforest –Leisure or optional activities (D)
Within approx. 3.5 hours, you reach our exclusive lodge from Quito. On the way, you can watch the vegetation slowly changing from the Andes landscape to the rainforest. After passing the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, you will arrive in the paradise of the mountain jungle - our hidden lodge in the rainforest. You have approached sea level by approx. 2,200 meters and are now at an altitude of approx. 600 meters. There are several ways to get to our lodge, by public bus or private transport. With the latter, you can make a short stop in the thermal springs of Papallacta, where you can relax in the warm waters.
If you would rather arrive earlier in the jungle paradise, than spending time in the bubbling springs, your adventure starts right at Hakuna Matata. Once you arrive at the spacious property, you can start exploring immediately – but be careful not to get lost on the almost 120 hectares. The complex offers everything a child's heart desires: a white sandy beach directly on the Inchillaqui River, a tropical garden, a private protective forest and a palm shaped pool – and you will hardly find mosquitos.

Enjoy the evening surrounded by the typical noises of the jungle with a 3-course menu in this special atmosphere.

Jungle Hike – Horseback Riding (B/L/D)

Today you will get to know the wildlife of the jungle. During an easy hike in the morning, you will be able to see various species of plants and insects typical for this area. Your guide will explain the usefulness of these animals and plants for the whole ecosystem of the rainforest. After an energizing lunch at the lodge, it is time for you to go on another exploration tour – this time on the back of horses. With a local guide, you will ride through the jungle and small rivers, where you can enjoy the awesome scenery with exciting paths to cross. Children can choose to ride the horse themselves or with the help of a guide.

In the evening, a delicious 3-course menu is already waiting for you. 

Canoeing in a Lagoon – Nature and Culture Museum – Visit of an Indigenous Community (B/L/D)

After breakfast you will start your trip at eight o`clock in the morning with a canoe. Your first stop today is a lagoon with an island where monkeys swing from tree to tree. The canoe trip takes you around this island. Enjoy the peace and quietness and let the voices of the jungle take you off into another world. Your guide will give you further information about the different bird species and all other animals you will get to see during your trip.
Your trip continues to the jungle town Misahualli, where, with a bit of luck, you can see monkeys romping around. From here, you will take a motor canoe up the Napo River to the Kamak Maki Nature and Culture Museum, where you can see other jungle animals. Among others, you will get to see caimans, capybara, turtles, a parrot and a coati running around the little zoo. A guide working for the museum is going to show you medicinal plants and introduces you to the customs and rituals of shamanism. In addition, the guide will show you the traditional way of hunting in the jungle.

Hunting with a blowpipe is still executed in the Amazonas and trying out this technique is a lot of fun for the whole family!
After learning more about the culture of the indigenous people of the jungle, you will now drive downstream to an indigenous community where you will have lunch and get to know other traditions through various activities. The community will show you how the traditional drink “chicha” is produced and the family will perform a traditional dance for you. On the sacred giant stone, that can be found in the community, you can feel and absorb the positive energy of Mother Earth.

However, before entering the stone, you must ask for its permission. There are also special rules for getting off the stone.
You can further choose between the activities “Handicraft-Workshop” and “Gold Panning”; both activities are very popular by our small guests. In the “Handicraft-Workshop”, the families will show you how traditional jewelry is made out of natural materials and the children will have the opportunity make their own traditional bracelet – the parents are welcomed to help their children with the handcraft.

The second option teaches you the art of gold panning. Search for your own Indiana Jones gold treasure!

On the way back to the lodge, you can optionally visit the largest tree of the Napo area. The tree is not only a huge hotel for the jungle inhabitants, but also tells exciting stories and legends. 

Chocolate Workshop – Departure (B)
Today your time ends in our Hakuna Matata Lodge. Before you return to Quito or the small town of Baños, there is a gourmet highlight on the agenda in the morning: a chocolate workshop, where you learn how to make chocolate the traditional way! At the end of this process, you can taste for final product.