Yachana ecolodge
Yachana Lodge is the proud winner of the Condé Nast 2004 Ecotourism Award
"Yachana" means "a place for learning" in the indigenous Quichua language. FUNEDESIN, a non-profit foundation whose goal is to protect Ecuador's rainforest by educating and empowering its people, constructed Yachana Lodge in 1995.
The Lodge is nestled on the banks of the Napo river in the tiny community of Mondaña two hours from Coca by motorized canoe. Coca is a 25 minute flight away from Quito the capital of Ecuador. It is a unique ecotourism destination that helps travelers understand the environmental and cultural threats facing the Amazon region.
Yachana Lodge sits amidst 3000 acres of primary and secondary rainforest that are home to thousands of species of exotic plants and animals.
By visiting Yachana you help preserve the rainforest. The Lodge provides stable employment and training to its primarily local staff and serves as an important source of income for FUNEDESIN's community development and environmental protection projects.
Learn how FUNEDESIN is accomplishing their mission. Visit the health clinic, which serves the 8,000 people of the region. Watch as the food processing team makes jam and other natural food products for export.
Witness firsthand how FUNEDESIN's integrated and sustainable development programs are helping local inhabitants while conserving the environment.
The Yachana Lodge area falls within the buffer zone of Gran Sumaco National Park.
The actual park is 205,249 hectares (513,122 acres) and was designated as a protected area by the Ecuadorian Department of Forestry in 1994. The area around the park is referred to as the buffer zone and is intened to be used by the local peoples for the purposes of settlement, development, education, and health.
The emphasis of the buffer zone is on raising the awareness of the local population for the need to protect the park and its natural resources. UNESCO designated the National Park as a "Man and Biosphere Reserve" In 2001. These Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems that conserve biodiversity through sustainable management and use. They are internationally recognized, nominated by national governments, and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the countries in which they are located.
Explore and discover jungle life and protect the rainforest with Yachana!
Activities
When you are not relaxing at the Lodge or enjoying a delectable "jungle" meal, you can experience the magic of the Ecuadorian Amazon. On your own or with one of Yachana's naturalist guides you will discover how the area's peoples have co-existed with the forest for centuries, learn how medicinal plants are used, visit a traditional healer, and explore the lush tropical rainforest.
The Guides
Our guides are from the Amazonian region and possess a wealth of knowledge of the local flora and fauna as well as the way of life of the local people.
Our translators are bilingual (Spanish/English) and knowledgeable about the work of FUNEDESIN. If you would like translation in an alternate language, please let us know at the time of your reservation (additional cost for languages other than English).
Things to do:
Hike our trails through primary and secondary forests, learn about the biodiversity of the rainforest with our bilingual naturalist and native guides
Participate in a cleansing ceremony with a traditional healer
Practice using blowguns, spears, and fishing nets as you learn about indigenous culture
Make your own woven basket with our lodge staff
Go tropical fruit picking
Enjoy a refreshing swim or pan for gold in the Río Napo
Birdwatch ... Bugwatch ... Frogwatch
Take a sunset cruise in a dugout canoe
Visit FUNEDESIN's various community develop projects including: a community health clinic, and the food-processing plant
Take a night walk in search of nocturnal life forms in the rainforest
Relax while enjoying the fresh air, the tropical sun and the natural beauty around you
Explore the rainforest
Step out of our 61-foot motorized canoe and into the Ecuadorian jungle. Your rainforest adventure has begun!
"Yachana" means "a place of learning" in the indigenous Quichua language. Come learn and experience the amazing biodiversity of the rainforest.
Walk through the awe-inspiring jungle while learning about the culture of its peoples with our bilingual naturalist guides. Relax in the rustic comfort of our lodge and enjoy the tranquility of the jungle. While at Yachana Lodge, visit FUNEDESIN's community development projects which are dedicated to the protection of the rainforest and its peoples. Your stay helps to fund its important work.
Facilities
Rooms:
We offer first-class, relaxed accommodations. Every room provides a stunning view of the Napo river and comes with a private bathroom complete with hot showers and safe drinking water. Towels, bedding, and soap are provided in your room.
17 Double Rooms (2 or 3 people)
Two or three single beds, closets, and balcony overlooking the Napo River with a table, chairs, and hammock. Lighting is provided by solar power.
Choose between our spacious lodge rooms (doubles and triples) or our private cabins (which can accomodate up to five people).
Services:
Electric Energy: Energy consumed in the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, cabins, dining room, and conference room is provided by solar power. Kerosene lanterns are used along the walkways.
Water: The water comes from natural springs and is purified for use in food preparation and in all other areas of the lodge. The water is pure and can be used directly from the taps in the rooms.
Conference Room: Our meeting room, located on the second floor, has solar powered lights so that you can read or meet comfortably in the evenings. Guests are welcome to sign out books from our library. The area contains a library, chairs, white board, and balcony with a magnificent view overlooking the river.
Documentary Videos: Our video library includes films dealing permaculture, ceramic artesanía in the Amazon, and the community developmental work of FUNEDESIN.
Gift Shop: The gift shop contains a variety of local artisanry and handicrafts, ceramics, T-shirts, hats, jams, and coffee mugs, as well as basic supplies such as insect repellent and toothpaste. Shop hours are posted on the door of the shop.
Bar: Our bar offers beer, wine, soft drinks, and mineral water (additional cost).
Fluvial transportation on the Rio Napo
Guided excursions
Local bilingual guide
Life vests, rubber boots and rain coats
Dining room: In our lodge dining room our guests gather for meals, which are always served in an inviting family-style setting. Our chefs take exquisite care to prepare your food, serving traditional specialties of Ecuador, each with a local "Yachana" twist. We guarantee that you will be delighted with the freshness and quality the jungle provides!
Meals:
One of the pleasures of staying at Yachana Lodge is the food prepared by our specially trained local cooks. You will have the opportunity to taste local foods prepared traditionally as well as western foods. We are proud of our excellent soups (an Ecuadorian specialty), homemade breads and freshly squeezed juices. The meals are primarily vegetarian with chicken or fish being served occasionally.
