The Galapagos Islands may be more famous and more familiar to adventurers, but the country of Ecuador is also home to a significant chunk of the South American rainforest. In fact, much of the entire eastern half of Ecuador is jungle and traversed primarily via the many rivers in the region.
Ecuador's "Oriente"
This eastern region is commonly known as the Amazon Basin, but it is also known in Ecuador as the “Oriente.” It is in this area of Ecuador that one can definitely “get back to nature.” The South American jungle in the Amazon Basin is notably the world’s largest and densest rainforest. It is reputed to contain more diverse plant and animal life than any other jungle in the world. This section of jungle located in Ecuador is especially beautiful and almost magical. The elegant hues of green within the forest testify to the rich growth and abundance of life.
Rainforest Wildlife
So many unique species of plant and animal life exist in this area that it staggers the imagination. It is estimated that over 1000 species of fish (including piranha and electric eels) and more than 400 species of amphibians and reptiles make their homes within the waters of the Amazon Basin (rivers, lakes, lagoons, marshlands, and various streams). In addition there are cayman, freshwater dolphins, and manatees living in this environment.
Approximately 400 species of birds (including macaws, toucans, and the large harpy eagles) also inhabit the rainforest. In addition, typical mammals making their homes here are armadillos, deer, honey bears, lemurs, many types of monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, pumas, tapirs, tree sloths, and wild boars.
Getting There
While several pathways exist to explore the “Oriente,” a well-traveled route for tourists visiting Ecuador’s rainforest is the Napo River. A visit to the Rio Napo basin provides a wealth of opportunities to observe the vast array of plant and animal life within the intricate jungle ecosystem. The Rio Napo is Ecuador’s longest river (530 miles) and the primary river used for transportation in the area. If you follow it far enough, it leads to Peru. It is one of Ecuador’s three major tributaries of the mighty Amazon River.
The simplest way to get to Rio Napo is overland. A savvy explorer from Ecuador’s capital city of Quito can travel south along the famous Pan American Highway to Ambato. Then, one proceeds east to Tena, a small town of around 13,000 inhabitants. Tena is the capital of Napo Province. By bus from Quito, it takes approximately 6-7 hours, depending on how may stops the bus driver makes to take on or drop off riders.
Gateways
Tena is a good starting point for most journeys into the rainforest, being located at the convergence of the Tena and Panos rivers. It's becoming a major tourist center and developing a reputation as the whitewater capital of Ecuador, boasting many facilities for water sports.
Also Misahuallí, a little port village right on the Napo River, has a reputation for ecological tourism. It's 45 minutes further east and deeper into the rainforest. Pre-arrangements for guides through a tour agency are wise, but a local tour operator can be contracted upon arrival in either town. Tours provide the opportunites for close-up viewing of the wildlife and for visiting indigenous peoples.
Both are gateways for rainforest adventures, but it is important to be aware that the lands visited may belong to the indigenous inhabitants and the land and the people should be treated with respect. With this noted, the jungle journey can begin.
Ecuador's "Oriente"
This eastern region is commonly known as the Amazon Basin, but it is also known in Ecuador as the “Oriente.” It is in this area of Ecuador that one can definitely “get back to nature.” The South American jungle in the Amazon Basin is notably the world’s largest and densest rainforest. It is reputed to contain more diverse plant and animal life than any other jungle in the world. This section of jungle located in Ecuador is especially beautiful and almost magical. The elegant hues of green within the forest testify to the rich growth and abundance of life.
Rainforest Wildlife
So many unique species of plant and animal life exist in this area that it staggers the imagination. It is estimated that over 1000 species of fish (including piranha and electric eels) and more than 400 species of amphibians and reptiles make their homes within the waters of the Amazon Basin (rivers, lakes, lagoons, marshlands, and various streams). In addition there are cayman, freshwater dolphins, and manatees living in this environment.
Approximately 400 species of birds (including macaws, toucans, and the large harpy eagles) also inhabit the rainforest. In addition, typical mammals making their homes here are armadillos, deer, honey bears, lemurs, many types of monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, pumas, tapirs, tree sloths, and wild boars.
Getting There
While several pathways exist to explore the “Oriente,” a well-traveled route for tourists visiting Ecuador’s rainforest is the Napo River. A visit to the Rio Napo basin provides a wealth of opportunities to observe the vast array of plant and animal life within the intricate jungle ecosystem. The Rio Napo is Ecuador’s longest river (530 miles) and the primary river used for transportation in the area. If you follow it far enough, it leads to Peru. It is one of Ecuador’s three major tributaries of the mighty Amazon River.
The simplest way to get to Rio Napo is overland. A savvy explorer from Ecuador’s capital city of Quito can travel south along the famous Pan American Highway to Ambato. Then, one proceeds east to Tena, a small town of around 13,000 inhabitants. Tena is the capital of Napo Province. By bus from Quito, it takes approximately 6-7 hours, depending on how may stops the bus driver makes to take on or drop off riders.
Gateways
Tena is a good starting point for most journeys into the rainforest, being located at the convergence of the Tena and Panos rivers. It's becoming a major tourist center and developing a reputation as the whitewater capital of Ecuador, boasting many facilities for water sports.
Also Misahuallí, a little port village right on the Napo River, has a reputation for ecological tourism. It's 45 minutes further east and deeper into the rainforest. Pre-arrangements for guides through a tour agency are wise, but a local tour operator can be contracted upon arrival in either town. Tours provide the opportunites for close-up viewing of the wildlife and for visiting indigenous peoples.
Both are gateways for rainforest adventures, but it is important to be aware that the lands visited may belong to the indigenous inhabitants and the land and the people should be treated with respect. With this noted, the jungle journey can begin.
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