Hamadryade Lodge is located in High
Amazon Region (near Misahualli), on 64 hectares on the bank of the Rio Napo up to the
border of Valle Hermosa and Ponceloma's communities, and the Biosphere Reserve of
"Galeras/Sumaco".
This ecosystem, even if it is still the
Amazon rainforest is different from the Coca/Yasuni region : we are at 500mts altitude
with hilly topography. Because of that, the climate is pleasant all year round (avg
24°C), the absence of swamps make an easy access to more remote primary rainforest and of
course we don’t have mosquitoes/malaria problems.
Our tours go through the Sumaco/Galleras
BIOSPHERE Reserve or the Jatun Sacha Biological Reserve, where people can enjoy pristine
primary and secondary rainforest and see a large variety of wildlife (Saddleback monkeys,
cappuccino monkeys,… Tucans, tucanillos, parrots and many more…).
This particular topography give us also a
fantastic asset here : whitewater rivers. The Tena region is famous for those rivers and a
lot of people come during the US winter season to enjoy them. We have Class II rivers for
families with children, up to class V rivers for adventurous rafting fans and advanced
kayakers.
We still organize tours to the Gareno
Wuaorani communities, and the ShiriPuno and Santa Barbara Kichwa communities.
As for the Lodge itself, those offers us
a beautiful view over the rainforest and the Napo river.
Enjoy your meals with a breathtaking view
and indulge your senses with a French and international cuisine. With your dinner
you may choose a wine from our South American selection, and afterwards enjoy a relaxing
time in our Salon witnessing the nightlife awakening as the night grows
deeper.
Our natural rainwater swimming pool and the largest butterflies garden in the Oriente are
for you to enjoy. You can also wander on the promenade tracks through the
surrounding Rainforest.
GETTING THERE:
The drive is about 3 1/2 hours from Quito via Baeza and Tena to Puerto Mishuali. Click here for maps.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Click here
for photos and information
The lodge is an opening within the rainforest;
an elegant example of contemporary architecture nestled at the heart of an exuberant
nature. Because of the small size, we are able to take care of our clients ourselves and
always offer a personalized service and be there for them. There are a total of 5
bungalows.
WHY HAMADRYADE? - in their own
words:
- The climate which is more pleasant and
easier to bear, especially when you are trekking in the Jungle.
- The absence of diseases related to the
presence of swamps in the lower parts (malaria and such), not talking about the nuisance
brought upon people 24/7 by all sorts of insects breeding in swamps and shallow still
waters
- The sturdier terrains that allow an
easier access through the jungle all year round, and allow hikers to quickly reach primary
forests (usually a few kms away from a major river, which influences the ecosystem not
allowing the forest to grow primary)
- The view that people can have from
natural points on the Amazon rainforest and the river system
- The greater variety of activities that
can be offered, with the white water rivers all around going through impressive canyons in
the Rainforest
- The very easy access to this area. THE
LODGE IS ONLY 3H30 AWAY FROM QUITO BY CAR. And tours are easier to organize for agencies,
not having to add a day just for the trip by plane down river.
Now, regarding why
Hamadryade stands out. To people who come to enjoy and discover nature, we offer calm and
exclusivity. We only have 5 bungalows on a 2 hectares opening. It seems hard to enjoy the
wilderness and the natural state of the jungle when having up to 80 people to share it
with you.
The activities also
are run in the same spirit, we keep the groups small, 4 people usually and we adapt
everything to people’s whishes and possibilities.
The Waorani
communities in the Gareno area is a great opportunity to discover those communities,
accompany them in the jungle through their everyday activities and see the amazing
wildlife in those remote parts of the Rainforest (the Harpies eagles are still seen
there).
