General Information
Huasquila Lodge - Tena region
Huasquila Lodge was constructed on the grounds of a former hacienda, but is now surrounded by beautiful landscaped grounds and secondary forests, with hikes through nearby primary rain forests. The lodge offers an excellent variety of options for its guests, from rafting and birdwatching to hikes and cultural community visits. For those with limited time, this lodge is a highly recommended option for an Amazon visit, just a few hours from Quito. A variety of active and cultural activities are offered, including excellent birdwatching, hiking, rafting, and community visits. The lodge also offers an excellent restaurant and a small swimming pool and jacuzzi. Designed for easy access for the disabled.
Accommodations are in individual private cabins each with porch and hammock. Seven cabins offer easy wheelchair access, and 3 cabins are specifically designed for those with mobility impairments. The lodge can accommodate up to 60 people in 17 spacious cabins; 8 family cabins for 2 to 6 people, 5 double cabins and 4 single cabins. All cabins are designed for maximum privacy. Excellent food and personal service.
- Classification: First Class
- Ownership and Operation: Privately owned and operated
- Accommodations: 17 individual cabins. Capacity 60 passengers.
- Electricity: Grid power
- Features: Restaurant and bar, hammocks, porches, dining area, pool and jacuzzi
- Activities offered: Birdwatching, hiking, swimming, rafting, community visits and more
Itinerary
Huasquila Lodge offers two options, all inclusive packages or lodging only with dinner and breakfast included. Itineraries below are examples of all inclusive packages; other activities can be arranged upon request. A 5 day / 4 night package is also available, please ask us for details.
- 3 Days / 2 Nights
-
DAY ONE
Arrival for lunch. A welcome cocktail in our restaurant, and a short briefing on Huasquila and its surroundings after a good meal. When you are ready we will take you to your bungalow. Relax, refresh yourself or just enjoy the view of the Amazon from your hammock. If you feel like going for a walk, we suggest you enjoy our gardens or take the Herradura path, the ancient horse road that once connected the Amazon with Quito and which is used now by local people to walk to their houses and communities (this is a not guided activity).
At 3:30 one of our native guides will take you to a beautiful waterfall located only 15 minutes from the lodge. When you return you will have enough time to spend at the pool and hot tub.
Dinner will be served at 19:00 pm.
After dinner you can enjoy our bar or spend some fun time with your friends or family playing one of our games or relaxing on a hammock, listening to a beautiful "frog concert" right by our restaurant lake.DAY TWO
Breakfast at 8:00 am. Try the best of Ecuadorian cuisine, from plantain and cheese balls to maniok (yuca) tortillas or, If you prefer a more conservative breakfast we can offer you pancakes or French toast. Every breakfast choice will be accompanied with eggs of your choice, tropical fruits, 100% natural fresh juices and a tasty and strong cup of Amazon coffee.
After breakfast we will put on our rubber boots and start a 3 hour hike in the jungle. We begin walking through open areas until we reach the forest and arrive at our first sight: a 15 meter waterfall where we can refresh ourselves. We continue hiking through the jungle, learning more about this special habitat for animals and plants. Walking quietly, we have a chance to see various species, from colorful tropical birds to small monkeys called chichickos, also called pocket monkeys due to their size. During the walk you will have a chance to try the famous lemon ants and the juicy and refreshing sour cane, similar to sugar cane. Our guide will give an introduction to medicinal plants and their uses, and we will stop during the hike to rest and demonstrate how to weave a shigra (typical bag) from a plant leaf and how to use a plant to make fishing traps. We also have a chance for a mud bath in a cave, after which you can rinse in a natural pool. We return to the lodge, enjoy a refreshing tea and have lunch.
Lunch, then a chance to rest for an hour or so.
For the afternoon activity, you can choose between a visit to the Animal Rescue Center or the Jumandy Caves. Both are about a 10 minute drive from the lodge. The Animal Rescue Center is an excellent option to see a variety of Amazon animal species, including larger mammals, during an easy, relaxing 2 hour walk. The famous Jumandy Caves offer the possibility to venture into the world of stalagmites and stalactites, and to bathe inside the cave in a pond. Rubber boots and plenty of energy and some nerves to swim through the pond in the dark. This is recommended for adventurous people in good physical condition.
Return to the lodge, some time to relax, then dinner will be ready at 19:00. After dinner free time to share the experiences of the day, collect some information you missed during the day or just enjoy the lodge and its facilities.DAY THREE
We spoil you one last time with our breakfast experience and wish you all the best for your trip. If you wish to stay longer than 10:00 am ask us for our late check out.
- 4 Days / 3 Nights
-
DAY ONE
Arrival for lunch. A welcome cocktail in our restaurant, and a short briefing on Huasquila and its surroundings after a good meal. When you are ready we will take you to your bungalow. Relax, refresh yourself or just enjoy the view of the Amazon from your hammock. If you feel like going for a walk, we suggest you enjoy our gardens or take the Herradura path, the ancient horse road that once connected the Amazon with Quito and which is used now by local people to walk to their houses and communities (this is a not guided activity).
At 3:30 one of our native guides will take you to a beautiful waterfall located only 15 minutes from the lodge. When you return, you'll have the option to relax at the pool and hot tub.
Dinner will be served at 19:00 pm.
After dinner you can enjoy our bar or spend some fun time with your friends or family playing one of our games or relaxing on a hammock, listening to a beautiful "frog concert" right by our restaurant lake.DAY TWO
Breakfast at 8:00 am. Try the best of Ecuadorian cuisine, from plantain and cheese balls to maniok (yuca) tortillas or, If you prefer a more conservative breakfast we can offer you pancakes or French toast. Every breakfast choice will be accompanied with eggs of your choice, tropical fruits, 100% natural fresh juices and a tasty and strong cup of Amazon coffee.
After breakfast we will put on our rubber boots and start a 3 hour hike in the jungle. We begin walking through open areas until we reach the forest and arrive at our first sight: a 15 meter waterfall where we can refresh ourselves. We continue hiking through the jungle, learning more about this special habitat for animals and plants. Walking quietly, we have a chance to see various species, from colorful tropical birds to small monkeys called chichickos, also called pocket monkeys due to their size. During the walk you will have a chance to try the famous lemon ants and the juicy and refreshing sour cane, similar to sugar cane. Our guide will give an introduction to medicinal plants and their uses, and we will stop during the hike to rest and demonstrate how to weave a shigra (typical bag) from a plant leaf and how to use a plant to make fishing traps. We also have a chance for a mud bath in a cave, after which you can rinse in a natural pool. We return to the lodge, enjoy a refreshing tea and have lunch.
Lunch, then a chance to rest for an hour or so.
For the afternoon activity, you can choose between a visit to the Animal Rescue Center or the Jumandy Caves. Both are about a 10 minute drive from the lodge. The Animal Rescue Center is an excellent option to see a variety of Amazon animal species, including larger mammals, during an easy, relaxing 2 hour walk. The famous Jumandy Caves offer the possibility to venture into the world of stalagmites and stalactites, and to bathe inside the cave in a pond. Rubber boots and plenty of energy and some nerves to swim through the pond in the dark. This is recommended for adventurous people in good physical condition.
Return to the lodge, some time to relax, then dinner will be ready at 19:00. After dinner free time to share the experiences of the day, collect some information you missed during the day or just enjoy the lodge and its facilities.DAY THREE
After a delicious breakfast, begin one of two activities…one more physically challenging, or a less challenging option.
The more physically challenging option is an all day hike to the Canyon, one the most incredible places in the region. After a short drive to our starting point, we walk about an hour along a path used by the locals to walk between villages. Leaving this path, we begin a hike through secondary forest and over some creeks before arriving at our first stop: an impressive pool in the middle of the jungle with crystal clear water to swim in. Here we can also explore a cave and walk to a 12 meter waterfall, where you can jump to the pool below. We have a box lunch here, then continue hiking through the canyon. Return to the lodge, time to relax, then dinner at 19:00.
The less challenging option is the activity you didn’t do the day before, either the animal center or the Jumandy Caves (see day two above). Return to the lodge, lunch. After lunch and a rest we visit the nearby petroglyphs, mysterious stone carvings that are still not fully understood. There are several of these carvings near Husaquila, dating back thousands of years, which are the reason the area is known as the Sacred Valley of Cotundo. Your visit here supports sustainable responsible tourism; the ecotourism school of Cotundo operates the site, a group of young local people searching for alternative models of development.
Return to the lodge and dinner at 19:00.DAY FOUR
We spoil you one last time with our breakfast experience and wish you all the best for your trip. If you wish to stay longer than 10:00 am ask us for our late check out.
Prices
2013 Rates:
Prices at Huasquila Lodge are per person, per night based on double occupancy. One rate applies for all inclusive packages, and another rate for overnight only (with breakfast). Contact us for single room pricing; discounts available for groups.
Notes: Children 4 to 11 years receive a 50% discount, children under 3 stay free (when sleeping with parents; cribs available for rent). Children must travel under the responsibility of their parents.
Lodging Only
USD 67.00 per person per night (double occupancy); breakfast, dinner and applicable taxes included.
Includes:
- Accommodations (based on double occupancy), dinner and breakfast, all applicable taxes
- Check in 15:00; check out 10:00
- Use of all hotel facilities and self guided walks
Excludes:
- Welcome cocktail
- Transportation to and from Archidona
- Lunches, snacks
- Coffee, tea, all other beverages
- Any activities and entrance fees
- Any gear (boots, etc.)
- Tips, personal expenses
Package Prices
Package prices shown below are for 2 travelers, please contact us for single prices or for larger groups.
USD 120.00 per person per night (double occupancy); 3 meals per day, activities, and applicable taxes included.
PACKAGES Include:
- Welcome cocktail
- Accommodations (based on double occupancy) and 3 meals per day (beginning with lunch on day 1)
- All tours beginning the afternoon of day 1
- Transportation and entrance fees for tours where applicable
- Snacks during tours
- Coffee, tea, water and lemonade available all day
- Spanish speaking guide services for included activities; translation additional
- Use of all hotel facilities including 27 x 22 meter pool, beach, bar, restaurant, and self guided walks
- Use of rubber boots, up to size 44 EU
- Late check out option
PACKAGES Exclude:
- Transportation to and from Cotundo/Huasquila
- Bar, additional snacks
- Translation services
- Tips, personal expenses