Texte : Eloisa Delgado, photos : Paulina Rodriguez. Canodros S.A.
The Kapawi project was initiated in 1993 by Carlos Perez Perasso, founder of Canodros and leader of the Ecuadorian journalism through El Universo, the major newspaper in Ecuador, through his vision and passion to nature his goal was to commence a new trend in ecotourism, in partnership with the FINAE, Federation of Achuar Indigenous People in Ecuador, by providing a monthly means of economic support and jobs to the Achuars.
Kapawi is on the Pastaza River in the most remote area of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin. Accessible only by small aircraft, Kapawi has been called the most spectacular place in the tropical rain forest. Built in partnership with the indigenous Achuar Indians and the privately owned enterprise, Canodros S.A., Kapawi is a state-of-the-art project.
Until the early 1970’s the Achuar were the last indigenous group in the Ecuadorian rain forest who had remained isolated for centuries. With age-old traditions still intact, their land has remained untouched by logging or oil companies, and the skies above their heads play home to more than 500 species of birds.
The Kapawi lodge was created in accordance with the Achuar concept of architecture and was constructed without the use of a single metal nail. Environmentally-friendly amenities and necessities such as solar energy, biodegradable soaps, and trash recycling systems are among the most obvious eco-sensitive methods being utilized.
However, isolation from the rest of the world doesn’t mean a lack of comfort, at least not at Kapawi. The Reserve offers 20 double rooms, each with a private bathroom, sun heated shower, and electricity provided by a photovoltaic system. Located on the shore of Kapawi Lake, every room has a wide terrace where guests can observe the myriad daily visitors : ducks ; hummingbirds ; egrets ; parrots and a varied assortment of more than a dozen others. At night one can be lulled to sleep by the musical cacophony proffered by hundreds frogs.
Kapawi is located in one of the areas with the highest biodiversity on Earth, with 10,000 different species of plants and more than 540 different species of birds.
“We, the Achuar, an indigenous community have maintained our customs, culture and Cosmo vision for many years. Our main objective is to protect our highs and our land. We consider our birthplace, the beginning of life where we were raised and where we develop our vision of the world.” President of OINAE
“KAPAWI has practiced cultural and environmental sensitivity that sets standards so high that all other eco tourist lodges will have to reconsider their goals.” Dr. David Pearson, University State Arizona
Localisation
Kapawi is located near the Ecuadorian and peruvian border, in the Southern Ecuadorian Amazon Basin on the Pastaza River, a major tributary of the Amazon. Kapawi is one of the most pristine and isolated points in the Amazon Basin accessed only by air. The closest town is within ten days walking distance.
Contact
Ingrid Kayser
Canodros S.A.
P.O. Box : 09-01-8442
Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Email : sales3@canodros.com
Call from the USA or from Canada : 1-800-613-6026
Tel. : 593-4- 2285711-280173 ; fax : 593-4- 2287651.
Web : www.canodros.com
directly to the lodge
Kapawi lodge
Edificio Reina Victoria, Oficina 1
Mariscal Foch E7-38 y Reina Victoria
Quito
PBX :(593 2) 600 9333
Fax :(593 2) 600 9334
Email : info@kapawi.com ; reservations@kapawi.com ; sales@kapawi.com
Web site : www.kapawi.com
Informations culturelles
Located at a 240 km from Quito, the Achuar Territory has 5000 square kilometers, and with a population of Achuar Population 4500 indigenous approximately in 56 communities. In 2011, all installations will be transferred at no cost to the Achuars.
Kapawi is the largest community-based project ever developed in Ecuador.
At the moment up to 70% percent of all the employees that work at the lodge are Achuar. Canodros also buys products and services for the lodge in the nearby communities. Tourists give a contribution of US $10 dollars as an entrance fee. For these communities their main income comes from ecotourism.
Kapawi has also provided a launching platform for the Achuar as it has brought the area to the attention of many people from non governmental organizations that invested money and time to develop projects to reinforce the structure of the FINAE organization and developing different projects parallel to ecotourism such as : health, communications, transportation, and education for the entire Achuar territory.
Currently, the Achuar are organize in a federation named NAE (Achuar nationality of Ecuador) www.nacionalidadachaurecuador.org. Which is composed of 64 communities that represent approximately 6,000 Achuar who live in the territory of the Pastaza River basin, located in the Ecuadorian provinces of Pastaza and Morona Santiago ? There are also Achuar people living on the Peruvian side of their territory, but they have their own organization to represent them. The Achuar are one of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin who have inhabited the tropical rainforest for thousands of years. They are well-regarded for their vast knowledge about their physical environment, and are experts in land use and resource management, all of which has allowed both people and ecosystem to survive in balance.
Consult : http://www.kapawi.com/en/the-achuar.html
Recommanded package
please consult : http://www.kapawi.com/html/en/ecolodge/activities.htm
Support organisation
Canodros S.A. is a private organization dedicated to the development of Sustainable Tourism Ventures in areas of natural and cultural interest.