The Global Meaningful Travel Map

Kichwa Pathfinder Tours

Experience immersive Amazon adventures with community stays and eco-friendly tours in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, promoting local culture and conservation.

OUR EXPERIENCES
We are a tour operator. We have two 6 Days/5 Nights tours. One is by Paddle canoe and the other is by motorised canoe. Both take place in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. They involve community stays and camping in the amazon rainforest. We also offer community stays for slow travellers and those seeking to immerse themselves into indigenous culture.

To book, please visit: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/discover-unique-amazon-adventures-with-kichwa-pathfinder-tours-kichwa-pathfinder-tours-ecuador-01869426

ABOUT US
Our business seeks to economically empower our communities. Improve the welfare of our people and reverse the economic tourism imbalance that has existed for many years.

OUR IMPACT
Our business was formed primarily to mitigate the unsustainable nature of tourism in our territory, both economically and environmentally. Our community is located within the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, a conservation area established 45 years ago, which has approximately 17 functioning lodges. By Ecuadorian law, only indigenous people can own land in the reserve, meaning private investors must make personal arrangements with families to operate lodges on their lands.

Over the years, most families have continually signed unfavorable deals with investors. These contracts typically span 25 years, with many investors paying little to no rent—sometimes as low as $200 a month. Additionally, some lodges demand 16-hour workdays from employees while paying low wages. As a result, our community still lives in poverty after 45 years. Despite being the second most visited region in Ecuador (after the Galapagos), the Amazon remains the poorest region. Families resort to hunting, fishing, and clearing forests for farming to survive. In the Kichwa territory of the reserve, caimans and anacondas have been hunted to near extinction for food and sale to pet collectors. The legendary pink river dolphins are also endangered due to overfishing by communities. We believe that conservation projects alone cannot succeed.

Through direct tourism, we aim to achieve both social and environmental change. Economically, every dollar that enters the community must circulate at least nine times before leaving. Under the current arrangement, the dollar doesn’t even enter the community. By supporting locally owned businesses, tourists can contribute to the multiplier effect, benefiting other local enterprises as well. The environmental impact is equally significant. Cash availability encourages people to move away from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle and buy food from local shops. This shift can help replenish the depleted wildlife and flora, safeguarding our beautiful Amazon rainforest.

DETAILS
To learn more, contact: kichwapathfindertours@gmail.com
or find us on Instagram @kichwa_pathfinder_tours

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
5-10

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
Yes

Do you have group rates?
Yes

Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
Yes

What languages do you offer your services in?
English, Spanish

When are you open?
All year round

What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
We have accessible housing for those with disabilities.