Krahenbuhl - Ecuadors Amazon Region

Ecuador's Amazon Region

Peter Krahenbuhl

Hunter Publishing, Inc.

HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC,

www.hunterpublishing.com

Ulysses Travel Publications

4176 Saint-Denis, Montral, Qubec

Canada H2W 2M5

tel. 514-843-9882, ext. 2232; fax 514-843-9448

Windsor Books

The Boundary, Wheatley Road, Garsington

Oxford, OX44 9EJ England

tel. 01865-361122; fax 01865-361133

ISBN 1-58843-346-3

2009 Hunter Publishing, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, liability for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

1. Preface
2. About the Author
3. Introduction
   1. Adventure Awaits
   2. Ecuador, the Country
      1. Adventure Overview
      2. Location
      3. History & Politics
         1. Pre-Inca
         2. Inca Invasion
         3. Brothers Divide as the Spanish Arrive
         4. The Colonial Era
         5. The Church, Haciendas & Recession
         6. Independence
         7. Internal Strife & the Political Economy
         8. Modern Ecuador
         9. The Conflict between Ecuador & Peru
         10. Ecuador Today
      4. Geography/Land
      5. Climate
      6. Flora & Fauna
         1. Mammals
         2. Birds
         3. Reptiles & Amphibians
         4. Insects
         5. Plants
      7. People/Culture
      8. Cuisine
      9. Government
      10. The Economy
4. Travel Information
   1. When to Go
   2. Getting Here
   3. Getting Around
      1. Camionetas
   4. What to Bring
      1. Luggage
      2. Clothing & Footwear
      3. Equipment
   5. Customs & Entry
   6. Leaving Ecuador
   7. Money Matters
      1. Currency
      2. Your Money
      3. Travel Expenses
      4. Taxes & Gratuities
      5. Embassies
   8. Health & Safety
      1. Vaccinations
      2. Travel Insurance
      3. Food & Drinking Water
      4. Toilets
      5. Security
      6. Medical Facilities & Doctors
         1. Major Medical Facilities
         2. Doctors
   9. Communication
      1. Telephone Service
      2. Internet Access
      3. Mail
      4. Newspapers
   10. Time Zone
   11. Electricity
   12. Language
       1. Studying Spanish
   13. Women & Children Travelers
   14. Disabled Travelers
   15. Gay & Lesbian Travelers
   16. Holidays & Festivals
5. Eco-Travel
   1. State of the Environment
      1. Coastal Ecuador
      2. The Sierras
      3. Amazon Deforestation & Development
   2. Reserves & National Parks
   3. Adventure & Outdoor Activities
      1. Hiking, Trekking & Mountaineering
      2. Rafting & Kayaking
      3. Horseback Riding
      4. Mountain Biking
      5. Birding, Nature Viewing & Photography
      6. Cultural Tourism
      7. Island Excursions in the Galpagos
   4. Tour Operators & Guides
      1. Eco-Rating
6. The Upper Amazon Basin
   1. History
   2. Flora & Fauna
   3. Getting Here & Getting Around
   4. Visitor Information
      1. Coca
      2. Lago Agrio
   5. Touring & Sightseing
      1. Baeza
      2. Lago Agrio
      3. Coca
   6. Adventures
      1. On Water
      2. On Foot
   7. Eco-Travel
      1. From Quito to Baeza
         1. Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve
         2. San Rafael Falls
         3. Antisana Ecological Reserve
      2. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
      3. Coca & the Lower Ro Napo Region
         1. Limoncocha Biological Reserve
         2. Yasun National Park
      4. Tours & Tour Operators
   8. Where to Stay
      1. Baeza Area
      2. Lago Agrio
      3. Coca
      4. Cuyabeno Region: Ecolodges, Riverboats & Camps
      5. Yasun Area
         1. Tiputini Biodiversity Station
         2. Community-Based Programs
      6. Camping
   9. Where to Eat
      1. Coca
      2. Lago Agrio
7. Central & Southern Oriente
   1. History
   2. Flora & Fauna
   3. Getting Here & Getting Around
   4. Visitor Information
   5. Touring & Sightseeing
      1. Tena & Misahuall
      2. Puyo
      3. Macas
   6. Adventures
      1. On Water
      2. On Foot
   7. Eco-Travel
      1. The Upper Ro Napo - Excursions from Tena & Misahuall
         1. Sumaco-Galeras National Park
         2. Jumand Caves
         3. Jungle Excursions
         4. Jatun Sacha Biological Reserve
         5. AmaZoonico
      2. Ro Pastaza & the Southern Oriente
         1. Excursions from Puyo
      3. Top 10 Things to Find in the Jungle
         1. Sangay National Park
         2. Jungle Excursions Around Macas
   8. Tours & Tour Operators
   9. Where to Stay
      1. From Baeza to Tena: Cloud Forest Lodges
      2. Tena
      3. Jungle Lodges Around Tena, Misahuall & the Upper Ro Napo
      4. Puyo
      5. Macas
      6. Jungle Lodges Near Macas
      7. Camping
   10. Where to Eat
       1. Puyo
       2. Tena
       3. Macas
8. Appendix
   1. Additional Resources
      1. Learning the Language
         1. DAYS OF THE WEEK
         2. MONTHS OF THE YEAR
         3. NUMBERS
         4. CONVERSATION
         5. TELLING TIME
         6. DIRECTIONS
         7. ACCOMMODATIONS
      2. Tourist Information
      3. Online Sources of Information
      4. Recommended International Tour Companies
   2. Ecotourism in Ecuador