Local Living Ecuador—Amazon Jungle

G Adventures · 7 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Local Living Ecuador—Amazon Jungle
Local Living Ecuador—Amazon Jungle
Local Living Ecuador—Amazon Jungle
Local Living Ecuador—Amazon Jungle
7 Days
From AUD $974 Was AUD $1299
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(20 reviews)

Local Living Ecuador—Amazon Jungle

Local Living Ecuador—Amazon Jungle

G Adventures · 7 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

The Amazon Rainforest is so full of life; embrace it for yourself during a week unlike any other. From Quito, you’ll travel to your new home in the jungle and meet the Quichua family who will host you for the next four nights.

Includes

Activities

  • Your G for Good Moment: Shandia Biking & Community Experience, Shandia Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Amazon Jungle Experience, Tena Your Wellness Moment: Mud Mask Therapy, Tena Your Hands-On Moment: Blowgun Contest and Demo, Tena
  • Visit to amaZOOnico Animal Rescue Centre
  • Walks to a viewpoint and a waterfall
  • Medicinal plants jungle walk
  • Shamanic ceremony
  • Cultural night including a jungle marriage ceremony
  • Transport between destinations and included activities

Accommodation

  • Rustic jungle lodge (4 nts), hotel (2 nts).
  • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

  • Local bus, motorized canoe, pickup truck, walking.

Group Leader

  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local Quichua guides.

Highlights

  • Live like a local in the Amazon Rainforest
  • Learn Quichua traditions by interacting with your local hosts
  • Visit an animal rescue centre and hone your blowgun skills
Local Living Ecuador—Amazon Jungle

Trip Details

Duration

7 days

Transportation

Local bus, motorized canoe, pickup truck, walking.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Quito, Ecuador

Finishes

Quito, Ecuador

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Local Living, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Quito

Arrive at any time.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel Eugenia
2

Day 2: Quito/Tena

Travel by bus and truck into the Amazon Jungle. Spend the next 4 nights in rustic wooden huts with a local Quichua family as hosts. Walk to a viewpoint and get a natural mud face mask treatment.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Activity - Learn about local traditional beliefs and customs on this cultural jungle experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon close to Napo River. Stay in rustic wooden huts with a local Quichua family as hosts near the community of Cando. They've introduced countless visitors to local living and a completely different way of doing things — one that may give you a different perspective on life. Take part in a number of amazing activities. Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls, and learn the uses of tropical plants. Experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.Activity - Head out on a walk into the jungle with your CEO and local Quichua host to an area known for its healing mud. After an explanation about the exfoliating, rejuvenating, and relaxing properties of the mud, experience a therapeutic mud mask applied by your Quichua host. Walk back to the homestay letting the mud work its magic. Accommodation - Cabanas Pimpilala
3

Day 3: Tena

Guided walk to a waterfall then return home for a cacao culinary experience and tasting. Learn about medicinal plants on an afternoon jungle walk.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Learn about local traditional beliefs and customs on this cultural jungle experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon close to Napo River. Stay in rustic wooden huts with a local Quichua family as hosts near the community of Cando. They've introduced countless visitors to local living and a completely different way of doing things — one that may give you a different perspective on life. Take part in a number of amazing activities. Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls, and learn the uses of tropical plants. Experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.Activity - Expand your knowledge of local food production and learn everything there is to know about cacao. If it's in season, collect cacao pods from the nearby plants and learn about the history of cacao in Ecuador. While the plant has been harvested since the early 16th century, the late 19th century saw the beginning of the Ecuadorian cacao boom. The plant remains a key export and is fundamental in supporting local communities across the country. Roast and de-shell the beans, then re-heat the beans with milk and cinnamon into a fondue to be eaten with local fruits. When finished, enjoy a fire-side traditional jungle snack.Accommodation - Cabanas Pimpilala
4

Day 4: Tena

Morning car and canoe ride to the amaZOOnico Animal Rescue Centre. Free time in the afternoon to relax in the jungle.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Take a guided tour of amaZOOnico, a rescue and rehabilitation centre that rehabilitates, reintroduces, and cares for animals who are victims of illegal trafficking. See large cats and reptiles up close, and learn all about the important work of this sanctuary.Free_time - Kick back and relax in a hammock or explore more of the jungle.Activity - Learn about local traditional beliefs and customs on this cultural jungle experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon close to Napo River. Stay in rustic wooden huts with a local Quichua family as hosts near the community of Cando. They've introduced countless visitors to local living and a completely different way of doing things — one that may give you a different perspective on life. Take part in a number of amazing activities. Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls, and learn the uses of tropical plants. Experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.Accommodation - Cabanas Pimpilala
5

Day 5: Tena

In the morning, experience a shamanic healing ceremony and a mock jungle marriage ceremony. Later, cycle to the nearby community of Shandia and discover the beauty of the Amazon with a member of the community as your guide.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Learn more about local traditions in a mock jungle wedding ceremony. Hey, what happens in the jungle stays in the jungle, right?Activity - Take in some culture and witness a shamanic healing ceremony done by a local shaman. A volunteer from the group will participate, and the CEO will translate the ceremony as the shaman does a mock healing complete with chanting.Activity - Cycle to the Indigenous Shandia community, a rural village surrounded by rivers and lush Amazonian landscapes. With the support of G Adventures and Planeterra, the community has developed new culturally immersive experiences led by the village’s youth. Spend 40 minutes cycling from Shandia lodge stopping along the way to take in the beauty of the Amazon. These cultural tours are seen by the community as a way to rescue their Indigenous culture and provide opportunities for the future. This provides an economic opportunity for youth who traditionally would have left the community to find work. Leave Shandia community knowing your visit is creating opportunities for a new generation in the community and contributing to the preservation of their culture.Activity - Learn about local traditional beliefs and customs on this cultural jungle experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon close to Napo River. Stay in rustic wooden huts with a local Quichua family as hosts near the community of Cando. They've introduced countless visitors to local living and a completely different way of doing things — one that may give you a different perspective on life. Take part in a number of amazing activities. Hike through the rainforest, plunge into waterfalls, and learn the uses of tropical plants. Experience local tradition, and learn about Quichua history and culture.Accommodation - Cabanas Pimpilala
6

Day 6: Tena/Quito

Enjoy a blowgun demonstration and participate in a contest to show off new found skills. Say goodbye to your Quichua family, then travel back to Quito.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Learn how a blowgun and darts are made and how they are used in the jungle. Take turns trying to use one; the closest dart to the target marks the honourary blowgun champion of the group.Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Hotel Eugenia
7

Day 7: Quito

Depart at any time.

Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $1299

AUD $974
(Tour only)
Offer ends 22 Mar, 2026 Per Person Standard
25% Off

Duration: 7 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

The Amazon Rainforest is so full of life; embrace it for yourself during a week unlike any other. From Quito, you’ll travel to your new home in the jungle and meet the Quichua family who will host you for the next four nights.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 21 Mar 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Ashley N.
Traveled, June 2024

06/24/2024

I am so happy I booked this trip and made the memories that I did. I feel this experience was unique and I love it all the more for it. It went by so fast, I wish I could go back in time and relive it all over again. It exceeded my expectations and I can...

5.0
Terry D.
Traveled, June 2024

06/22/2024

Wonderful to stay with a local family in their world.

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990