Hakuna
Adventure Tour

Upper Napo River Tours

4 Days / 3 Nights - 3 Days / 2 Nights

This trip is designed for our most active, adventurous, and intrepid guests. Over 3 or 4 days, you’ll embark on an exhilarating journey that demands energy and delivers unparalleled satisfaction. Adventure in the tropical rainforest awaits! You’ll hike through the jungle, cross rivers, and explore mysterious caves. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with refreshing showers under pristine waterfalls, awe-inspiring geological formations, and, for those choosing the 4 days / 3 nights option, the thrilling opportunity to navigate the rapids of the spectacular Jatunyacu River.

Itinerary

Your activities will depend on your arrival time, but we recommend making the most of your stay by exploring one of our optional lodge activities (not included). Options include a leisurely walk through our 120-hectare private reserve, swimming in our stunning springwater pool, or a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear Inchillaqui River.

For guided experiences, consider exploring the reserve with a native guide who will introduce you to key medicinal plants of the Amazon, embarking on a horseback ride to admire the breathtaking tropical landscapes, or participating in an artisan chocolate workshop that takes you from bean to bar. Please let us know your preferences in advance so we can arrange your chosen activity.

In the evening, you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying a gourmet three-course dinner.

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll set off for the Sumaco Volcano Wilderness Reserve. Here, we’ll embark on a 2.5-hour hike along the edge of the stunning “Grand Jondachi Canyon” through untouched primary rainforest, culminating at a breathtaking waterfall with pristine waters. Our efforts will be rewarded with a delicious picnic lunch in an idyllic setting.

Next, we’ll venture into an underground cave complex. Equipped with helmets, safety gear, and lamps, we’ll explore the hidden world beneath the rainforest. These virtually untouched caverns reveal fascinating formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, as well as an array of subterranean creatures, including bats, lightning bugs, spiders, and more.

In the afternoon, we’ll return to the lodge, where you can relax and enjoy the facilities. The day concludes with a delightful three-course dinner at our restaurant.

We begin the day with a delicious breakfast before heading to the put-in spot at the Jatunyacu River for an exciting day of fun and adventure. This section of the Jatunyacu is rated Class 3/3+, offering a thrilling yet manageable mix of rapids, natural pools, and stunning Amazonian scenery. Covering approximately 25 kilometers (15.5 miles), this journey is perfect for first-timers and adventurers of all ages. No prior experience in whitewater sports is required, making it an excellent opportunity to try something new.

During our journey, we’ll pause at a peaceful riverside spot to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch. For families traveling with young children or seniors, we can adjust the experience by choosing a calmer river section rated Class 2/3, ensuring a day of fun and safety for everyone.

In the afternoon, we’ll return to the lodge, where you can unwind and take advantage of the facilities. The day concludes with a delightful three-course dinner at our restaurant.

Note: The White Water Rafting excursion is included only in our 4 days / 3 nights tour. No prior experience is necessary.

As our time at Hakuna Matata Amazon Lodge comes to its end, it is still possible to take a last dip in the pool or take part in an optional homestyle chocolate making workshop.

  • Lodging in the chosen room category (Cabins, Lodge, Supreme).
  • Local native Spanish-speaking guide for the day 2 tours (if you wish to hire an English-speaking
    guide, there is a $50 USD surcharge per group).
  • Roundtrip transfer from the lodge to the Napo river port for day 2 excursions.
  • All activities listed in the program.
  • All entrances to visitor sites listed in the program.
  • All meals listed (from Dinner on your arrival day to Breakfast on your departure day).
  • Use of Lodge facilities, including swimming pool, private river beach, walking trails.
  • Rubber Boots (available up to size 47 European, 13 USA, 31 Asia).
  • Taxes
  • Transportation to/from Quito.
  • Alcoholic and bottled beverages.
  • Gourmet two-course lunches (available by reservation: $13.50 USD).
  • Activities not mentioned in the tour.
  • Rain ponchos (available for an additional cost).
  • Tips or gratuities.
  • Optional activities:
    o Jungle walks: $20.00 USD per person.
    o Horseback riding: $30.00 USD per person.
    o Chocolate-making workshop: $20.00 USD per person.

Upper Napo River Tours

Hakuna Matata Lodge - Upper Napo River Lodge

Hakuna Matata Lodge

Hakuna Adventure
Tour 4 days / 3 nights

This trip is designed for our most active, adventurous, and intrepid guests. Over 3 or 4 days, you’ll embark on an exhilarating journey that demands energy and delivers unparalleled satisfaction. Adventure in the tropical rainforest awaits!

Read More »

Hakuna Explorer
Tour 4 days / 3 nights

This 3 days or 4 days tour of exploration and discovery offers a unique opportunity to experience Ecuador’s Amazon region in a truly immersive way. Stepping off the beaten path and away from common tourist routes, you’ll dive deep into the local culture, learn about the diverse plant life, and

Read More »
Hakuna Matata Lodge

Hakuna Classic
Tour 4 days / 3 nights

Our 3- or 4-day program is perfect for a family getaway, especially if you’re traveling with kids. It’s also an excellent introduction to the Amazon rainforest for first-time visitors. This package provides a comprehensive glimpse into Ecuador’s jungle region. During the program, you’ll have the chance to visit a local

Read More »

Prices are Per Person

Tours

Included in all rates

  • Lodging in the chosen room category (Cabins, Lodge, Supreme).
  • Local native Spanish-speaking guide for the day 2 tours (if you wish to hire an English-speaking
    guide, there is a $50 USD surcharge per group).
  • Roundtrip transfer from the lodge to the Napo river port for day 2 excursions.
  • All activities listed in the program.
  • All entrances to visitor sites listed in the program.
  • All meals listed (from Dinner on your arrival day to Breakfast on your departure day).
  • Use of Lodge facilities, including swimming pool, private river beach, walking trails.
  • Rubber Boots (available up to size 47 European, 13 USA, 31 Asia).
  • Taxes
 
 
Room Types
The lodge provides 16 rooms across four categories—Hakuna Cabañas, Hakuna Lodge, Hakuna Supreme, and Hakuna Suite. Each room features rustic design, private bathrooms with hot water, and high-quality bedding.

Entry Requirements

 

The following information is provided by the Ministries of the Interior and Human Relations for citizens who wish to visit and get to know Ecuador.

Therefore, Responsible travel as a tour operator considers the following guidelines in order to generate a satisfactory experience on your trip through Ecuador. Nevertheless, please note that any requirement can change without prior notice, and it is the responsibility of each traveler to make sure to comply with the current requirements when entering the country.

Visa

The duration to visit the country is 90 days a year; if you are going to extend your visit, it is recommended to pay an extension.

List of countries that need a visa to enter Ecuador:

AfghanistanGuinea BissauRepublic of the Congo
AlbaniaHaitiDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea
Angola KenyaSenegal
BangladeshKyrgyzstanSierra Leone
CameroonIndiaSyria
ChadIraqSri Lanka
Ivory CoastIranSomalia
CubaLibyaSudan
EgyptMaliSouth Sudan
EritreaMauritaniaTajikistan
EthiopiaMyanmarUzbekistan
PhilippinesNigeriaVenezuela
GambiaPakistanVietnam
GhanaNepalYemen
GuineaDemocratic Republic of the Congo 

Applying for a visa

In case of applying for a visa and being able to enter the country. Please contact the following emails: consejeria@cancilleria.gob.ec and citasvisas@cancilleriga.gob.ec.

For more information, there are links to Ecuadorian embassies as well as foreign embassies within the country.

In the case of entering the country by land or river

The Government, through its Ministries, provides that foreign citizens who enter the country through the land or river borders of Colombia and Peru may present their apostilled certificate indicating that they do not have a criminal record; this certificate must have been issued in their country of origin or residence in the last five years.  or in turn request the review of the corresponding information through the Ecuadorian Migration System (SIMIEC).

The following individuals are exempt from filing

  • Holders of a valid Ecuadorean visa
  • Holders of diplomatic passports
  • Children and adolescents under 18
  • Victims of human trafficking.

COVID-19 rules

There is not a COVID certificate needed at the moment, but if you experience symptoms prior to your trip, you can complete a health application and bring it to the airport.

Conditions for passport validity

The passport must be valid for at least half a year. Access is restricted without a valid or reported lost document

 Galapagos Islands

People could visit until 60 days. For enter, you need to present:

Foreign Exchange

When you leave the country, you must declare the foreign exchange if you exceed the aggregate of $1,380.

Personal ID

As a regular law, you must carry your identification. Always keep a copy of your passport, with the pages containing your photo and Ecuadorian entrance stamp.


 

Output Requirements

 

Departure of Foreign Citizens

  1. Valid passport
  2. Ticket Flight

Departure of national and foreign minors

Ecuadorian children and adolescents and resident foreigners may leave the national territory under the following conditions:

  • Accompanied by their parents, legal guardians, or whoever exercises parental authority, or with one of their parents with prior notarial or judicial authorization from those who are not traveling with them.
  • Alone or with third parties with the prior authorization of the parents, guardians, or those who exercise parental authority.
 
 
 
 

lenguage

The native language is Spanish. Some indigenous people speak Spanish, Quechua, and English. The indigenous communities living in the jungle speak their languages and dialects.

At Responsible Travel, we are trained to provide the best experience to the tourist. For this reason, our team of guides is bilingual, as are most of our suppliers (hotels and restaurants).