The Amazon, the largest tropical forest in the world

The Amazon.

The Amazon is the largest tropical forest in the world, and, from a bird’s eye, the view resembles a lush green carpet blanketing the land. Intricate rivers make their way like snakes from the Andes to the Amazon River before finally reaching their journey’s end at the Atlantic Ocean.

The Ecuadorian jungle is home to 25,000 species of vascular plants of which 20% are endemic, 402 species of amphibians, 380 species of reptiles, 1,559 species of birds, and 324 species of mammals. It is also home to ethnic groups, such as the Taromenane, who have kept their ancient wisdom and worldview untouched by the outside world.

Exploring the rain forest allows us to come as close as we can to the intricacies of a planet that is impossible to capture in all of its beauty. Here, we can find an interconnected space of plants and animals that depend on each other for survival. The meandering rivers of these lands will become routes for our kayaks to explore this jungle inhabited by monkeys, sloths, otters, alligators, parrots, butterflies, and more.

In every place we look, we will find something that surprises and takes us away from the thought of civilization – bringing us closer to the reality of our roots.

Each of the lodges that we visit adds to our experience, enabling us to understand and appreciate this jungle that regulates our climate, provides oxygen for the entire planet, and gives us the balance needed to survive.

The observation tower allows us to have the same privilege as birds and animals, where the horizon will disappear between the greenery and the deep blue of a pure sky. Oftentimes clouds hang from the trees to create white pockets of gauze-like haze, nourishment for the epiphytic silver.

Touring the lagoons and tributaries of the great rivers to the sound of the rowing that drives us, almost silently, allows us to imagine ourselves as beings who do not want to be seen or heard – akin to entering a cathedral with respect and admiration. The reward is to be close to the animals and listen to our naturalists’ guides’ stories.

Already in the lodges, darkness falls with sounds that awaken our imagination; insects, perhaps a howler monkey defending its territory, and owls, or simply the wind blowing the leaves of the forest warning that a storm is coming? The comfort of these isolated refuges from civilization reminds us of the safaris of yesteryear. After our activities, nothing could provide more comfort than a hot shower, a comfortable and spacious room, and gourmet food accompanied by a good selection of wines.

Those are life memories. Experiences like these are those that last a lifetime; captured in our eyes and ears, senses awakened by the feelings brought forth from sharing a sunset in a lagoon, or a sunrise in an observation tower, with a loved one. These are memories that one would not soon forget.

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The Amazon, the largest tropical forest in the world

The Amazon.

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