Travel options

Your official Kapawi Ecolodge excursion begins in Shell, near the Amazonian frontier town of Puyo. This is the headquarters for the Achuar people outside of their rainforest territory.

Shell can be reached overland from Quito in about four and one-half hours by public bus, or by private car, van or motor coach. The route from Quito travels south through the spectacular "Avenue of the Volcanoes", then descends to the important tourist center of Banos. Shell is then an hour away, down the majestic Pastaza River canyon, filled with waterfalls and a beautiful entrance to the Amazon rainforest.

We offer overland transportation between Quito and Shell for our guests on the day of your excursion for a charge of $30 per person each way. You will be picked up at your hotel at approximately 6:30am and you will be accompanied by a trained English-speaking guide who can educate you about the fascinating landscapes you will travel through on your way to Shell.

We also encourage guests to create their own itineraries to and from Shell that can offer more time to see and get to know Ecuador. There are many beautiful and interesting places to stop, spend the night, and explore between Quito and Shell. We would be happy to introduce you to professional tour operators who can help you plan an itinerary that will complement your trip to Kapawi and enhance your experience of the beauty and magic of Ecuador.

Arriving at Shell
The meeting point in Shell is Aerotsentsak, the Achuar air-service hanger. Aerotsentsak is located near the western end of the Shell airport, closest to Banos. At Aerotsentsak you will be met by a Kapawi representative who will assist you in transferring to the airplanes that will take all guests into the rainforest.

You will normally be expected to arrive in Shell by 11:00am the day of your excursion. The departure time of your flight from Shell will generally be within an hour of your arrival; however, depending upon weather conditions in Kapawi and at Shell, flights can be delayed and so your flexibility and patience will be important.

Arriving at Kapawi
Following a one-hour flight over miles and miles of untouched rainforest you will arrive in Achuar territory and be welcomed by your Kapawi guides. They will escort you on the final leg of your journey, a 30-minute canoe ride into the beauty and tranquility of this remote part of the world. You will travel up the broad expanse of the Pastaza River, then into the smaller Capahuari River and moments later you will arrive at your destination, the Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve. Once at the Lodge, you will be welcomed by our staff who will help you to settle into the Kapawi experience.

Leaving Kapawi
On your departure day, your journey will be reversed and you should arrive back in Shell by around 2:00pm. If you choose our overland transportation option back to Quito you should be in the city by early evening; however, once again weather conditions will determine our actual travel schedule.

In some cases, it is also possible to arrange for air transportation from Quito to Shell or, on return, from Shell to Quito. In the right circumstances, this can save two to two and one-half hours of travel time. However, this involves special charter flights that are not always available. Roundtrip costs can be $195 per person, or more. If you are interested in this option, please let us know and we can investigate availability.

Travel guide