LA CASA DEL SUIZO 2016

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La Casa del Suizo is a tranquil Amazonian refuge located on the shore of Ecuador’s majestic Napo River and a stone’s throw away from the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains. Perched comfortably above the riverbank and the small Quichua Indian village of Ahuano, La Casa del Suizo overlooks vast expanses of the surrounding tropical rainforest environment. Located at Napo Province.

Facilities

• 75 modern rooms
• Full electricity
• Hot water and ceiling fans to make your stay with us more comfortable
• Each room has its own terrace as well
• Exquisite view that may be peacefully absorbed from a comfortable hammock.
• Magnificent panorama of the Napo river
• Guests may also enjoy our swimming pool
• Outdoor dining area
• Pool bar, which offer an array of delicious tropical drinks.
• The hotel’s dining rooms offer a wide variety of both ecuadorian an international dishes, and our buffets cater to vegetarians.
  

Bar

Drinks are not included in your package, and may be paid on  the last night of your stay in cash (U.S. dollars), traveler checks or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express). Please note that the minimum charge for chedit cards is $20 US.

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DESCRIPTION OF TOURS

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Arriving at the hotel the manager or coordinate guide tours to realize them in the morning or afternoon

MISICOCHA

We walk through primary and secondary forest looking different species of birds and insects that keep the ecosystem balance. There are a variety of medicinal plants and trees in the area, whose use will be explained by your guide. We will enjoy various adventures such as swinging on liana. After the hike  may choose to take lunch in the jungle or back to the hotel.

For the adventurous we have the option of the raft

THE RAFT

To return to the hotel the guide will teach you how to build a raft with stump, on which sailed through the waters of the Napo River to La Casa Del Suizo for lunch.

The time of this activity is about 4 hours; if you choose to have lunch in the jungle time is 5-6 hours.

INDIGENOUS FAMILY VISIT

It is possible to visit a family in Ahuano Quichua community to learn their traditional rites. The members of this family show their livelihoods by hunting blowgun, ceramics and preparing chicha de yuca (a traditional drink).

THE ISLAND

Learn traditional crops and medicinal plants used by the natives and surprised by insects and birds.
They will then have the option to go to Butterfly ($ 4.00 p/p) and admire this wonderful metamorphosis of this insects.

GOLD WASH

If weather conditions permit, we will make a short journey by canoe down the Napo River. Our passengers observe the traditional way of looking for gold, the native guide will explain and demonstrate how to wash the gold through the use of a punt.

COSANO

We left early after breakfast by canoe for about 25 minutes for our reservation Arajuno Cosano in the river. Then we will walk through primary forest for about 2 hours with a native guide who will explain the flora and fauna. Once back in the river Arajuno, passengers will have the opportunity to relax and swim in this beautiful place. The more adventurous can return to buoys on the Napo River, always accompanied by a canoe.
If passengers wish can visit the animal rescue station Amazon (entrance is payable directly at the station). Return to the hotel by canoe for lunch.

RODRIGUEZ RIVER

Duration all day. We left early by canoe down the Napo River (about 25 minutes) we will Runa Huasi and then Rodriguez river. At this river can bathe in it to cool and then have a picnic. Back will be a walk on another path crossing primary and secondary rainforest, the guide will give an explanation of the flora and fauna. Return to the hotel canoe.

TIPS TO PLAN YOUR TRIP

WHAT TO BRING:

• Passport or identity card
• Poncho or waterproof jacket
• Binoculars
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Hat or cap
• Glasses for the sun
• Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and short
• Lightweight Pants
• Tennis Shoes
• Socks
• Camera
• Swimwear
• Small backpack

La Casa del Suizo provides rubber boots for all activities.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

The cost does not include: drinks, tips and extras. The beverages account can pay the last night of your stay with dollars (cash or traveler’s checks), or credit card (minimum $ 50.00).

Extra covers are recommended for bags or wet clothing. For added security, you can leave your clothes in value and personal documents in the hotel management.

ACTIVITIES:

Each morning guests may trek and paddle through the lush, primary rainforest which surrounds the Lodge. The native guides posses´ vast knowledge of the diverse local fauna and flora, as well as the medicinal uses of many plants. A variety of activities are available: One of the hikes ends with a balsa raft adventure down the Napo river and back to the Hotel. Our guests may also visit a local Quichua Village, where one can watch amazing blowpipe demonstrations and the preparation of chicha, a local alcoholic beverage.

Most outings end at noon and guests are brought back to the hotel for lunch. However, for those activities that last all day box lunches will be provided.

One of the biggest surprises at La Casa del Suizo is the food!! The lodge provides an immense variety of international cuisine combined with typical food found here in Ecuador. All meals are served buffet style and the chefs at La Casa del Suizo are more than happy to cater to the dietary requirements or desires of our guests. You may choose from a variety of soups, more than 4 types of salads, 5 types of meat, an array of fresh Ecuadorian fruit juices, deserts and a collage of other delicious and colorful foods all provided by our expert chefs and friendly staff.

Each morning our guests may trek and paddle through the lush, primary rainforest which surrounds the Lodge. The native guides posses vast knowledge of the diverse local fauna and flora, as well as the medicinal uses of many plants.

A variety of activities are available: One of our hikes ends with a balsa raft adventure down the Napo river and back to the Hotel.

Our guests may also visit a local Quichua Village, where one can watch amazing blowpipe demonstrations and the preparation of chicha, a local alcoholic beverage.

Most outings end at noon and guests are brought back to the hotel for lunch. However, for those activities that last all day box lunches will be provided.

EXCURSIONS:

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PANGAYACU: After breakfast the group will board a dugout canoe and navigate 20 minutes down the waters of the scenic Napo River. The destination is Pangayacu, where during an approximately three-hour walk through primary rainforest visitors will have the opportunity to see actual hunting traps which were traditionally used by the local natives in the past. The guides will demonstrate how they work and explain which type of animals was caught in each one. The trail leads to the home of a Quichua Indian family, whose garden contains many medicinal plants still commonly used today. Your guide will explain how they are prepared, and afterwards serve lunch (which will be sent from the hotel) near the edge of the Napo. Later the group will continue on to the village of Ahuano, where we may learn about several aspects of traditional Quichua culture: our host will show us how to make chicha, a typical beverage (which of course all may taste), and demonstrate the spiritual cleaning rituals still practiced today throughout the surrounding community. Finally, all may participate in a blowgun target-shooting contest -but don´t expect to beat the natives.

MISICOCHA: This visit consists of a walk through primary and secondary forest trails, along which it is possible to observe distinct species of birds and insects as well as a great variety of trees and medicinal plants. The guides will explain how such plants are used not only in medicine, but also in construction and other important local activities. Along the trails guests may enjoy several opportunities for adventure, such as hanging bridges, and vines for swinging from tree to tree. After the walk you may choose to eat lunch in the jungle, and later live the incredible experience of building and navigating a raft! On a small river island your guide will show you how to tie balsa logs together, so those who wish can float down the Napo for about an hour back to La Casa del Suizo. The duration of this visit is around 4 hours, and from 5 to 6

hours if you choose to have lunch in the forest. For our more physically limited guests, who do not wish or are not able to participate in all of the activities listed above, we have alternatives such as «The Island»: a one-hour walk along a totally flat river island, where one may observe a great variety of plants and insects. It is also possible to visit an artisan in the village of Ahuano, who will demonstrate how the traditional Quichua ceramics are created, painted, and hardened.

BUTTERFLY FARM: Designed as a live exhibition conservatory, the butterfly house is now successfully breeding nearly 20 local butterfly species.

Photography

High-speed film and a flash for cameras are recommendable for shady walks under the forest canopy. However, slower film is fine for photos on rivers and around the hotel.