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A selection of service providers personally approved by Jungle Dave.

HIKING

Filo de Paxi, a line of mountains to the west of San Juan Bosco, the route to the recently discovered lake GENESIS.

This hike is for the REAL adventurous, as the trail still is in the works! Come along and see Jungle Dave and Carlìn Marìn at our best, as we hack through the jungle guided by a GPS, an old topographic map, and the desire to survive!

GET IN TOUCH

Wakambeis is approximately 2 hours south of San Juan Bosco by car. From the community, the caves are an additional 20-30 minute walk. The trip requires an overnight stay in Wakambeis, accommodations being the Community House, and food being prepared by a local family. The hiking conditions vary with the weather, and can best be described as MUDDY.

The hike to the community involves following a trail through actively farmed land with interspersed areas of primary and secondary jungle. On any given hike, 40 different species of birds can be seen, several blooming orchids, and other spectacular sights.

BIODIVERSITY

TOURISM

  • Tourism provides an alternative source fo income for the residents of Wakambeis, money directly from the tourist goes directly to the community.
  • Protecting the caves and the jungle near them are now a community priority.
  • A community fund is in place to implement a community green house, a project which will help both the community and tourists.

VISITING

  • Wakambeis receives about 1 group per month to visit the caves.
  • The people of Wakambeis realize the touristic potential, and are actively protecting them, requiring paid local guides to enter and explore.
  • Removing rocks and mineral deposits are strictly prohibited, as is throwing trash.
GET IN TOUCH

Wakambeis is approximately 2 hours south of San Juan Bosco by car. From the community, the caves are an additional 20-30 minute walk. The trip requires an overnight stay in Wakambeis, accommodations being the Community House, and food being prepared by a local family. The hiking conditions vary with the weather, and can best be described as MUDDY.

The hike to the community involves following a trail through actively farmed land with interspersed areas of primary and secondary jungle. On any given hike, 40 different species of birds can be seen, several blooming orchids, and other spectacular sights.

BIODIVERSITY

TOURISM

  • Tourism provides an alternative source fo income for the residents of Wakambeis, money directly from the tourist goes directly to the community.
  • Protecting the caves and the jungle near them are now a community priority.
  • A community fund is in place to implement a community green house, a project which will help both the community and tourists.

VISITING

  • Wakambeis receives about 1 group per month to visit the caves.
  • The people of Wakambeis realize the touristic potential, and are actively protecting them, requiring paid local guides to enter and explore.
  • Removing rocks and mineral deposits are strictly prohibited, as is throwing trash.
GET IN TOUCH
Amazon Basin
El Oriente (Amazon region) normally has a warm, humid and rainy climate. The average temperature varies from 23º to 26ºC (72º to 80º F). The drier season is generally November to February but varies by region.
Amazon Basin
El Oriente (Amazon region) normally has a warm, humid and rainy climate. The average temperature varies from 23º to 26ºC (72º to 80º F). The drier season is generally November to February but varies by region.
The Andes
La Sierra (Andean highlands), though on the equator, is generally cooler than most people would expect. The climate in the Andes varies according to the altitude and the time of the year. In Quito the temperature ranges from 7º C (55º F) at night, to 26º C (78º F) at noon, averaging 15º C (64º F).
The Andes
La Sierra (Andean highlands), though on the equator, is generally cooler than most people would expect. The climate in the Andes varies according to the altitude and the time of the year. In Quito the temperature ranges from 7º C (55º F) at night, to 26º C (78º F) at noon, averaging 15º C (64º F).
The Pacific Coast
La Costa’s (Pacific lowlands) climate is usually very warm with temperatures averaging 25º C (76º F) to 31º C (90º F) during the year. The rainy season (December to May) is warm and very humid. The dry season is less humid but still a little muggy.
The Pacific Coast
La Costa’s (Pacific lowlands) climate is usually very warm with temperatures averaging 25º C (76º F) to 31º C (90º F) during the year. The rainy season (December to May) is warm and very humid. The dry season is less humid but still a little muggy.
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands enjoy warm and dry weather year-round, with an average temperature of 28º C (85º F).
Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands enjoy warm and dry weather year-round, with an average temperature of 28º C (85º F).

Adopt a Cedar Tree

Old Growth Cedar trees often reach over 100 feet tall, as shown below

Cedar trees are highly sought after for wood, since they grow straight up, and reach such enormous sizes. Within the context of eco-systems, these trees house numerous diverse species, from birds, orchids, bromeliads, etc.

The reforestation plan of 80 acres deforested over the last 50 years includes the purchasing of cedar trees native to the area, and planting along streams and steep areas to prevent further erosion.

Adopt a Cedar Tree

Old Growth Cedar trees often reach over 100 feet tall, as shown below

Cedar trees are highly sought after for wood, since they grow straight up, and reach such enormous sizes. Within the context of eco-systems, these trees house numerous diverse species, from birds, orchids, bromeliads, etc.

The reforestation plan of 80 acres deforested over the last 50 years includes the purchasing of cedar trees native to the area, and planting along streams and steep areas to prevent further erosion.

Adopt a Chilca Tree

Chilca trees are small, bushy trees that provide nesting areas for several bird species, primarily tanagers. After flowering, they produce a small fruit which attract birds which eat the fruit, leaving the seed to sprout. The tree shown here was chopped down an estimated 20 years ago, yet the root structure remains in tact, allowing it to regrow rapidly. The tree has been growing for only 5 years, showing the amazing growing capacity of trees in the amazon basin due to intense sun, year round growing conditions, and the intact root system.

Adopt a Chilco Tree

Chilco trees are similar to chilca trees, yet do not produce fruit after flowering.

The reforestation plan includes the cataloging of adopted trees, including bird species identified nesting in the trees, as well as other flora and fauna supported. This work will involve local High School students, educating them on the wonders of the ecosystem which they are a part of, and the importance of its protection.

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Chontilla Tree

Chontilla trees often reach as high as 30 feet tall, and are characterized by their large leaves.

Chontilla trees are beautiful top heavy trees, which grow slowly by producing 4 large intricate leaves at a time, which then grow to almost 6 feet in length! The leaves were sought after by Shuar and early settlers to the area for use in constructing roofs. When dried, the leaves are stacked several high and used in constructing shelters.

Chontilla trees provide shade for resting reforesters, a great relief from the brutal Ecuadorian sun, or heavy rains. Silver beak tanagers are often found perching on top of these trees.

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Guabo Tree

Guabo trees are very large, highly branched trees that often house several birds nests in a single tree. Mosses growing on the bark of the tree allow for several orchid species to attach ang grow, as well as bromeliads.

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Guabo Tree

Guabo trees are very large, highly branched trees that often house several birds nests in a single tree. Mosses growing on the bark of the tree allow for several orchid species to attach ang grow, as well as bromeliads.

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Mato Palo Tree

Mato Palo trees are very large trees which devour other species alive!! Starting as a vine from the top of another Mato Palo tree, or encrouching from the groud, Mato Palo (spanish for Killer Stick), climbs the trunk of other trees and strangles it, eventually devouring the entire tree!

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Mato Palo Tree

Mato Palo trees are very large trees which devour other species alive!! Starting as a vine from the top of another Mato Palo tree, or encrouching from the groud, Mato Palo (spanish for Killer Stick), climbs the trunk of other trees and strangles it, eventually devouring the entire tree!

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Nogal Tree

Nogal trees often reach over 100 feet tall, as shown.

Nogal trees are commonly referred to as Walnut trees of South America. Interestingly, they shed all of their leaves once a year (April to May), then rapidly produce more leaves and grow new branches, yet there is no significant climate change in these months.

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Nogal Tree

Nogal trees often reach over 100 feet tall, as shown.

Nogal trees are commonly referred to as Walnut trees of South America. Interestingly, they shed all of their leaves once a year (April to May), then rapidly produce more leaves and grow new branches, yet there is no significant climate change in these months.

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Pambil Tree

Pambil trees often reach over 70 feet tall, and are used commonly for construction purposes.

Pambils often are found with large bromeliads on the sides of them. Several bird species, primarily Orphondolas (locally known as Boogalas) construct nests out of the leaves.

Other than wood, people use the seeds for jewwlry, and the leaves to construct thatch-like roofs.

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!

Adopt a Porotillo Tree

Porotillo trees are large, bushy trees, that provide nesting sites for several bird species of the area.

Porotillo trees are moer common at higher altitudes, this one shown here found at over 5,700 feet. Mosses also grow on the bark and interspersed among the branches provide a growing environment for orchids and smaller bromeliads.

Adopt one of these trees, and help reforest the rainforest. Its not too late!!