Introduction
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.
In the eastern skirts of the Andes Mountains and on the shore of Ecuador's Napo River, one
can find Ahuano, a small but growing Quichua Indian village. It was here in this Amazon
hamlet that Swiss expatriate Beny Ammeter decided to open a general store in 1985. In
those days, when foreign travelers found their way to Ahuano and needed a place to stay,
they were inevitably directed to "La Casa del Suizo": The Swiss Man's House.
Happy to receive visitors from afar, Beny warmly welcomed them into his home. Within a
short time, his residence became so popular that he decided to construct several cabins to
better accommodate the steady flow of travelers. This was the beginning of La Casa del
Suizo, which today offers first class accommodations and international fame.
La Casa del Suizo is accessible by road and river, beginning in Ecuador`s capital city,
Quito. During the drive down the mountain, in one morning, the scenery magically
transforms from the Andes snow-covered peaks into the lush rainforest of the Amazon. At
the end of the road, in the town of Punta Ahuano, a canoe awaits for a 15-minute trip down
the Napo River to your final destination.
Each of our comfortable rooms
offers 24-hour electricity, hot water, a refreshing ceiling fan and an exquisite view that
may be peacefully absorbed from the privacy of one's own terrace. With a magnificent
panorama of the Napo visitors may enjoy our swimming pool, outdoor dining area and pool
bar, which offers an array of delicious tropical drinks. The hotel's dining rooms offer a
wide variety of both Ecuadorian and international dishes, and our buffets cater to
vegetarians. International telephone service is conveniently available in our reception
area.
Sample Program at La Casa del Suizo
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.
Examples for excursions:
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 donīt 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.
UP
Rates 2008 include all meals, local excursions, services of bilingual and native guides
| Rates are Per Person | |||
| Daily Departures |
3D/2N |
4D/3N |
5D/4N |
| Single | $318 | $396 | $480 |
| Double, Triple, or Quadruple | $265 | $330 | $400 |
Transportation
Quito/Casa del Suizo/Quito $159 |
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