Into the Amazon, Baños, Ecuador

From Baños, Ecuador you can book a multitude of tours including day tours into the jungle….the Amazon. There were options to spend several days in the Amazon but we had a limited amount of time and decided we would venture into the Amazon again when we arrived in Colombia or Peru.

We opted for a full day tour booked through our Hostel, La Casa del Molino Blanco, for $25 included transport, all activities and lunch. This was one of the most valuable tours I think I have ever taken especially considering the price.

They picked us up at 9am and we had to adjust the schedule a bit because it was raining but we headed to visit a local tribe that has adapted to host tourists and also provide a bit of an educational experience.

The Wayuri tribe explained some of their traditions and customs, their history and how they hunted. Some young girls came around to paint the faces of everyone and then they demonstrated a traditional dance.

They asked for some volunteers for everyone who would like to participate and learn a bit of the dance and of course I’m all about the experience so I volunteered. They wrapped us in a grass skirt and before I could even get mine tied I felt the sharpest pain on my side.

Some bugs had nested in my skirt and one was biting me. I have no idea what the bug was but the pain was relentless and let me just say that my first thought was, “Oh shit, I just HAAAD to volunteer and now I’m gonna have some crazy reaction from the bug bite and end up in a hospital”.”

I danced my way through it and found someone afterwards to see if the bite was okay or if the pain would stop. I was told that it would be okay, no big deal to just go to see the ladies in their hut with the jewelry. I found them and she promptly pulled out a water bottle filled with what called, “Dragon Blood” she rubbed some on my bite and said I will be just fine. lol It eased the pain a bit so I decided to believe her and go on my merry way. Eventually the pain subsided and the bite healed after a few days. No clue what it really was but I seem to be just fine!

After getting the chance to walk around and explore a bit we left the Wayuri tribe and went on a short but rough and very wet canoe ride down the river just a little ways. Some of the locals offered us a taste of their homemade alcohol which basically tasted like a spiced moonshine and it was definitely just as strong, perfect after our ride down the river.

Some of the locals offered us a taste of their homemade alcohol which basically tasted like a spiced moonshine and it was definitely just as strong, perfect after our ride down the river. It burned going down but warmed me up from the inside.

We stopped for lunch and a short siesta on some hammocks then changed into our swimming clothes and made our way towards our next stop.

We trekked for about 45 minutes through the jungle and some of the most amazing flowers, trees and vegetation I have ever seen.

We arrived at the most magnificent waterfall just towering over us. Of course we hoped right in and enjoyed the refreshingly cool water after our little trek. I found myself just staring in awe at the waterfall for most of the time, the power of the water and the force of the wind blowing was just incredible and breathtaking.

Finally to end our day they took us to a lookout point near the Sangay Volcano that made us feel like we were on top of the world. We could see the volcano, the river, the Amazon rainforest and watch as the sun was setting over this incredible view.

There were hammocks to relax in or if you’re brave enough you can swing out to meet the view. The swing is really high up and completely unsecured, you hold onto the rope and that is it.

For me personally, this was the kind of adrenaline rush I had been waiting for, so of course, I went twice and the feeling was the most amazing sensation of almost flying as you swing towards the horizon. No words could describe it but I am so glad I got to experience it!

I couldn’t get enough of this magical place and I really wasn’t ready to leave when we had to but I was overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for the beauty and experience of it all. My heart was full as we made our way back into Baños and ended our adventure for that day.