OUR ECOTOURISM ETHICS CUSTOMIZE YOUR JOURNEY

Amazon Rainforest
 
Secoyas
SECOYAS



Photos: Pablo Yépez
VIHOMA Foundation

¿Who are the Secoya?

The Secoya, the colored people “Siecopai”, are an ethnic minority of less than one thousand people in the upper Amazon basin of Ecuador and Peru. About 500 Secoya live now in Ecuador. As ancient occupants of the Amazon region, we have an extensive knowledge of the tropical rainforest ecosystems, our adaptation to the tropical environment has allowed us to develop as a nation and a culture.

The Secoya and the Tropical Rainforest

The Secoya traditional life was totally dependent on the forest from which we obtained our food, medicine and spirit. Now, the unsustainable exploitation of the forest resources, the increased consumerism and the demographic explosion are threatening the Secoya culture and environment.

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Secoya Communitarian Tourism “Siecopai”

To overcome these threats the Secoya have developed the Program of Communitarian Tourism “Siecopai”. We invite national and international tourists to visit our culture and our forests.

Our program includes visits to typical Secoya houses and orchards, with a permanent exhibit of the Secoya culture, interpretative trails in primary forests and an observation tower in a flooded forest. Expert Secoya, trained as guides and research assistants, are prepared to give you high quality information about our culture and environment.

If you wish to enjoy and learn about this millenary culture of the Amazon, this is a unique opportunity. We are prepared to make your visit one of the best experiences of your life.

Our tours include transport from Coca or Lago Agrio to our program in the rivers Shushufindi, Aguarico and Aguas Negras, in the Cuyabeno Reserve.

Thanks for your support

The incomes from the tourism program will be used to improve the Secoya education and health.

You can make a difference and help us to have a sustainable way of life and to recover our forest and our culture.

PROGRAM “A SECOYA DAY” (1 day):

Day 1
7h30 - 10h00 Coca/Lago Agrio – Pto. Gregorio (Shushufindi river)
10h15 - 11h30 Botanic Garden “Sehuayejá” –Shushufindi river
12h00 Interpretation Center “Tuikëhuë” (Aguarico river) – typical Secoya meal (lunch)
13h00 - 15h00 Visit to the observation tower “Pi’a ña ya’rihua”, Secoya orchard and trail “Sehuaya ma’a”
15h00 Departure to Coca
PROGRAM "SECOYA LIFE" (2 days / 1 night):

Day 1
7h30 - 10h00 Coca/Lago Agrio – Pto. Gregorio (Shushufindi river)
10h15 - 11h30 Botanic Garden “Sehuayejá” –Shushufindi river
12h00 Typical Secoya meal (lunch)
13h00 - 18h00 Visit to the Interpretation Center “Tuikëhuë”, observation tower “Pi’a ña ya’rihua” and Secoya orchard (Aguarico river)
19h00 Dinner
20h00 Cultural activities (optional night walks or navigation)
21h00 Night in tents in interpretation center
Day 2
8h00 Breakfast
9h00 Visit to the trail “Sehuaya ma’a” (Aguarico river)
12h00 Departure to Coca – lunch in the way
PROGRAM "SIECOPAI" (3 days / 2 nights):

Day 1
09h30 - 12h30 Coca/Lago Agrio – Pto. Gregorio (Shushufindi river)          
12h30 - 13h30 Visit to the Interpretation Center “Tuikëhuë” – Secoya typical meal (lunch)
16h00 - 18h00 Observation tower “Pi’a ña ya’rihua”
19h00 Dinner
20h00 Cultural activities (optional night walks or navigation)
21h00 Night in tents in interpretation center

 
Day 2
08h00 Breakfast
09h00 - 12h00 Visit to the trail “Sehuaya ma’a” (Aguarico river), working experience in a Secoya orchard (Aguaric river)
13h00 Lunch
14h00 - 15h30 Visit to the Botanic Garden “Sehuayejá”, Shushufindi river
17h00 - 18h00 Cultural activities – Secoya tails, art and handicrafts
19h00 Dinner
20h00 Cultural activities - continued (optional night walks or navigation)
21h00 Night in tents in the typical Secoya house Sehuayejá or in Lidia Payaguaje lodges

 
Day 3
8h00 Breakfast
09h00 - 11h00 Visit to the ethnobotanic trail”Sehuayejá” (Shushufindi river)
12h00 Departure to Coca – lunch in the way

 
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Prices, departures and includes services
Programs
Price per person
1 day
$xxx
2 days / 1 night
$xxx
3 days / 2 nights
$xxx
   
Price based in groups of 4 people

Departures:    

Included: Not included:

• All meals
• All activities
• Travel in small groups minimum 4 and maximum 8 people - customized programs for couples available)
• Local guide
• Bilingual naturalist guide
• Camping gear
• Entrance Fee to the Community
• Entrance Fee ONAHE


•Combined transportation Quito - Coca / Lago Agrio
•Accommodation in Quito

•Transfers from and to Airport
•Tips

Testimonials

"You can make a difference and help us to have a sustainable way of life and to recover our forest and our culture."

"Come and have a unique experience with us!"

- Dai’je DEOJI Secoya

Highlights

Shuar traditional pottery
Handcrafts for hunting and fishing. Shuar Community
Shuar Legends
Primary Tropical Rain Forest


Responsible travel

Be open to different appreciations of what is normal. For example, punctuality is not an Amazon concept.

Be polite and respectful. Use por favor, gracias, buenos días a lot.

Don`t take someone´s photo unless you´ve asked their permission first. Don´t be offended if they refuse.

Do not be ostentatious with wealth and material possessions.

Do not bring strong alcohol or give away cigarettes.

Hang on to any trash you generate like plastics, dead batteries etc. until you get back to Quito.

Do buy locally made handicrafts, this is an important source of income in the community, especially for women, but don`t buy those made from feathers or animal parts. Also there´s no need to haggle, everything tends to be inexpensive by Northern hemisphere standards.

Gifts are welcomed but preferred to be scholarly material for the children given to the guide for its distribution .