CASA DEL SUIZO
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 Quechua Indian village of Ahuano, La Casa del Suizo overlooks vast expanses of the surrounding tropical rainforest environment.
Getting There
The trip to La Casa del Suizo will depart from Quito, Ecuador’s capital, by one route:
It is also possible to reach La Casa del Suizo over land, along a scenic stretch of road, which takes us out of the majestic Andes highlands, and down into the jungle. During this aprox. 4 -hour trip there are several opportunities to stop for photographs, overlooking lush green valleys and sparkling waterfalls. Be it by land, our destination is Punta Ahuano, tiny port towns on the North bank of the Napo River where canoes await for a 20-minute ride downstream to la Casa del Suizo.
Accommodations
Our 75 modern rooms provide full electricity, hot water and ceiling fans to make your stay with us more comfortable. Each room has its own terrace as well, with an
exquisite view that may be peacefully absorbed from a comfortable hammock. With a magnificent panorama of the Napo River, our guests may also enjoy our swimming pool, outdoor dining area and pool
bar, which offer 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.
For larger groups, La Casa del Suizo now has a brand new, fully equipped air-conditioned convention center, and fax, phone and e-mail available.
Activities
All excursions at La Casa del Suizo will be led by a native guide with expert knowledge of the rainforest’s medicinal, and other useful plants. A typical day begins
after an early breakfast, and there are a variety of trails and activities to choose from:
Misicocha
Situated 15 minutes upstream by boat there is a private reserve of the Casa del Suizo with primary forest, which we would like to show you. At the thatch roof shelter,
located a hundred meters away from the shore, paths of different lengths and difficulty levels start out (walking time from 1 1ž2 till 4 hours). Your local guide will introduce you to the secrets of
the tropical rain forest. The routes lead you through picturesque creeks, some hills up and down, to a scenic viewpoint, always walking under the dark jungle canopy. Your guide explains you how the
Quichuas use the large variety of plants. Their broad knowledge about the medicinal plants is impressive. After the walk we offer you a refreshing ride downstream on a raft made of balsa wood. In
about 30 minutes you arrive back at the Casa del Suizo.
Cosano / AmaZoonico
A 20 minutes boatride takes you to Cosano, a private property with primary forest on the Rio Arajuno. Walks of different lengths (1 till 3 hours) lead you through the
dark world of the rain forest. From two different points of view you can overlook the village Ahuano, the Rio Napo and some smaller rivers that merge with it. Your local guide explains to you the
amazing world of the plants that you encounter on your walk. Afterwards you are invited to float downstream the Arajuno on a big inner tube. Don't worry, the ride is peaceful and relaxing. Also
located on the Rio Arajuno is the famous animal shelter AmaZoonico.
Its mission is to take care of injured or confiscated wild animals and if possible to set them free later. This is a great opportunity for our guests to observe animals living in the region, that are difficult to see in the wilderness. A 15 minutes boat ride takes you back to the Casa del Suizo.
Chicha, blowgun, ceramics, and wooden crafts
A short boatride downstream takes you to a Quichua family living somewhat outside of the village. You will witness the production of Chicha and be invited to taste the
most common drink of the region. One will explain you the blowgun, an important weapon for the people of the jungle in former times. Take the chance to have a try yourself with this difficult and
special method of hunting. After a 30 minutes walk back to the village on an even road we will visit a ceramics workshop. A Quichua woman will show you the handmade production of the typical fine
ceramics of the Oriente, for which they use exclusively natural materials, from there, there is another stop at the wooden craft workshop, where the artesans will be demonstrate how a peace of wood
can be turned in to a beautiful bird.
Isla
You will cross the river to the island vis-a-vis. The path is even and the walk will last between one and two hours. Your guide explains to you the local agriculture:
manioc (local name Yuca), bananas, cocoa, coffee, various herbs and tubers, mostly planted and sometimes growing wild.
Amazoonico
Just across the river from La Casa del Suizo is Amazoonico, a rescue center for wounded and displaced tropical rainforest animals. Here it is possible to see coatis,
tapirs, and several species of monkey, snakes, and a variety of birds, many of which wander around freely! Entrance into this center is approximately $2.5 USD.
The butterfly farm
At about 15 minutes walk from La Casa del Suizo, you’ll find our butterfly farm. Designed as a live exhibition conservatory, the Butterfly House is now successfully
breeding nearly 20 local butterfly species! Guests will be shown how these beautiful insects are bred and raised, and later be free to wander through the “flying room” , where hundreds of colorful
butterflies including spectacular blue morphs flutter from flower to flower. Entrance fee USD 4.00 subject to change without notice.
Optional Excursions:
Kayaking
La Casa del Suizo has aquired river kayaks, and we are offering, haf day and ful day programs on rivers class one and two. This programs are avilable for children 12
years old and up. Please note that these programs are not included in our all inclusive programs, and must be reserved in advance.
River Rafting
With advance notice it is possible to arrange a full day of river rafting, either on the upper Napo River (class III) or the Misahuallí River (class IV – IV+). Rafting
trips are not operated by La Casa del Suizo, they are contracted with a local operator and led by experienced bilingual guides with top-of-the-line equipment, and include a riverside lunch.
These excursions begin in Tena, at about 45 minutes from La Casa del Suizo, for more information and price please contact us.
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