Hakuna Matata means “no worries” This is exactly what the lodge offers you as a guest! You can enjoy the exotic Amazon rainforest in a relaxed, carefree atmosphere. You can live our slogan to its fullest: “Enjoy the luxury of nature” in a family friendly environs where you will feel comfortable, safe and truly welcome as a friend. You can experience the warm Amazonian hospitality, as our guest there are “no problems”, we are committed to fulfill your every wish and need. The happiness of our guests is our biggest prize!
We are committed to promoting responsible tourism, sustainability is the founding pilar behind our lodge. We build upon this day by day although being green may be the longer and more costly path, we know that in the long term this will benefit our future generations and the wellbeing of our entire planet.
Lodge PhilosophieOur space is an eco lodge and our objective is to share a learning experience with our guests, where they can learn about conservation and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Our objective is to protect our patch of rainforest and promote respect for the local tribal cultures and their ancestral knowledge of the rainforest. A great part of our private forest reserve has been created by decades of reforestation. Our cabins have been built respecting the topography of the land and using recycled wood from already fallen trees. We use spring water for our lodge and pool, this means we use almost no chemicals to balance the water for bathing. We have a towel reuse program where we motivate our guests to use the same towel through their entire stay, we believe that together we can help reduce our environmental impact. Our cleaning products are biodegradable and we have been very careful in creating a sustainable supply chain where our partners respect and follow our same philosophy and environmental policies. We apply the same strict standards when hiring out our tours and excursions.
One of the most distinctive and attractions and features about Ecuador is it’s multicultural population. We work together with several indigenous communities with whom we have established a strong bond and we pay a fair price for their services.
The majority of our staff come from neighboring indigenous communities, they all enjoy proper labour benefits and most important they are treated with respect. As we mentioned above, they are the heart and soul at Hakuna Matata and together we are a small great family.
SERVICES
Staff
Our friendly staff form the backbone of the Hakuna Matata Lodge experience, and are always available to cater to any special needs you may have.
Bar
Enjoy a beer or cocktail. We also have a well-curated wine list including wines from Chile, Argentina and Ecuador.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi with a passcode all around the lodge and rooms. Ask for the passcode at reception.
Electricity
Throughout the Lodge, 24-hour electricity is provided by a distant, nearly inaudible generator.
Boots & Ponchos
Clean and disinfected bubber boots and rain ponchos are available for all of our guests at the Lodge, free of charge.
Water
Purified, safe drinking water is available at multiple points around the Lodge – there’s no need to bring your own bottled water.
Restaurant
We have a children's menu and special diets. Plant-based and vegans are welcome.
Fans & Screened Windows
To protect from mosquitos, the windows are screened and a fan is provided in your room to refresh yourself after a day of activities.
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
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Arrival – Free Time or Optional activities (D)
It all depends on your arrival time, but we suggest you take advantage of one of our optional activities at the lodge (not included), some possibilities include: a walk into our 120 hectare private reserve, swimming in our spectacular springwater pool or dipping into the crystal clear Inchillaqui river. Guided activity options: Explore our reserve with a native guide who will point out the main medicinal plants of the Amazon, a horseback ride to explore the amazing tropical scenery or an artisan chocolate workshop (from the bean to the bar). Please let us know your preferences in advance so we can book your prefered activity.
In the evening you will be able to enjoy a 3 course gourmet dinner.
Classic Amazoonico Tour: Jungle walk - Visit animal rescue centre (Amazoonico) - Visit native community (B/L/D)
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will drive to the put out point at the Napo river. Here we will board a traditional motorized dugout canoe and we will navigate down river to the “Amazoonico” animal rescue center, here we will learn about this conservation project and we will be able to have close view the local wildlife: monkeys, parrots, macaws, tapir, ocelots… We will also take part in a jungle walk that will lead us through both secondary and primary rainforest where we will learn about medicinal plants, the amazing flora, insects and we will learn about the co-existence of native people and the rainforest and the importance of sustainability and conservation as well as the importance of the jungle for local cultures.
At midday we will enjoy a picnic lunch by the river, and we will be invited to visit a native family, and observe how Kichwa people try to live according to their ancestral traditions while adapting to modern day life. One of the standing traditions that we can still experience is the making of Chicha, we will learn the process and if we are adventurous enough we will get to taste this traditional drink.
Our full day trip will end with a visit at the local market in the city of Tena, we will observe the generosity of the land with its people in myriads of exotic products and produce that come from the forest and the river, a truly colorful experience that will give us a deeper insight of our surroundings and the amazing amazon basin as a whole.
In the afternoon we return to our lodge where you can enjoy all the facilities. In the evening, we will be treated to a delicious three course dinner at our restaurant.
Free Time - Optional activities at the Lodge - Departure (B)
As our time at Hakuna Matata Amazon Lodge comes to its end, it is still possible to take a last dip in the pool or take part in an optional homestyle chocolate making workshop.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
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Arrival – Journey to the Amazon Rainforest –Leisure or optional activities (D)
Within approx. 3.5 hours, you reach our exclusive lodge from Quito. On the way, you can watch the vegetation slowly changing from the Andes landscape to the rainforest. After passing the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, you will arrive in the paradise of the mountain jungle - our hidden lodge in the rainforest. You have approached sea level by approx. 2,200 meters and are now at an altitude of approx. 600 meters. There are several ways to get to our lodge, by public bus or private transport. With the latter, you can make a short stop in the thermal springs of Papallacta, where you can relax in the warm waters.
If you would rather arrive earlier in the jungle paradise, than spending time in the bubbling springs, your adventure starts right at Hakuna Matata. Once you arrive at the spacious property, you can start exploring immediately – but be careful not to get lost on the almost 120 hectares. The complex offers everything a child's heart desires: a white sandy beach directly on the Inchillaqui River, a tropical garden, a private protective forest and a palm shaped pool – and you will hardly find mosquitos.
Enjoy the evening surrounded by the typical noises of the jungle with a 3-course menu in this special atmosphere.
Jungle Hike – Horseback Riding (B/L/D)
Today you will get to know the wildlife of the jungle. During an easy hike in the morning, you will be able to see various species of plants and insects typical for this area. Your guide will explain the usefulness of these animals and plants for the whole ecosystem of the rainforest. After an energizing lunch at the lodge, it is time for you to go on another exploration tour – this time on the back of horses. With a local guide, you will ride through the jungle and small rivers, where you can enjoy the awesome scenery with exciting paths to cross. Children can choose to ride the horse themselves or with the help of a guide.
In the evening, a delicious 3-course menu is already waiting for you.
Canoeing in a Lagoon – Nature and Culture Museum – Visit of an Indigenous Community (B/L/D)
After breakfast you will start your trip at eight o`clock in the morning with a canoe. Your first stop today is a lagoon with an island where monkeys swing from tree to tree. The canoe trip takes you around this island. Enjoy the peace and quietness and let the voices of the jungle take you off into another world. Your guide will give you further information about the different bird species and all other animals you will get to see during your trip.
Your trip continues to the jungle town Misahualli, where, with a bit of luck, you can see monkeys romping around. From here, you will take a motor canoe up the Napo River to the Kamak Maki Nature and Culture Museum, where you can see other jungle animals. Among others, you will get to see caimans, capybara, turtles, a parrot and a coati running around the little zoo. A guide working for the museum is going to show you medicinal plants and introduces you to the customs and rituals of shamanism. In addition, the guide will show you the traditional way of hunting in the jungle.
Hunting with a blowpipe is still executed in the Amazonas and trying out this technique is a lot of fun for the whole family!
After learning more about the culture of the indigenous people of the jungle, you will now drive downstream to an indigenous community where you will have lunch and get to know other traditions through various activities. The community will show you how the traditional drink “chicha” is produced and the family will perform a traditional dance for you. On the sacred giant stone, that can be found in the community, you can feel and absorb the positive energy of Mother Earth.
However, before entering the stone, you must ask for its permission. There are also special rules for getting off the stone.
You can further choose between the activities “Handicraft-Workshop” and “Gold Panning”; both activities are very popular by our small guests. In the “Handicraft-Workshop”, the families will show you how traditional jewelry is made out of natural materials and the children will have the opportunity make their own traditional bracelet – the parents are welcomed to help their children with the handcraft.
The second option teaches you the art of gold panning. Search for your own Indiana Jones gold treasure!
On the way back to the lodge, you can optionally visit the largest tree of the Napo area. The tree is not only a huge hotel for the jungle inhabitants, but also tells exciting stories and legends.
Chocolate Workshop – Departure (B)
Today your time ends in our Hakuna Matata Lodge. Before you return to Quito or the small town of Baños, there is a gourmet highlight on the agenda in the morning: a chocolate workshop, where you learn how to make chocolate the traditional way! At the end of this process, you can taste for final product.
HAKUNA CABINS
Our greatest efforts are focused on offering you as our guest a carefree stay in a relaxed environment. We want you to enjoy the unique place Hakuna Matata is at its purest. The idyllic surroundings, being Mosquito Free (no mosquito nets are necessary), the mild temperature and the calming sounds of nature are the ideal lullaby for the perfect night’s sleep amidst the amazon jungle.
- Double / Twin Cabin: 13 sq.mts. room area + bathroom. Bedding is king size or two twin beds
- Family Cabin: 20 sq.mts. Room area + bathroom. Bedding includes 1 king size bed, two twin beds and 1 bunk bed
- Ceiling fan
- Deck fan
- Fresh Drinking Water
- Hot water shower
- Pool and River towels
- Amenities (shampoo, soap, toiletries)
ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON
DOUBLE OR SINGLE CABINS
• 2 double bedrooms
• Our spacious balconies,complete with a hammock and lounge chairs
• Private bathroom and shower.
• 2 full bathrooms
- Double / Twin Cabin: 14 - 16 sq.mts. room area + bathroom. Bedding is king size or two twin beds
- Family Cabin: 25 sq.mts. Room area + bathroom. Bedding includes 1 king size bed, two twin beds in a duplex (two floor setting, similar to a small apartment)
- Large common terrace with lounge area and hammocks
- Each cabin has: Ceiling fan
- Fresh Drinking Water
- Hot water shower
- Umbrella and Wellington boots
- Pool and River towels
- Amenities (shampoo, soap, toiletries)
- Wifi Zone
ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON
HAKUNA SUPREME
Located between the restaurant and the pool, this area caters to guests who search for that extra level of comfort found in our modern stone built cabins. We have 5 supreme rooms, one of them for families.
- Supreme Double Cabin: 16 - 18 sq.mts. room area + bathroom. Bedding is king size and a sofa bed
- Supreme Family Cabin: 30 sq.mts. Room area + bathroom, this room is spread out into 2 different ambiences. Bedding includes 1 king size bed and two twin beds
- Large common terrace with lounge area and hammocks
- Ceiling fan
- Fresh Drinking Water
- Hot water shower
- Hair dryer and make up mirror
- Umbrella and Wellington boots
- Pool and River towels
- Amenities (shampoo, soap, toiletries)
- Wifi Zone
