Huaorani Ecolodge, opened in August 2007, provides accommodations for 10 people in a style harmonious with the surrounding environment and the Huaorani culture.
Huaorani Ecolodge is situated in terra firma rainforest (forest that is never flooded) an hour walk from the community of Quehueri'ono, in the northwestern part of the Territory. You are in a comfortable and secure setting consisting of five Huaorani-style, palm-thatched cabins named after the Huao communities along the Shiripuno River, constructed of local wood, within which are fitted luxury modern tents. All cabins have a pair of twin beds, a private bathroom equipped with a shower and flush toilet, and a porch with comfortable chairs. You are provided with environmentally-friendly soaps and shampoos.
The dining area has a bar as well as a shop that sells all those toiletries you forgot and other sundries. The whole area is covered with traditional Huaorani-style palm thatching and comfortably seats 20 people at five tables.Casa de hamacas. There is a Casa de Hamacas (Hammock House) on the edge of the Shiripuno River for those few occasions when you are not engaged in activities away from the Lodge.
The Lodge is committed to minimizing negative impacts on the area as well as involving local community members: thus, wood from trees and Lodge cabinin areas chosen by a forest engineer in consultation with the Huaorani was used for construction and the Lodge location was determined based on its distance from Quehueri'ono; Huaorani were involved in its construction and are the predominant employees; produce is bought locally; there are plans to create a laundry service in Quehueri'ono to increase local employment; biodegradable products are used in housekeeping services as well as in the bathrooms; buildings are lit via solar panels, which also power the shortwave radio, refrigerator and water pump; and a bio-filter renders all waste products either recyclable or harmless before being discharged into the river.
