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Travellers at the Indichuris viewpoint above the Pastaza river and the rainforest

Forest & Amazon

Puyo, Pastaza and the Indichuris viewpoint

Drop from the Andes to the rainforest on a single road, then stand at the Indichuris viewpoint with the Pastaza river winding through the green below. A few days at the Amazon’s front door.

The story

From the mountains to the rainforest in a day

Puyo is the capital of Pastaza, Ecuador’s largest province, and the place where the road down from the Andes meets the Amazon. Allyson’s posts from here show the Indichuris viewpoint, the Pastaza river curling through forest that runs to the horizon. It is the gentlest way into the Amazon: close to the mountains, full of life, easy to shape around you.

  1. Day 1

    Down the Route of the Waterfalls

    From Baños the road follows the Pastaza river down its canyon, and waterfall after waterfall pours off the walls. You stop at the Pailón del Diablo, walk down through the spray to the roaring pool, and feel the air warm up with every kilometre. In a single morning you go from an Andean town to the edge of the Amazon.

    The Pailón del Diablo waterfall with a footbridge and travellers in rain jackets
  2. Day 1 · Afternoon

    Puyo, where the road meets the forest

    Puyo is warm, green and busy, a town shared by Kichwa, Shuar and the other nations of Pastaza. Your guide walks you along the river, past giant leaves and trees heavy with bromeliads, and explains how the forest works: what heals, what feeds, what bites. In the evening the sounds begin, frogs and insects, a chorus that goes on all night.

    Travellers with a local guide on a forest path beside a river near Puyo
  3. Day 2 · Morning

    The Indichuris viewpoint

    Early, before the clouds lift too far, you go up to Indichuris. Below, the Pastaza river spreads in silver braids across a valley of forest, and the green carries on until it meets the sky. It is the view Allyson shared from here, and it explains the Amazon better than any map: enormous, wet, alive. Take your photo, then just look.

    The Pastaza river winding through rainforest seen from the Indichuris viewpoint
  4. Day 2 · Afternoon

    Guayusa, cacao and a community

    With a community that receives visitors, you share guayusa, the leaf tea drunk around the fire at dawn, learn how cacao grows under the forest canopy, and maybe help wrap fish in leaves for a maito. Every visit is arranged with the community in advance and follows how they want to host. You leave with stories, and with a handmade piece if you choose one.

    A Kichwa family cooking maito over a fire with visiting travellers
  5. Day 3

    A canoe and the river mist

    On the last morning, a canoe on a calm river, mist lifting off the water, and a guide who spots birds before you have seen anything move. Then the road back up to Baños, Quito or the airport, or deeper into the forest if you have the days. The Amazon is easy to add to an Andes trip, and hard to leave.

    A canoe on an Amazon river at dawn with mist over the water

Your day

Where the bird takes you

  1. BañosStart of the descent
  2. Route of the WaterfallsPailón del Diablo on the way down
  3. PuyoCapital of Pastaza, at the forest’s edge
  4. Indichuris viewpointOver the Pastaza river and the rainforest
  5. A community visitGuayusa and cacao, arranged in advance
  6. Back to the Andes or onwardBaños, Quito or the airport
naturecultureadventureSeveral days

What’s taken care of

  • Days designed around you: we talk first, then a proposal made for you
  • A local guide in English or Spanish
  • Private transport from Quito, Baños or Guayaquil
  • Places to stay chosen for your group
  • Community visits arranged in advance and with respect

Good to know

  • Warm and humid with rain any day: a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and insect repellent
  • Closed shoes that can get muddy
  • Gentle enough for families; walks can always be shortened
  • Combines well with Quito and Cotopaxi before, or the coast after

About prices

Every experience is shaped around your group, so we talk first and then send you a proposal made for you. No fixed packages.

Real reviews

Travellers with Allyson

Quoted as written, from the platforms where they were left.

We had such a great experience with Allison from Local Friend Tours. She took care of everything and provided us with such care in the planning. The excursions were wonderful! We started with our grandson’s wedding- a love story in itself and then on to our tour of 5 days Guayaquil, Salinas, Banos and so much more! Plan your tour with Allison and know you will be well taken care of and given the best tour from a local who now feels like family to us! Thanks for a great experience in. Ecuador ❤️ 🦜

Renae R

TripadvisorReview on tripadvisor.com ↗
On time pick up from our hotel. Tour around the highlights of the city. Guide was very knowledgeable and personable but the city itself is just not that scenic.

Trevor R. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
Wir hatten einen sehr schönen Tag mit Allyson. Bereits im Vorfeld war Allyson sehr kommunikativ und der Ausflug selbst war bestens organisiert. Vielen Dank Allyson gerne wieder.

Klaus W. · Germany

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
This was a great day! I was the only one on the tour and my guide Alison, and her friend Mikela, did a superb job. For the dry forest we visited the Cerro Blanco private reserve where Alison had engaged a wonderful local guide who's knowledge of all things was exceptional. Later a visit to various parts of Guayaquil gave me a good incite into this city's "vibe". A truly enjoyable day with two charming and knowledgeable young ladies. Highly recommended!

Roger · Australia

GetYourGuideVerified booking on getyourguide.com ↗
Alyson is an excellent guide. Her English is top notch & knowledge of the city & the country’s history is masterful. In addition she is a very nice person that we enjoyed interacting with.

Stephen E. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
We really enjoyed the food and city walk tour presented by Allyson. Her passion for the local product is first class. The market experience was genuine as this is the market where she normally shops. We would highly recommend this tour.

David S. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
What a fabulous day! Allyson was a terrific guide. She listened to our requests and made sure we were safe and well taken care of all day. The mercado experience was truly amazing. We got a great snap shot of Quayaquil and excellent food. Thanks again for a wonderful day!

Kathleen R. · United States

ToursByLocalsVerified on toursbylocals.com ↗
Allyson was a wonderful guide who showed us the highlights of her lovely city. She surprised us by taking us to a cocoa shop where we got to pick up some Ecuadorian chocolate. We enjoyed our morning with Allyson and highly recommend her.

439MarkN2017 · Los Angeles, California

TripadvisorReview on tripadvisor.com ↗
61 reviews across ToursByLocals, Tripadvisor, Google Maps, Viator and GetYourGuide.Open the five passports →

Mix and match

Pairs beautifully with

2 to 4 days
Andes & volcanoesQuito’s old town and the Avenue of the VolcanoesTwo to four days from Quito’s colonial heart to the foot of Cotopaxi: a UNESCO old town on foot, wild horses on the páramo at Limpiopungo, and nights by the fire in a historic hacienda.
About 7 hours
Forest & AmazonBucay waterfalls, sugar cane and a Shuar familyTwo hours from Guayaquil the Andes begin in cloud forest: a local ranger leads you to the waterfalls over hanging bridges and wet rocks, you press sugar cane juice by hand, and a Shuar family welcomes you to their home.
Several days, set by the expedition
Forest & AmazonCueva de los Tayos, a partner expeditionA multi-day expedition on Shuar land in the Amazon, down a vertical shaft into the cave of the oilbirds. Allyson joined one as tour leader with another operator; on request, she can arrange a place on a partner’s expedition for people ready for something hard.

A combination

From the volcanoes to the Amazon

The old town of Quito, Cotopaxi's páramo, crater lakes in the north, the Devil's Nose train and down to the rainforest at Puyo.

  1. Quito’s old town and the Avenue of the Volcanoes
  2. Cuicocha crater lake and Otavalo
  3. The Devil’s Nose train, Chimborazo and Cuenca
  4. Puyo, Pastaza and the Indichuris viewpoint

Shall we plan it?

Tell Allyson your dates and who’s coming. She replies personally, usually the same day, with ideas and questions; the proposal comes after.

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