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Most of our activities are taking place within the San Jose de Payamino community. San Jose de Payamino is located in the Orellana Province of Ecuador. The community is rather isolated with only a one way gravel road leading to the community. The community lands covers 16.000 hectares of primary lowland rainforest just south of equator on the eastern slopes of the Sumaco volcano. The Western part of their lands overlaps the Sumaco National Park and half of their traditional lands lies within the Gran Sumaco Biosphere Reserve.

The altitude is ranging from 200 m.a.s.l. downstream Rio Payamino to 1.500 m.a.s.l. as you go west towards the Sumaco volcano. The largest rivers are the Payamino River and its tributary the Paushiyacu River. The Payamino River meanders to the east towards the Coca River, which shortly after joins the large Napo River, which is one of the major tributaries to the Amazon River.

From the Capital Quito, you could either go there by bus or plane. If you take the bus, you’ll need to take a bus either heading for Tena. The buses leaves frequently and the ride takes approximately 6 hours. From Tena you will need to changed bus, taking a bus to either Loreto or Coca. If you take one for Coca you shold get of in Loreto. The from from Tena to Loreto takes approximately 3 hours. Loreto is a small town of about 5000 people between Tena and Coca. From Loreto the only way of going to Payamino is by car or taxi. From the center a taxi will take you to San Jose de Payamino for $ 25 to $ 30. Only 4 WD can take you all the way and the trip takes 1h30 min, crossing several streams and rivers

See the area from Google Maps