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1. Pato Rumi, River Cachiyaku caves, and Timburicocha

Difficulty level: Medium
Length: 2days/1night
Activities: River journey (in motorised canoe), wildlife observation; cultural visit; site of geological interest visit.

Description: This tour allows us to explore the furthest reaches of San Jose de Payamino’s territory, reaching the border of the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve. In this area the landscapes begin to change as we draw closer to the mountains: the rivers become enclosed in deep canyons, whose rocky walls are draped with ferns and orchids. In this area we will get to know the inhabitants of Pato Rumi – the most isolated inhabited part of the territory. We will also explore the cave on the Cachiyaku river, which houses a bat colony, and we will visit the mysterious Timburicocha, where the river water bubbles as if it were boiling and crude petrol emerges from a freshwater spring. We will spend the night in one of the fincas in Pato Rumi, where we will get to know and share in the lifestyle of its inhabitants, and try our luck panning for gold.


The entrance to the caves

Optional extensions:

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  The oilbird cave: A one- day extension in which we will hike through the jungle to explore a cave that houses a colony of oilbirds: nocturnal birds that make their nests on rocky ledges inside caves.


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  The clay lick (November to December only): a day-long extension in which we will have the chance to observe parrots, macaws and other animals at the clay licks along the banks of the Payamino River, where they congregate in large numbers to supplement their diet with the nutrients available in the mineral-rich soil.

2. Hike to Pato Rumi

Difficulty level: Difficult
Length: 3 days
Activities: Hike; river journey (punt canoe or inner tube); wildlife observation; cultural visit; learning about medicinal plants

Description: In this journey we will get too know the forests of San Jose de Payamino. The route takes us from the access road into the territory, following the territorial boundary past waterfalls and through areas of primary rainforest. Along the way, our expert local guides will point out the different types of flora and fauna that can be seen along the way. We will spend the first night by the Bigay River, sleeping in the open air, under the protection of a choza, a shelter of woven palm leaves that indigenous people use when they have to spend the night in the jungle. The following morning we will continue along the Bigay River until we reach the small settlement of Pato Rumi, near the northernmost limit of the territory. We will spend that night in one of the fincas in Pato Rumi, allowing us the chance to get to know the life and tradition of the Amazonian Kichwas. The following day we will make our way downriver to the village, with a choice of travelling in a punted canoe or floating downstream in an inner tube.

Additional activity options (ask in the community for availability and prices)

• Visit to the community’s Yachak Tayta (shaman).


• Hand craft-making workshop.


• River fishing trips.

Catfish