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1. Circuit of the fincas and Payamino River

Difficulty Level: Easy
Length: 6 hours
Activities: Hiking; river journey (punt canoe or inner tube); wildlife observation; cultural visit; learning about medicinal plants

Description: The circuit begins with a 5 km (1 hour) walk from the village to a beach on the Payamino River known as ‘La Mina’. A variety of birds may be seen along this route, including oropendolas, caciques, toucans and parrots. After rain, tracks in the soft ground bear witness to the passage of mammals, such as deer, peccary, and maybe even big cats. Furthermore, saddleback tamarind monkeys appear from time to time in the trees along the path. Upon arriving at the river we can cool off with a swim before crossing to visit some of the fincas where the indigenous residents of San Jose de Payamino preserve the same kind of subsistence farming techniques that have been carried out in the Amazon for countless generations. We will be received with traditional Kichwa hospitality, with a bowl of chicha (a fermented drink made from crushed manioc root) and the opportunity to get to know the day-to-day life of these Amazonian people, visiting their houses and the chacras (cultivated areas) to learn about their crops and the  great variety of medicinal plants that they make use of. In the chacras and the forest around the fincas, we will be able to observe a countless variety of butterflies, beetles and other insects.  We will also have the chance to try our luck at panning for gold in the river. After exploring the chacras, we will return to the house to enjoy a typical Amazonian lunch, after which we will make our way back to the village, this time by river, with the option to be punted in a canoe or float downstream in a rubber ring, allowing us opportunities to spot a variety of riverside bird life, including kingfishers, herons, egrets and cormorants.


Jaguar track on the trail

 
2. Climbing Armadillo Hill

Difficulty level: Difficult
Length: 8 hours
Activities: Hiking; wildlife observation; landscape views; exploring primary forest; cultural visit

Description: This is a physically demanding hike, including climbs up steep slopes through the jungle to the peak of the highest point near San Jose de Payamino’s village. During the climb we will encounter petroglyphs, a variety of insects, birds and flora, and if we are lucky, we may even come across monkeys, tortoises or armadillos, as well. From the top of the hill we will be rewarded with panoramic views of the endless lowland forests around San Jose de Payamino. We will rest there a while to eat our packed lunch and hear some of the myths and legends associated with the hill, courtesy of our local guides. We will descend the northern slopes of the hill, passing through areas of primary forest, eventually arriving back at the Payamino River, whose route we will follow back to the village.


View of the forest from the top of Armadillo Hill

3. Waterfall hike

Difficulty level: Medium
Length: 7 hours
Activities: Hiking; wildlife observation; cultural visit

Description: This walk leaves from the access road into San Jose de Payamino. We will follow a path into the forest and up the slopes of the Armadillo Hill to discover waterfalls hidden within the forest. During the walk we will have the chance to see some of the flora and fauna of the region, including the possibility of encountering one of the groups of howler and capuchin monkeys that are known to inhabit this part of the territory. The local guides will be able to point out the different types of medicinal plant that can be found in the jungle. Upon arriving at the waterfall, we will be able to rest, soak in the atmosphere and eat lunch before beginning the walk back down. Once we arrive back at the road we will have the chance to visit one a finca for a brief rest in one of the houses, where we will be able to witness the day-to-day life of our Kichwa hosts, enjoying a bowl of chicha and a typical Amazonian snack to restore our energy.