Añangu Kichwa Community
Where the Rainforest is kept by ancestral guardians
Why visit Añangu Kichwa Community
Añangu Kichwa Community is located within the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador, declared a Biosphere Reserve by United Nations. More than 600 species of birds, 173 species of mammals, 120 of reptiles, 150 of amphibians, 250 of fish, 2000 of trees and plants and more than 1 million species of insects have been counted so far in the Park.
This area is home to different indigenous groups, like the Añangu, who are part of the Kichwa ethnic group. The Añangu people, are spread through their 21.400 hectares of territory, where they have lived based on their cultural relationship of respect with nature, and their social traditions between them and other tribes.
Based on the knowledge the Añangu have of their ancestral land, they have created different experiences to allow visitors to learn about the importance of the Amazon Rainforest and its richness which you can enjoy on your green trip to Añangu Kichwa.
Activities like visiting the Clay Licks (mainly visited by parrots, macaws and parakeets), watching the immense green of the Amazon and its biodiversity over the Canopy Towers, safari during the canoe rides along the different creeks, witnessing the Wayusada ritual, visiting the Women Interpretation Center where music and dances are performed, observing the sunset while learning stories and legends from a wise indigenous person on the catamaran, kayaking the tranquil waters of the Napo River, or tasting delicious local delicacies, are just some examples of what visitors will have during their time in the Añangu land.
All together with first class accommodation, thanks to the deep effort and commitment of the Añangu, to develop real sustainable projects. Additionally, with all natural measures taken into account to respect the environment, like solar panels, waste separation program or cleaning the used water, returning to nature.
Napo Wildlife Center is the most iconic project of the Añangu people, luxury accommodation and their guidence are the best ingredients to discover the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest.
Having the chance of staying on their land, to protect it and to develop themselves while doing it, have been a dream for the Añangu people. Their touristic projects reflect their desire of sharing their land in order to keep it on its natural stage.
Culture & Local Life
As the Añangu people own this land and their touristic projects, all gains are invested in solving social needs. That’s how the Community Health Care Center and the local School and High School were created. These places are open for nearby Communities, who can now have free medical attention and education without having to go to the city, more than 2 hours away. There are other projects the Añangu have developed thanks to Tourism, but probably the most important one is giving the chance to the people of the zone, to get a job near their families, on their land.
Getting there
It is located on the right bank of the Napo River if you come from El Coca; it takes approximately two travel hours, about 80km by river. It is bordered to the north by the Napo River, to the south by the Tiputini River, to the east by the commune of Sani Isla, and to the west by the commune of Nueva Providencia. Read further on the website of Añangu Kichwa Community here.
Getting around
To go on your green trip to Añangu Kichwa, canoes are required as it is a really remote location. First thing is arriving to El Coca city, which can be reached by airplane or by car. Then motorized canoes go through the Napo River, to find the Añangu Community. If going to the Napo Wildlife Center, an extra paddle canoe ride must be done, completing a wonderful experience.
Nature & Wildlife
The Yasuní National Park is home to a biodiversity of more than 600 species of birds, 173 species of mammals, 83 reptile species, more than 100 species of amphibians, 382 fish species and more than 100,000 of insect species, that have been counted so far.
Sustainability
More than 20 years ago, the Añangu people decided to stop hunting, fishing and cutting down trees on their land. They decided to bet for tourism on a sustainable way. They obtained solar panels to get electricity, they clean the water returning to the wet lands and have developed different projects to minimize the impact of visitors and their own.
Health and Safety
The Añangu Community have developed a complete Biosafety and Sanitary Measures Protocol, according to the World Tourism and Travel Council. This Protocol has been aproved by the National Health Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the Tourism Ministry. Groups have been shorten and social distancing has been implemented. Additionally, UV technology will be used to clean cabins and social areas. One interesting factor is Restaurant and social areas are all located on open spaces, so air is naturally being changing at all times. Finally, face masks are provided and all patron must used them at all time, while on social areas or on every different activity
Good Practice Story
The core of the Añangu Community project is reinvestment. 100% of the net profits of the business income, fund Community needs. For example, the local School, which benefits children and youth from the Community and nearby settlements and where there is a free boarding program, financed with tourism income. Or the Health Center, where doctors offer permanent free attention, and Community covers their stay in the Community land.
Travel tips from our editors
Bring long sleeved clothing
Bring long sleeved shirts and pants, as you will be in the Amazon Rainforest and there are many insects around!
Bring your camera
On your green trip to Añangu Kichwa don’t forget to bring your camera as you will have amazing chances to spot nature on its purest.
Luxury suites
Panoramic Suites in the Napo WIldlife Center have a glass floor overlooking the Añangu lagoon.
Wayusada rite
Ask for the Wayusada Rite, the Añangu share their believes and traditions with visitors.
Clay licks
Wake up early to visit the Clay Licks, where every morning parrots, parrakets and macaws come to eat clay.
Sustainability Recognitions
Añangu Kichwa Community was selected in the 2020 Sustainable Destinations Top 100
Comunidad Kichwa Añangu has been recognized as one of the Top Sustainable 100 destinations of earth, for its leadership on Community Tourism. The Añangu people have been able to develop a real option to protect the Amazon Rainforest and their ancestral culture through Tourism. This effort has been an example to other Communities of Latin America, who have sent people to learn about the Añangu experience. As the Añangu banned hunting, fishing and cutting down of trees in their land, nature has been recovering on a spectacular way.
Añangu Kichwa Community has been evaluated on the Green Destinations Core Criteria. Check out their scorecard to see their performance on each criterion.
Miguel Andy
General Manager
Miguel is a leader of the Añangu Community and was chosen in 2018 to become the General Manager of the Touristic projects. He lives in Quito now, organizing the business development in marketing, sales, logistic and planning. He returns to his Community every 15 days, to see their family and friends, and to develop other different aspects of the operation of the projects. He has to show results every 6 months to the Community Assembly and to the leaders of it. During this meetings, every Community member has a say and must authorize and agree to how the projects are being managed or can suggest changes, given the case.
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