Jungle Survival Skills Test
Can you survive for 24 hours with a full belly living off plants and things that wiggle in the forest and maybe a piranha or two if you are lucky?
The natives of this region walk through our forest the way you would walk through a supermarket and your English speaking guide still has meat on his or her bones as you will see: We won't let you go hungry if you are open to new taste sensations. This is a more extreme Amazon experience for our guests who want to challenge themselves and experience the jungle about as
up close and personal as you can get. We will provide you with very basic implements. You will have limited water, and you will have to search for food in the Amazon to survive for 24 hrs. After you have accomplished that
goal (and we have only lost 3 guests so far) you will be supremely rewarded in a style that befits your accomplishment.
And from one adventure comes another: immersion in all our special passions at La Selva® that will overwhelm your senses with ingredients such as the lodge, its vistas, wildlife, habitat, cuisine and the first class service provided by our caring staff which is the finest asset we have.
Itinerary
Day 1
After breakfast at your hotel in Quito we will pick you up and take you to the airport where a La Selva Representative will meet you for your flight to the Amazon.
A 25-minute flight follows after which a La Selva® representative will again meet you for your trip down the Napo River 2 1/2 hours by one of our motor launches to the Napo dock where you will pick up your camping equipment, first aid kit, water and food provision.
Here you will be able to leave the luggage that will be waiting for you at the lodge.
Please just take basic clothes for the 24 hours experience.
Carrying the camping gear we provide which includes tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and a machete for your native guide (No you may not have one to use. A Machete is a tool which in unskilled hands becomes a very dangerous implement of mayhem.)
And begin your search for a campsite all the while sampling with your naturalist and native the bounty of the rainforest.
At night you will cook your own dinner in a fire (no animals will be killed or harmed in any way on this program) and sing some songs you bring along.
Conduct a ceremony if you like : you are imbedded in the richest biosphere on the planet.
As you lay quietly the sounds of the forest will become louder.
Your tracker and naturalist guide will give you the names of the sounds and then everything will start to make some special sense for you.
Just like an enormous puzzle beginning to come together in your head. Enjoy this unique experience.
Day 2
Early in the morning we will break camp and prepare to leave the campsite.
You will enjoy a breakfast box lunch that the hotel staff will bring for you.
After your breakfast you will begin your walk towards Mandicocha Lake where you will find a fixed campsite more in the La Selva® style. This trail is a 3 to 4 hour walk, until you reach Mandiyacu (stream) and then follow Mandicocha Lake.
Lunch will be provided by the forest so prepare yourself to look for lemon ants, forest peanuts
(maní del mote) and more.
After your jungle lunch you will paddle around the mandicocha looking for wildlife especially the myriad birdife with howler moneys frequently heard from and occasionally seen and fishing could be optional in case you are still hungry.
We will provide the dropline and bait.
Finally arriving at our fixed campsite you will participate in the most important ceremony that La Selva® has. Only the Survivalists and a few lucky other people have been able to be part of this.
Corazón de Tigre (heart of the tiger) is the name of this rite of passage and it means you have shown the courage necessary to make the survival journey and an offering will be presented as a demonstration of the bravery and kindness you share with our forest people who will now allow you to be apart of the forest forever.
Sleep in the Mandicocha-La Selva® Fixed Campsite.
Days 3 and 4
Early in the morning we will pick up all the things and prepare to leave the campsite.
You'll have breakfast 135 feet high above the forest in our canopy tower at dawn. The tower is one of the most coveted spots at the lodge because of the wildlife sightings and perspective from there. So bring your camera and we'll bring the food and impeccable service for you.
After you've had your fill at the tower you will finally walk toward Garzacocha Lake where the lodge is located. A welcome cocktail will be waiting for you at the Bar where you will have some time to relax while your guide who will give you some information about the lodge and then promptly escort you to your private bungalows where your suitcases are waiting and your first hot shower.
After a delicious Lunch you will plan the rest of your stay with your private guide for the afternoon of day 3 and day 4.
Day 5
Even though the good - bye is hard, it is time that this adventure comes to an end. This experience just might change your life so be open for all possibilities.
All the La Selva® staff wishes you the best.
A driver will be waiting for you at the national airport to take you to your Hotel.
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