Itamandi Eco Lodge — Hotel in Ahuano

What a pretentious place. Stayed here two nights on our Ecuador tour with Exoticca, expecting a tropical forest wonder - but rather got this quasi "cultural" experience. Don't get me wrong, I do see the poverty and the struggles the locals experience in their lives - but it's not my primary reason for taking my children to the Amazon. The lodge is the main building + a few cabins by the river, squeezed in between the huge fast running mud-filled river on one side and dark fenced forest on the other. As in, there's nowhere to go or nothing to see (but hey the lodge has a pool, if that's what you're visiting Amazon for) - but of course that's part of being an "eco" remote location. Our group of 12 were the only guests there. The "eco" rooms looked great until the rain hit and the ceiling leaked like a sieve, soaking bags and clothes, and luckily not our documents or electronics - or otherwise I'd just had blown (lesson: plastic bag everything). Most of the stuff could be dried, but some, like purses and shoes, were irreversibly ruined; the staff had nothing to say about this, really. There were bats in the rooms (they live behind the wall decor) which started coming out with the dark: the first one was fun, the kids squealed in excitement once the staff, whom we had to go find and ask for help, came with large brooms and tried getting the bat out the window for about 5min. The second identical experience 15min later was less fun. The third one 15 more min later was just an annoyance for everyone already in beds. The meal service was the most pretentious of all. For the twelve of us, three being my kids, there were two high brow waiters dressed to the top, walking around in silence, carrying trays for every single item. The limited menu was set (two cucumber slices dotted by ketchup for an appetizer, anyone?) - some accommodation for the kids would have been welcome, and we were charged for every single tiny water bottle. The most disappointing, however, was the tours - or the lack thereof - offered by the lodge. The tour operator, Exoticca, had overpromised so much all along the way (there'll be so much to do at the lodge! Piranha fishing for the children!), but, seriously, there was literally a choice of one offered at the lodge, which was an afternoon 'cultural" tour to a nearby village, where locals showcased the village, made chocolate, and primary school students performed (..I got three of my own..). Oh and one more thing that's not top of mind luxury eco: on the last day, we had to leave the lodge at 5am because some bridge along the way would be closed that morning. Imagine, pitch black, mud to your knees everywhere.. people have to get down to the river, suitcases and all.. slipping, mud on the bags, shoes.. still pitch black.. then a 15-20min speedboat ride down a crazy river in that pitch black. Panic and nightmare inducing. Overall, do not recommend. Wish we had gotten to stay elsewhere - but who knows, maybe all eco lodges in the Tena region...

Although we were like staying in the middle of nowhere or a dense forest, we did enjoy the neat arrangement /facilities of this fantastic lodge....the nicely decorated restaurant for all the 3 meals daily....the bar....the pool for a quick dip during the hot afternoons.....the spacious rooms.||The room at first felt a bit hot (with no fan nor AC of course) but as night fell we did grab an extra layer when we slept. If you are not so used to the sounds of nature....you might have problem falling asleep at first.....thinking about all the live animals/insects surrounding your room next to the river.....but you would soon get used to it and enjoy it. (However do put away all your snacks and lock up the balcony screen door properly if you dont' want unexpected visitors.....Since we had to swim/go tubing a few times, we did have wet swim suits that would NEVER dry in such a humid forest, I used an extendable metal walking stick to hand our laundry as there were not enough hooks in the room. (Natural walking sticks were provided for the muddly hikes)||They provide various daily activities. Do stick to the very experienced guide Octavio if you only speak English. The other guide was also very profession and speaks only Spanish. Boots were provided and we were encouraged to leave them af the front meeting area after each outing so the muddy shoes can dry out there instead of dirtying the restaurant or your room (just leave you sandals in the front)||The very early morning tour to watch the parrots was optional but was worth every minute waiting for the hundreds of birds to return. Anway even you stay in bed, you might be awoken by the sounds of the canoes going out to watch the birds ....so why not get up early and return to enjoy breakfast afterwards. The hike after breakfast was also very informative and entertaining. Just remember it was till noon so can get very hot and humid (much more than the more comfy early parrot watching walk)||The tubing in the hot afternoon was also quite refreshing ....||If you enjoy the night walk in the dark on the mud to see the insects, bring your flash lights or mobile. I didn't go but my husband said the saw some deadly insects.||The chef in the restaurants did a good job and the fresh juice was highly recommended especially the local naranjilla juice....so refreshing! The gold leaves were however redundant in such an environment of nature!||It was overall a very...

Wonderful adventure. Cannot recommend highly enough. ||We booked the 3 days/2 night tour with transportation by private vehicle from Quito. ||The driver picked us up at our Quito hotel on time and despite rainy season landslides got us to the boat launch at the Arajuno River safely and easily.||The canoe ride to the lodge was beautiful. The lodge itself is picturesque. Much is open air, but all is well covered and we had no issues with biting insects while we were there. They are rebuilding a portion but it didn't impact our stay. It's all off-grid with gravity fed spring water and solar panels. But hot water and full bathrooms and all like a regular hotel.||The food was delicious and plentiful. Really great coffee. A bar for drinks and sodas. Filtered water for drinking and toothbrushing is supplied and our family of 4 ate and drank freely with no issues. ||The activities were a lot of fun. Octavio was an excellent guide and he speaks fluent English so we were able to fully participate despite not speaking any Spanish. The lodge provides galoshes (so you don't have to worry about muddy boots or shoes) and walking sticks. The Night Walk was very cool and we saw tons of insects and a poison dart frog! Definitely bring your flashlight. The Nature Walk to learn all about the local flora and how the Kichwa use the rainforest as their grocery store was very fun and informative. Tubing on the river was blast (with a dip in the pool afterwards- which was pristinely clean). The visit to Santa Barbara Kichwa community was lovely. We saw how they make chicha (and got to taste it), fibers from palms to make baskets and bags, and enjoyed a delicious meal of catfish, chicken, fruits with chocolate, and much more. We also got up early to visit the area where the wild parakeets flock in the morning. Saw a river otter and tiger herons in our travels on the river.||The activities were all small groups, our family of 4 as well as a 2 other French tourists and their translator. So everyone could see/hear/ask questions, etc. There were plenty of other guests at the hotel but no problem snagging a hammock to relax by the pool. There was Starling wifi in the common area that worked well.||Beds were comfy and rooms were clean. Rainfall shower was luxurious. ||Overall we had an awesome time and we're so glad we went. ||We booked directly through the...