MIASAL

Miasal is a fascinating natural destination, with primary forest, rivers and waterfalls. However for many visitors, the best of Miasal is the interaction with the Shuar people, their culture, traditions and daily live.
Visiting Miasal contributes to the conservation of the tropical rain forest, which represents economic revenue for the subsistence of these indigenous Amazons establishments.

MIASAL is located in the southeastern Ecuadorian jungle, in the province of Morona Santiago, 25 minutes by plane from Macas, at 320 meters above sea level, and on the slopes of the Cutucù mountain range.
Due to the remoteness and isolation of Miasal, we must take a small aircraft across the Cutucu mountain range enjoying an incredible view of the virgin forest down below. Miasal is a fascinating natural destination, with primary forest, rivers and waterfalls. However for many visitors, the best of Miasal is the interaction with the Shuar people, their culture, traditions and daily live.
Visiting Miasal contributes to the conservation of the tropical rain forest, which represents economic revenue for the subsistence of these indigenous Amazons establishments.
ACTIVITIES:
1. Walks to the Sacred Waterfalls and Thermal Waters.
2. Canoeing and fishing
3. Visits to local communities (experience cultural and daily aspects)
4. Traditional natural medicine and others
5. Customs and rituals (typical dishes and drinks, handicrafts, dances and music)
6. Biodiversity: observation of plants and animals
7. Trading and buying local handcrafts

ITINERARY

Day 1: Macas - Miasal – Lodge
The earliest possible, we will take the small aircraft for a fascinating 20 min flight above the rain forest canopy. This journey will allow us to observe the Amazon topography, its mountains, rivers and waterfalls. Once we land at the local landing strip, we will be welcome by our Shuar hostess and taken on rustic canoes (with no engines) down the river Mangozisa and then up the Tsuirim river until we reach our lodge area.
The lodge facilities are simple, without electricity, but are very comfortable and charming. There is a big social area with many hammocks for rest and relax looking at the river and natural surrounding.
In the afternoon we will do a walk to the “mission”, where the local school is located, as well as being the meeting center for socio-political and religious issues of the community.
Day 2: Hike to the Thermal Waters
Today we walk up stream following the Tsuirim river. The trail passes through large areas of primary forest where we could observe giant trees as kapoks, strangling trees, drago blood among others. We must cross the river a couple of times and then finally after 2 ½ hours of a moderate hike we arrive to a privileged spot. At the Thermal Waters we will find a natural source of hot sulphure water right next to a waterfall of cold water. So it is a perfect place to stop and enjoy the healing hot and cold bath. After a pic-nic lunch we return to the lodge.
Day 3: Shuar house
After aprox 2 hours walking along a jungle trail used by locals, we arrive to the home of a Shuar family. Here we have the chance to know more about their life style and culture through very interesting long conversation with the house chief who normally speaks only Shuar, so mostly translated by a young local that speaks both Shuar and Spanish. As part of the tradition we will drink and share with all participants the fermented “chicha” made of yucca. We will enjoy a typical Shuar lunch made of river fish or any meat from a hunted animal, combined with green bananas and yucca. After lunch and chatting we will go outside their house to observe the plants growing in their gardens and then try luck by shutting the blow gun used for hunting.
After this amazing experience, we will return to the lodge down the Mangozisa river on canoes.
Day 4: Sacred Waterfall or free day to explore around the lodge
Early morning we walk to the Mission with useful gifts for the locals that we recommend visitors to bring, such as: clothing for adults and children, flash lights, rubber boots, notebooks and color pencils. Those items can be partially trade with handcrafts made by local Shuar. The options after it are to do a hard walk of about 3 hours through a jungle trail to a huge waterfall considered by locals as a sacred place used for ceremonials and rituals. Otherwise we could stay around the lodge and mission observing the daily life of the community or simply relaxing at the lodge facilities or swimming at the Tsuirim river.
Day 5: Miasal – Macas
We get ready to leave Miasal after breakfast, so we walk to the airstrip to get the plane back to Macas and then out to Quito or Cuenca.
NOTE: A four day trip is also possible by skipping day 4. These programs are flexible and subject to change in their form and sequence of the visits, physical capacity, and climatic conditions
Recommended to bring:
• Light clothes preferably long sleeves jersey pants and shirts, hats, sandals, boots and walking shoes.
• Repellent against insects, sun protection, personal cleaning kit and first aid.
• Camera, binoculars, flash light, notebook, bottles of water, plastic cases and bags for protection of items against getting wet.