Yasuní
Imagine a place where life bursts from every corner. Where trees rise like natural cathedrals, rivers whisper ancient secrets, and millennia-old cultures still live in balance with the land.
That place exists. It’s called Yasuní.
Located deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Yasuní National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Covering nearly a million hectares of pristine rainforest, it holds more species per hectare than anywhere else on Earth.
A Sanctuary of Ancient Life
During the last Ice Age, Yasuní remained untouched by glaciation—becoming a refuge for countless species while the rest of the world froze. That legacy lives on today.
Incredibly, a single hectare of Yasuní has more native tree species than all of North America combined.
Yasuní is home to 44% of all bird species in the Amazon basin, as well as hundreds of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects—and countless species still undiscovered. It's a living laboratory of evolution.
Indigenous Peoples: Guardians of the Rainforest
Yasuní is not only about wildlife—it's also about living culture and ancestral wisdom.
The Waorani
The Waorani people are expert hunters and gatherers who have lived in harmony with the forest for centuries. Once roaming over 2 million hectares of land, they now have just over 612,000—much of which is threatened by oil drilling and deforestation.
The Tagaeri and Taromenane
Descendants of the Waorani, these two groups chose voluntary isolation, retreating deep into the jungle to avoid contact with the outside world. They are among the last uncontacted tribes in Ecuador, fiercely independent and self-sufficient.
The Shuar
Originally from southern Ecuador, the Shuar migrated to Yasuní in the 1980s. Historically known as warriors, they are sometimes remembered for the ancestral practice of tzantza (shrinking heads)—a ritual long since abandoned, but part of their cultural identity.
The Kichwa
Known as Naporunas or "people of the Napo River", the Kichwa are descendants of ancient Amazonian peoples. Their worldview is deeply rooted in nature: the river is the father, and the earth is the mother, whose union ensures abundance and life.
What to See and Do in Yasuní
Añangu Lagoon and Kichwa Community
Located in the north of the park, this calm blackwater lagoon reflects the sky like a mirror. Visitors can paddle in a traditional canoe, visit the Kuri Muyo Interpretation Center, and walk through rainforest trails with local guides.
Terra Firme Forest
Despite its appearance, Amazon soil is not nutrient-rich. The lush greenery comes from a thin layer of organic matter that constantly recycles leaves, branches, fruit, and bark.
Within this layer, a microscopic army breaks down matter in real time, returning nutrients straight back to the vegetation—fueling the jungle’s endless vitality.
This forest covers most of Yasuní and can be explored from riverside communities like Añangu, Nueva Providencia, Indillana, Llanchana, or Mandaripanga.
Why Visit Yasuní?
Because it’s more than a destination—it’s a living lesson in respect for nature and culture.
Visiting Yasuní responsibly means more than adventure:
It’s an act of conservation, a cultural exchange, and a spiritual journey that will change the way you see the world.
Travel Tips for Visiting Yasuní:
