General Information
Hakuna Matata Lodge - Tena region
Hakuna Matata is an excellent option for an Amazon visit, just a few hours from Quito. Located in the foothills above Tena, the lodge is surrounded by primary and secondary forests and offers several hikes and cultural activities. A clean river passes near the lodge, with small beaches and opportunities for swimming. Trails offer excellent birdwatching, and some trails climb into primary forests above the lodge. Horseback riding, rafting, and numerous other activities are possible at the lodge; and there is a large and clean swimming pool as well.
Accommodations range from simple and smaller cabins to spacious and more luxurious supreme rooms, most with balconies or porches. The lodge can accommodate up to 36 people in 14 rooms; 6 cabins, 3 rooms in the lodge, and 5 supreme rooms. All rooms are surrounded by beautifully landscaped or forested grounds. Excellent food and service.
We can help arrange transportation to and from Archidona if desired.
- Classification: First Class
- Ownership and Operation: Privately owned and operated
- Accommodations: 14 rooms and 3 categories from simple cabins to luxurious. Capacity 36 passengers.
- Electricity: Grid power
- Features: Bar, hammocks, porches and balconies, dining area, large and clean pool
- Activities offered: Birdwatching, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, rafting, night walks, tubing, chocolate production and more
Itinerary
Below are standard packages offered by the lodge, other combinations can be arranged on request..
- Great Little Trip 3D/2N
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DAY ONE
Transportation from Archidona to the lodge, lunch. After lunch, either a guided horseback trip or a guided hike through the Hakuna Matata reserve, about 2 to 3 hours.
DAY TWO
Early breakfast, then depart for a two hour trip to board a motorized canoe for a day of exploration in the Amazon. Routes can vary depending on conditions and interests of the group, but the day will include hikes combined with canoe trips to observe the flora and fauna in both primary and secondary rain forests. Lunch will be served during the tour. Return to the lodge around 6 PM, dinner.
DAY THREE
Complete breakfast and transportation to Archidona; you may return to Quito or continue from here to Baños.
- Adventure 4D/3N
-
DAY ONE
Transportation from Archidona to the lodge before 1 PM, lunch. After lunch, either a guided horseback trip or a guided hike through the Hakuna Matata reserve, about 2 to 3 hours.
DAY TWO
Early breakfast, then depart for a two hour trip to board a motorized canoe for a day of exploration in the Amazon. Routes can vary depending on conditions and interests of the group, but the day will include hikes combined with canoe trips to observe the flora and fauna in both primary and secondary rain forests. Lunch will be served during the tour. Return to the lodge around 6 PM, dinner.
DAY THREE
Early breakfast, then departure for Tena to begin an amazing rafting tour (class 3/3+) along the Jatunyacu river, operated by one of Ecuador's most professional rafting operators. After a safety briefing, you begin your rafting experience passing beautiful forests, waterfalls, and amazing scenery for an unforgettable day. Lunch will be served along a beach during the tour, we return to the lodge around 4 PM. This trip only operates if water and weather conditions permit safe operation.
DAY FOUR
Complete breakfast and transportation to Archidona; you may return to Quito or continue from here to Baños.
- Active 4D/3N
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DAY ONE
Arrival at Hakuna Matata; lunch optional if arrival is before 1 PM. Afternoon to relax at the lodge. Dinner in Pangaea Restaurant, followed by an approximately one hour guided night walk with visit to the "Ranario", where we breed several species of the "Dendobratis" poisonous frogs. You will see different kinds of other frogs, spiders, insects and night birds. Even snakes are not an exception during this hike! (Note: if weather is not good on this evening, this activity may be moved to another night during the tour).
DAY TWO
Full breakfast in Pangaea Restaurant, followed by a guided nature walk. This guided walk of about two hours and a half is quite an experience. A professional guide explains the medicinal properties of plants and trees and talks about insects and age-old customs in an entertaining way. Walking through (private) forest and fields, you become familiar step by step with the specific wisdom that has distinguished natives from non-natives for ages. Lunch in the Pangaea Restaurant, then (weather and water levels permitting; if conditions are not safe another activity will be substituted) we go tubing along the Inchillaqui river. This excursion is approximately 1.5 hours of adventure, with guide. Helmet and life jacket provided. Not suited for young children (+12 years). Dinner in Pangaea Restaurant.
DAY THREE
Full breakfast in Pangaea Restaurant. We then begin an unforgettable horseback excursion (with guide) suitable for both beginners and advanced riders. This is about a two and a half hour trip passing through varied landscapes, under professional guidance and with well-cared-for saddle horses. The ride goes through rivers and brooklets and over hilly regions, with beautiful flora. You will enjoy wonderful views along the way. The whole trip takes place on the Hacienda Hakuna Matata property. Lunch in the Pangaea Restaurant, then an afternoon spent making your own chocolate! Staring with organically grown cocoa beans, you personally toast, peel, grind and prepare delicious chocolate, tasting the result of 100% organic Ecuadorian chocolate. We also see a demonstration by a local worker on how to cut bamboo and prepare it for making handcraft or tools. These 2 activities take about 2 hours, then we enjoy a delicious dinner in the Pangaea Restaurant.
DAY FOUR
Complete breakfast and transportation to Archidona; you may return to Quito or continue from here to Baños.
Prices
2013 Rates:
Prices vary according to room classification. There are three accommodation options available at Hakuna Matata; all have a porch or balcony and private bathroom with hot shower.
- Hakuna Matata Cabins: 5 double cabins and one quadruple cabin; simple and somewhat small but comfortable cabins. The least expensive option.
- Hakuna Lodge: 2 double rooms and one quadruple room, all on the second floor of a large central building. Larger than the cabins.
- Hakuna Supreme: 4 double rooms and one two room family suite. The largest and most luxurious rooms at the lodge.
Notes: For all prices below, children 4 to 8 years receive a 50% discount, children under 4 stay free (when sleeping with parents or in own crib). Children must travel under the responsibility of their parents.
Lodging Only
Pricing below is per person per night, breakfast and 22% taxes included.
- Hakuna Matata Cabins: $40 USD per adult, double occupancy; $60 USD single
- Hakuna Lodge: $46 USD per adult, double occupancy; $70 USD single
- Hakuna Supreme: $52 USD per adult, double occupancy; $78 USD single
MEAL PRICES: Lunch $11 USD per person; dinner $20USD per person. Dinner at the lodge is ALWAYS added to room prices. Drinks additional; children 4 to 8, 50% discount.
ACCOMMODATION Includes:
- Accommodations and breakfast, taxes included
- Use of all hotel facilities including 27 x 22 meter pool, beach, bar, restaurant, and self guided walks
ACCOMMODATION Excludes:
- Transportation to and from Archidona
- Lunches and dinners; dinners are added to ALL reservations
- Bar, beverages with lunch and dinner, additional snacks
- All activities
- Tips, personal expenses
Package Prices
Package prices shown below are for 2 to 3 travelers, please contact us for single prices or for larger groups. Packages include 3 meals, activities, and applicable taxes.
Great Little Trip Package (3D/2N), prices per person:
- Hakuna Matata Cabins: $240 USD per adult, double occupancy; $280 USD single occupancy
- Hakuna Lodge: $255 USD per adult, double occupancy; $300 USD single occupancy
- Hakuna Supreme: $265 USD per adult, double occupancy; $320 USD single occupancy
Hakuna Adventure or Hakuna Active (4D/3N), prices per person:
- Hakuna Matata Cabins: $360 USD per adult, double occupancy; $420 USD single occupancy
- Hakuna Lodge: $380 USD per adult, double occupancy; $450 USD single occupancy
- Hakuna Supreme: $400 USD per adult, double occupancy; $475 USD single occupancy
PACKAGES Include:
- Accommodations and 3 meals per day (beginning with lunch on day 1) and taxes
- Bilingual guide services for included activities
- Use of all hotel facilities including 27 x 22 meter pool, beach, bar, restaurant, and self guided walks
PACKAGES Exclude:
- Transportation to and from Archidona
- Bar, beverages with lunch and dinner, additional snacks
- Activities not specified in the program
- Tips, personal expenses