Kapawi Ecolodge is an award-winning ecolodge and reserve in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, offering travelers an opportunity to engage with the Achuar indigenous community while immersing themselves in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Kapawi was developed in partnership with the Achuar Nation to promote sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Entirely constructed using traditional materials, Kapawi operates with sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact while generating income for local communities. Since 1996, Kapawi has been a leader in ecotourism, promoting conservation through tourism and inspiring other indigenous-led tourism initiatives across the region. Beyond tourism, Kapawi reinvests its income into community programs that improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure, ensuring both people and the environment in their partner communities are benefiting from tourism.
The Kapawi Ecolodge Origin Story
The concept for Kapawi Ecolodge emerged in the 1999, spearheaded by entrepreneur Daniel Koupermann, whose vision was to create a tourism project that honored both the natural environment and the Achuar people. Partnering with the Achuar, Koupermann sought to use tourism as a tool to protect their forests from encroaching oil companies and to promote sustainable livelihoods. The lodge was built as a sanctuary, blending comfortable accommodations with eco-conscious principles that value life and conservation.
In 2008, the ownership of Kapawi was fully transferred to the Achuar Nation, making it 100% owned and operated by the indigenous people. Supported by organizations like Pachamama Alliance and Trek Ecuador, the Achuar have continued to expand their tourism operations, developing community tourism centers in neighboring communities such as Sharamentsa, Wayusentsa, and Llanchamacocha. Over the years, Kapawi has helped cultivate a tourism network in the lower Pastaza River Basin, creating new economic opportunities for indigenous families and strengthening the value chain by integrating local providers of food, crafts, and services.
How Kapawi Ecolodge is Advancing Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Preservation
Kapawi has created a model where tourism not only preserves nature but also uplifts the Achuar people and strengthens their communities. Through organic farms, fish farms, and poultry operations, Kapawi provides sustainable food for the lodge, reducing dependency on external imports and empowering local economies. Neighboring communities are woven into the tourism supply chain, ensuring the benefits of tourism are shared across the lower Pastaza River Basin, fostering collaboration and creating a network of indigenous enterprises driving sustainable growth. The TUNA School initiative blends Achuar language, customs, and ecological knowledge with modern education, ensuring students develop a deep connection to their heritage while gaining the tools to become future leaders.
Kapawi’s healthcare initiatives, in partnership with NGOs and healthcare providers, combine modern medical care with traditional medicine, meeting critical needs and improving well-being in remote communities. The lodge also plays a vital role in supporting local artisans, offering marketplaces for handwoven baskets, beadwork, and pottery—preserving cultural skills while generating sustainable income for families.
Kapawi is also powered entirely by solar energy and partners with research institutions to monitor biodiversity and develop conservation strategies. These efforts help protect the Amazon rainforest from the impacts of climate change and deforestation, safeguarding its ecosystems for future generations. Through these initiatives, Kapawi offers more than a travel experience—it provides a sustainable alternative to extractive industries in the Amazon, empowering the Achuar to protect their ancestral lands, preserve their cultural identity, and shape a future where nature and community thrive together.
How You Can Support Kapawi Ecolodge
By visiting Kapawi, you directly support the Achuar people and their efforts to preserve their culture and protect the Amazon rainforest ensuring a more sustainable future for the Amazon.
