One-Day Tour in Tena
For those who prefer a one-day adventure, another option is an excursion just 10 kilometers from Tena, located in the community of Mondayacu.We'll take public transportation or taxi to arrive at the community. This excursion is fun for those who wish to have a taste of this area and the majestic spots that surround it. As you walk, a well-trained guide will point out and teach you tricks and secrets of the jungle.
Fifteen minutes from the community of Mondayacu, we'll walk along a path to reach the house of a Kichwa family, where we can change into bathing suits and leave our bags. We'll return later to enjoy the family's hospitality and a succulent typical meal before making the trip back to Tena.
Itinerary
Leave Tena at 9 a.m.The trip from Tena to Mondayacu will take about 45 minutes. When we arrive, we'll take a 15 minute guided walk along a path in the secondary rainforest to get to the house of the Kichwa family that owns the land.
Later we'll take a tour through primary rainforest where we'll arrive at the fascinating "Grand Canyon." This place takes its name from the sensation of being surrounded by rocks and waterfalls, trees and caves. The Ñachi River runs through this canyon. Its Kichwa name, "Ñachi", comes from the type of fish found in the river.
Here you'll be able to observe birds that perch in the different spots or caves in the canyon and the great variety of plants and trees.
From here you'll go up river through an enormous cave to reach a deep lagoon. You can jump into the lagoon from a ledge 10 meters high and see the Jondachi River, which is just a few minutes from the canyon. The entire trip makes for an unforgettable experience.
Afterward, we will return along the path to the house, where we'll enjoy a succulent homemade lunch.
Return from Mondayacu at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Recommendations
This trip lasts almost the entire day, but it can be combined with other longer trips if your time permits. Otherwise, plan for 1 day for this excursion.This trip is recommended only during dry season since during the rainy season the river rises substantially, making it impossible to reach the canyon.