The Ecuadorian Huaorani nomads who live plying the headwaters of the Amazon had no contact with the outside world until the 1950’s. Today they number about 2-3000 and still speak their own totally unique language. An innovative community-based tourism project has created the Huaorani Lodge to help them to earn income as well as maintain control of their territory, lives and culture.

A new tour offered by Montana-based Detour Destinations begins with a fantastic overland journey past snow-covered volcanoes, down into the cloudforest to the tiny town of Shell in the eastern foothills of the Andes for a small-plane 45-minute flight into the Amazon. The Huaorani guide leads travelers down the Shiripuno River in a traditional dugout canoe to the lodge. Highlights: meet the local Huaoranis, hike with their guides who demonstrate traditional ways of life, kayak downriver for spectacular wildlife viewing, explore the nearby community of Quehueri’ono, a tiny town so not on any other itinerary.

Click on: www.detourdestinations.com, or call: 866.386.4168