Everything you need to know to go to the cave of the tayos

Today I tell you in detail everything they need to know to go from expeditionón to the increaseíble Cueva de los Tayos in the Amazon Ecuador.

At the end of April I did, what until now has been, the tripás extreme of my 38 añthose of life. Thanks to the invitationón of the Ministry of Tourism I was able to enter eastern Ecuador and enterún más, to the depths of the earth.

The Tayos Cave, un enigma geolómagical and cultural hidden in the Amazoníto ecuadorian, attracts adventurers and curious people from all over the world. Yes, yesñace with exploring its depths and witnessing its imposing beauty, this guyíto offer youá all the informationóWhat you need to plan your trip, thoseí, under my personal experience that was extreme.

Así es and expeditionón to the Cueva de los Tayos

As you know, When I travel I try to document as best as possible the cities and experiences they have to offer.. In this case, inside the fieldña Stop Being a Foreigner in Your Land I was able to live an incredible adventureíble in the Ecuadorian Amazon and for this, before starting, I share the video divided into two parts.

The first is cómo is the arrival, since as I always say, imágenes are worth máI know that the fifteen hundred words of this post:

And the second part about the myths, magic and mysteries of the Cave, with an incredible interviewíble:

We continue with the informationón they can't loseérsela.

¿DóWhere is the Cueva de los Tayos??

We must start for the báphysical, many believe it is close to everything, but really, Eastá far from everything and very close to the border with Perú. It is located in the province of Morona Santiago, cantón Limón Indanza, in the mountain areañbear of the Cordillera del Cóndor, The Cueva de los Tayos is located in the ancestral territory of the Shuar community. Access is not easy, what toñadd an extra component of adventure to the experience. Cities/communities mánearby are General Plaza (Limón), Méndez, Tiwintza and Patuca where the tour itself begins.

¿Cóhow to get to the Cueva de los Tayos?

Getting to the Cueva de los Tayos involves a combinationón of land transport and, in the majoría of the cases, river and land throughés of trails in the jungle. There is no road that takes you directly to the cave entrance. This is what people don't know and they think it's a walk like going to the park..

First I have to recommend that you do this entire tour with a guide.ícertified, because if they do it like thatí include themá all, from land transportation from Quito or another city, the canoes, to be able to enter the Shuar communities, feedón, help and all the safety equipment to go down to the Cave.

In my case, We travel safely and calmly thanks to the support of Carlos Nuñno – Tour Guide and you can contact him directly at this número: 0987335032

As in every guíto or agency conditions may change, this will beíto an additional idea of cóhow to get there:

From the main cities of Ecuador: The first step is to go to Amazon citiesónearby towns like Macas or Puyo. You can do it by bus from land terminals in Quito, Guayaquil or other important cities. Travel times can be extensive (for instance, from Quito or Guayaquil you can take between 8 and 14 hours or más and bus, depending on the route and connections).
1. There are no nearby flight or airport options, Unless you have a big budget to rent an airplaneón privado o como Will Smith un helicóptero that leaves you minutes from the Cave.
From Macas or Puyo: Once in one of these cities, dutyás coordinate transportation to the starting point of the expeditionón to the cave. Comúnmente, This point is a Shuar community, like Coangos. Transportation can be by vehicleíass and then canoe down the riveríO.
The final stretch: Arrival at the cave involves a walk along trails in the jungle. The durationón and difficulty of this hike varyídepending on the starting point and weather conditionsáethics. In some cases, may include steep descents.
1. In my case, the total walk was almost 6 hours between ups and downs, super asking fíphysically and emotionally, así what isén prepared in every way, It is not a simple walk orún.
2. There is a lot of mud, it's hot on the 34 degrees and beás carrying a large backpack with some 20 kilos of weight on the back.

¿Cógo to the Cueva de los Tayos: On your own or with a tour?

Given the complexity of access, the need for permits from the Shuar community and the challengesíus del terreno ourselvesáattic and the cave itself, It is essential to go to the Cueva de los Tayos with a guideíto authorized premises and throughés of tour operatorsístics who work together with communities.

Trying to go on your own is not only dangerous, but alsoén implies the impossibility of obtaining the necessary entry permits, since access isá controlled by the Shuar community, guardians of this ancestral territory. ¡Don't take the risk and go with guía!

Plan ahead, since everything must be coordinated in advanceón.

Guía and adventure

Hire a guílocal is essential for several reasons:

Knowledge of the terrain: Go aheadíThe Shuar have a deep knowledge of the jungle, the trails, the Ríy-axis, of course, from the cave itself. This guarantees your safety during the journey.ía.

Permits and coordinationón: Tour operatorsístics and guíThe local authorities are responsible for managing the necessary permits with the communities., ensuring respectful and legal access.
Immersionón cultural: go with guícommunity gives you the opportunity to learn about the culture, traditions and worldviewón of the Shuar people, who consider the cave a sacred place.
Cave experience: The explorationón inside the Cueva de los Tayos requires téprogress techniquesón vertical (rappel) to descend to its main rooms. Go aheadíThey have the equipment and experience necessary to carry out this activity safely..

I remind you of the contact of the guyíWhat did it help us with?ó on this trip: Carlos Noñno – Tour Guide: 0987335032

The visit to the Cueva de los Tayos is interesting.íjust an adventure. It involves walking through the jungle, browseíos and descend into the depths of an impressive cavern. Requires good condition fíphysical and a dispositionón to face challengesíthe natural.

Adventure cost

The cost of the visit to the Cueva de los Tayos varísignificantly depending on the tour operatorístic, the durationótour number and services included. Usually, tour packagesístics cover:

Transportation from a meeting point (comúnmente Macas o Méndez) to the access community.
River transport (in canoe).
Specialized local guidance.
Entry permits to the community and the cave.
Equipment necessary for explorationón of the cave (casco, arnés, linterna frontal).
feedón and accommodation básico in the community (in cabinñas sencillas o camping).

Tours can vary from expeditions of 2 días y 1 night until programs más extensive. Prices can range between $150 and $600 USD o más per person, depending on the factors mentioned. It is important to research and compare tour operator options.íauthorized estics.

¿Whaté is needed and whaté carry?

Para una expeditionón to the Cueva de los Tayos, It is crucial to be well prepared. Hereí you have a list of the essentials that you canía spreads itselfún the instructions of your guía:

Lantern frontal (indispensable):
Gumboots:
C clothesófashionable and lightweight drying ráI ask
change clothes
Raincoat or water jacket
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Hat or cap
bathing suitñor and small towelña
Artíbiodegradable personal hygiene butts.
Personal medications.
water bottles
Snacks or energy foodéadditional ethics.
Waterproof case to protect your electronic devicesóunique and documents.
work gloves
A large backpack with your belongings for the camp or accommodation.

Sleeping bag and insulation

Important: Check with your tour operatorístatic about the specific equipmentíWhat they provide and what you need to bring additionally.

¿CuáHow long does the expedition take?ón?

The total time the expedition takesón to the Cueva de los Tayos varíthe assistantún your starting point in Ecuador and the durationónumber of the tour you choose. Considering land transfers from main cities and the durationón of the turn in sí, a visit can take:

From Quito or Guayaquil: MíYOU 2 a 3 días (including díace round trip to the area).

From Macas or Puyo: Towers of 2 días y 1 night are usually the mácommon s, although there are optionsás long.
The walk and explorationóinside the cave it takes several hours, depending on the itinerary and group conditions. The initial vertical descent into the cave is a significant part of the experience that can take several hours.

The Cueva de los Tayos offers an unforgettable adventure in the heartón from Amazoníto ecuadorian. Plan aheadón, hire a guíauthorized premises and being prepared for the conditions of the jungle are key to enjoying the mámaximum of this destination úunique and full of mystery.

¿They dare to go?