I spent 4 weeks at the Gaia Lodge. For the first two I was learning Spanish in the morning with tours and activities in the afternoon e.g. canoe trip, jungle walk, visiting a local Kichwa family and an animal rescue centre, and making chocolate. For the second fortnight I was volunteering at a local school, teaching English – challenging for someone with no teaching experience – but ultimately rewarding.The owner, Agustin is a lovely man, generous and helpful, with a real commitment to the local community. The staff and teachers at Gaia are very friendly. I was made to feel part of a family and made many new friends. The Lodge itself is set in beautiful surroundings. The rooms are comfortable and the food is good (though the menu grew a bit repetitive after 4 weeks). Overall my stay at Gaia was a memorable and unforgettable experience. There is nothing quite like lying in a hammock, watching the tamarin monkeys play in the trees while the sun comes up!


My friends and I had the best time at Gaia Lodge, a small, eco-lodge near Ahuana in the Amazon rainforest. Agustín answered all my emailed questions and arranged a private driver to pick us up from the Quito airport. A car ferry took us across the river followed by a short drive to the lodge hidden in the jungle. The lodge consists of several duplex cabins with front porches and hammocks. The cabins and bathrooms are clean and comfortable, not luxurious. We had to ask for an extra blanket at night because it gets surprisingly chilly. A open-air common area building has dining tables, kitchen, sofas and Spanish classes upstairs. WiFi is available here. Everyone kicks off their shoes before walking on the clean, polished wood floors which makes sense because it can get muddy around here. Boots are provided for hikes and excursions. There are quite a few steps to get down to the boats on the river and climbing back up can be tiring. However the staff can arrange for guests to be brought back to the lodge using the road. The meals were good, nothing fancy, and we enjoyed the company of our fellow guests which happened to be med students from California and an American family with teens taking Spanish lessons. The Gaia staff were so helpful and friendly. Last year my husband and I stayed at a different place with Gate 1 Tours in this area, Suisse Lodge, which is a big, luxurious complex with a pool and views of the river. But it is way more expensive. My friends were thrilled with the small, personal atmosphere of Gaia and we highly recommend this place for an authentic Amazon adventure!