Navigating the Heights of Nangaritza River

Shaime Community

The community of Shaime, Zurmi parish, is located in the heart of the Alto Nagaritza, the only navigable river in the south east of Ecuador. A friendly town to learn about the customs and traditions of the Shuar ethnic group. Taking advantage of the accelerated development of community tourism in the province of Zamora Chinchipe, the Shuar population of Shaime periodically organizes the commercialization of traditional and typical products such as: ayampaco or fish wrapped, Creole chicken or corroncho broth, papaya, bananas and yucca, in the adequate platform of the Agricultural, Handicraft and Gastronomy Fair. The locals sell bracelets, ornaments and ceramic objects that are part of their ceremonial clothing. Shamanic cleanings and traditional dances are also activities for tourists. More adventurous visitors can find out about the ayahuasca culture, which has strong social implications in this community. Healers or shamans use the sacred drink of the Shuar world so that consumers forget their sorrows and recover their mental health. The inhabitants of the Shaime community are strongly linked to ayahuasca, a drink they consider part of their identity. So much so that when the aborigines migrate to urban centres they do not forget this essential ingredient of their customs. For lodging, the option is to camp, but reaching a previous agreement with the families of the community. Shaime also has modest grocery stores where you can buy the basics for preparing food yourself. Shaime is the base of operations to access the tourist attractions of the Nangartiza River. The main attraction is the navigation in the motorboat along the watercourse. But there is also "The route of the tepuis", a walk around these plateaus full of biodiversity and beautiful landscapes at the top of the Condor Mountain Range, the excursion to the Tayos Cave, the visit to the settlers of Nuevo Paraiso, the visit to the Labyrinth of a Thousand Illusions or the lost city, a tour of the indigenous communities of Kusunts, Napints and Chumpias among others. Alto Nangaritza is one of the last extensions of undisturbed native forests in the southeastern end of Zamora Chinchipe. It borders Peru. It is characterized by being one of the areas with the highest biodiversity in the world or "hot spot". It has areas that are forest heritage of Ecuador. A jungle adventure that connects diverse cultural, gastronomic and nature experiences.