Experience the real Amazon-the sense of isolation, ancient ecosystems and complete array of wildlife. The remoteness of our expedition is second to none, and your involvement will help a rainforest community preserve their 53 000 hectares of primary forest!

The Location - Pavacachi
Pavacachi is a remote Kichwa community in the Amazon Basin in Ecuador. It lies on the Curaray River, a tributary of the Amazon, 180km east of Puyo, the nearest town at the base of the Andes Mountains. The only way to access the area is by light aircraft or a 7 day hike and canoe ride! The area contains some of the highest diversity of plant and animal species anywhere in the world. Pavacachi borders Yasuni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area, recognised as one of the world’s ‘biodiversity hotspots’.

The Pavacachi community has title to the area, totalling an astounding 53 000 ha of primary rainforest, which it manages through ASOFVH (The Beautiful Valley Forest Association). In order to protect the enormous diversity of flora and fauna, and to provide a forest home for their future generations, ASOFVH was set up as a legal entity recognised by the Ministry of the Environment, Ecuador in 1988.

The need for Assistance
Living with the Pavacachi community through much of 2005, Earth Sessions' founders co-managed a research program to catalogue the biodiversity of the rainforest at Pavacachi. Interacting with the environment – the forest, incredible diversity of flora and fauna, and the community – in their transition between traditional and developing world, was an unforgettable experience for all of those involved. At the request of community members, we were invited back in 2006 to discuss setting up ongoing Community Development and Research Expeditions. Earth Sessions have since funded members of the Pavacachi community to construct the Pavacachi Research Station, a remote research facility that houses research projects, expeditions and volunteer projects.

The community development focus of the expeditions have been created in response to the challenging living conditions for the Pavacachi community. The remoteness of the location creates a number of difficulties, including the lack of a school teacher, a lack of medical services, poor nutrition, a lack of communication with the outside world, no electricity no clean running water and pressures from outsiders who make incursions into the forest to clear the land and over-hunt.

Project Aims
The aims of the expeditions focus on provide funding and assistance for ASOFVH and the Pavacachi community in improving their quality of life, assisting in their eco tourism efforts, and preserving their rainforest environment. Facilitating expeditions achieve this for the community by:
-    Providing employment at the research station and an income for community members as guides, cooks, canoe operators etc.
-    Capacity building within the community, by providing guide training and accreditation with Ecuadorian institutions.
-    Providing transport in and out of the community using light planes hired for the expeditions.
-    The provision of facilities for the community, such as two way radios and solar power to provide a link to the outside world and to their families 200km away in the nearest town.
-    The provision of running water to houses in the community.
-    The provision of filtration systems to provide clean drinking water.
-    The installation of solar power to provide electricity and replace candles.
-   The purchase of an outboard motor to power dugout canoes to transport the community, materials, researchers and tourists.
-    The commencement of an English language program to enhance communication between researchers, volunteers the community and future guests of the eco-tourism lodge.
-    Knowledge and assistance in developing permaculture techniques – establishing sustainable land management practices, increased yields, variety of foods and increased nutrition.
-    Constructing further tourism and research facilities, such as a rainforest canopy tower, bird and animal hides, and remote area camping and research shelters to facilitate visitors
-    Mapping the boundary and features of the reserve with GPS and entering the data into Geographical Information Systems to facilitate further scientific study
-    Setting up photo trapping points throughout the reserve to photograph cryptic and nocturnal fauna species such as puma, jaguar and ocelot, tapir, monkeys to raise awareness of the area
-    Identifying contacts and partnerships with local and international NGO’s research bodies, media etc in an effort to highlight the significance of the area for future protection.
-    To raise the profile of the location as a remote, untouched, unique Amazon research location to attract local and international researchers, volunteers and tourists.


Earth Sessions – Expeditions

Some of the significant goals identified with the Pavacachi community have now been achieved. The construction of a 24-person research camp is complete, an outboard motor has been purchased and 30-person dugout canoe has been completed. The first expeditions have been run (see the report) and we are now filling expeditions for 2009.

Click on expedition dates and costs to start planning.
To get involved fill out an application form or contact us for more information.