Wild Chocolate & Mushrooms

Wild Chocolate & Mushrooms

An 8-day specialized tour geared towards adults eager to learn about the array of mushrooms that canvas this jungle, as well as the chocolate process from bean to bar.

Our specialized staff will guide you in this unique program with live demonstrations so you can make the most of your exploration.

Itinerary

Arrival: Quito

Directions will be given for you to make your way to our prearranged lodging.

Day 1:

Jeffrey Stern will travel with you to the Cloud Forest area of Mindo, known for its concentration of birds and butterflies – and chocolate.
Visit Mindo Chocolate Makers and tour the facilities and see how chocolate is made small scale from bean to bar. Lunch in Mindo. Return. Quito evening dinner.

Day 2:

Chocolate Tasting at Gianduja Chocolate in the morning with Jeff Stern. Taste chocolates from various Ecuadorian brands, learn more about the Ecuadorian chocolate industry. Box lunch provided.
Afternoon travel to EJC Lodge Puka Urcu – Misahualli. Arrive for dinner.

Day 3:

Morning canoe ride to Chichica Rumi Museum then to Misahualli to see the monkeys. Lunch in Tena. Visit to Kallari,a cooperative of several hundred indigenous families that harvest cacao and produce chocolate for export to the US and Europe. Back to EJC.

Day 4:

Ecuador Chocolate Jungle property tour. Traditional lunch at the small river. Return early afternoon. Larry Evans will give his introductory talk on the wild mushrooms of the area.

Day 5:

Canoe down the Napo river for a forest walk in jungle lush with mushrooms * flora * fauna tour led by Larry Evans.
The forest walk will be on indigenous property. Your will be greeted by a local family who will do a chicha demonstration after you have opportunity to see their jungle forest. Evening return, dinner.

Day 6:

Tour with Larry Evans to the Las Cascadas hunting for wild mushrooms prolific to the area. You will enjoy lunch while you watch the water fall and enjoy the streams and the pools of clear water.
Return to EJC for talks with on the days mushroom finds and identification.

Day 7:

Visit to local community for dancing, Uka demonstration, visit the shaman. Traditional lunch.
Afternoon: prepare for a night hike (light snack). The night hike will start at about 7:30 return around 10 pm. Late dinner will be served.

Day 8:

Visit a local community for cultural demonstrations. A traditional lunch will be prepared in the village. Hike on plantation and local area with Larry Evans.
Local mushroom food preparation talk and a mushroom orientated dinner. Prepare for a morning departure back to Quito.

Day 9:

End of tour day for those of you returning to Quito there will be transportation / pick up in Misahualli, aprox 10 am drive to Quito ending the Tour.