Chalguayaku is a private reserve created to protect the lush rainforest within the Llanganates–Sangay ecological corridor—one of Ecuador’s most biodiverse regions. Located at the meeting point of the upper Amazon and the Andean foothills, this area harbors a unique mix of ecosystems and has become a hotspot for scientific discovery. Several new species of amphibians and insects have been documented here, thanks to its pristine conditions and specialized research efforts. During your visit, expert herpetofauna guides will lead you through a living laboratory of biodiversity, where every step holds the promise of the unexpected.
Step into the world of frogs, snakes, and hidden forest life—guided by expert herpetologists who know this jungle like the back of their hand. In Chalguayaku, our local and scientific guides will help you track amphibians, reptiles, and insects in their natural habitats. One of the highlights is the night walk, when the forest comes alive with eyes that glow and calls that echo through the dark. Equipped with headlamps and patience, you’ll explore under the stars, learning to read the forest in ways few ever do. It’s more than a walk—it’s a real expedition into the unexplored.
As daylight fades and the last rays slip behind the canopy, a new forest awakens. The air grows cooler, heavier with moisture, and the silence of dusk gives way to a mysterious symphony of chirps, croaks, and rustling leaves. Shadows shift, eyes gleam in the underbrush, and the once-familiar trail becomes an entirely different world.
In this nocturnal realm, every step is filled with anticipation. Along the riverbanks, you may encounter the elusive glass frog, its translucent skin revealing a delicate view of its internal organs—like holding a living secret of the forest. Hidden among mossy trunks and dense foliage, colorful tree frogs begin their nightly calls. Arboreal snakes glide silently through low branches, and large insects emerge to feed, mate, and display.
Guided by soft light and expert eyes, your walk becomes a true exploration of the unknown. It’s not just about spotting wildlife—it’s about tuning into the rhythms of a forest that never truly sleeps.
Far from the city and deep in the green, every meal becomes part of the experience. In Chalguayaku, food is not just sustenance—it’s connection. You’ll share hearty, freshly prepared dishes under open skies or rustic thatched shelters, with the soundtrack of the forest all around.
The ingredients are simple but meaningful, often sourced from nearby communities, and meals are served warm after a long hike or night walk. Whether it's breakfast before sunrise or a late jungle lunch, each moment around the table becomes a memory—where conversation flows and the jungle feels just a little more like home.
