- The International Kitchen
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- Flavors of the Forest in Ecuador
Flavors of the Forest: Ecuadorian Cooking in the Amazon
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Select Your Trip Details
Flavors of the Forest: Cooking and Nature Retreat
This trip to Ecuador is perfect for those interested in the natural world and discovering new cuisine. This farm to forest experience in the Amazon is a unique opportunity to visit one of Ecuador’s most beautiful and remote destinations. The Galapagos is famous for its wildlife, but the biodiversity of the Amazons is not to be overlooked. Visitors might spot a troop of monkeys chattering overhead or spot macaws and toucans perched on adjacent branches.
You will travel by land from Quito to Archidona, Ecuador, a small colonial town that serves as a business center and cultural hub for the surrounding indigenous Kichwa communities. It is home to the region’s main missionary outposts as well as a number of local Kichwa festivals that draw a crowd.
During your stay, you will find yourself deep in the jungle, where you will enjoy unmatched hospitality and delicious food. Some dishes you might try include freshly caught fish, or “maito”, and volquetero, which is a common street food that consists of plantain chips, lupini beans, and tuna.
During your stay, you will connect with the forest through nature walks and learn how local farmers tend the land. You will cook with local chefs using fresh, seasonal ingredients, informing you of cultural traditions through hands-on techniques.
Culinary Tour of Ecuador's Amazon
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Day One - Begin Your Culinary Adventure in the Amazon
- Arrive in Ecuador and meet your driver for a private transfer from Quito. Please note that the approximate transfer time to your destination is 3.5 hours.
- Arrival and Welcome Drink: Your culinary adventure begins upon arrival with a refreshing native welcome drink and an introduction to Kuyana’s Farm-to-Forest philosophy.
- Return to the lodge for a relaxed lunch.
- Kuyana Cooking Class: Later, take part in our traditional Amazon cooking class, where you’ll prepare typical dishes such as maito and chontacuro, and make your own handmade chocolate from local cacao. This is a hands-on encounter with the flavors, aromas, and stories of the Amazon.
- Guided Night Walk in the Evening: When night falls, join the Guided Night Walk (moderate difficulty, approx. 1 hour).
- Discover the nocturnal side of the rainforest as you walk under the stars, observing frogs, insects, and other creatures that come alive in the dark. It’s a calm, fascinating way to connect with the forest’s hidden life.
Day Two - Explore Ancestral Farming and Amazonian Cuisine
- Breakfast at the lodge.
- Visit to Local Community Chacra: In the morning, visit a local community’s chacra (small farm) to learn about ancestral cultivation methods and the spiritual connection that guides every harvest. Experience the process of sowing, harvesting, and selecting products like cacao, manioc, plantain, and medicinal plants, understanding how local communities cultivate in harmony with nature.
- Immersive Walk on Kuyana’s Regeneration Trail: Continue with an immersive walk along Kuyana’s Regeneration Trail, where stingless bees, oyster mushrooms, essential oils, and healing plants coexist as part of a living regenerative ecosystem.
- 6-Course Amazonian Food Tasting at Culinary Laboratory: Prepare for an exceptional dining experience hosted in a local Culinary Laboratory, curated by the lodge’s resident chef and a regional guest cook. Each course tells a story — of forest, culture, and renewal — through flavors, aromas, and textures that awaken the senses.
Day Three - Guided Hike to Waterfalls and Tree Planting
- Breakfast at the lodge.
- Guided Hike to Kuyana’s Waterfalls: After breakfast, set out on a guided hike to Kuyana’s Waterfalls, a refreshing and invigorating experience surrounded by pure Amazonian energy. Along the way, enjoy the chance to bathe in crystal-clear pools and feel the essence of renewal the forest provides.
- Tree-Planting Ceremony: Before departure, take part in a tree-planting ceremony, leaving behind a living legacy that contributes to Kuyana’s 40-hectare reforestation project — a simple act that reflects regeneration and gratitude.
- Depart for Quito by private transfer. Inquire about additional nights.
A Farm to Forest Culinary Vacation in Ecuador
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Included in the 2-Night Food Tour of the Amazons
Accommodations2 Nights Accommodation at a Luxury Lodge
Food & Beverages- Daily Breakfast
- 2 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
Classes & InstructorsYour traditional cooking class will allow you to create and savor a range of delicious local dishes including maito, a traditiona
l Amazonian dish in which fish or other ingredients are wrapped in bijao leaves and cooked slowly over fire or steam. It is an ancestral preparation typical of the Ecuadorian Amazon. You may also try the Chontacuro, the edible larva of the palm weevil/ Rhynchophorus palmarum. This is also a traditional Amazonian food, known for being a natural source of protein and part of the region’s ancestral cuisine. You will end the class by making your own chocolate from scratch. The cooking class is assisted by the guide but taught by the kitchen staff.
Excursions- Guided Night Walk
- Visit to Local Community Chacra
- Immersive Walk on Kuyana’s Regeneration Trail
- Guided Hike to Kuyana’s Waterfalls
- Tree-Planting Ceremony
Transfer Details- Private transfers included to and from Quito. Please note that the approximate transfer time to your destination is 3.5 hours.
Miscellaneous- Dedicated English-speaking guide included throughout your tour.
Not Included
- Lunches and dinners, except as noted.
Accommodation Information
Kuyana Amazon Lodge is a boutique rainforest lodge in Archidona that offers sustainable experiences, wellness retreats, and custom Amazon adventures. Located along the Hollín River, just 3.5 hours from Quito, Kuyana is the perfect escape for culinary travelers. The hotel seamlessly blends modern luxury with the surrounding forest, creating an elevated experience for guests interested in immersing themselves in regional culture while enjoying the finest in local ingredients and amenities. The name “Kuyana” is derived from the Quechua word kuya, which refers to a pilche — the hand-shaped vessel used in Amazonian communities to share drinks. This gesture of sharing is essential to Kuyana’s values and creed: to receive you as part of their home, not as a visitor passing through.
Lodge exterior
Join us at Kuyana Lodge
Bathroom in your room
Bathroom in Standard and Double Classic Rooms.
Classic Room at the lodge
Your bathroom at the Kuyana lodge
Additional view of your classic room
Classic double room
The deluxe accommodation option
There is plenty of storage and seating in the deluxe room
Bathroom in your deluxe room
Cool off in the pool between activities.
Outdoor seating at the complex.
Relax outside
Tiki and bonfire pit
Outdoor complex at the lodge
Relax by the pool
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Pricing and Tour Dates for Our Culinary Vacation in Archidona, Ecuador
Find pricing and dates for our gastronomic vacation in Ecuador below, and contact us for availability or to plan your trip.
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2-Night Ecuador Food Tour Pricing
Excluding holidaysSee moreUS$790 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$180 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!Please inquire for holiday pricing.
Ecuadorian Amazon Food Tour Dates
See moreEcuador Gastronomic Tour Dates 2026-2027
Available year-round for groups of 2+ people. Inquire for additional dates!
We Can Help You Plan Your Ecuador Culinary Tour
Planning a journey to Ecuador is about more than just picking your dates and accommodations — it’s about curating the adventure you have always dreamed of. We can coordinate your excursions, hotels, and transfers, ensuring seamless transitions and an invaluable attention to detail.
Whether you would like to visit more of mainland Ecuador, explore the Galapagos, or create a custom itinerary, our team can assist you.
Contact us to begin planning your gastronomic adventure in Ecuador, and discover a destination where farm fresh ingredients, stunning forest views, and local culture will await you at every turn.
