19 Aug 2022
Our group of about 20 traveled in a nice van. We started with a snack break at a viewpoint, but the break could've been much shorter than the 35 minutes we spent (Note: There were several desserts available for just $1). When we arrived at the Indichuris community, we were whisked around so quickly we barely had time to take pictures. But we had our faces painted, had the option to participate in a simple dance and to blow a blowdart at a target. We also saw parrots and a large snake. We had just a few moments to see the beautiful houses as we hurried to the next activity, a canoe ride. A community member paddled, so we were able to relax and enjoy the beautiful calm, complete with fluttering birds and butterflies. My jeans did get wet, so dress accordingly. For lunch we could choose chicken or beef (or pay $3 more for a traditional Amazonian fish dish); the food was good and plentiful. We hiked to a waterfall and got clay masks along the way. There are changing rooms at the beginning of the hike if you want to swim in the waterfall, where we had a few minutes. We continued to an amazing viewpoint over the forest/river that included a Tarzan swing over the edge of the mountain (the viewpoint/swing cost $2 extra but are definitely, definitely worth it). We finished to a trip to a chocolate factory. I'd already been on a chocolate tour, so I know that they showed us only a small portion of the process, but there were more parrots to watch, and you could pay $3 to get homemade hot chocolate and cheesy tortillas. It was a full, fun day and I would definitely recommend it. I'd just suggest less time at the first snack break and more time in the Indichuris community and at the second viewpoint.