The Shuar
The Shuar are a millennia-old people, one of the largest in the Amazon, whose goal is to protect the territory. Their language is Shuar Chicham. Their life is deeply connected to the forest, the rivers and spirituality.
Ecuadorian Amazon · Morona Santiago
Organización Comunitaria de Servicios Turísticos Kampuntin – Selva mi destino
Experience the rainforest and get to know the Shuar community of Maikiuants: on one of our two journeys or as a volunteer. Learn more about the community, the rainforest, our scientific work and Kampuntin's mission.
Who we are
Maikiuants
Maikiuants is a Shuar community in the province of Morona Santiago in Ecuador’s southern Amazon, and part of the Pueblo Shuar Arutam. The village takes its name from the river that runs through it: maikiua is the guanto (angel’s trumpet) that grows all along its banks, and ants means water. Maikiuants means “the water of the guanto”.
Kampuntin
Kampuntin means “rainforest” in Shuar Chicham – hence our motto “Selva, mi destino” (the rainforest, my destination). We were founded from within the Maikiuants community. We aim to create a cultural exchange, sharing a perspective of forest and community from within, while economically supporting the Maikiuants community. Kampuntin is also the organisation behind the scientific work, the monitoring and the protection of the territory.
Kampuntin's mission
The Community Tourism Services Organization KAMPUNTIN, Selva Mi Destino, aims to preserve the culture, customs and ancestral wisdom of the Shuar people, promoting a cultural exchange based on respect, identity and nature.
Our principles are based on protecting the Amazon, conserving the rainforest, passing knowledge on to the new generations and to the world, and strengthening a sustainable economy that benefits the families of the Maikiuants community.
At Kampuntin, it is not only about tourism. It is about sharing our identity, defending our territory and building a future with dignity, culture and harmony with nature.
KAMPUNTIN – SELVA MI DESTINO
Economic development with identity, respect for nature and pride in being Shuar.
Iikia kampuntniuitji tura achitkiaji ii nekatairijiai.
We are nature, connection and wisdom.
Protect and monitor the territory
We care for and monitor the forest, rivers and animals of our territory, so that future generations can live from them and with them, too.
Share and document Shuar culture
We pass on our language, knowledge and customs to visitors and to the next generations.
Learn together
Visitors, volunteers and community learn from each other — about plants, food, spirituality and other ways of living.
Strengthen the community
We pay local guides and cooks, buy food within the community and support Maikiuants financially.
Project
Cultural and science house
A cultural and science house will be built in Maikiuants: a place where both science and Shuar culture are shown and preserved. It will be built in stages and include a museum, laboratories, an education centre, offices, dormitories and accommodation for scientists, a dining room with kitchen and dry toilets.
Visualisations of the project: Universidad del Azuay – Consultora de Arquitectura y Urbanismo.
Where we are
Maikiuants is located in the province of Morona Santiago in Ecuador’s southern Amazon, in the Cordillera del Cóndor. The road to Maikiuants starts in Limón Indanza; from there it takes about two and a half hours, usually by taxi (approx. 60–70 USD). Tours start in Limón Indanza and from there we travel together to the community; the best way to get to Limón Indanza is via Cuenca. The road is not shown on Google Maps, but it is on OpenStreetMap.
3°07'10.2" S · 78°15'56.4" W
Discover Maikiuants
Choose where to start.
Tours
Two journeys from Limón Indanza for groups of up to 12 people: the 8-day spiritual journey and the 10-day Arutam journey.
Volunteering
Gardening, agroforestry, mingas and construction, living in a traditional jea in the forest.
Science
Community para-ecologists monitor biodiversity, rivers and the climate.