Cave of the Tayos & Shuar Community: Jungle Trek, Caves, Overnight

Summary

Amazon jungle trek to Shuar cabins and Tayos cave adventure

You’ll hike through dense Amazon jungle from Puyo to stay overnight with the Shuar community, sharing meals and stories by firelight before exploring the mysterious Cave of the Tayos twice with a local guide. Expect muddy boots, honest food, laughter around a bonfire—and memories that’ll stick long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to step out of Puyo at sunrise and just keep going until you’re somewhere that smells like wet earth and woodsmoke? That’s how our Cave of the Tayos tour started — too early for my brain, but somehow I was wide awake on that bus. The road faded behind us fast. After we got dropped off, there was this hour-long walk through thick jungle (my backpack already felt heavier than it should). The air was sticky and alive. We met our Shuar hosts at their community — they smiled and showed us to these simple wooden cabins where we’d sleep. I remember thinking: “So this is home tonight.”

Lunch was something local — I couldn’t name half of it, but it tasted earthy and good after all that walking. Our guide, Diego, pointed out trees with names I kept forgetting (he laughed when I mixed up two medicinal plants). We wandered around for a while before heading to the Tayos caves for the first time. Honestly? The entrance looked like something out of a movie — vines everywhere, cool air pouring out. Inside, my hands brushed against damp stone. Bats squeaked overhead (I flinched), but Diego just grinned and kept talking about how important these caves are for the Shuar people.

That night by the fire, someone from the community told stories in Spanish — I caught maybe half of it, but you could feel everyone listening close. Smoke drifted up and stars peeked through gaps in the roof. I lay in my bunk later just replaying those cave sounds in my head; weirdly peaceful.

The next morning started with jungle coffee and a breakfast that tasted sweet and smoky at once — no idea what fruit that was. We went back into the primary forest (muddier this time) for another cave tour. More spiders than I’d like to admit, plus these wild rock formations that looked almost fake under our headlamps. By midday we were back at the community for lunch again — rice, fish wrapped in leaves — before heading out toward Puyo. My shoes were filthy but I didn’t really care anymore; felt sort of proud actually.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel and explore Tayos caves

• Depart Puyo at 6:00 am
• Bus ride to jungle (2 hours)
• Walk to cabins with luggage (1 hour)
• Welcome by Shuar Indigenous Community
• Settle in community cabins
• Lunch
• Walk and learn about plants and landscapes
• First tour of Tayos caves
• Return to camp
• Dinner and bonfire with stories
• Lodging

Day 2 — Forest walk and cave exploration

• Amazonian breakfast
• Walk in primary forest, flora and fauna interpretation
• Second tour inside Tayos caves
• Observe stalactites, stalagmites, bats, spiders
• Return to community
• Lunch prepared by Shuar Community
• Return to Puyo city
• End of services

Top questions

How do you get from Puyo to the Cave of the Tayos?

The tour includes transport by public or private bus from Puyo (about 2 hours), followed by a one-hour jungle walk to reach the Shuar community cabins near the cave.

Is lodging included on this Cave of the Tayos tour?

Yes, overnight lodging is provided in simple cabins within the Shuar Indigenous Community as part of the tour package.

What meals are provided during this 2-day tour?

The tour includes lunch on both days, dinner on day one, Amazonian breakfast on day two—all prepared by members of the Shuar community.

Will there be a local guide during cave exploration?

Yes, guided tours inside the Tayos caves are included both days with explanations about geology and cultural significance from locals.

Are alcoholic drinks or soft drinks included?

No, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included in this tour package.

What wildlife or natural features might you see inside Cave of the Tayos?

You may see stalactites, stalagmites, spiders, bats and other cave-dwelling creatures during your visit.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

This experience involves hiking through jungle terrain and is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or limited mobility.

What’s included

Your journey includes round-trip transport from Puyo by bus plus an hour-long guided jungle trek to reach traditional cabins run by the Shuar community; all meals—lunches, dinner by bonfire, Amazonian breakfast—are prepared locally; two guided tours inside Cave of the Tayos; and your overnight stay in rustic wooden cabins before returning to Puyo late afternoon on day two.