Here is a gallery of just a few images from this year's Tropical Andes to Amazon journey. Photos were taken by trip host, Ralph Pannell:  one of the directors of Aqua-Firma, formerly of the charity Rainforest Concern and manager of our Rainforest4Climate fund. 

A Few Wildlife Highlights 

The lowland rainforest focus of this trip is an area Achuar communities have set aside as a wildlife preserve. Mammals like these Red Howler Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys and Dusky Titis; and birds like the Troupial & Hoatzin found on this page, can be seen and heard throughout. 

 

The Achuar & Amazon Canopy 

Next is a tribute to our Amazon Achuar hosts and the forest canopy they preserve. Ecuador's Achuar and Shuar people continue to take decisions against unsustainable development which retain mile upon mile of rainforest,  stabilising the global climate for everyone's benefit. The Achuar still hunt here, primarily using blowguns. These are almost silent but deadly, using thin darts laced with poison extracted from a liana. 

The Tropical Andes 

Ecuador's highest Andean peak is further from the centre of the world than the top of Mount Everest. This is due to The Equatorial Bulge. 

Here are some of the peaks we enjoyed clear views to see; along with panoramas over the Choco-Andean Rainforest Corridor where our cloud forest experiences  are centred. We owe the existence of these forests to our partners at Rainforest Concern, local foundations and communities who have opted for sustainable alternatives to slash and burn farming. 

Most Biodiverse 

The Tropical Andes is the most biologically diverse part of our planet.  Here are a few gems hosted within in.