There are thirteen indigenous groups along the Ecuadorian territory. The Achuar inhabit the High Amazon Region, occupying the north of Peru and South-East of Ecuador. According to the last census (2010) the remaining Achuar population was 7865 people. We, the Achuar, are known for our architecture, construction abilities and unique handcrafts. 

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Since a long time ago our ancestors have defended our territories,  our modus vivendi, and traditions. Nevertheless, now our territories are threatened by mining, deforestation, land use conversion, soil and water contamination among others. Our culture is also being pushed by globalizing externalities which try to dimish ancestral traditions. We, like many other indigenous groups in the world, are vulnerable to external attempts to set a hegemonic "development" model around the world. Now we face the inevitable challenge of maintaining important traditions, and at the same time incorporate occidental elements to our modus vivendi in order to improve our living conditions and ultimately build our own development horizon coherent with our current lifestyle and territory.

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Junnt Áchu is an ecotourism project proposed by Saapap Entsa, an indigenous Achuar association composed by 4 communities: Musap, Mamantsa, Anentak and Saapap. The latter is the biggest and head of the association. Saapap Entsa has around 430 inhabitants. The association has 7500 hectares of territory, where 90% is tropical forest and the remaining 10% is territory occupied by housing, farming and others. Saapap Entsa is reachable only by plane or by a long walk in the jungle. The limited access has kept the community´s forest almost untouched and our culture very alive.

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It is well known that the Amazon region is in danger due to mining, oil extractions, and deforestation mainly. It is also well known that indigenous communities have historically been forgotten by politicians and decision makers. In this context, we have seen in sustainable tourism a tool for income generation while protecting natural resources and our culture.

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