Region: South America
Location: Kilómetro 24, Barranco Colorado, Vía Gavilán, Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas, Venezuela (Piaroa territory, Rio Cataniapo)
Type: Research Station
Established: 2012 (acquired Ekobius property in 2013)
Accommodation inventory: Camping, hammocks, or hostel room. Former Christian revival center with capacity for large groups (200-500 people historically). No individual room count published.
Connectivity: Not publicly stated. Solar and hydroelectric power mentioned. Internet availability unclear.
Access: Commercial Flight + Road (fly to Puerto Ayacucho, then approximately 24 km by paved highway to Barranco Colorado; the station is 500 meters short of the end of the most remote paved road in the country)
Best season: Year-round. Activities vary by water level.
Languages: Spanish, English (cooperative members and local guides)
Dining: Not a private-chef venue. Visitors are responsible for their own meals, which can cost $3-$20 per day depending on consumption. Local food available.
Chef: No private chef service.
Dietary: No dietary restrictions mentioned.
Conservation: 27.8-acre private enclave property within Piaroa territory. Works with local farmers on forest-based agricultural practices to avoid unsustainable forest use. 20,000-hectare conservation management project involving agroforestry, permaculture, and non-wood forest production. Solar and hydroelectric power.
Community: Operates as a cooperative with the Huottuja-De’aruhua (Piaroa People) across 33 indigenous villages. Indigenous cooperators are compensated under free and fair-trade standards for cacao, coffee, and medicinal plants.
Notable Experiences
- Wildlife & Biodiversity: Located in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions (Guiana Shield). Research expeditions and guided treks to remote natural monuments and biosphere areas.
- Avian & Special Interest: Research support for scientists and students. Access to remote wilderness areas for study.
- Adventure & Waterways: Trailblazing, porter, and trekking expeditions organized with local Piaroa guides ($30/day for three guides including food and porters). Multi-day treks (10–30 days) to remote areas. River frontage on the Cataniapo River.
- Cultural & Immersion: Access to Piaroa shamans, ayahuasca and yopo therapy (for short-term visitors), Warime cultural festival, indigenous culinary experiences. This is the primary value of the venue — genuine immersion in Piaroa territory.
- Wellness & Luxury: Not applicable. This is a rustic research station, not a wellness retreat. Camping, hammocks, or basic hostel room.
Important Visitor Notes
- This is not a luxury lodge. Accommodations are camping, hammocks, or basic hostel rooms.
- Visitors planning to stay under 30 days are required by law to have a certified indigenous guide not connected to the host. This must be arranged separately.
- All volunteers and program participants must register or sign a hold-harmless waiver upon arrival.
- Pricing: camping/hammocks/hostel rooms start at $10/day for one month, up to $50/day for a four-day planned visit with an attendant.
- The station is located at the end of the road, serving as a staging point for expeditions into remote territory.
- Membership is available via cooperative investment ($3,750 for 1/100th share), but this is separate from short-term visitation.
Contact
ekobius.org · contact@ekobius.org · Phone (WhatsApp): +573226716433
Coordinates: 5.534293483409175, -67.43399858647352