Tena
Tena lies in the biosphere reserve of the Sumaco-Galeras national park, situated in the north. In the west lies the biosphere reserve of Antisana and in the south the national park of Llanganates. The region belongs to the Rainforest and is the entrance to the mighty Amazon rainforest. The town of Tena is a pleasant one. There are many rivers nearby where you can swim or make a walk in the forest. Along the riverside in the centre there are bars where sodas and beers are being sold. The presence of the Indian Quijos Quechuas, is the real soul of Tena, that makes it beautiful, colorful and exotic. Many travellers come here to enjoy the excellent water quality for rafting and kayaking. There are discotheques, many restaurants and bars. In the evening, when most come out to stroll or make a talk, the town again comes to live.
Climate
Lying on the equator the evenings starts early, at 18:30 Night begins to fall, to begin the day again at 06:30. Temperature doesn't fall below 17 degrees Celsius. Even when it rains, it doesn't get chilly. Tena has a relatively mild and comfortable climate. Due to its elevation it is drier and cooler than you might expect. The heaviest rains come in June, July, and August, but even then it usually doesn't rain all day and when it does, the rain is pleasant and warm. The days are warm and the night crisp.
The course
The course is designed for English speaking students with little to no Spanish knowledge. However, advanced speakers can join in at any level. Classes are given by Ecuadorian professionals and are taught both in English and Spanish, so as to guarantee the fastest way to master Spanish in a short period of time.
Class Hours
The course runs four weeks with classes from Monday-Friday and weekends off for excursions and free time. Class days are broken down in a three-hour block in the morning from 09:00 to 12:00 and a two-hour period in the afternoon from 14:00 to 16:00 hrs.
Teaching Method
Classes are filled with elements of activities such as listening to Spanish music to find the missing words, puzzles and quizzes. There is a lot of vocabulary and grammatical training. You will learn all the basics of Reading, writing, understanding and speaking the language by means of a lively method in a nice atmosphere in groups of maximum 4 persons.
Individual Teaching
One-on-one classes can be arranged in mutual consultation.
Accommodations
You will be staying in one of the finest houses in Tena. The house is located along the Tena-river and has a porch overlooking a lush private garden. The common room downstairs has the entire atmosphere as at home. Here classes will be given and, if preferred, food can be served. There are two bedrooms downstairs and three on the second floor where another common room can be found. The neighbourhood as well as the town are both safe places. It is a mixture of indigenous and colonial personality. The school is located just 1.5 kilometres from the old centre.
Advance Booking
Due to our limited overnight capacity we advise you to book in advance if possible. In case we are full we can arrange a substitute within a similar price range.
Excursions
Included in the program are 3 excursions:
- Rafting on the Jatun Yacu River
The Jatun Yacu river is to become the main river of Ecuador; The Napo river which eventually meets the Amazon in Brazil . Here on an altitude of about 400 meter the Jatun Yacu (big river in Quechua) plunges down from the Llanganates and Guacamayos mountain range. This is a real fun river with all the ingredients you might expect from wild water sport, with rapids and straightforward wave strains. The river is very clean since there are no persons living in the upper uninhabitable mountains. However a class lll+, the trip is guided by professionals with years of experience to guarantee a safe trip. We leave in the morning to go by car to the upper stream just 1 hour from Tena. The descent takes us trough a wealthy vegetation of green in all its majesty. We will enjoy lunch on the sandy beaches along the river where a thick wall of green surrounds us. Return in the afternoon.
- Excursion to the Cave of Jumandi
After breakfast we take off in the direction of Archidona. About 5 kilometres further down is the complex of Jumandi. Jumandi was an Indian who opposed the Spaniards in the 1800's his revolt ended abruptly by betray of the Spanish who violently ended his life. In the weekends local residents take a cool dive in the swimming pool which is filled with the fresh water streaming out of the cave. Its length is about 2 kilometres ; there are narrow passages which leads to rooms with their typical formation. In the end is an opening on the top of a hill, here we face a perfect view of the surrounding. After the walk we will take a fresh swim in the pool.
- Excursion to the Waterfall of Latas
On the road to Misahualli, not so long ago the last trade post of the rainforest, about 40 minutes from Tena, is a river called Latas. The riverbed is on a basalt formation where we can walk through. Here we will see a great variety of butterflies. Perhaps we'll see the Morpho menelaus whose radiant blue is visible from far away. On the end of our walk we'll find ourselves in a circular big chamber where water is pouring down all over. Return in the afternoon.
