Amazon Forest to Table Cooking Class with Indigenous Hosts
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
This is not a demonstration-style cooking class, it’s a forest-to-table experience co-created with a Kichwa family on their own land. You’ll harvest ingredients directly from a traditional chakra, an Indigenous agroforestry system that mirrors the natural biodiversity of the Amazon and reflects generations of ecological knowledge.
Rather than simply observing, you participate in every step: foraging seasonal ingredients, preparing dishes using traditional techniques, and assembling maitos cooked over fire. The experience is developed and operated in partnership with the host family, ensuring tourism directly supports local livelihoods and cultural continuity.
By sharing a meal, stories, and homemade artisanal wines together, guests gain insight into a living Indigenous food tradition that is grown and practiced daily.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
What To Expect
Meet in central Tena and travel to a Kichwa family’s chakra (traditional Amazon agroforestry farm) in the community of San Luis. After a warm welcome and introductions, your Indigenous hosts guide you through their land, sharing how the chakra system reflects generations of ecological knowledge. Along the way, you’ll harvest seasonal ingredients while learning about edible and medicinal plants and their cultural uses. Next, join a hands-on cooking experience led by your hosts, preparing traditional dishes with ingredients gathered directly from the farm. Assemble maitos — food wrapped in leaves and cooked over fire — using techniques passed down through generations. While the meal cooks, walk the finca’s medicinal plant trail and visit a scenic lookout over the forest. Return to share a forest-to-table dinner together, accompanied by homemade artisanal wines or infused liquors, and enjoy time for conversation and cultural exchange before returning to Tena.
Sample Menu
starter
Tortillas de yuca
Mashed yuca patties served with beans and fresh plantain chips
main
Maitos
Fresh fish, heart of palm, bamboo and other forest foods roasted in leaves over the fire
dessert
Assorted fresh fruits (papaya, snake fruit, dragon fruit)
Options
Amazon Forest to Table Cooking Class with Indigenous Hosts
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Fruit wine and infused licor
Coffee and/or Tea
Meal with 100% fresh ingredients - vegetarian/vegan upon request
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome tour!
Sophia48539,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently had the opportunity to experience Shuklla Experiences, and I can confidently say I’ll be signing up for their next tour! I can’t recommend their tours highly enough! From the beginning, you can feel the authenticity. These aren't commercial tours; I've lived four years in Tena, and I was incredibly surprised by the new places Shuklla Experiences took us!The organization and professionalism demonstrated by the team were commendable. Every detail was carefully planned, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully.Moreover, Shuklla Experiences is making a positive impact on local communities. By engaging with native customs and supporting local economies, they ensure that tourism benefits those who call this incredible place home. You truly get the best of both worlds here: the wild nature of Ecuador and the thoughtful organizational skills of a dedicated team.If you're looking for a unique travel experience, I wholeheartedly encourage you to choose Shuklla Experiences.
Beautiful and educational experience in the Amazon
P721FAseanf,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My girlfriend and I spent a day in the chakra, and every moment was incredible. It was an amazing experience being able to tour the rainforest and see the diversity of plants there. The food we had help preparing was new to us and quite delicious. I had quite a few pieces of snake fruit! Definitely recommend this experience.
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