At a Glance
Location: Archidona, Napo, Ecuador
Impact Areas: Sustainable Income, Environmental Conservation, Cultural Preservation
People Supported:
Women, Smallholder Farmers, Indigenous Peoples and local communities
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2024
Overview
Led by 25 Kichwa Indigenous community members, Ñukanchi Sacha Waysa offers cultural and eco-tourism experiences for local, national, and international visitors to the Ecuadorian Amazon, inviting them to step into their way of life. It offers visitors a chance to connect with ancestral Kichwa traditions, learn sustainable farming practices, and help protect the Amazon rainforest.
Founded in 2018, the association directly supports around 25 families, providing income through tourism services and the sale of handmade crafts such as jewelry, handwoven items, pottery, and wood carvings, all made by women in the community using sustainable forest materials.
At the heart of Ñukanchi Sacha Waysa is preserving Kichwa culture and supporting the economic resilience of its community through responsible tourism. When visiting Sacha Waysa, guests are immersed in Kichwa traditions and environmental stewardship. They can take part in traditional ceremonies and sustainable farming demonstrations, learn how to make local cuisine, and visit waterfalls and sacred sites in one-day or multi-day packages.
Every tourist dollar creates circular benefits: 100% of artisan sales go to women crafters, and all programs are run by local guides and use locally-sourced, sustainable materials. By aligning tourism with cultural preservation and forest conservation, Sacha Waysa proves that responsible tourism can sustain both communities and ecosystems.
Results & Impact
70%
of household income for the families supported comes from Ñukanchi Sacha Waysa
100%
Indigenous management team
50%+
women in leadership roles
8
hectares of land restored by 2025
“With NESsT’s support, Ñukanchi Sacha Waysa has strengthened its infrastructure and equipment, improving the quality of its services and offering new experiences that celebrate the living culture of Kichwa families. Our partnership promotes community-based tourism, transforms lives, reaffirms our roots, and is building a future where culture, nature, and sustainable development come together to create lasting, meaningful impact.”
NESsT Investment
Ñukanchi Sacha Waysa joined NESsT's portfolio to scale its Indigenous-led ecotourism model in Ecuador’s Amazon. With support from CONFENIAE and NESsT, the enterprise is professionalizing operations by upgrading its tourism services and building skills in financial and marketing, all while strengthening its cultural and environmental values.
NESsT portfolio managers and the CONFENIAE team will provide mentoring to Ñukanchi Sacha Waysa entrepreneurs in four key areas: financial management, market strategy, impact measurement, and governance. This support will allow the association to expand its market reach while safeguarding authentic Kichwa cultural experiences.
Additionally, part of NESsT’s investment will go towards upgrading infrastructure and equipment, supporting Ñukanchi Sacha Waysa to improve service quality for its guests and expand its range of offerings.