Summary
- Day 1 : Arrive Quito
- Day 2 : Into the Jungle
- Day 3 : Huaorani Community and Shiripuno Paddling
- Day 4 : Kayaking and Hiking
- Day 5 : Rainforest hiking and lake exploration
- Day 6 : Motorized Canoe to Coca. Overnight
- Day 7 : Fly Quito. Overnight.
- Day 8 : Return Home
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
- Amazon
- Huaorani Community
- Shiripuno River
- Coca
- Quito
PaddlingIncludes paddling activity such as sea kayaking or rafting.
Nature ViewingIncludes intentional opportunity to observe flora or fauna with an experienced guide.
Cultural ActivitiesIncludes cultural activities such as a visit to a traditional village or a local market to give a unique perspective.
HikingIncludes guided hiking excursions. Hikes may vary from easy and optional three hour hikes to more difficult multi-day treks.
ActiveOur most active trips for travelers who are fit and looking for vigorous adventures. Tours include multisport activities and multi-day treks.
CampingDeluxe camping or accommodations in mountain lodges.
Community StayHomestay with local families or overnight in community-supported campground for unique cultural immersion.
Details
Day 2 Into the Jungle 
(B,L,D) A morning flight carries you over the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes and down into the Amazon basin to begin your Amazon tour. A three-hour drive will take you to your put-in on the Shiripuno River and the start of your amazing journey. You'll meet your Huaorani guide and spend time in a local community were you'll have the unique experience of learning about the Huaorani people, their traditions, their history and their commitment to preserving the natural treasures of the region. Tonight's campsite is hosted by a local Huaorani family - enjoy a campfire dinner.
Day 3 Huaorani Community and Shiripuno Paddling
(B,L,D)
Following breakfast, visit the nearby Noneno Community where the local Huaorani share more traditions and aspects of daily lifestyle. After our visit we'll continue kayaking down the Shiripuno - you'll have nearly 25 km of river kayaking to do-- a challenging trip, but along the way you will be treated with the wonders of the Ecuadorian Amazon. This incredible region boasts some of the world's highest biodiversity and sustains the traditional lifestyle of numerous indigenous groups. On your silent journey downriver you'll have an excellent chance of spotting monkeys, capybara, toucans, macaws, tapir and maybe even the elusive jaguar. There will be plenty of short stops to stretch and rest your muscles. Expect a late arrival to this evening's campsite.
Day 4 Kayaking and Hiking 
(B,L,D) Today you'll paddle to the remote Shiripuno Jungle lodge; the wooden buildings and thatched roofs blend into the surrounding landscape. In the evening, enjoy a hike into the forest as the wildlife becomes more active, where your naturalist guide teaches you about the complex ecology of the rainforest. Relax and overnight in the rustic jungle lodge.
Day 5 Rainforest hiking and lake exploration
(B,L,D)
A short trip upriver in motorized canoe will take us to the start of our rainforest hiking adventure. We'll explore old-growth and flooded (varzea) forest. We'll hike for 4-5 hours, keeping an eye out for monkeys, white-lipped peccaries, and jaguar tracks. During our walk the expedition guide and Huaorani guide explain their practical, medicinal and spiritual relationship with the Amazon jungle.
After lunch we will reach a series of small lakes, where we will paddle in wooden canoes. You'll reach a region of flooded forest and small jungle lakes where you'll have the chance to spot the prehistoric Hoatzin bird and caimans (a relative of the alligator). There is also great fishing in the area. Tonight, you'll return to Shiripuno where you can relax in a hammock and share stories about your Amazon adventures.
Day 6 Motorized Canoe to Coca. Overnight
(B,L,D) After a short wildlife hike in the morning to see a glorious sunrise -- and one more chance to spot some Amazon wildlife -- you head back upriver by motorized canoe, and transfer to Coca where you'll overnight before your flight back to Quito in the morning.
Accommodations:
3 nights hotels, 2 night camping, 2 nights rustic jungle lodge
Single Supplement:
$250
Meals Included:
All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation:
Local flights, taxi/jeep, motorized and paddle dugout canoes
Notes:
Internal flights Quito-Coca-Quito is not included. Please add US$130 for roundtrip (flight cost subject to change).
Group & Staff:
Group & Staff: Min 2, Max 12; Bilingual local naturalist guide and Indian guide in the Amazon; Local Representative in Quito.
Personal Budgeting:
Allow US$40 US for meals not included, US$20 entrance fee for Yasuni National Park, US$45 international departure tax.
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations:
Share US$45, Single US$75
Is it for Me?
Discover the Amazon rainforest on active excursions, with an emphasis on wildlife and ecology. Accommodations are clean and comfortable and food is good, but this is not a luxury Amazon tour.
Arrival / Departure Transfers:
1 person US$50 each
2 or more people US$25 /person
Set Departures
Custom dates available. Contact a trip planner for details.
2009 Dec 6
2010 Jan 13, Feb 14, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9, Jun 6, Jul 4, Aug 1, Aug 29, Sep 26, Oct 24, Nov 21, Dec 19
Hotels
- Quito
- Shiripuno Lodge
- Hotel El Auca
- Camping
