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Birds & Shamans 6d/5n
• The most fascinating way to discover not only the biodiversity but also the culture of the Ecuadorian Amazon region. 550 species of birds, counting the rare rufous potoo.
• Encounters with powerful and wise magicians of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Day 1: Canoe ride on the Napo river from Coca, arrival at Sani Lodge and birding at the Challuacocha lagoon. Caiman spotting and a night walk is also scheduled for today.
Day 2: Breakfast, today we will explore the Amazon Canopy from the Sani bird watching tower, white-throated Toucan, and Bare-necked Fruitcrow, to name just a few of the species, you might even see Red Howler Monkeys asleep in the treetops. We have also planned piranha fishing while enjoying the sunset.
Day 3: Visit the Yasuni National Park clay licks and hundreds of individuals of parrots and parakeets. After this amazing birdwatching experience we will continue to Yaku Kawsay Interpretation center to learn about the Yasuni National Park conservation and treats before we enter into the magicians of the forest land by the end of the day.
Day 4: From the Secoya lodge we will visit shaman Delfin and follow his amazing path through his organic gardens with over 700 species of medicinal plants used by the Secoya while learning about the Secoya shamans powers.
Day 5: Today we will visit Cesar a famous painter who will teach us about his capacity to express his visions with art and his oil paintings, in the afternoon explore the ancient Secoya hunting trails at the cuyabeno reserve.
Day 6. Visit the Handicraft Community Shop and return to Quito.
Our journey starts in Quito, here we will fly to El Coca. Once we get El Coca our staff will be waiting for you and they will bring us to the Rio Napo Port. There we will take a boat and our ride through the Napo River starts.
During the ride you will be in contact with plenty bird species specially those ones that live in the river borders. Species such as Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher (Chloroceryle inda) will be waiting for you.
The lunch will be served in the boat. After 2 hours of riding, we reach a small connecting stream called Cahullayacu. After 45 minutes of ride we will be arriving to our lodge.
In the afternoon Sani's guides will lead you to your first hike. And after dinner the encounter with the most representative species of the lake is expected, the black caiman can be seen swimming lazily in the lake's water.
Accommodation in Sani Cabins
(Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 2:
Early in the morning we will start our exploration towards the 37 meter Canopy Tower. After 30 minutes canoe ride, we get the Tower Trail from which we will walk to the canopy tower. While admiring the astonishing rainforest canopy at the top of the tower, we will be listening to the sounds not only of birds but also of the Howler Monkeys.
In the afternoon a Piranha-fishing or visit to the community is part of the agenda.
Accommodation in Sani Cabins
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 3:
We leave early the lodge towards the Yasuni National Park, and its amazing clay licks where we will spots hundreds of parrots and parakeets after this amazing encounter with the amazon wildlife and lush, on our way to the meet the magicians of the forest we will visit the Yaku Kawsay Interpretation Center where the Kichwa community of Providencia will be waiting for you to show you the underwater world of the Amazon aquatic life.
This initiative supports the conservation of the Amazonian aquatic ecosystem by providing meaningful education to local communities, schools and travelers like you, here we will explore the site, it's a birding trail. Then of having lunch, a short overland drive will lead us to Secoya land and their Aguarico river for dinner and a well deserved night sleep.
Accommodation in Secoya Cabins
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 4:
Wake up to bird songs and a nutritious breakfast of native fruits, coffee, and Yocó, "the coffee of the jungle," a natural caffeine taken from the bark of a tree utilized by the Secoyas.
Begin the day with a 45-minute canoe ride up the Sushufindi River to visit a beautiful botanical garden. Our naturalist guide will lead us on the garden's trail, conveying the Secoya's ancestral knowledge of the forest's hundreds of unique plants. After learning about the medicinal, hunting and daily uses of native plants, you will enjoy lunch in the garden's center, home of Delfin a well known Shaman, from him we will learn about the shamanism technics, yagé a sacred plant and preparation and other spiritual "cleaning" technics.
After lunch, you will take a quick kayak training course to prepare for your next adventure, which involves hopping into a personal kayak and paddling down the legendary Shushufindi River. Relax on the water as you spot wildlife, meet local fishermen, and enjoy the magical sounds and aromas wafting from the lush jungle riverbank.
The trip ends at the mouth of the Aguarico River, from where you will head back to the lodge in a canoe. Once back at the lodge, rest in a hammock while enjoying one of the most incredible sunsets in the world before ending the day with an intimate candlelight dinner.
Accommodation in Secoya Cabins (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 5:
After breakfast we will then take another short canoe ride up the Aguarico River until we reach the Secoya Painting Workshop, where you will get to partake in the community's daily life and rituals.
Here you will have the opportunity to learn how the community's artisans make their handicrafts and their famous paintings being inspired by their magical connection with the spirits of the mystic trees and birds that surround their lives. The day will end with a traditional meal made from local products. Following dinner, we will listen to our local guide tell us the legends of the Secoya and the rainforest through tranquil bonfire flames or a hammock.
Accommodation in Secoya Cabins
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 6:
You will have the opportunity to buy some of the unique handicrafts made by the Secoya artisans. We will then say our final goodbye to the community and begin the return journey to Coca Airport, which starts with a 45-minute motorized canoe ride to Puerto Gregorio, where land transportation will be waiting.
As you leave the lands of the Secoya, note the numerous threats facing the area. The lumber industry, African Palm plantations and oil pipelines are all endangering the rainforest's cultural and natural diversity. Your guide will give you a "Toxic Tour" on the way, explaining these perils in more detail and giving you the chance to ask questions until we arrive at the airport.
Back to Quito.
(Breakfast/ -/ -)
These ecotourism programs are the result of partnerships between Waponi's parent company Tropic Journeys in Nature and the indigenous communities that live in protected areas in the Andes highlands and the Ecuadorian Amazon. Waponi means Joy, chevere, cool, everything that is positive and beautiful in life in the Huaorani language, and you are bound to realize why ecotourism is so cool once you return from one of these trips!
When you go with Waponi, you get locally owned Amazon lodges and Adventure campsites, bilingual naturalist guides, specialized itineraries, and the opportunity to travel to the most remote corners of Ecuador while improving the standard of living of the people who live there.
Waponi's low-impact, small-sized community tours do not compromise ones safety, hygiene or comfort. You will always enjoy filling meals made with local ingredients, sleep in cozy lodges or spacious clean tents, and be led by people who have lived off of these lands their entire lives.
Weather
This region's climate is classified as Tropical and Humid, with annual temperatures between 23-25.5° C/ 73-78° F, humidity between 70-90%, and annual rainfall up to 3000 mm/118 in! Though it can rain on any given day, in general the months from November through February are defined as the "dry" season and the months of March through October as the "wet" season; around here, the months of May to July are the wettest.
During a stay as brief as a few days, the odds of seeing larger animals such as monkeys, peccaries, or agoutis are low; to help increase them, try the following tips:
• DRESS in dark clothing, since light colors stand out and give away your presence.
• MOVE slowly and quietly; if you move like a predator, you may be rewarded with a "prey" sighting.
• STOP, listen and look, from the ground up to the canopy. Often a rustle of leaves or a slight movement gives away the presence of a lizard, bird or small mammal.
• BINOCULARS are essential to see high into the canopy and deep into the foliage, though the level of light at any given time makes a huge difference in what can be made out.
• With PATIENCE AND LUCK, you never know what you may discover.
Some suggestions:
•DRESS is informal. Footwear is recommended for any time you are out of your cabin; the rubber boots provided are best for the trails as there can be substantial mud (and ant columns). Depending on how sensitive you are to heat and insect bites, lightweight long- or short-sleeve cotton shirts and trousers or shorts are appropriate for the trails or canoe trips.
•PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS Avoid tripods! If not using digital, high-speed film is recommended, e.g., 400 ASA, together with a flash (it's dark beneath the rainforest canopy). A wide-angle and a large telephoto lens are useful for birds; for best results with insects, a lens with macro facility is handy. Have some plastic bags available to protect your equipment and an anti-fogging cloth.
•BINOCULARS are essential to fully appreciate the birdlife don't forget to bring yours.
Once you book you will get our full pre-departure information package with many other details.
CODE OF CONDUCT
•Be open to different appreciations of what is "normal". For example, punctuality is not a rainforest concept, so please be flexible and patient while visiting the local communities.
•Only take photos of people with permission and don't be offended if they refuse.
•Do not be ostentatious with wealth and material possessions.
•Do not share alcohol or give away cigarettes at the community.
•Do buy locally-made handicrafts as this is an important source of income for the community, especially for women, but don't buy those made from feathers or animal parts. There's no need to haggle, everything tends to be inexpensive by Western standards.
•Gifts are welcome, but preferably of scholarly material for the children and given to the Administrator for distribution through the Conservation in Action Foundation.
•Be polite and respectful with the locals. Use por favor, gracias, buenos días, i.e., treat them the same way in which you wish to be treated.
•Use the garbage system properly and please hang on to any trash you generate like plastics, dead batteries etc. until you get back to Quito.
•Ration the use of resources, e.g., keep your showers short, don't run water when brushing teeth/shaving.
•Please tell your guide if you don't wish to partake of the food or drink during your visits to the local communities.
•During your walks, never extract or disturb the vegetation, and for your own safety never stray off the trails.
•Please follow your guides' instructions; they know the surrounding area and are here to look out for your safety.
FOR THE LONG RUN
These ecotourism programs are the result of partnerships between Waponi's parent company Tropic Journeys in Nature and the indigenous communities that live in protected areas in the Andes highlands and the Ecuadorian Amazon. Waponi means Joy, chevere, cool, everything that is positive and beautiful in life in the Huaorani language, and you are bound to realize why ecotourism is so cool once you return from one of these trips!
When you go with Waponi, you get locally owned Amazon lodges and Adventure campsites, bilingual naturalist guides, specialized itineraries, and the opportunity to travel to the most remote corners of Ecuador while improving the standard of living of the people who live there.
Waponi's low-impact, small-sized community tours do not compromise ones safety, hygiene or comfort. You will always enjoy filling meals made with local ingredients, sleep in cozy lodges or spacious clean tents, and be led by people who have lived off of these lands their entire lives.
Waponi is a Long Run Supporter.
This means that we share the Zeitz Foundation's drive to support sustainable, ecologically and socially responsible projects around the world, and have demonstrated our commitment by signing The Long Run Charter, a declaration of intent and commitment to promote more sustainable lifestyle choices to build a better future.
To find out more, visit:
Foundation on:
@ZeitzFoundation
/zeitzfoundation
Join the effort to preserve forests, culture and a way of life that is open and willing to share secrets of local cultures throughout Ecuador's diverse ecosystems.
Tailor Made Amazon programs
These programs were specially developed to meet our client's specific interests, these are private excursions and rates vary according to the number of people on your group and travel date.
One of our sales experts will contact you to re-confirm travel, plans and design the program for you. Final rates and any questions or special requests you may have will be discussed with you.
| Price per person | Double/twin/triple Accommodation | Single Accommodation |
| 2-3 people | 1,625.00 | 1,855.00 |
| 4-6 people | 1,335.00 | 1,570.00 |
| 7 – 10 people | 1,050.00 | 1,280.00 |
| Rates Includes | Rates do not include |
| Accommodation at Sani Lodge and Secoya Lodge, all meals, English speaking guide and guided activities described in the itinerary. | • Yasuní National park Lick $30 per person. • Flight Quito- Coca - Quito $174 per person roundtrip. • Airport taxes. • Additional services don't specified above, add on kayak Amazon Adventures $40 per day. |
