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Rainforest Alliance 8D/7N
• Huaorani ecolodge, Sani Lodge and Secoya Lodge.
•Multi activity: rainforest hike, amazon river kayak, swim in small rivers… Discover the rainforest biodiversity while resting in comfortable accommodation amazon ecolodges.
•Witness the efforts made by the Amazon people in order to protect their territories and support the conservation initiatives of three of the most known ethic groups of the Ecuadorian Amazon region.
Day 1. Flight over the Amazon Rainforest Canopy, arrival at the Huaorani Ecolodge.
Day 2. Hunting training day with the locals and Huaorani Community visit.
Day 3. Amazon river exploration on kayaks or dugout canoes, explore the Huaorani tourism reserve and the Yasuni Interpretation Center, finish your day Camping with the Huaorani people at the Nenkepare Campsite.
Day 4. Magical Waterfall exploration, leaving the Huaorani territory, reality tour while travelling to Sani Lodge, Challuacocha river and Night hike!
Day 5. Take a glance of the Rainforest Canopy at our bird watching tower and trail. Explore the Pañacocha Lagoon, try to spot pink dolphins and visit the local kichwa community.
Day 6. Depart from Sani and visit the Yaku Kawsay Interpretation Center, another Kichwa ecotourism, initiative, and the underwater Amazon River world. Arrive at Secoya land and started a privileged visit to Cesar, a world-renowned artist and painter who comes from the very Secoya villages you will be visiting.
Day 7. Share the amazing dreams of shaman Delfin when he take you on an amazing path through his botanical garden with over 700 species of medicinal plants used by the Secoya.
Day 8. Visit the Handicraft Community Shop and return to Quito.
•Multi activity: rainforest hike, amazon river kayak, swim in small rivers… Discover the rainforest biodiversity while resting in comfortable accommodation amazon ecolodges.
•Witness the efforts made by the Amazon people in order to protect their territories and support the conservation initiatives of three of the most known ethic groups of the Ecuadorian Amazon region.
Day 1. Flight over the Amazon Rainforest Canopy, arrival at the Huaorani Ecolodge.
Day 2. Hunting training day with the locals and Huaorani Community visit.
Day 3. Amazon river exploration on kayaks or dugout canoes, explore the Huaorani tourism reserve and the Yasuni Interpretation Center, finish your day Camping with the Huaorani people at the Nenkepare Campsite.
Day 4. Magical Waterfall exploration, leaving the Huaorani territory, reality tour while travelling to Sani Lodge, Challuacocha river and Night hike!
Day 5. Take a glance of the Rainforest Canopy at our bird watching tower and trail. Explore the Pañacocha Lagoon, try to spot pink dolphins and visit the local kichwa community.
Day 6. Depart from Sani and visit the Yaku Kawsay Interpretation Center, another Kichwa ecotourism, initiative, and the underwater Amazon River world. Arrive at Secoya land and started a privileged visit to Cesar, a world-renowned artist and painter who comes from the very Secoya villages you will be visiting.
Day 7. Share the amazing dreams of shaman Delfin when he take you on an amazing path through his botanical garden with over 700 species of medicinal plants used by the Secoya.
Day 8. Visit the Handicraft Community Shop and return to Quito.
DAY 1
Your journey to the Amazon begins early in the morning after being picked up at your hotel. Leaving the bustling metropolis of Quito, you will be treated to the beautiful sceneries of the Ecuadorian countryside as transportation heads south, transitioning from the Andes to the Amazon (locally known as the Oriente). The excursion winds along the impressive Avenue of Volcanoes—a strip of 14 active, semi-active and dormant volcanic mountains—passing traditional haciendas, indigenous villages and protected natural areas, giving you a taste for the local culture. With luck and clear weather, you'll be able to see the remarkably steep peaks in all their glory, including the cone-shaped Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, and Tungurahua, which has ongoing eruptions.
Heading onward to the jungle, you'll start to notice changes in vegetation, with Spanish moss, bananas and tropical palms beginning to dominate the countryside.
Four or five hours later, you will arrive to the town of Shell, named after the oil company. This hosts the third busiest airport in Ecuador, with frequent flights in and out of the Oriente to facilitate easier travel to the region for military personnel, missionaries, various aid groups and charter companies. Around noon, you will depart in a small aircraft to the Huaorani community of Quehueri'ono (keh-weri-oh-noh), only to be warmly greeted by your guests after a short 35-minute flight. From here, you will start your expedition downstream in a shallow dugout canoe called a quilla (kee-yah). Your luggage will be taken ahead separately, so be sure to keep your camera, binoculars, sunscreen and hat on-board with you. Rubber boots and rain ponchos will be distributed at this point.
Immediately, you will begin to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the Amazon. The entire paddle downstream will be filled with amazing wildlife viewing, and you'll likely catch a glimpse and photo of the many riverside birds, including the Yellow-rumped Cacique, the Greater and Lesser Kiskadees, and any of the four Amazonian kingfishers. You won't want to put your camera down as you traverse the mighty Shiripuno River (shire-puno) sandwiched between thick tangles of rainforest vegetation on either side. Finally, you will arrive at Huaorani Ecolodge, your intimate and comfortable home for the next few days. You'll have the chance to settle in, listen to an introductory briefing about the Huaorani culture and their relationship with the rainforest, and eat a satisfying dinner. After dinner, feel free to rest up for day two of your Amazonian adventure, or if you have an urge to start exploring, ask your guide to lead you on a night walk.
Accommodation in Huaorani Ecolodge cabin.
(Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 2.
Today is hunting day! And you thought this was an environmentally friendly project? Well, it is! Huaorani are hunters and gatherers and their main sources of protein are mammals (yes, including monkeys), fish and birds. The goals of this project are to preserve the traditional practices of the Huaorani culture and to protect the tropical rainforest.
After breakfast, a Huaorani guide will accompany you on a long nature hike into the forest. The local guides are also experienced hunters and they will teach you the secrets of rainforest survival without killing any of the creatures that live there. You'll learn how to set traps, make fire without matches, build a shelter in minutes, use a blowgun, practice the perfect swing of the machete and catch fish in small creeks. Your guide may also point out and let you taste edible insects, identify and explain the uses of medicinal plants, and show you which clay is used to made pottery.
The trail has two overlooks as it winds toward the community. The first one has tree trunk seats for some much-needed rest and will allow you to enjoy the view over the forest canopy, where you may see vultures soaring and trees in bloom.
Afterwards, you'll have time to change into your swimsuit and take a dip in the fresh river water, swimming beside the creatures of the Amazon. Do not worry, though, the animals won't bite; humans are the only true threat in the jungle! Most likely, members of the Huaorani community will join you for the swim; the river plays a central role in their lives and they love to play in the water! Shortly after, you'll fill up on a hearty lunch near the community.
The afternoon will be spent with the community, when you'll get to know the members personally. The relaxed, informal visit may lead you to share a bowl of chucula (a sweet drink made of ripe bananas) under the filtered light of the thatched houses, or admire the beautiful handmade artifacts, including woven hammocks and bags, blowguns, traps and necklaces. You'll also have the chance to visit the Bi-cultural Ecology Education project and learn how to harvest manioc, also known as yucca or cassava. Perhaps you will be invited to join in a game of soccer!
If you'd like, you can visit the community's handicraft market and purchase some of the products. The production of crafts is one of the ways the Huaorani maintain their culture, and buying crafts is way to provide direct support the Huaorani families: it provides employment in the village and another reason to protect the natural areas around the community.
You return to the lodge by canoe at the end of the afternoon to relax and have dinner. Then your naturalist guide will offer a half hour discussion on a subject of interest. Like the day before, if you'd like to extend your day and continue observing, ask your guide to bring you on a short night hike. Accommodation in Huaorani Ecolodge cabin.
(Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 3.
After breakfast, you set off canoeing down the Shiripuno River in traditional Huaorani style, or you can choose to kayak instead. Today the day starts extra early in order to catch a glimpse of the many different birds out at these hours. The tranquility of the morning will allow you to appreciate the true peace and calm of the rainforest, and is the perfect time to relax and engage in intimate conversations, reflect on the past few days of the journey, or to learn some Huaorani vocabulary.
Next up is a stop at the Apaika community, which lives inside the Yame Reserve, a 55,000-hectare protected area managed by the Huaorani Association, who leads the region's ecotourism initiatives. Here you will enjoy a quick snack and visit Apaika's mini interpretation center, where you can learn more about Yasuní National Park. To complete the afternoon, you'll be able to join the community in some of its daily activities and share in its history, myths and magic.
Afterwards, the group continues a couple more hours downriver near the Huaorani village of Nenquepare. You will spend the night here, camping out along the Shiripuno River, sleeping with the sounds of the Amazon's animals. The well-constructed and comfortable campsite is part of a community initiative, so you will really get to participate in and support community tourism at its finest.
Accommodation in the Huaorani Ecolodge campsite.
(Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 4.
Early start to visit the Nenkepare waterfall located nearby the campsite, this is a moderate hike of about 90 minutes, beginning with a short steep ascent after which you walk along the ridges of undulating hills allowing you views midway into the canopy, where you may see such birds as toucans, piping guans and hawks. Listen for the incessant call of the Screaming Piha, a loud but small bird that is rarely spotted.
We will leave the campsite to begin our return journey. This revealing route is also known as the "toxic tour," which will expose you to the harsh reality of how oil companies have impacted Huaorani territory. We will drive back on the road constructed by Texaco in the 1970s as a way to access the oil fields and then continue alongside miles of pipelines, which go from the Huaorani community of Tihuino to Lago Agrio, the oil hub of el Oriente, to be pumped across the Andes to the port of Esmeraldas.
This will allow us to see and experience the oil industry's impact and what their brochures don't show. It also helps put in prospective the importance of indigenous people who protect their lands such as the Huaorani.
At El Coca, a new adventure begins. Representatives of Sani Lodge will carry you through the Napo river to the Challuacocha lake. Then of your arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed with snacks and drinks.
Accommodation in Sani Lodge cabin.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 5.
Early in the morning we will start our exploration towards the Canopy Tower. Up to 1500 species of lianas and trees are waiting for us to be seen. 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.
Afterwards, we will continue our expedition by the more than 90,000 acres of primary lowland rainforest, which is part of the conservation initiatives of this project. There the Pañacocha lagoon will be waiting for us in order to take a glance (with an additional $ 15 USD payment) of the pink river dolphins, which live in the Pañacocha's sweet waters. There is a possibility to see other mammals and birds as well.
Back to the lodge, we will enjoy our dinner and will be accommodated in our cabins. Accommodation in Sani Lodge cabin.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 6.
Leaving the Kichwa people and their blessed territory. After 30 minute boat ride on the Challuayacu river, we will get the Napo river. Once we dock in the Napo's port, we will be leaded to 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.
Conceptualized, built, and managed by the men and women of the community, the interpretative center is surprisingly thought provoking and a must-visit en-route to any destination on the lower Ecuadorian Amazon, here we will have a two hour stop and lunch. You will have a short overland drive from the Napo river to the northern closest river Aguarico home of the Secoya People.
As soon as the journey on the Aguarico River begins your naturalist guide will start introducing you to the incredible diversity of plants and animals that call Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve home. Once we reach the lodge, the Secoya community will welcome us with fresh juice and a snack and brief us for the afternoon activities as well as the settling you into your cabin. 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; have your face painted in traditional style; or watch how Casave, the most important Secoya dish, is made.
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 Lodge cabin.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 7.
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 interpretation center.
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 Lodge cabin.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 8.
Visit the Handicraft Community Shop. Back to Quito. Kick start your morning with an energizing Yocó before the short canoe ride to a prime bird viewing spot. If you are too sleepy, you can opt for staying in bed. Afterwards, enjoy a fresh breakfast at the lodge and prepare for the intrepid hike to "Cuadrante."
During this exciting hike, a bilingual local guide will teach you about important trees, their history, and any special medicinal or other uses the Secoya have for them. You will also walk through an area where a local NGO is studying the growth trend of trees and learn about their research. Continuing along on the trail, you will learn several survival techniques, including tips for finding fresh water and identifying edible plants.
After a short rest and bag preparation, 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.
(Breakfast/ Lunch)
Your journey to the Amazon begins early in the morning after being picked up at your hotel. Leaving the bustling metropolis of Quito, you will be treated to the beautiful sceneries of the Ecuadorian countryside as transportation heads south, transitioning from the Andes to the Amazon (locally known as the Oriente). The excursion winds along the impressive Avenue of Volcanoes—a strip of 14 active, semi-active and dormant volcanic mountains—passing traditional haciendas, indigenous villages and protected natural areas, giving you a taste for the local culture. With luck and clear weather, you'll be able to see the remarkably steep peaks in all their glory, including the cone-shaped Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, and Tungurahua, which has ongoing eruptions.
Heading onward to the jungle, you'll start to notice changes in vegetation, with Spanish moss, bananas and tropical palms beginning to dominate the countryside.
Four or five hours later, you will arrive to the town of Shell, named after the oil company. This hosts the third busiest airport in Ecuador, with frequent flights in and out of the Oriente to facilitate easier travel to the region for military personnel, missionaries, various aid groups and charter companies. Around noon, you will depart in a small aircraft to the Huaorani community of Quehueri'ono (keh-weri-oh-noh), only to be warmly greeted by your guests after a short 35-minute flight. From here, you will start your expedition downstream in a shallow dugout canoe called a quilla (kee-yah). Your luggage will be taken ahead separately, so be sure to keep your camera, binoculars, sunscreen and hat on-board with you. Rubber boots and rain ponchos will be distributed at this point.
Immediately, you will begin to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the Amazon. The entire paddle downstream will be filled with amazing wildlife viewing, and you'll likely catch a glimpse and photo of the many riverside birds, including the Yellow-rumped Cacique, the Greater and Lesser Kiskadees, and any of the four Amazonian kingfishers. You won't want to put your camera down as you traverse the mighty Shiripuno River (shire-puno) sandwiched between thick tangles of rainforest vegetation on either side. Finally, you will arrive at Huaorani Ecolodge, your intimate and comfortable home for the next few days. You'll have the chance to settle in, listen to an introductory briefing about the Huaorani culture and their relationship with the rainforest, and eat a satisfying dinner. After dinner, feel free to rest up for day two of your Amazonian adventure, or if you have an urge to start exploring, ask your guide to lead you on a night walk.
Accommodation in Huaorani Ecolodge cabin.
(Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 2.
Today is hunting day! And you thought this was an environmentally friendly project? Well, it is! Huaorani are hunters and gatherers and their main sources of protein are mammals (yes, including monkeys), fish and birds. The goals of this project are to preserve the traditional practices of the Huaorani culture and to protect the tropical rainforest.
After breakfast, a Huaorani guide will accompany you on a long nature hike into the forest. The local guides are also experienced hunters and they will teach you the secrets of rainforest survival without killing any of the creatures that live there. You'll learn how to set traps, make fire without matches, build a shelter in minutes, use a blowgun, practice the perfect swing of the machete and catch fish in small creeks. Your guide may also point out and let you taste edible insects, identify and explain the uses of medicinal plants, and show you which clay is used to made pottery.
The trail has two overlooks as it winds toward the community. The first one has tree trunk seats for some much-needed rest and will allow you to enjoy the view over the forest canopy, where you may see vultures soaring and trees in bloom.
Afterwards, you'll have time to change into your swimsuit and take a dip in the fresh river water, swimming beside the creatures of the Amazon. Do not worry, though, the animals won't bite; humans are the only true threat in the jungle! Most likely, members of the Huaorani community will join you for the swim; the river plays a central role in their lives and they love to play in the water! Shortly after, you'll fill up on a hearty lunch near the community.
The afternoon will be spent with the community, when you'll get to know the members personally. The relaxed, informal visit may lead you to share a bowl of chucula (a sweet drink made of ripe bananas) under the filtered light of the thatched houses, or admire the beautiful handmade artifacts, including woven hammocks and bags, blowguns, traps and necklaces. You'll also have the chance to visit the Bi-cultural Ecology Education project and learn how to harvest manioc, also known as yucca or cassava. Perhaps you will be invited to join in a game of soccer!
If you'd like, you can visit the community's handicraft market and purchase some of the products. The production of crafts is one of the ways the Huaorani maintain their culture, and buying crafts is way to provide direct support the Huaorani families: it provides employment in the village and another reason to protect the natural areas around the community.
You return to the lodge by canoe at the end of the afternoon to relax and have dinner. Then your naturalist guide will offer a half hour discussion on a subject of interest. Like the day before, if you'd like to extend your day and continue observing, ask your guide to bring you on a short night hike. Accommodation in Huaorani Ecolodge cabin.
(Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 3.
After breakfast, you set off canoeing down the Shiripuno River in traditional Huaorani style, or you can choose to kayak instead. Today the day starts extra early in order to catch a glimpse of the many different birds out at these hours. The tranquility of the morning will allow you to appreciate the true peace and calm of the rainforest, and is the perfect time to relax and engage in intimate conversations, reflect on the past few days of the journey, or to learn some Huaorani vocabulary.
Next up is a stop at the Apaika community, which lives inside the Yame Reserve, a 55,000-hectare protected area managed by the Huaorani Association, who leads the region's ecotourism initiatives. Here you will enjoy a quick snack and visit Apaika's mini interpretation center, where you can learn more about Yasuní National Park. To complete the afternoon, you'll be able to join the community in some of its daily activities and share in its history, myths and magic.
Afterwards, the group continues a couple more hours downriver near the Huaorani village of Nenquepare. You will spend the night here, camping out along the Shiripuno River, sleeping with the sounds of the Amazon's animals. The well-constructed and comfortable campsite is part of a community initiative, so you will really get to participate in and support community tourism at its finest.
Accommodation in the Huaorani Ecolodge campsite.
(Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 4.
Early start to visit the Nenkepare waterfall located nearby the campsite, this is a moderate hike of about 90 minutes, beginning with a short steep ascent after which you walk along the ridges of undulating hills allowing you views midway into the canopy, where you may see such birds as toucans, piping guans and hawks. Listen for the incessant call of the Screaming Piha, a loud but small bird that is rarely spotted.
We will leave the campsite to begin our return journey. This revealing route is also known as the "toxic tour," which will expose you to the harsh reality of how oil companies have impacted Huaorani territory. We will drive back on the road constructed by Texaco in the 1970s as a way to access the oil fields and then continue alongside miles of pipelines, which go from the Huaorani community of Tihuino to Lago Agrio, the oil hub of el Oriente, to be pumped across the Andes to the port of Esmeraldas.
This will allow us to see and experience the oil industry's impact and what their brochures don't show. It also helps put in prospective the importance of indigenous people who protect their lands such as the Huaorani.
At El Coca, a new adventure begins. Representatives of Sani Lodge will carry you through the Napo river to the Challuacocha lake. Then of your arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed with snacks and drinks.
Accommodation in Sani Lodge cabin.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 5.
Early in the morning we will start our exploration towards the Canopy Tower. Up to 1500 species of lianas and trees are waiting for us to be seen. 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.
Afterwards, we will continue our expedition by the more than 90,000 acres of primary lowland rainforest, which is part of the conservation initiatives of this project. There the Pañacocha lagoon will be waiting for us in order to take a glance (with an additional $ 15 USD payment) of the pink river dolphins, which live in the Pañacocha's sweet waters. There is a possibility to see other mammals and birds as well.
Back to the lodge, we will enjoy our dinner and will be accommodated in our cabins. Accommodation in Sani Lodge cabin.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 6.
Leaving the Kichwa people and their blessed territory. After 30 minute boat ride on the Challuayacu river, we will get the Napo river. Once we dock in the Napo's port, we will be leaded to 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.
Conceptualized, built, and managed by the men and women of the community, the interpretative center is surprisingly thought provoking and a must-visit en-route to any destination on the lower Ecuadorian Amazon, here we will have a two hour stop and lunch. You will have a short overland drive from the Napo river to the northern closest river Aguarico home of the Secoya People.
As soon as the journey on the Aguarico River begins your naturalist guide will start introducing you to the incredible diversity of plants and animals that call Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve home. Once we reach the lodge, the Secoya community will welcome us with fresh juice and a snack and brief us for the afternoon activities as well as the settling you into your cabin. 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; have your face painted in traditional style; or watch how Casave, the most important Secoya dish, is made.
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 Lodge cabin.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 7.
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 interpretation center.
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 Lodge cabin.
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Day 8.
Visit the Handicraft Community Shop. Back to Quito. Kick start your morning with an energizing Yocó before the short canoe ride to a prime bird viewing spot. If you are too sleepy, you can opt for staying in bed. Afterwards, enjoy a fresh breakfast at the lodge and prepare for the intrepid hike to "Cuadrante."
During this exciting hike, a bilingual local guide will teach you about important trees, their history, and any special medicinal or other uses the Secoya have for them. You will also walk through an area where a local NGO is studying the growth trend of trees and learn about their research. Continuing along on the trail, you will learn several survival techniques, including tips for finding fresh water and identifying edible plants.
After a short rest and bag preparation, 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.
(Breakfast/ Lunch)
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.
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 | 2,280.00 | 2,910.00 |
| 4-6 people | 1,995.00 | 2,620.00 |
| 7 – 10 people | 1,705.0 | 2,335.00 |
| Rates Includes | Rates do not include |
| Accommodations, all meals, English speaking guide and guided activities described in the itinerary. | • Entrance fee Huaorani Territory $20 per person. • Pañacocha lake entrance fee $20 per person. • Transportation Quito - Huaorani - Coca $250 per person. • Flight Coca - Quito $72 per person. Airport taxes • Additional services don't specified above, add on kayak Amazon Adventures $40 per day. |
