A trip to the Ecuadorian rain forest is a unique experience. Because of
its location near the Andes, the Ecuadorian jungle is known as tropical humid
forest, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world with a high
number of endemic species of flora and fauna.
AAEJ01 Yacuma Lodge 4D/3N
During the 7-hour drive from Quito to the city of Tena you
will experience a dramatic change in climate, terrain and scenery. From Tena,
we will head for the indigenous village of San Pedro ( 3 hours drive), where
our canoe will be waiting to take us on a 30-minute journey down the Napo River
to Yacuma Lodge. Located on the riverbank in the Ecuadorian
rainforest, Yacuma is simple, yet cosy and the perfect destination for nature
lovers.
Day
1: We’ll leave Quito early in the morning and
travel in the direction of Baeza by public bus (or private bus at extra cost)
towards the city of Tena and after lunch, we will continue our journey to the
indigenous village of San Pedro. From
here, we will travel downstream along the Napo River by canoe, arriving at
Yacuma Lodge in the late afternoon.
You’ll have time to settle in the lodge’s rustic cabañas, which sleep
two people. After dinner, if weather
permits, you will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding forest by
night (a torch is a must). (L,D).
Day
2: After breakfast we’ll begin a 3-4 hour
trek through the rainforest. Along the way an indigenous guide will show us
many species of plants and describe their medicinal purposes to us. With a little luck we will see monkeys and
birds such as oropendolas and parrots. After lunch we’ll visit the Quechua
indigenous community, where you will have the opportunity to learn about local
customs and the way of life of the native people of the jungle. Later in the
afternoon, you may enjoy a refreshing swim in the river or try your
hand at fishing. (L,D).
Day
3:
In the morning, we’ll travel further along the Napo River towards the mouth of
Arajuno River, where we invite you to visit the Amazonico Animal Rescue Center.
Here we will be able to observe different kinds of jungle wildlife. Our crew
will serve a box lunch on the way. Later in the afternoon, you will have the
rare opportunity to try panning for gold on the shores of Napo River. We’ll also take you to a perfect spot for
bathing beside one of the sandy shores of the Sumino River. We’ll return to the
lodge late in the afternoon and after dinner we invite you to have a drink at
our informal social evening. (B,BL,D).
Day
4:
After breakfast we’ll begin our return journey along the Napo River to San
Pedro. From here transport will be provided back to Tena. From Tena you will be able to travel back to
Quito. (B).
Included:
native
guide, bilingual guide, all entrance fees, noted meals, accommodation in the
lodge.
Transportation from and to Quito is not included in the price of the
tour.
Grading: easy - moderate
A 5 day trip is also available and this
includes 1 night camping at the shores of BuenoYacu River (please contact us
for details).
Day 1: Visitors fly from Quito to Coca, where the
tour begins. From here we will provide transportation to the river, where a
motor canoe will take us along the impressive Napo and Yuturi rivers to our
lodge. An evening hike around the
Paraguaco lagoon to observe the nocturnal animals completes the day's
activities. (D)
Day 2: Early in the morning we’ll set off on a
canoe trip on the Yuturi lagoon, where you will be able to observe the
transition from land vegetation to aquatic vegetation and a wonderful diversity
of birds, of which 500 species exist in the area. Afterwards, we’ll explore the
Manduro lagoon, and take pleasure in a hike through the rainforest with
opportunities to see a variety of flora and fauna. Your jungle adventure continues in the evening with a night walk
during which we will observe caimans. (B, L, D)
Day 3: After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a walk through
the rainforest in the area of Huarmi Yuturi, where there will be more
opportunities to encounter the incredible diversity of rainforest flora and
fauna. Following this we’ll visit an
indigenous community, who will give you an insight into their traditional
customs and way of life. In the afternoon, our native guides will show you how
to use a blowpipe and weave baskets using local fibres before we head for “Isla
de los Chorongos” (“Monkey Island”) a walk to the observation tower, an ideal
location for birdwatchers, ends an exciting day. (B, L, D)
Day 4: After an early breakfast, we will return to Coca
by motorised canoe in time to catch the flight back to Quito. (B)
Included: native
guide, bilingual guide, all entrance fees, noted meals, accommodation in the
lodge
Flights
from and to Quito are not included in the price of the tour.
Grading: easy – moderate
AAEJ03 Casa del Suizo Hotel 4D/3N
Day
1:
On the first day of the tour, you will arrive at the lodge. La Casa del Suizo
is located on the shores of Ecuador’s majestic Napo River and a stone’s throw
away from the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains. Perched comfortably above
the riverbank and the small Quechua Indian village of Ahuano, La Casa del Suizo
overlooks vast expanses of the surrounding tropical rainforest
environment.
Day
2:
Jungle program. See activities.
Day
3:
Jungle program. See activities
Day
4:
After breakfast we’ll begin our return journey back to Quito.
ACTIVITIES:
After breakfast there are a
variety of trails and activities to choose from. Walks may range from full day hikes through primary rainforest to
short easy walks along river islands, depending on each group’s interest and
physical abilities. Most outings begin
with a short canoe ride along the Napo River or one of it’s many tributaries,
during which it is possible to observe a variety of shore birds on the way to
our trails. Once in the forest, where
giant trees and tangled vines tower above, the guides will point our important
aspects of the vegetation while on the lookout for tropical birds and other
jungle creatures. With some luck,
species of monkeys such as tamarinds or squirrel monkeys may even put in an
appearance.
On the trail the native
guides have built model-hunting traps to represent those traditionally used by
the local people in the past. But this
is not the only aspect of Quechua culture you may learn about here. There will also be the opportunity to visit
a local Quechua Indian family, whose garden contains many medicinal plants
still commonly used today. They will
explain how such plants are used, and demonstrate other aspects of their traditional
culture such as the spiritual cleansing rituals still practised today
throughout the surrounding community.
Included: native
guide, bilingual guide, all entrance fees, noted meals, accommodation in the
lodge
Transportation from and to Quito is not included in the price of the
tour.
Grading: easy
This
comfortable (not luxurious) lodge features bungalows with hot and cold water,
nice separate restaurant area. It is located near Tena City and offers a great
alternative for those looking for encounters with the Amazon Rain forest flora
but in a comfortable environment. It is an ideal place for families travelling
with children
Included: native guide,
bilingual guide, all entrance fees, noted meals, accommodation in the lodge
Transport
from and to Quito is not included in the price of the tour.
Grading: easy –
moderate
AAEJ05
Yasuni National Park 5, 6 or 8 Days
The
Yasuni National Park is made up of an infinite succession of small, smooth
hills that are the result of the age-old flowing of the rivers and that are the
general background to this area of immense biodiversity.
The
park covers important basins of the rivers Napo, Yasuní, Tiputini, Nashiño,
Cononaco and various tributaries of the Curaray river which forms the southern border of the Park. The
park is bordered on the north by the impressive Napo River. From the town
of Francisco of Orellana (Coca) to New
Rocafuerte the river travels approximately 300 km., creating more than 120
islands along the way; this river is navigable all the way until it flows into
the great Amazonas River. The rivers in the Yasuni National Park have different
origins; some proceed from the Andes and are known as white water rivers due to
the high quantity of sediment that they drag from the mountain range. Others
are born in the Amazon region itself and are known as clear water rivers given
that they are tinted by a certain degree of contact with fallen leaves. Finally
there are the black water rivers, which have the colour of tea owing to their
constant contact with “hojarasca” and to the tannin that they acquire from the
leaves. The blackest water of all is the one that comes from the palm swamps or
“moretales”.
The
totality of the Park is classified as tropical rain forest. Within it one can
differentiate 3 types of forest: the firm ground, located in the higher parts;
the seasonally flooded forest or varzea; and the permanently flooded forest or
igapo. In spite of the good state in which all this biodiversity is maintained
in the Park, there are also threats which put great pressure on these
resources; colonisation and the oil exploration are the most evident.
FACTFILE:
YASUNI NATIONAL PARK, Napo Province. The western edge of the Yasuni National
Park lies at only 306 km. from Quito, the capital of Ecuador. It has an area of
679.751 ha. There are several camping areas.
FAUNA: The fauna of this park includes a great variety
of fish: siluros, pirañas and various ornamental species. Reptiles include
anacondas, boa constrictors, crocodiles, tortoise, and there are also various
amphibians, invertebrates and insects. Birds include royal buzzards, harpy
eagles, giant “tinamúes”, falcons, kingfishers and herons. Among the mammals
there are tapirs, monkeys, giant armadillos and wild boars.
FLORA: Different types of vegetation: riverbank
vegetation, forest flooded or varzea, and firm forest ground, among others. The
vegetable species vary considerably from the hills to the plains. Common
species include the cecropia, chonta, silk tree and rubber tree, the capirona,
the jacaranda, the “sangre de drago”, cinnamon, cacahuatero and many
vegetables.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS: This reserve is the area with greatest
biodiversity that exists in Ecuador. The Huaorani Indians live inside the
limits of this park, along the river basins of the Tiputini, Yasuní, Cononaco
and Nashiño.
Camping Programs on request
(5, 6, 8 day jungle expeditions)
Grading:
easy – moderate