In search of the Anaconda: Kayak tour

5 Day Tour Starting Mondays
Price: $1320 per person

Limited to 5 persons
(available also as a private tour)

DESCRIPTION

Yasuní National Park is the Amazon’s bastion of biodiversity and in this tour, you will start exploring its wildlife from the 1st moment we pass the gates of the park. Navigating the intricate Tiputini river which crosses the National Park from the west to the east along the northern border many visitors have been lucky to see pink river dolphins, giant otters, capybaras and tapirs crossing the river. The open views of the canopy increase your chances for spotting monkeys and even the mythical harpy eagle. We will explore several lagoons including Amaruncocha – Lake of the Anaconda in search of the ultimate symbol of the Amazon.

TRIP CONSIDERATIONS:

Activity level: moderate
Focus: wildlife
Tour type: active – specialized

Itinerary (sample)

The times and length of the activities are flexible and defined by the guide the day before. The guide may modify the plan on any particular day based on weather, wildlife activity, recent sighting information, and other factors.

Day 1: Arrival at Mandari Panga

Upon arrival in Coca (airport or bus terminal), you’ll be met by your local guide. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have a chance for breakfast (not included) at “Maitos del Yasuní,” a typical restaurant created by the association Challuwa Mikuna to benefit indigenous women.
We’ll then begin a journey of about an hour and 40 minutes on land transport; then, we will arrive at the Tiputini river. There, a motorized canoe and our kayaks will be waiting for us. The first will bring your belongings to the camp, and we will embark on the kayaks for a 5-hour activity. Along the way, we will stop for lunch. When we arrive at the camp, you will have time to know the facilities and settle into your tent. Enjoy a welcome drink and snacks. Later in the evening a delicious dinner served by candlelight will be ready for you.

Day 2: Kayaking and hiking on the Spider monkey trail

Wake up to the sounds of exotic birds, enjoy a hearty breakfast and prepare for kayaking downriver the Tiputini River, followed by a hike back to the lodge on the Spider Monkey Trail. Spot colorful birds, playful monkeys and even a sloth hanging lazily from a tree branch while kayaking. Hike through dense vegetation, crossing streams learning fascinating facts about the flora and fauna. Return to the lodge feeling exhilarated and invigorated, reflecting on the incredible adventure in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us.

After a well-deserved rest, we will take our kayaks and cross the Tiputini River to reach the entrance trail to Pishñacocha, a black-water lagoon. Here, we will enjoy the sounds of the jungle and observe several birds while kayaking around the lagoon. Afterward, we will have the opportunity to try our hand at fishing in the lagoon, where we might catch some of the many fish species that inhabit these waters. As the sun begins to set, we will make our way back to the lodge where a delicious dinner will be waiting for us.

A short night hike in the jungle is an unforgettable experience that awakens all your senses. As we walk along the trail, the sounds of the jungle change, becoming more alive and mysterious. The darkness heightens our other senses, and we may encounter nocturnal creatures such as frogs, tarantulas, or snakes, making it an incredible opportunity to experience the Amazon rainforest in a completely different way.

Day 3: Exploring black-water lagoons

After an early breakfast, we’ll navigate along the Tiputini in our canoe with the motor off to enjoy a peaceful jungle morning until we arrive at the entrance of Zoila Cocha. We will disembark with our kayaks and explore this lagoon. After this, we will return to the Tiputini river and kayak all the way down until reach the entrance of Amaruncocha, Lake of the Anaconda, in the local kichwa language. Our journey will be about 2 hours, passing through pristine jungle along the way. We’ll have a packed lunch on a river beach and rest for a while before exploring this is a small blackwater lagoon in the heart of the pristine rainforest of Yasuni and is home to one of the largest snakes on the planet, the anaconda. With luck, we might see this fantastic creature while enjoying the stunning scenery of this region of flooded forest, where we might also see the legendary piranhas, caymans, boas, and more.

After a full day of exploring the Amazon rainforest, we will head back to the campsite in our motorized canoe, enjoying the views of the lush jungle along the way. Once we arrive, we will have some time to freshen up with a shower, washing off the dirt and sweat of the day's adventure. Then, we'll have the opportunity to take part in a small cultural activity, learning more about the local customs and traditions of the people who live in this incredible ecosystem. Finally, as the sun sets over the Amazon, we'll gather for a delicious dinner, sharing stories of the day's adventures and looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Day 4: Parrot Clay Lick and Casa de la Abuela

After breakfast, we'll board our motorized canoe, which will take us to the shore of the Rumiyacu River. From there, we'll begin a short hike through the primary forest of Yasuni National Park, along a trail that will lead us to a parrot clay lick. Along the way, we may be lucky enough to spot peccaries, monkeys, or other wildlife, while learning about the rich flora and fauna of the region, including some of the area's medicinal plants. As we hike, we'll have the opportunity to observe many birds, and at the clay lick, we'll see various colorful species of parrots. After leaving the clay lick, we'll take our kayaks down the Rumiyacu River to the Tiputini River, arriving at our camp for lunch.
In the evening, we'll take our canoe to La Casa de la Abuela, the home of the community's founder. Situated on a 50-meter-high hill, this traditional home offers an incredible view of the surrounding area and is considered the Harpy Eagle's nest of the region. Here, we'll learn about the way of life in the jungle and the community's history and traditions, including how to make the traditional drink, chicha. We'll witness the incredible sunset, and we will hike our way back to our campsite, or take our kayaks for a final activity of this Amazon kayak tour.
After a delicious dinner at our campsite, we can participate in a night hike through the jungle. This unique experience allows us to observe the nocturnal creatures of the Amazon, including frogs, snakes, and other wildlife that only emerge after dark. With the help of our guide and a flashlight, we'll walk along the trail, listening to the sounds of the jungle.

Day 5: Return to Coca

Breakfast will be served early in the morning. We'll begin our trip in our motorized canoe for about an hour and a half; during the relaxing trip, you can say goodbye to the beauty of the Amazon rainforest. We'll then be met at the shores of the river and travel overland for about an hour and a half back to Coca, where you'll be dropped off at the airport or bus terminal for your return to Quito or travel to your next destination.

Included:

Transportation Coca – Mandari Panga – Coca
Bilingual guide
Accommodation in tents complete with mattress and bedding
Kayaks and gear
Use of rubber boots for hikes, life jacket for canoe travel
Three meals a day (starting with lunch on the first day through breakfast on the final day)
Purified water

Not included:

Transportation Quito – Coca – Quito by bus
Additional beverages and snacks; extra meals in Coca before and after the tour
Rain ponchos (can be purchased in Coca before the tour if needed; highly recommended for adequate protection from heavy Amazon rains)
Tips
Personal Expenses
Travel insurance

PACKING LIST (looking for our recommendations?):

ORIGINAL PASSPORT (in waterproof plastic bag)
Fast drying, lightweight clothing including long sleeve shirts and pants
A light jacket for colder nights
Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
Sandals or walking shoes
Thick, absorbent hiking type socks
Hat or cap (MUST)
Sunglasses, sunblock and repellent (no spray)
Water bottle
One small (waterproof recommended) daypack
Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
Plastic bags to protect electronic equipment
Camera and Binoculars
Swimming suit

INQUIRY FORM

This form will NOT result in a bill or a confirmed reservation

Other Information

CLIMATE:

The Amazon Rainforest is characterized by rain, heat and more rain and heat (usually 72°-90°F, 22°-32°C), providing the perfect environment for plants and wildlife! The Amazon is always humid with generous amounts of rain occurring year-round. Both the rainy and “rainier” seasons are great times for an Amazon tour.

Sunshine and rain showers during the day and slightly chilly temperatures at night are a rule of thumb to go by on Amazon rainforest tours.

December and January are the driest months-with January and February being a shoulder season that leads to the months with the heaviest rainfall.

March, April, May, and June see the most precipitation in the Ecuador Amazon Basin. These months coincide with the wet seasonin the rest of the country. Rainfall in the Andes spills over into the Ecuador Amazon Basin-raising water levels of the Napo River and its tributaries.

July through December see a decline in the amount of rain that falls each month. The average temperature in the jungle remains around 25°C (77°F) year-round, but during the dry season, daytime temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F).

ELECTRICITY:
There is limited electricity at the camp; there is a charging station for electronics which functions from 6 pm to 10 pm. There is electric lighting at the camp during these hours.

LUGGAGE:
There is no luggage limit weight that you can bring to the campsite

VACCINATIONS AND HEALTH TIPS:
Full Covid-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test is required to enter the Yasuni National Park.

Yellow fever and Malaria are the usual concern of our visitors. We haven’t had any cases at our campsite, but it is always recommendable to have a shot and bring medication for this, as well as a type of anti-biotic for Traveler’s diarrhea (TD).

Consult your doctor for the most current recommended health precautions for your time visiting the Amazon rainforest. The US Center for Disease Control is an excellent source for detailed information on preventing travel-related illnesses.

TRAVEL TO AND FROM COCA

On the first day of the tour, passengers are met in Coca in the morning (approx. 10 AM).
At the end of the tour, passengers will be in Coca by about 10 AM, and can take a flight or bus to their next destination. This may change upon flight availability.
To get to Coca, there are currently flights departing from Quito on our operation days. There are currently 2 airlines flying this route, please ask us for options. If there are no early flights, passengers traveling to Coca should arrive the day before the tour. Exceptions can be made if necessary, please contact us. Regular bus service to/from Coca is also available, the trip is about 6 hours.
Passengers beginning their tour in the morning will have the option to stop at a local restaurant for breakfast (not included), this restaurant is operated by a Kichwa women’s association to benefit community conservation projects.
For those traveling by bus, there are day and evening buses as well as overnight buses departing at 11 PM or 11:30 PM.
We can assist with purchasing flight or bus tickets.