Black Caiman

The black caiman is the largest member of the alligator family, and the largest predator in the Amazon river basin, with adults males averaging 5-6 meters (13.1 feet)

Camping site

Nueva Rocafuerte Village pier

View of Napo River from Nueva Rocafuerte Village - Border with Peru

Black Caiman

The black caiman is the largest member of the alligator family, and the largest predator in the Amazon river basin, with adults males averaging 5-6 meters (13.1 feet)

1/7

THE BEST OF THE ECUADORIAN
AMAZON RAINFOREST - 8 DAYS
FULL ADVENTURE TOUR - BORDER WITH PERU

THE BEST OF THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON - 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

AGUARICO RIVER – ZANCUDO LAKE – BORDER WITH PERU - LAGARTO COCHA RIVER – NAPO RIVER - NUEVA ROCAFUERTE VILLAGE – COCA CITY

FOR NATURE LOVERS ONLY – AN AMAZING FULL ADVENTURE DEEP IN THE JUNGLE WITH 5 NIGHTS CAMPING AND 2 NIGHTS STAYING IN RUSTIC BUT COMFORTABLE HOSTAL AND LODGE

This tour is of an easy active rating designed for everyone who loves camping in the middle of the Nature

An extraordinary tour exploring the deepest of the primary forest in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Our greatest Amazon adventure will start navigating on Aguarico River and finish in Coca city next to the mighty Napo River.

During this incredible journey you will visit the Eastern part of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest as far as the border with Peru along the Aguarico, Lagarto Cocha, and Napo rivers with great chances of watching wildlife. Your whole journey will be around 600 Km in total.

During this fantastic tour you will have the opportunity to visit Iripari Lake (Zancudo Cocha) which is the largest Blackwater lake in the Ecuadorian Amazon. You will also have the chance to admire the biggest flooded forest area in our Ecuadorian Amazon where you will easily observe the legendary pink freshwater Dolphin (Innia Geofrensis). On your last day you will navigate on the greatest of the Ecuadorian rivers the mighty Napo River which is one of the main tributaries of the great Amazon River in Perú.

ITINERARY

DAY 1.- LAGO AGRIO OR COCA CITIES – TIERRAS ORIENTALES – AGUARICO RIVER CAMPSITE

Your journey stars in the morning with a 2-hour drive from Lago Agrio or Coca cities to “Tierras Orientales” Village at shore of the Aguarico River. Here we'll start our fantastic Amazon Rainforest experience by navigating on a motorized canoe downstream along this beautiful white water river until we´ll arrive at the mouth of the Cuyabeno River, a small and breathtaking blackwater river which is a tributary of the Aguarico, here, and with some luck we will have our first watch of the legendary pink Freshwater Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). During this first relaxing journey we`ll make a stop for a delicious picnic lunch and if you wish, a refreshing swim. From here we´ll continue navigating downstream Aguarico river until we reach the Zancudo Kichwa Native Community territory. This is a fantastic journey navigating East into the deep Amazon rain forest. Tonight, the accommodation will be in Tents at the shore of the river. Welcome cocktail, Dinner

Navigation time 6 hours.

DAY 2.- AGUARICO RIVER CAMP – ZANCUDO COCHA LAKE CAMP (IRIPARI)

After breakfast we'll break camp and navigate by motorized canoe towards the mouth of a narrow creek, then we continue on this stream until we reach the impressive Zancudo Cocha Lake with its 2.7 Km across is the largest black water lake in the Ecuadorian Amazon. After setting up camp and enjoying our lunch, we will have a time to relax and contemplate. Later in the afternoon we will navigate to explore the area and have a refreshing swim in the lake. After enjoying a beautiful sunset we´ll return to the camp. In the night and from the motorized canoe we´ll navigate slowly searching for wildlife which includes: Night birds, Snakes, Bats, Caimans, Frogs and more. Return to the camp and Dinner. Night in Tents.

Navigation time 3 hours

DAY 3.- ZANCUDO COCHA LAKE (IRIPARI)

After breakfast we'll start our day with a hike in the marvelous primary Amazon Rainforest, one of the most biologically rich places on earth. During the trek our guide will explain the use of important plants for the Native´s survival and with some luck we´ll see impressive wildlife . After lunch and a relaxing time, we´ll navigate the fantastic Zancudo (Iripari) lake and try our luck at Piranha fishing. Return to camp.Dinner. Night in tents.

DAY 4.- ZANCUDO CAMP – AGUARICO RIVER - LAGARTO COCHA RIVER FLOODED FOREST SYSTEM - BORDER WITH PERU

After breakfast we’ll break camp and navigate by motorized canoe downstream on the Aguarico river towards Lagarto Cocha river, a beautiful and remote small tributary of Aguarico river and the actual border between Peru and Ecuador. Lagarto Cocha River in native language means “the river of the Caimans”. We´ll continue upstream along the Lagarto River deep into the Rainforest to explore this spectacular system of river and lakes. We'll arrive at Delfin Cocha Lake or “the lake of Dolphins” In this beautiful lake we'll have the best chances of seeing the Amazonian Freshwater Pink and Grey River Dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis), and why not have a swim with them too? Picnic Lunch. In the afternoon we'll set up our Camp. Late in the afternoon we´ll navigate slowly up Lagarto River looking for new species of wildlife until the Sun sets on a beautiful landscape. In the night and from the motorized canoe we´ll navigate downstream towards our camp. In the way we´ll search for wildlife which includes: Night birds, Snakes, Bats, Caimans, Frogs and more. Return to the Camp and Dinner. Night in tents at the shore of Lagarto Cocha River.

Navigation time 4 hours

DAY 5.- LAGARTO COCHA RIVER FLOODED FOREST SYSTEM

Early in the morning we`ll navigate slowly for a bird watching trip and to enjoy the fantastic sounds of the Rainforest life. After breakfast we'll continue our adventure navigating up river, exploring deep in this pristine remote rainforest with excellent chances of spotting wildlife including: Parrots and Macaws, Herons, Egrets, Toucans and many other different species of birds. With some luck we´ll see some of the 10 species of Monkeys that live in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This journey will take us to a remote Secoya Indigenous Community. Secoya people are ancestral people with great knowledge of their environment, flora and fauna. Here we`ll be part of the making of the Casabe (Manioc or Yuca) bread starting from the extraction of the Casabe roots to the final product that is a special type of bread which is large, round and flat. Casabe is an important part of Indigenous people traditional diet. Here our picnic lunch will include Casabe bread. Return to the Campsite. Dinner.

DAY 6.- LAGARTO COCHA RIVER CAMP SITE – AGUARICO RIVER – NAPO RIVER - NUEVA ROCAFUERTE VILLAGE

After breakfast we'll break camp and navigate slowly downstream along the Lagarto River towards the white water Aguarico River. During this journey we`ll have opportunities to watch more wildlife. We`ll continue navigating by motorized canoe downstream along the Aguarico until we reach Napo River wich is one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River, from here we will navigate further upstream Napo River to reach Nuevo Rocafuerte which is the last Ecuadorian Village before the border with Perú. From this small and quiet Village we have excellent views of the beautiful Napo River. Night in a Hostel. Dinner.

Navigation time 4 hours.

DAY 7.- NUEVA ROCAFUERTE VILLAGE - LODGE AT THE SHORE OF NAPO RIVER

After an early breakfast and by motorized canoe we will have a short but interesting navigation on the nearby Yasuni River (Yasuni National Park) with good chances of observing wildlife. Return to the village, lunch and we´ll prepare to leave. This time we will navigate upstream on Napo river on a Speed boat to our next Lodge located at the shore of river. Farewell Dinner. Night in the Lodge.

Navigation time 5 hours

DAY 8.- LODGE – COCA CITY

After an early breakfast, you will travel by motorized canoe along the Napo River back to the city of Coca. Upon arrival at Coca City we will transfer you to the Airport or bus station.

Navigation time 1.5 hours

END OF TOUR

Relaxing Night time at a camping place

Motorized Canoe

Navigating with Amazing views of the Amazon Jungle

Aguarico River

Relaxing Night time at a camping place

1/11

INCLUDED IN OUR SERVICES:

Transportation from Lago Agrio (Bus & Canoe); Experienced bilingual naturalist guide / translator; Activities with the Indigenous community; Rubber boots (up to No 46); Raincoat (Poncho); Life jackets; Accommodation in Indigenous huts, Hostel and meals in Nuevo Rocafuerte Village, lodge near Coca city, Tents (double and single occupancy); bedding and camping mattress; Towel; Biodegradable soap; Lunch and dinner on the first day; Three meals a day on the next days and breakfast and a pack lunch on the last day; Purified bottled water; Tea; Coffee; Cuisine that caters vegetarians and vegans; Transport to Lago Agrio or Coca city airport on your last day +

Free Caipirinhas Cocktails!

NOT INCLUDED:

Your transport Quito - Lago Agrio or Coca – Quito; Accommodation and meals in Lago Agrio or Coca; Alcoholics drinks at a reduced price e.g. $4 for a 750ml pilsener beer; Additional beverages in Nuevo Rocafuerte or Lodge, tips; Souvenirs from Native Communities; Any no specified service.

RECOMMENDED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

You must bring your original Passport, Long-sleeved T-shirts, T-shirts, Cotton socks, Shorts, Sandals or walking shoes, Light waterproof windbreaker, First aid kit, Swimming suit and towel, Hat or cap, Sunglasses with a strap, One small waterproof bag, Insect repellent, Sunblock and Sunburn lotion, Zip lock plastic bags, Camera and spare camera batteries, Flashlight (torch) with spare batteries, Binoculars, Notepad/pen.

PRICES AND PROGRAMS

Comfortable camping at the shore of rivers and lagoons, all camping equipment is included

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT YOUR TRIP

Please remember that Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a stunning area, one of the most complex and bio diverse richest places on earth that contains a great amount of wildlife. We will explore a Pristine Rain Forest area where a few tourists visit and few native people live, therefore chances of watching wildlife are great. Every day by canoe and on foot we´ll be searching for wildlife including Macaws, Parrots, Toucans, Monkeys, Freshwater dolphins, Caimans and Anacondas. However, observing wildlife in their natural environment depends of some factors that include weather conditions and some luck.
You will be walking slowly in primary forest on trails opened by the natives that in some areas implies crossing by flooded and muddy areas, in general the terrain is flat and do not demand much effort. A maximum walking time is of approximate 3 hours at a time.
Please remember that the name Rainforest comes precisely from the 4000mm (about 12 feet) of rain it receives a year. Our canoes, motorized canoes or paddling canoes do not have roof so please expect heavy rain at any time. Our canoes are comfortable and provided with sits for two people each one with cushions and life jackets. Your luggage will be covered and protected against rain water. During all the navigation journeys you`ll always have access to cold drinks.
Campsites are located on the margin of the rivers so that we will not need to carry the equipment for long distances, but you will need to be able to transport your own luggage for short distances.
We´ll ask that everyone assist in setting up the campsites.
We´ll visit the most pristine and remote areas of the Cuyabeno Reserve and in order to reach our furthest destination which is the City of Coca we´ll need to travel by motorized canoe a distance of around 600 Km.
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a protected area and to get there we´ll have to drive and navigate throughout Oil installations, secondary forest and farms. Once we enter the Reserve the landscape will change into a beautiful pristine Amazon Rainforest.