Day 1: Arrive in Quito & Sightsee

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A guide will take you on a walking tour through the colonial center of Quito. You will visit the Plaza Grande and the beautiful churches La Compañía and La Basílica. Walk down the oldest street of Quito, La Ronda. Afterward, you will visit the equatorial monument Mitad del Mundo, where French scientists determined the position of the equator’s line many years ago. Stop for dinner in a traditional restaurant, then stay overnight at your hotel in Quito.

Day 2: Travel Through the Rainforest on a Motorized Canoe 

Head to the airport for a short early-morning flight to Puerto Francisco de Orellana, locally called El Coca. Your adventure starts here at the gateway to the rainforest. With a local guide, you will drive to Tierras Orientales, one of the last outposts on the Aguarico River. After loading the camping equipment and supplies for the next few days onto a motorized canoe, embark on the journey to Zancudococha Lake, located deep inside the Amazon rainforest.

Float past small settlements of indigenous tribes such as the Kichwa, Shuar, and Secoya. You will also be able to spot birds and turtles sunbathing by the river banks. Stop at one of the natural river beaches for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the mouth of the water channel that connects the Augarico River with the lake. Crossing this narrow channel, look for more wildlife. This is a good place to see the endangered giant river otter, for example. 

Eventually, you’ll arrive at tonight’s campsite. After setting up camp, take a refreshing dip in the lake. With a bit of luck, you might be able to spot a pink river dolphin. You’ll enjoy a delicious dinner, then you can join the naturalist guide on a night walk near the camp to look out for spiders, frogs, and a wide range of nocturnal animals.

Day 3: Hike in the Jungle & Try Piranha Fishing 

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After waking up to the sounds of howler monkeys, linger over a healthy breakfast that will give you strength for today’s jungle hike. During the walk, your naturalist guides will point out wildlife and explain the jungle’s plants and their uses. Back at camp, put on your swimming suit for a refreshing swim in the lake before lunch is served at the campsite. Then take some time for a siesta in a hammock.

In the afternoon, you can try your hand at fishing piranhas. When it gets dark, it is time to venture out on the lake to look for caimans. You’ll sleep under the stars again tonight!

Day 4: Spot Wildlife & Visit an Indigenous Community

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Start this long day of adventures with a hearty breakfast. Then climb into a canoe to cross the channel from Zancudococha Lake to the Aguarico River while spotting as much wildlife as possible! Since you will be navigating silently without a motor, the task will be relatively easy. At the river’s mouth, you will board a motorized canoe and head straight to the Lagartococha River, which forms the border between Ecuador and Peru.

 

Lagartococha River is a blackwater river that’s fueled by rain water. The intersection of Lagartococha and Aguarico is a great spot to see the pink river dolphin. Then continue upstream until you reach Delfincocha, a beautiful lagoon where you can take a swim and see pink dolphins. After a picnic lunch, continue upstream into the territory of the Secoya tribe. The friendly people of this indigenous community will show you around the village and teach you about the preparation of their traditional bread. Return to camp before the sun sets and enjoy one last dinner by the campfire.