5 Day Waorani Yasuni Kayak Expedition

Tour Summary

To journey into the unknown, learn from elders, and live as our ancestors did? This tour has been featured in the National Geographic Luxury Collection and it takes us to the home of the Waorani indigenous people fierce protectors of the past, nature, and of their cultural identity. Join us on this adventure of a lifetime and explore one of the untouched areas of the Amazon. Spend time immersing yourself alongside local warriors and learning about how they survive in the wild of the Amazon. A world away from the hustle and bustle of the city this is a truly unique experience in an area where few have dared to go! Among them, is the worldwide famous actor, Will Smith, who visited the Waorani community in 2022.

Paddle the Shiripuno searching for wildlife such as monkeys, otters, tapir, jaguars, and colorful birds. Accommodation is provided at a basic campsite next to Waorani Homes. The 5-Day Waorani Yasuni Kayak Expedition tour will give a complete experience of how Waorani people live and how they protect their culture from the outside world.

Gallery

Highlights

Explore the Yasuni National ParkEcuador's largest protected natural area in the heart of the amazon rainforest.
Support sustainable travel to preserve culture and natureLearn more about the rich flora and fauna of the Amazon to preserve its ecosystem.
Look for parrots and peccaries at the clay lickLook for lots of colorful parrots which gather at the clay lick for nutrients.
Amazon RainforestGo fishing, swimming, and enjoy the atmosphere of the beautiful jungle.
Waorani CommunityShare time with the local Waorani indigenous people.
Anaconda LagoonSpot the biggest snake on the planet with a little bit of luck.

Itinerary

DAY 1 Entrance Into Yasuni And Paddling The Shiripuno River
This expedition begins in the city at the heart of the Amazon: Coca, is recommended to arrive one day early. After meeting up with the group you will travel by car for two hours to the Shiripuno River. Then you will kayak for about five hours down the river, looking out for wildlife that dot the riverside and water below us. With some luck you might see troops of squirrel monkeys as well as colorful birds such as toucans, macaws, flycatchers, and others. The guides will teach us about the different species of plants that grow on the side of the river and their meaning to the local people. In the late afternoon you will arrive at the campsite and have a delicious dinner.
- Activity:Exploring, Kayaking, Wildlife-watching.
- Transport:Bus, Canoe.
- Meal:Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Woarani Campsite.
DAY 2 Anaconda Lagoon
Today you take a short hike into a pristine forest where you will explore black water lagoon by kayak. Being their natural habitat, on sunny days anacondas can be found resting upon the shore. The anaconda “Ove in Wuao Language” holds special importance to the local Wuaorani people who believe it be a very powerful animal embodying the spirit of a god. Here you will also have the chance to go fishing for piranha, which are an important staple in the local diet. If you are very lucky you may even be able to catch a catfish! Later you go back to the campsite for lunch and some rest, and in the late afternoon, you will go for a walk and search for insects and amphibians.
- Activity:Exploring, Hiking, Kayaking, Wildlife-watching.
- Transport:Canoe.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Woarani Campsite.
DAY 3 Early Paddling Exploration To View Wildlife
Rising to the mist that gently grazes the rivers surface, you start your day with a delicious and nutritious breakfast before paddling along the river. Keep an eye out for more wildlife species that tend to make their way out at this time of day. If you are lucky, you will be able to spot a variety of birds such us trogons, quetzals, eagles, hawks, tanagers, macaws, parrots, kingfishers, and others. You may also have the pleasure of happening upon tapir as this nocturnal animal likes to take a bath in the river every morning before going to sleep. You will go back to the Campsite by canoe and have lunch, this afternoon you will join the Wuaorani women and take a short walk to their yucca crops, there you will help them harvest this important products to make a traditional drink called Kene in Wuaorani, if it is the right season you will also pick some fruits such us, lemons, naranjilla, pineapple, plantains and banana. This night you will go on search for caimans, as it is easier to spot them for the reflection of the flashlight on their eyes.
- Activity:Exploring, Hiking, Sightseeing, Wildlife-watching.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation:Woarani Campsite.
DAY 4 Hike To The Animal's Clay Lick
Today you hike to the Clay Lick, a mineral rich mud pit. Many animals that live in the region sustain themselves through a diet of seeds and other small plants but supplement their diets with minerals by the clay. Due to it being such a popular spot for animals this is a prime area for hunters to catch their prized meal- the peccary, which according to locals is a delicacy. You will spend some time here in hopes of spotting one of the many animals that frequent the zone before returning to the campsite. Spend the afternoon with the family as you learn about the culture of this warriors.
- Activity:Exploring, Hiking, Wildlife-watching.
- Transport:Bus, Canoe.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation:Woarani Campsite.
DAY 5 Departure
Today after an early breakfast, you will take a canoe for 3 hours to reach back to the Shiripuno bridge, where you will take a car ride to go back to Coca, end of services.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.

Map

5 Day Waorani Yasuni Kayak Expedition Map

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Price Based on Number of Guests:

1 guest	$ 1748 p.p.
2 - 6 guests	$ 1343 p.p.

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Inclusions

Accommodation for four nights.
Meals as described in the itinerary.
Water and snacks.
Land and water transport.
Top Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide.
All fees to reserves and museums.
Paddling gear: NRS expedition kayaks, NRS paddleboards, paddles, and life jackets.
Rubber boots for hiking.
24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
Exclusions

+ International or domestic flights.
+ Airport transfers and transfers from/to Quito.
+ Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
+ Tips for guides and drivers.
+ Travel insurance (mandatory).
+ Optional activities.

Additional information

Prices for 2024 and 2025 are subject to change.
For this tour is recommended to arrive one day early to Coca City.
The minimum age for this tour is 14 years old.
You can start this tour every Monday. Subject to availability.
This tour operates with a minimum of 2 guests. If you are a solo traveler, please contact us to check availability and additional details.
Even though we have a detailed itinerary, changes can be made by your guides, due to weather or safety reasons. Please, also note that none of the wildlife sightings mentioned on the itinerary are guaranteed.
We strive to use small and charming places that are unique and provide stellar service. Notice that this expedition takes place in a remote location, and the accommodation is very basic, but our staff will try to provide the best service possible.
Level of Activity: This trip is considered a 3 out of 5. No prior experience is required and your guides will always brief you about safety and proper use of gear on every leg of the trip. The paddling is on flat water with minimum current and the hiking is on irregular terrain that can be muddy.
Guides: All our guides have a professional background from the Tourism University; this means they have a degree in guiding, so their knowledge and skills when leading a group are top-notch. Each guide has many years of experience and they all have taken additional courses for other outdoor activities as well as have International First-Aid certifications. On top of all of this, they are all extremely personable and strive to deliver the travel experiences of a lifetime.
Please take with you some plastic bags, to protect your Camera and important documents passports and ID from the rain.
Please bring your own rain poncho, or buy it here in Ecuador, and take it with you for the activities, the weather could change suddenly in the rainforest and you might get very wet.
Health advice: You must have the vaccination for yellow fever and malaria medication to enter this region.
It is important to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precaution to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
Rebecca Adventure Travel cannot take any responsibility for any illnesses or missed meals & tours due to an illness.
If you like to enjoy watching animals, please get some binoculars (10×40 are much better).
Rebecca Adventure Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, availabilities, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.