Amazon Rainforest Adventure in Ecuador
Hike through wild jungle and voyage remote rivers in the untouched UNESCO Yasuni Biosphere Reserve
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with certified, English-speaking guidesHotel & Rainforest Hut
2 nights in a hotel and 4 nights campingMeals
All meals while in the Amazon, and breakfasts in QuitoTransfers
To and from the start and everything in betweenEquipment
All camping equipment, life jacket and rubber bootsSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Trek through primary rainforest teeming with wildlife, eyes open for peccary, giant otters, anaconda and jaguar
Float along the Shiripuno River and wind your way into the wilderness, looking out for piranha along the way
Camp on the river’s edge in the heart of the Amazon Basin and fall asleep serenaded by the hum of the jungle
Key Information
Day 1
Touch down in Quito
Welcome to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quito! The rest of the day you are free to explore the colonial city and shake off any jet lag. There will be a group meet-up at 18:00 to get to know your guide and fellow adventurers.
Day 2
Welcome to the jungle
Driving
Settle into the van for a road trip bound for the city of Coca, in Orellana Province - the starting point for your Amazon jungle adventure. You'll continue into Yasuní National Park heading deeper into the jungle, including a two-hour motorised canoe down Shiripuno River. Along the way, you'll have opportunities to spot river turtles, monkeys, caiman, and many species of birds like the oropendola, caciques, kingfishers, macaws, toucans, and parrots. Your remote base for the next 4 nights in the Amazon is Noneno community, a unique experience staying with a Huaorani tribe.
Day 3
Huaorani Village & Jungle Hike
Hiking
Wake up at sunrise and spend the morning with your host family in the rainforest, collecting palm leaves and learning about medicinal plants and their uses in the community. After lunch, continue on a hike led by a Huaorani warrior that takes you deeper into the jungle. Every day in the Amazon is a new adventure with the natural environment providing new exciting opportunities to encounter more wildlife, such as different types of monkeys, capybara, tapir, swallows, flycatchers, herons, sandpipers and hawks.
Day 4
Black Water Lagoon
Canoeing
Hiking
An early morning start as you'll take to the river on canoes and enjoy a birdwatching activity en route to the Black Water Lagoon. The lagoon is located in a pristine area of rainforest where you'll discover a series of endemic aquatic species, giant otters, piranhas, caiman, boas, and with any luck, anacondas. Canoe back to the lodge for a rest before setting out on a night walk exploration to explore the jungle's nocturnal life.
Day 5
Animal Clay Lick
Hiking
Fuel up with some breakfast and coffee before heading to a uniquely Amazonian clay lick for a spectacle of colours and sounds. You’ll hopefully get to see various species of parrots and macaws go to town licking the clay off the cliffs. Be on the lookout for predators such as snakes, boas and raptors. In the afternoon take a hike on a forest trail, then spot piranha along the river before sitting down to a traditional Ecuadorian dinner.
Day 6
Goodbye Amazon, hello hot springs
Driving
Wave goodbye to the jungle as you take one more canoe ride (approx 3 hours) to connect with the van to make the long journey to Papallacta, a small village in the Andes. In the afternoon you are free to enjoy some well-earned downtime in the hotel's hot springs. You'll share a final evening together with your group, sharing memories, adventure stories and probably the odd photo of a giant otter from your time in the Amazon Basin.
Day 7
Bid farewell to Ecuador
Your adventure ends today as you enjoy a final breakfast in the natural surroundings at your hotel. You're free to head to the airport in time for your onward flight.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
In Quito and Papallacta, there will be an array of traditional Ecuadorian food to sample. Traditional dishes tend to be meat-heavy, however, seafood ceviche is popular and there are plenty of vegetarian options using potato, plantain and local cheeses. You have one evening in Quito with no dinner included, allowing you to sample the local restaurants nearby.
Whilst staying in the Amazon you'll enjoy delicious, fresh cuisine of traditional foods of the Amazon prepared using locally produced, organically grown ingredients.
Vegetarians, vegans and most other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Quito
During your time in Quito, you'll stay at Hotel La Quinta by Wyndham. Offering a variety of facilities and services, the property provides all you need for a good night's sleep.
Noneno Community in Yasuni National Park
Spend four nights deep in the jungle with members of Huarorani tribe, a unique and memorable experience. Facilities in this remote accommodation are basic, with shared bathroom facilities are ecological dry toilets. You'll camp in twin-share tents beneath thatched wooden huts with sleeping mats, sheets and pillows provided. There is no electricity at the camp so you should bring a charged power bank if needing to charge cameras/phones etc.
Papallacta
You'll spend your final night at the four-star Termas de Papallacta, a hot springs spa resort nestled in a majestic valley of the high Andes. Decorated with wooden walls and gabled roofs, rooms at Termas de Papallacta are fitted with wooden furnishing. You can relax in the thermal pools or try some of the several beauty treatments that are available at the spa.
If you prefer to relax a little bit longer in Papallacta rather than returning to Quito, you can book extra nights and arrange the airport transfer with your host.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Moderate
Anyone with a basic level of fitness can enjoy this trip. Hikes can involve thick forest at times but there will be plenty of breaks and time to take in the surrounding views, wildlife and enjoy the rainforest. The activities aren't strenuous, the aim on this trip is to breathe in and soak up the natural wonders of the Amazon while immersed in your surroundings.
There really is no “best” time to visit the Amazon, anytime of year offers a great chance to experience the jungle. May and June tend to be the wetter months, but the climate is slightly cooler as well. 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).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Hotel La Quinta by Wyndham, Quito
18:00 on Day 1
Ends
Quito Airport
Morning on Day 7
Transfers
Arrival transfers are included, provided you have shared your arrival flight details in advance with the host. Your adventure begins at 18:00 on Day 1 when your host will meet you in the lobby at Hotel La Quinta by Wyndham, Quito.
On the final day of the trip, a group transfer from Termas de Papallacta to the airport is included in the trip cost and typically departs at around 13:00 hrs (approx 1 hour transfer). If you wish to book a private transfer departing Papallacta at an alternative time then your host can arrange this for an additional cost.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Quito from major airports across the UK, Europe and North America.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- All camping equipment
Dry bags
Rubber boots (wellies) Life jacket
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
Daypack (25+ litres)
CLOTHES
Waterproof jacket and trousers (although these may feel sticky in the humidity and you may decide to embrface the wet)
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or similar
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
T-shirts
Underwear and socks
Swimwear
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Something cool to sleep in
Walking shoes (worn-in, although please note that rubber wellies are provided which you may find more practical)
Sandals or flip-flops
OTHER
Lightweight travel towel
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Insect repellent
Suncream
Headtorch or torch
Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
OPTIONAL
- Binoculars
- Earplugs
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Alcohol hand-gel
Energy bars and snacks
Water purification tablets/treatment system (filtered water is provided but you may wish to bring your own treatment)
Pre-trip accommodation in Quito (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Pre-trip accommodation in Quito (Single)
… Per Night
Pre-trip accommodation in Quito (Twin/Double)
Payable Before Departure
Pre-trip accommodation in Quito (Twin/Double)
… Per Night
Post-trip accommodation at Termas de Papallacta (Single/ Double) (except Saturday nights and holidays)
Payable Before Departure
Post-trip accommodation at Termas de Papallacta (Single/ Double) (except Saturday nights and holidays)
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
… Per Person
Quito additional airport transfer (1 person)
Payable Before Departure
Quito additional airport transfer (1 person)
…
Quito additional airport transfer (2 or more people)
Payable Before Departure
Quito additional airport transfer (2 or more people)
… Per Person
Papallacta to Quito additional transfer (1 person)
Payable Before Departure
Papallacta to Quito additional transfer (1 person)
…
Papallacta to Quito additional transfer (2 or more people))
Payable Before Departure
Papallacta to Quito additional transfer (2 or more people))
… Per Person
Amazing Amazon
A wonderful week deep in the Amazon with the Waorani tribe. Beautiful scenery, amazing staff, wide range of activities (hiking, bird watching canoe trips, night walks, piranha fishing etc) and a great group. It is hot and humid but camping facilities exceeded expectations. Our local guides, Wilson and Alfonso, were fantastic and really made sure we all had a fantastic experience
Absolutely incredible experience in the
Absolutely incredible experience in the amazon! Guides were amazing and very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife. Was a very interesting experience meeting the Huaorani Tribe and learning about how they live. Was great meeting like minded people to share an incredible experience with. Can't recommend this trip enough!
Our Purpose
To protect our world's wild places, one adventure at a time.
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