HUAORANI WARRIORS EXPEDITION YASUNI DEEP AMAZON
Experience a jungle expedition like no other! Live alongside the Huaorani tribe and have the Amazon Basin at your fingertips. This is the perfect excursion for nature lovers, jungle explorers and wildlife watchers who would like to experience the untouched Amazon in the most unique way possible. You will discover Ecuador’s Amazon in the Yasuni National Park, world famous for its tremendous biodiversity and its authentic indigenous cultures which are still very much alive. On this trip, while canoeing down rivers and lagoons, you will feel as if the animals are following you. You will see displays of parrots, toucans, macaws, king fishers, herons flying across the river; as well as, curious giant otters who will approach the canoe to have a look. Witness many different types of monkeys jumping through the forest, and have an opportunity to spot jaguars, the supreme predators of the jungle. The Huaorani native people will share their history and we will learn about their rich connection with Mother Nature.
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DepartureQuito / Ecuador
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IncludedActivitiesLand TransportationFees and entrances to parks and museumsMeals detailed in the itinerary
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Not IncludedDomestic flightsAirport tranfer in & outInternational flight
DAY 1: QUITO ARRIVAL DAY
Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 6:00pm.
Meals included: none.
DAY 2: ENTER THE HUAORANI TERRITORY

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 3: ANIMAL CLAY LICK
Today is a very important highlight of this expedition because our Huaorani guide will lead a hike into the virgin forest, this trail will take us to the animal clay lick, and with some luck, we can spot wild pigs, howler monkeys, macaws, and jaguar tracks. Along the trail, we will also learn about many different varieties of medicinal plants that are important in the daily life of the Huaoranies. In the afternoon, we will learn about the ancient art of blowgun hunting and then try to catch piranhas in the nearby river.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 4: ANACONDA LAGOON
After breakfast cruise 2 hours down the Cononaco River in a motor canoe until we reach a section where will take a short walk through the primary forest until we reach a secluded lagoon. Here, we paddle a small vessel to search for anacondas. In the afternoon, we travel back up the river to Bameno for lunch and visit Kempery, the legendary shaman and leader of the Huaoranies. Afterwards, we canoe up the river to the Bohanamo Huaorani Community; at night we will go for a night hike exploration.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 5: JAGUAR TRACKS
Venture on a hike though the virgin jungle with the Huaorani warriors and learn about their survival skills. Along the way, have the chance to view wildlife and follow the jaguar tracks. In the late afternoon we will search for caimans.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 6: BACK TO SHELL
After breakfast we will take a plane back to Shell, from where we will return by car to Quito. It is optional to stop in Baños to see some of the most impressive waterfalls of Ecuador.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "buen viaje"!
Meals included: Breakfast.
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What's Included?
- Activities: Canoeing on the Cononaco River, Visiting the Yasuni National Park, Hiking, Visiting the native Huaorani communities, Piranha fishing, Wildlife spotting, Night hikes.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 4 nights in comfortable camping in Yasuni National Park.
- Transportation: Comfortable land transportation, motorized canoe, dugout canoe. Airfare Shell - Bohanamo round trip.
- Meals: 6 Breakfast, 5 Lunches and 4 Dinners.
- Out-door gear: Dry bags, life jackets, dugout canoe with outboard motor, rubber boots, Eureka tents, air mattresses, bathroom tent, portable toilet, social kitchen.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure trip leader and local guides.
What is not included?
- My Own Room & Tent supplement $321.
- International flights.
- Airport transfers to/from Quito airport (international flights).
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Required immunizations (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses & Tips
IMPORTANT DETAILS
FLIGHT TIME: 1 hour flight each way (Shell - Bohanamo).
DRIVING TIME: 4 hours driving each way from Quito to Shell.
CANOEING TIME: From 1 to 2 hours per day.
SEASON: All year
PROVINCE: Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua and Pastaza provinces.
TERRITORY: Yasuni National Park, Huaorani Territory .
ALTITUDE: 220m (700 ft).
AVG. TEMP. : Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF
WEATHER TEMPERATURES: Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenging. This program is located in an undeveloped remote area, the canoeing is not difficult because the Cononaco River is slow with no rapids. The hiking is in irregular terrain that sometimes can be muddy and wet.
ADVENTURE GEAR: Dry bags, rubber boots, tents (EUREKA & HANNAN) air mattresses, portable bathroom and social kitchen tent.
ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
MEALS: Traveling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.
Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten Free people are very welcome in our trip, our guides are always ready to coordinate with chefs and restaurants for substitute meals for them, as Ecuador is very well known for its great diversity of gastronomy.YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed from the Tourism University to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid respondents. They all have approved several extra training courses for kayaking, rafting, biking and horse riding, besides this they all are Ecuadorian and have a fantastic personality. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some locations and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service and make sure we practice sustainable tourism involving local indigenous people in our operation.
In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon rain forest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.
HEALTH INFORMATION: Please inform AJ of any existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy, diabetes, etc). Yellow fever, Hepatitis B vaccination and Malaria Medication are mandatory for this trip. We strongly recommend to ensure that routine immunizations such as tetanus and diphtheria are up to date and to consider Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. Please ask your doctor for advice.