Itinerary 7 nights
Day 1
SUNDAY: QUITO - COCA - NAPO RIVER - YASUNÍ NATIONAL PARK
Morning departure from Quito (a short 30-minutes flight) arriving at the city of Coca (Francisco de Orellana); transfer to the Río Napo port; journey by motorized canoe downstream (ninety minutes) to board the M/V ANAKONDA, all the while observing the ever-changing forest-clad riverbanks of the silty-brown headwaters of the Amazon River. Soon after boarding, the M/V Anakonda will start navigating downstream, a great opportunity for observing from our sundeck the amazing flora and fauna of the region. After lunch, an initial outing on one of our trails will introduce you to the wonders of the tropical rainforest, an easy walk that will bring you to your first encounters with the Amazon Basin. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk into the forest to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.
Day 2
VISITING THE PAÑACOCHA BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR
We will continue our navigation downstream to the Pañayacu River delta; take a canoe trip up the river to experience the sights of this fascinating reserve. We will seek out Pink River Dolphins, Common Squirrel Monkeys and much more. Pañacocha (Piranha Lake, in Quechua) is an ecosystem flooded by white waters. The rivers and lakes here are the perfect habitat for the infamous Piranha, as well as the Water Monkey Fish (Arawana) and White Caiman. After a refreshing swim (for the courageous!), we will enjoy a delicious Amazon-style BBQ meal and refreshing beverages at a nearby camping site. In the afternoon, we will head out on exploration trails, and return onboard for dinner.
Day 3
WHITE WATER RIVER & YAKU KAUSAY AT THE YASUNÍ NATIONAL PARK
Breakfast served on board. We explore a white-water river in search of local fauna. After lunch we stop at the Amazonian Water Museum (Yaku Kausay), and an optional night walk inside forest (depending on accessibility, river water levels, weather conditions, and wildlife behavior).
Day 4
POMPEYA - NAPO RIVER - YASUNI NATIONAL PARK
In the morning we will visit a very interesting butterfly house and research project at one of the nearby communities. After lunch, we will enjoy an easy walk in terra firme forest and discover the animated forest understory of the Amazon Basin. After dinner, enjoy an optional nocturnal walk to discover the mysteries of this unique environment and see how life emerges in the dark right before your eyes.
Day 5
PERUVIAN BORDER / CUYABENO RESERVE
After a delicious breakfast we will disembark to visit one of the local family homes. During the visit, we will have the opportunity of meeting representative members of the Amazonian community, learning from their culture, talents and ways of life. We will understand how these giving and joyful people live, utilize and protect their resources, and how the cherish the fragility of their ecosystem. After lunch, the Anakonda continues navigation towards one of the most pristine black-water systems of the Amazon Basin, home to legendary Pink River Dolphins, Black Cayman and the enigmatic Amazonian Anaconda. We may also spot river turtles and a series of monkey species such as the Black-mantled Tamarin, Red Howler or Squirrel Monkeys, as well as Three-toed Sloths and the primitive Hoatzin, a bizarre bird locally called 'Stinky Turkey' (Pavo Hediondo). The canoe trip upstream will reveal the overwhelming beauty of this aquatic jungle world.
Day 6
FLOODED FOREST & MONKEY ISLAND
This morning, we will explore a swamp forest from the comfort of a high rise board walk, a very good chance to discover the wildlife that frequents these "moretales", or Morete palm forests, where birds, primates and different aquatic creatures congregate. Afterwards, we visit a local home where funerary urns from the XVII century have been discovered and excavated.After lunch, and a short time to unwind as the ANAKONDA navigates upstream, we will spend some time exploring one of the large islands, where many surprises can be found. For our more adventurous guests, we offer Glamping for the night. Please enquire.
Day 7
KURY MUYO & CLAY LICKS
Breakfast is served on board. We will enjoy a cultural & ethnical encounter with the locals communities. We will spend some time at one of the communities to learn about their everyday lives. Here, you'll be able to shop, a great opportunity to purchase local handcrafts. Later we head over to the Parrot Clay licks, where we will witness one of the most exciting wildlife spectacles in Amazonia. In the afternoon, we visit the Limoncocha Biological Reserve, an incredible natural reserve with over four hundred bird species. Search for Black Caiman after dusk. Evening return to the Anakonda.
Day 8
RETURNING HOME
