Ecuador – Onco Nenquerei Jungle Trek
The headwaters of the world’s mightiest river the Amazon, flow east from the melting snow of the high Andes of Ecuador and support a rich variety of flora and fauna.

This is home to some of the most bio-diverse ecosystems of the world. Rich in endemic flora and fauna, this area has given the world many of it’s modern medicines, and is also home to many indigenous nations.

The Quichua live and farm along the mighty rivers much as they have for many hundreds of years, and the extensive Ecuadorian National Parks help to preserve this important area.

Many areas of the rain forest are now threatened by the oil and logging industries and the economic needs of a poor nation. See it before it disappears and lend your support to protect what remains.

Upper Shiripuno River - 4 days / 3 nights, plus 2 travelling days.

Itinerary

Day 1 The group meets at the Hotel Auca in Coca at 0800 hours, then travels by ranchera (bus – for about 2 hours) to a bridge on the river Shiripuno. We then travel by canoe, about 3 hours upriver (depending on river conditions) into Huaorani territory. The Onco Nenquerei campsite where we will have our lunch, is situated on the banks of the river. The tents are pitched in a clearing overlooking the river. Toilet facilities are adequate but basic. After lunch, the group will hike into the virgin forest to get a feel of the atmosphere and sounds of the jungle. We then take a canoe trip with oars along the river to see its plants and animals before continuing downriver with oars to our base camp for dinner. After dinner, we take a night trek for about 30 minutes in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Day 2 We wake up at 5.15 am and at 5.30 am take the canoe to drift down the river (without engines) as this is a good time of day for bird-watching and if you are lucky, to see other small mammals. We return to camp for breakfast before leaving for a 2-3 hour walk through the virgin forest. The canoe awaits us to take us back to camp by river where we have lunch. In the afternoon we try out our fishing skills in the lake. We watch the sunset over the lake where we have been looking for fauna typical of the lakeside area. Return to camp for dinner.

Day 3 After breakfast, we trek along the hilltops passing several viewpoints that offer us a wonderful views of the rainforest. Then we trek to an amazing waterfall, swim in a pool beneath the waterfall, before having a picnic lunch. Afterwards, we will return to the camp to take a rest or swim in the river. Then we go up-river to Emonaya where we can fish. We then drift downriver to see the sunset and catch sightings of toucans, parrots, humming birds and kingfishers. Dinner is at the camp and then we take a canoe ride in search of caimen.

Day 4 Breakfast and then a short walk to a very important area for the wildlife of the region. Upon our return we load up the canoe and travel to the Huaorani village of Nenquepare. This is a small community of 25 people. During this visit you will meet members of the community, learn about their opinions and hopes for the future. We will see the artesania that is handcrafted exclusively by the women and will have the chance to buy goods such as hammocks, shigras, spears and necklaces. We will also learn how to use a blowgun, make household items from the plants of the jungle, and much more. Care is taken to ensure that this experience is not a staged event and that our presence is not intrusive. We have lunch in the village and then head downriver to the bridge to travel by ranchera back to Coca. Returning at about 18:00 hours.

Price Guide per person GB£ / US$: – Ref: SFTON2

1 person - £650 / $988

2 people - £360 / $548

3 or 4 people - £300 / $456

5 to 8 people - £275 / $418

Plus local flights, which will vary from season to season. The flight Quito-Coca-Quito is approx $110 / £77 per person.

You can book as an individual. The maximum number is 8.

email for current price

What is included
Transport from Coca into the rainforest and back to Coca, plus boats for the river trips. All food whilst away from Coca. All accommodation in tents. All logistical support. An English speaking guide and a cook.

What is not included
The price allows for joining in Coca and does not include international or local airfare and departure taxes, meals in Coca, personal insurance, visa fees, vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all alcoholic drinks.

Personal Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is recommended on this tour.