Ecuador Amazon

Ecuador – Quehueri'ono
Upper Shiripuno River - 4 days / 5 nights, plus 2 travelling days.

The Huaorani people have inhabited the headwaters of the Amazon for millennia and have lived as hunters and gatherers, entirely without contact from outsiders right up until the end of the 1950's. Indeed, at least one Huaorani clan continues to shun all contact from the outside world. Numbering approximately 1200 individuals, they continue to maintain a largely traditional lifestyle, living from the rainforest, though missionaries and oil companies have had some influence.

Huaorani leader, Moi Enomenga, made famous by articles in the New Yorker magazine that told about the Huaorani and their struggle against oil companies and for his appearance as the main character in the book Savages by Joe Kane. We will visit his community, Quehueri'ono, our counterpart in this joint venture. In addition, his struggle to protect Huaorani land from oil companies is showcased in an NBC documentary. If Moi is not taking care of his people struggle he might join us during the tour as our local guide.

Our programme involves the exploration of both primary and secondary rainforest in the company of our local guide and a bilingual naturalist guide. We stay in tents close to the community. Visitors thus experience and learn about the Huaorani culture and their close relationship with the forest, with the possibility of observing Amazon wildlife in the hikes and different activities, and receive a conservationist interpretation of the ecology and actual situation of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.

In summary, this programme creates a very unique experience which will take you to one of the most ecologically important areas on the planet in the company of a unique rainforest culture.

Join us and be welcomed into the community to learn from these people. Your involvement in this community tourism is a vital component in the struggle to maintain as many of their traditions as possible.

Day 1 Quito-Shell-Quehueri'ono
Our journey begins at 6 am, one of our top bilingual naturalist guide will pick you up at your hotel in Quito and drive East, through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, then descend through the small city of Baños entrance to the Amazon Basin. At the small town of Shell we will have lunch at a local restaurant before boarding a light aircraft for the breathtaking 45 minute flight over the seemingly endless rainforest canopy until the tiny clearing that's Quehueri'ono appears. Here the entire community appears from their homes to greet us. We will overnight in a campsite located near the community.

Day 2 Quehueri'ono
Today we will visit the community for a meeting where representatives will officially welcome us and talk about their environment, history and social situation. They will be interested to know of your personal motivations for visiting their territory. After lunch, we will hike into the hilly terra firma rainforest in the company of our guides, who will show us a range of medicinal plants, arriving back at the camp before sunset.

Day 3 Quehueri'ono
A rainforest walk to seek wildlife. While the jaguar certainly lives in the area they are very discrete and elusive. If we are lucky, we may see their footprints along the trail. We will also learn about the Huaorani's practical and spiritual relationship with their rainforest environment. In the afternoon we will visit various community members in their homes.

Day 4 Shiripuno river
Today, after breakfast we leave the camp and begin pure adventure by poling down the Shiripuno river in dugout canoes. The absence of noisy outboard motors allows us to really appreciate the sounds, smells and sights of the rainforest. We will make camp on a beach on the river in the afternoon or in Nenquepare, a small Huaorani community and visit an ox-bow lake. There's a good chance we will spot the unique hoatzin flapping on riverside bushes, or maybe a caiman lurking on the bank.

Day 5 Shiripuno river-Coca
Continuing down stream the river our Huaorani guide will continue providing detailed explanations of different related things about their daily life. Eventually the forest opens up as the Via Auca and the oil pipeline is reached. Here we disembark and head overland hotel on the banks of the Rio Napo, a major tributary of the amazon.

The road to Coca was built by Texaco to access the oil fields which today present an enormous threat to the Huaorani's survival. We will have ample opportunities to discuss this and to witness first hand some of the impacts of oil drilling and exploration and the consequent colonization on the rain forest. We believe its important that on the last day you witness first hand the nature threats to the Huaorani and we hope your experience will motivate you to continue to be involved in the struggle for their survival. Dinner and overnight in Coca.

Day 6 Coca-Quito
In the morning, after breakfast, we will explore the city of Coca before leaving to Quito by plane.

Plus local flights, which will vary from season to season. The flight Quito-Shell-Quehueri'ono -Coca-Quito is approx USD230 per person.

The base currency is the US Dollar , payments in any other currency may be subject to adjustment.

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.