Paddle deep into the Amazon Basin along an unspoiled tributary with amazing bio-diversity.
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This rugged journey deep into untracked wilderness has been specifically designed for people looking to experience the raw beauty of this unspoiled region in an expeditionary style.
Travel in this area is by wooden dugout canoe and on foot as there are no roads. Good physical fitness and a high level
of patience are important to fully enjoy this trip. Enjoyment of living outdoors, appreciation of nature and exploring other cultures are also very important. The rewards are well worth the effort.
This is true wilderness and the wildlife and sense of isolation are unsurpassed.
We will be traveling with local Quichua guides who live in small communities along the river. Their lives are intertwined with the forest and their depth of knowledge and connection to it is astounding.
These are not primitives living stone-age lives but rather an enterprising and intelligent people who realize that tourism can be an alternative to resource exploitation and may help preserve the forest.
They are interested in other cultures, particularly when there is a relationship set up in terms of exchange rather than one observing the other. Being culturally sensitive and open to other ways of seeing
things is imperative for a positive interaction and often leads to insights that are an unexpected bonus for participants. |
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"Heart Of The Amazon" Itinerary
Day 1... Arrive in the capital city of Quito nestled at 9,200 feet where Untamed Path will be there to greet you at the airport.
Day 2... A day to explore Quito on your own. Check out the old colonial streets and absorb some highland culture. It is imperative to have a "cushion" day in case luggage is lost or flights are late, etc. This also gives you time to cash travelers checks and go through gear to ensure we are all well prepared for our expedition.
Day 3... Early morning flight over the Andes and down to Coca (40 minute flight). If it's clear the views of snow covered volcanoes and rainforest spread out to the horizon are spectacular. In Coca we meet our local guides and hop in a chiva (open air truck/taxi) for a 2 hour drive to the river. We're traveling on the "via Auca" which gives us a good intro to just how much damage petroleum extraction is doing to this fragile area. At the river we get acquainted with the canoes and paddle off downstream into the rainforest, it's hot and humid, we've arrived in Amazonia.
Days 4 and 5... Paddling down river into the rainforest. These first couple of days we pass through an area being colonized by families with small farms carved from the jungle. These modern day pioneers live rugged lives on subsistence farms and followed the oil companies roads into the forest to tame the wilderness. The vegetation closes in as we adapt to our new environment.
Day 6-12... As we get further downstream the wildlife increases and tributaries increase the flow. Once we pass the "via Maxxus" (another oil company access road) there is no more road access and we are truely in the heart of the rainforest. We stop occasionally to hike into the forest and stretch your legs. This also gives us a chance to see things we might not see from the river. Along the way we pass a bio-diversity research station which is the only sign of civilization in this remote and wild region. This area is famous for it's high concentration of wildlife and with luck we may see many rare and endangered species. There are over 450 species of birds, 11 species of primates, 3 species of cats and new species are being discovered all the time.
Days 13-14... Eventually join up with the Napo river and head upstream in a motorized dugout back towards Coca. Along the way see what life is like on this river highway with it's small communities along the shore. We spend the night at some lagoons where we enjoy camping in a more open setting than we've had for a week. We arrive in Coca for the evening and settle into a hotel for a well deserved (and badly needed) shower. Coca is a bit of a rough town where many cultures converge on the frontier. Oil workers, missionaries, tourists, colonists, peace corp volunteers and local indigenous people all in on place, interesting to say the least.
Day 15... Morning flight back to Quito. Remainder of the day is yours to rest, shop for local crafts or just people watch at one of the outdoor cafes on Amazonas Street. Celebration dinner at our favourite restaurant caps a trip none of us will ever forget.
Day 16... Transfer to airport for the long journey home. |
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