5-Day Yasuní Jungle Exploration from Quito with Kichwa Culture

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore sustainable community projects in the Yasuní rainforest
• 02 Paddle the black waters of the Añangu stream in search of monkeys, caiman, and giant river otters
• 03 Visit the parrot clay lick on the Napo River to observe flocks of parrots and parakeets
• 04 Learn about Kichwa culture, crafts, and traditions at the Kuri Muyu interpretation center
• 05 Climb observation towers above the jungle canopy for sweeping rainforest views

Embark on a 5-day journey from Quito into the heart of Yasuní, where rainforest wildlife, Kichwa culture, and community-led experiences come together. Explore sustainable community projects, paddle along the black waters of the Añangu stream, and witness the remarkable parrot clay lick along the Napo River. Hike through the forest, visit the Kuri Muyu intercultural interpretation center, and climb observation towers for sweeping views over the jungle canopy. The experience concludes with the optional sacred "wayusada" ritual, offering a meaningful glimpse into ancestral traditions.

Embark on a 5-day journey from Quito into the heart of Yasuní, where rainforest wildlife, Kichwa culture, and community-led experiences come together.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Orellana, Quito, Yasuni National Park, Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival and Welcome Briefing in Quito

• Welcome to Quito!
• Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the day exploring Quito's old town and the surrounding area. We can also help organize a day trip for you; please request this in advance.
• In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you in the hotel lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00.
• At this time, we will discuss the details of the adventure and answer any questions you may have.
• Our first day is dedicated to acclimatization and information.

2

Day 02

Jungle Exploration and Añangu Stream Paddle

• Enjoy the sunrise over breakfast before visiting the sustainable community projects.
• Learn about the Kichwa worldview and traditional medicinal knowledge as you walk along the Mama-Kuna trail.
• This is an excellent opportunity to spot more wildlife and see ceiba trees, strangler figs, bamboo cane, vines, and shrubs endemic to Yasuní.
• In the afternoon, after a delicious local lunch, paddle around the "Añangu" stream, a black-water ecosystem where you can spot monkeys jumping from tree to tree, caiman, and sometimes even giant river otters trying to catch fish.
• After dinner, prepare your flashlight for a night walk around the lodge to see different kinds of insects, reptiles, and even nocturnal mammals such as night monkeys.

3

Day 03

Parrot Clay Lick, Kichwa Culture, and Canopy Views

• After an early breakfast, head by motorboat to one of the highlights of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve: the parrot clay lick on the banks of the Napo River. Bring your binoculars and camera lenses to observe flocks of blue-headed and yellow-crowned parrots, and even dusky-headed parakeets, from the boat.
• Then walk for around 30 minutes along the "Pericos" trail to reach the blind in the forest, which offers a direct view of the amazing parakeet clay lick. This site brings visitors face to face with up to 11 species of parrots and parakeets, including parrotlets and macaws. Sometimes mammals such as howler monkeys, tapirs, and peccaries also come here to drink water and obtain vital minerals.
• The morning ends with a visit to the intercultural interpretation center, Kuri Muyu, which means "golden seed" in the native language. Managed by the women of the community, also known as the "mamakuna," this visit offers the chance to learn about Kichwa culture, crafts, customs, and the traditional use of natural resources directly from members of the aboriginal community.
• We then return to the center of the community for lunch in the dining hall and a short break at the lodge before hiking for one hour to climb the observation tower. Rising 35 meters above the forest floor, it offers high chances of spotting a variety of birds, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, toucans, parrots, and sloths.
• Time for dinner is followed by a unique activity on the Napo River, onboard the ancestral catamaran, where you will learn more about local legends and traditional chants while women grill delicious snacks over the fire.

4

Day 04

Observation Tower and Jungle Wildlife

• Today you have the chance to climb the nearly 40-meter-high observation tower.
• From the top, enjoy a spectacular view over the jungle canopy and keep your eyes open for monkeys hopping from tree to tree and for different tropical, colorful birds.
• Enjoy one last quiet afternoon and a delicious dinner at the lodge.

5

Day 05

Sacred Wayusa Ritual and Farewell

• To close with a flourish, take part in the optional "wayusada" ritual. At dawn, around 4:30 am, the Kichwa family gathers to share the sacred "wayusa," a tradition through which ancient knowledge has been passed down to new generations.
• Here, you will also share traditional chants and have the chance to "interpret dreams" with the wisest "mamakuna" of the community - a truly mystic experience.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• 5-day/4-night program at Yasuni Amazon Lodge
• Local flight Quito - El Coca - Quito, with airport assistance at Quito Airport
• Community and naturalist bilingual guide
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• All transfers according to the program

What's Not Included

• International flights
• Visa and passport fees
• Alcoholic or additional beverages
• Medical fees such as doctor or emergency room visits, vaccinations, ambulances, or emergency evacuation
• Excess baggage charges
• Snacks
• Activities not included in the tour itinerary
• Tips and gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Meals or beverages not indicated in the program
• Extras in hotels such as laundry, phone calls, internet, and minibar
• Personal expenses

What to bring

• Travel documents (passport, etc.)
• Day pack (or fanny pack)
• Duffle bag, suitcase, or backpack
• Comfortable walking shoes or boots with good traction
• Teva-style sandals
• Swimming suit
• Light to medium fleece jacket
• Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket
• Hiking pants
• T-shirts
• Long-sleeve shirt or blouse
• Lightweight full-length pants or trousers, either synthetic or cotton
• Hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Socks
• Regular underwear
• Toiletries
• First aid kit and medication

Know before you go

• Make sure to adjust your watch and smartphone to Ecuadorian time.
• Mainland Ecuador time zone - GMT -5:00
• Do not feed wildlife.
• Respect wildlife and their natural habitat. Keep no less than two meters' distance from the animals so as not to affect their behavior.
• Avoid consuming disposable goods, and do not throw away organic waste or any other kind of waste until you find an appropriate place to dispose of it, as it can significantly affect the development of the ecosystem in which it is located. Try to recycle or reuse all solid waste.
• Respect the recommendations given by the park rangers and the entrance hours of each area.
• Stay on the trails and respect the signs. Do not destroy infrastructure.
• Carry out campfires, camping, and other activities only in the permitted zones of each area.
• Special care is required during the breeding, molting, or rearing season. Do not place yourself between two animals, especially between a mother and her young. Some species are highly protective and may attack if they suspect their young are threatened or may leave the young more vulnerable to predators.
• Hunting animals and entering with weapons or alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden. It is also forbidden to damage the flora or take plants, animals, or geological remains. Check the list of permitted objects for entry to the corresponding Protected Area.
• Avoid using flash photography so as not to alter the normal behavior of wildlife. Filming, professional photography for commercial purposes, and the use of drones require authorization from the corresponding Protected Area's management.
• Do not support the illegal trade of flora and fauna species.
• Use environmentally friendly insect repellent and completely avoid aerosols. We recommend using cream-based repellents or other alternatives.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Francisco de Orellana Airport, Coca, Ecuador

Tour start

G2W6+FP3, Coca, Ecuador

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.