5 Day Waorani Yasuni Kayak Expedition

5.0 (one review) 5 days

out of 5

one review

5.0

Exploring the River — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Waorani Campsite — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

To journey into the unknown, learn from elders, and live as our ancestors did? The 5-Day Waorani Yasuni Kayak Expedition takes us to the home of the Waorani indigenous people fierce protectors of the past, of nature, and of their cultural identity. Join us on this adventure of a lifetime and explore one of the untouched areas of the Amazon. Spend time immersing yourself alongside local warriors and learning about how they survive in the wild of the Amazon. A world away from the hustle and bustle of the city this is a truly unique experience in an area where few have dared to go! Paddle the Shiripuno searching for wildlife such as monkeys, otters, tapir, jaguars, and colorful birds. Accommodation is provided at a basic campsite next to Wuaorani Homes. The 5-Day Waorani Yasuni Kayak Expedition tour will give a complete experience of how Waorani people live and how they protect their culture from the outside world.

Nature and Wildlife Tours Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Kayaking Tours Eco Tours Water Tours Small Group

At a glance

Duration: 5 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 10 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Rebecca Adventure Travel

Ages: Adults (8–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Gear: Paddling gear: NRS expedition kayaks, NRS paddleboards, paddles, and life jackets
Included: All fees to reserves and museums.
Included: 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
Included: Lunch
Included: Dinner
Included: Breakfast
Included: Accomodation x 4 nights (based on number of travelers).
Included: Land and water transport.
Included: Rubber boots for hiking.

Not included

Not included: International or domestic flights.
Not included: Airport transfers and transfers from/to Quito.
Not included: Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
Not included: Optional tips for the guide.

Itinerary

Day 1 · ENTRANCE INTO YASUNI AND PADDLING THE SHIRIPUNO RIVER

Parque Nacional Yasuni

6 hours

This expedition begins in the city at the heart of the Amazon: Coca is recommended to arrive one day early. After meeting up with the group you will travel by car for two hours to the Shiripuno River. Then you will kayak for about five hours down the river, looking out for wildlife that dot the riverside and water below us. With some luck, you might see troops of squirrel monkeys as well as colorful birds such as toucans, macaws, flycatchers, and others. The guides will teach us about the different species of plants that grow on the side of the river and their meaning to the local people. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at the campsite and have a delicious dinner.

Waorani Campsite

Day 2 · ANACONDA LAGOON

Parque Nacional Yasuni

8 hours

Today you take a short hike into a pristine forest where you will explore the black water lagoon by kayak. Being their natural habitat, on sunny days anacondas can be found resting on the shore. The anaconda “Ove in Wuao Language” holds special importance to the local Wuaorani people who believe it is a very powerful animal embodying the spirit of a god. Here you will also have the chance to go fishing for piranha, which is an important staple in the local diet. If you are very lucky you may even be able to catch a catfish! Later you go back to the campsite for lunch and some rest, and in the late afternoon, you will go for a walk and search for insects and amphibians.

Waorani Campsite

Day 3 · EARLY PADDLING EXPLORATION & WILDLIFE WATCHING

Parque Nacional Yasuni

8 hours

Keep an eye out for more wildlife species that tend to make their way out at this time of day. If you are lucky, you will be able to spot a variety of birds such as trogons, quetzals, eagles, hawks, tanagers, macaws, parrots, kingfishers, and others. You may also have the pleasure of happening upon tapir as this nocturnal animal likes to take a bath in the river every morning before going to sleep. You will go back to the Campsite by canoe and have lunch, this afternoon you will join the Wuaorani women and take a short walk to their yucca crops, there you will help them harvest these important products to make a traditional drink called Kene in Wuaorani if it is the right season you will also pick some fruits such as lemons, naranjilla, pineapple, plantains, and banana. This night you will go on a search for caimans, as it is easier to spot them by the reflection of the flashlight on their eyes.

Waorani Campsite

Day 4 · HIKE TO THE ANIMAL'S CLAY LICK

Parque Nacional Yasuni

4 hours

Today you hike to the Clay Lick, a mineral rich mud pit. Many animals that live in the region sustain themselves through a diet of seeds and other small plants but supplement their diets with minerals by the clay. Due to it being such a popular spot for animals this is a prime area for hunters to catch their prized meal- the peccary, which according to locals is a delicacy. You will spend some time here in hopes of spotting one of the many animals that frequent the zone before returning to the campsite. Spend the afternoon with the family as you learn about the culture of these warriors.

Auca Hotel or similar

Day 5 · DEPARTURE – BACK TO QUITO

Coca

2 hours

Today after an early breakfast, you will take a canoe for 3 hours to reach back to the Shiripuno bridge, where you will take a car ride to go back to Coca, end of services.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meeting point at El Coca Airport at 8:00 am

End point

Meeting point at El Coca Airport at 8:00 am

Using your ticket

Voucher: Please note you receive from the operator an updated travel voucher based on your travel details, flights and availabilities. You will receive this updated travel voucher in general 2 weeks before departure via the Viator chat. If you haven’t received this please send us a message. Your standard Viator voucher is NOT your personal travel voucher and CAN’T be used during your trip.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please take with you some plastic bags, to protect your Camera and important documents passports and ID from the rain.
Please bring your own rain poncho and take it with you for the activities, the weather could change suddenly in the rainforest and you might get very wet.
The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precaution to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
It is important to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, availabilities, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
Even though we have a detailed itinerary, changes can be made by your guides, due to weather or safety reasons. Please also note that none of the wildlife sightings mentioned on the itinerary are guaranteed.
We strive to use small and charming places that are unique and provide stellar service. Notice that this expedition takes place in a remote location and the accommodation is very basic, but our staff will try to provide the best service possible.
Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 3 out of 5. No prior experience is required and your guides will always brief you about safety and proper use of gear on every leg of the trip. The paddling is on flat water with minimum current and the hiking on irregular terrain that can be muddy.
Guides: All our guides have a professional background from the Tourism University; this means they have a degree in guiding, so their knowledge and skills when leading a group are top-notch. Each guide has many years of experience and they all have taken additional courses for other outdoor activities as well as have International First-Aid certifications. On top of all of this, they are all extremely personable and strive to deliver travel experiences of a lifetime.
You must have vaccination of yellow fever and malaria medication to enter this region.
Accommodation is based on number of travelers, if you are traveling with a group, you will be sharing rooms (single rooms require an extra fee).