DAY 01: Quito-Coca by airplane. From Coca, we will travel south by small pick-up or bus to Shiripuno Bridge (approx. 3 hours). Lunch. We will take the motorized canoe downstream to the Shiripuno Amazon Lodge, which is at 210 meters above sea level. The ride will take approximately 4 hours and you will be introduced to the wide diversity of wildlife in the rainforest. Dinner and lodging.
DAY 02: Breakfast. We will have an introductory hike of the different trails behind the Lodge. Lunch. In the afternoon, there will be a short hike to the Moretal Trail that leads to the Moriche swamp, a great place to observe Blue-and-Yellow Macaw and other remarkable species.
DAY 03: Breakfast. We’ll take a hike (3-4 hours) in the primary forest on the Magic Canopy Trail, where we will enjoy a scenic view of the Amazon Basin at 310 meters above sea level The Huaorani and naturalist guides will tell you about the biodiversity of the rainforest and the medicinal plants that local people use. This hike requires that you be in good physical condition. Lunch. In the afternoon, there will be piranha fishing on the Shiripuno River. Dinner and lodging.
DAY 04: Birdwatching (05:45 optional). Breakfast. We will take a hike on the El Saladero Trail, where you may discover animals at clay licks, and admire the rich array of plants and trees along the way. Box lunch. Canoe back to the Lodge. After dark, there will be an excursion to observe forest night life and to find caiman. Dinner and lodging.
DAY 05: Breakfast. We will hike the El Misterioso Trail in search of primates. Lunch. In the afternoon, we will take the motorized canoe to an oxbow lake, abudant in varied species of birds, including the bizarre looking Hoatzin. Dinner and Lodging.
DAY 06: Breakfast. We will travel to the Huaorani Community (Neoneno), where you can learn about the traditions and customs of its people. Lunch. We will continue to navigate upstream to the bridge where we will board the bus back to Coca (arrival at 16:30 approx.).
