6-Day Amazon Kayak Tour
World-Class Amazon Wildlife Kayaking in South America – Ecuador
We’re heading into the Amazon Rainforest for a 6-day kayak expedition through the world-famous Yasuní Biosphere Reserve — arguably the most biologically diverse place on Earth.
Amazon Wildlife Kayak Tour. Shiripuno River. Yasuní Biosphere Reserve in Ecuador.
Yasuní sits at the center of a small zone where amphibian, bird, mammal, and vascular plant diversity all reach their maximum levels in the Western Hemisphere. It holds world records for local-scale tree, amphibian, and bat species richness (within an area smaller than 100 km²), and ranks among the richest places on the planet for birds and mammals at that same local scale — much of it concentrated right along the rivers you’ll be paddling.
Picture the river winding past muddy beaches and tangled walls of rainforest, never quite knowing what’s around the next bend. It could be a cloud of colorful butterflies, a flock of macaws overhead, river turtles basking on a fallen log, a caiman working the shoreline, or simply the shifting flowers, fruit, and sounds of the forest as you pass. On a good day, you might cross paths with a tapir. On a rare one, an anaconda.
This is genuine, physically active exploration — not a scenic float. If you want an Amazon experience where the effort is part of the reward, this trip delivers it.
Amazon Kayaking. Yasuni Biosphere Reserve in Ecuador
THE 6-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 — Into the Yasuní
A short flight from Quito to Coca, then a 2-hour drive along the Auca Road to the Shiripuno River. From there, head downstream by kayak to the first campsite. Dinner and camping.
Day 2 — Waorani Community & River Dynamics
After breakfast, visit the Waorani community to learn about their culture and traditions. Continue downstream, learning how the Amazon’s river systems shape the surrounding forest. Lunch, then an afternoon paddle to camp. Dinner and camping.
Day 3 — Oxbow Lake Exploration
Continue the river journey, stopping to explore an oxbow lake and its unique microhabitats and wildlife. Lunch, afternoon paddle to camp. Dinner and camping.
Day 4 — Arrival at Shiripuno Lodge
Paddle onward toward Shiripuno Lodge, watching for riverine wildlife along the way. Lunch en route, arriving at the lodge by afternoon.
Day 5 — El Mirador Viewpoint
After breakfast, hike to “El Mirador” — a viewpoint over miles of unbroken rainforest canopy — and learn more about the ecosystem below. Lunch, followed by afternoon forest activities.
Day 6 — Return to Coca
Navigate upstream after breakfast, saying farewell to the Waorani community and the forest that’s been home for the past week.
Canoe Assistance. Amazon Wildlife Kayak Tour. Shiripuno River. Yasuni Biosphere Reserve in Ecuador.
A full-service, eco-friendly kayaking expedition suited to a wide range of travelers — honeymooners, birdwatchers, nature lovers, and adventurous families alike. The common thread: a willingness to paddle for it, camp along the way, and trade comfort for genuine immersion.
PRICE
$1,630 per person (double tent/bedroom occupancy)
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Transportation Coca–Shiripuno–Coca
- Accommodation in double tents with private bathroom at lodging facilities
- Camping gear
- Kayaks and paddles
- Life vest
- Meals during travel
- Kayak naturalist guide (English–Spanish)
- Native guide
- Excursions in the forest
- Rubber boots up to size 44
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Transportation Quito–Coca–Quito
- Rain poncho
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Tips