Amazon Kayak Expedition (3 days)

Overview

Hike and kayak through the thick of the Amazon and meet troops of monkeys hanging from the trees that line the river; visit the Kichwa indigenous people and learn about their culture and traditions.

Accommodation is provided at charming campsites and eco-lodges

Highlights

Kayak the Amazon
Make organic chocolate fondue with your hands
Learn how to use a blowgun
Share time with the local indigenous people
Hike in the Amazon Jungle and search for medicinal plants
View monkeys in the forest
Stay at unique places in every location
Be led by top Activexpedition experienced guides at every step you take
Support sustainable travel to preserve culture and nature

Activities

Hiking
Paddling
Swimming
Culture
Wildlife
Birdwatching

Activity level

Easy - Moderate

Season

Year around

Minimum age

5 years old

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Kayak to the Kichwa Community

Tracing the edge of the eastern Andes we take a scenic drive passing the continental divide as we descend into the Amazon Basin. Upon entrance to this amazing ecosystem you will see the change from dry shrub and plants of the Ecuadorian paramo to the large and leafy green of the rainforest. As we leave the modern world behind, we depart in kayak down the river Punin for a three-hour paddle towards a Kichwa community where we will set up our campsite. In the late afternoon the members of the community will join us to recount stories of old as well as teach us traditions within the community.

Overnight: Kichwa campsite
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 2

Kayak the Arajuno

We rise early to the sound of chirping birds and make our way in canoe downriver to the favorite gathering place of vibrantly feathered local parrots: the claylick. This mineral-rich structure is where the parrots come every morning to get minerals that help them detoxify the diet they eat. Watch as the birds flit around each other looking for the best spot to get their fill. After watching these colorful friends dine, we too will get nutrients through a yummy traditional breakfast including Guayusa tea brewed from the dried leaves of the plant, native to the Amazon, of the same name. Upon finishing breakfast, we will hop on our kayaks and paddle on the Arajuno River. Be on the lookout for the myriad of birds that live in the towering treetops such as toucans, king fishers, oropendolas, parrots, swallows, hawks, and more. We stop riverside to picnic on a freshly prepared meal before continuing on. After a day on the river we return to our thatched-roofed accommodations tucked in the forest to rest up for the next days’ expedition.

Overnight: Liana lodge or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3

Hike to the Animal Shelter and Anaconda Island

Into the Jungle—that is the LIVING JUNGLE, or in Spanish Selva Viva. Selva Viva is a 1750-hectare wildlife and nature reserve run by the NGO AmaZoonico. The mission of this organization is to rehabilitate wildlife that has been taken from their natural habitats in order prepare them for reintroduction into the wild. The majority of these releases happen inside Selva Viva. Our guides will teach us about medicinal plans as well as some techniques for surviving in the jungle. Many of the monkeys and other animals that we may stumble upon during our hike were cared for at Amazoonico! Our visit directly helps fund the continuation of this initiative. After an educational adventure into the forest we will go back to the lodge for lunch before our second excursion of the day: a visit to Anaconda Island. This area is a natural paradise for prehistoric birds and other animals such as caiman. Here we will immerse ourselves in nature and learn about the lifestyle of the family who lives on the island, blowgun hunting techniques, and even have the chance to feed the caiman. In the afternoon drive back to Quito

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Let's design your adventure

Included

Top Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide
Private Land Transport
Accommodation for two nights
Meals according to the Itinerary
Water and snacks at all time
Paddling gear: Double or single inflatable kayaks, lifejackets and paddles
Hiking gear: Robber boots
All fees to reserves and museums

Not Included

Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips for guides and drivers
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Optional activities

Important Information

Itinerary Disclaimer: 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.
Visas and Passports: Make sure you check your visa and passport validity and requirements per country. It is important your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your travel.
Accommodation: We strive to use small and charming places that are unique and provide stellar service.
Single Supplement Costs: Generally this fee is not incurred as we match you with another person of the same gender in a twin room, but if you prefer not to share and have your own room, then there will be an associated fee
Transportation: Driving time can take more than expected in Ecuador, as it is a small country with roads meandering through the Andes Mountains. We assure your comfort during transit no matter the size of the group, while in the Galapagos the speed boat from Santa Cruz to Isabela can be a bit challenging if you are not use to travel by boat, so we highly recommend to carry some seasickness medicine with you.
Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 2 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 kayaking in the Amazon is class I, this means there are not big rapids, so it is very easy to do paddle.
Weather and Elevation in Mainland: In Ecuador the weather can be vary greatly depending on which side of the Andes you are traveling to, so it is highly recommended to come ready for all kinds of weather. When they say “Ecuador, All in One Place” they mean it! The altitude determines the temperature and the higher you go the colder it gets. Don’t let the geographic location of the country fool you. Even at a mere 15,000 feet the temperatures can feel like those of a winter in the northern United States. The coastal lowlands in the western part of Ecuador are typically warm with temperatures in the region of 25 °C (77 °F). Coastal areas are affected by ocean currents and between January and April are hot and rainy. The weather in Quito is consistent with that of a subtropical highland climate. The average temperature during the day is 70 °F (21 °C), which generally falls to an average of 50 °F (10 °C) at night. The average temperature annually is 64°F (17.8°C). There are only really two seasons in the city: dry and wet. The dry season runs from June to September and the wet season is from October to May.
Sustainability: We do our best to not produce any trash; we believe that recycling is not enough, so we try to avoid using any plastic or materials that pollute our environment. Every day we work towards being a zero-waste tour operator and our staff is well trained to leave the least impact possible in our service areas. We also work with local indigenous communities in the different regions. By doing so we are able to teach our guests about the rich culture Ecuador, all the while helping the people preserve their traditions and lands. By working directly with local peoples, we are able to create a sustainable touristic income for the community.
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.
Heath advices: no vaccinations needed for this trip, anyway during Covid19 you need your full vaccination card and a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of your arrival to Ecuador.

Packing list

We do recommend travelling light for this expedition. A duffel bag of 50 litters for your luggage and a backpack of 20 litters for daily activities should be sufficient. In Ecuador, the weather can change drastically so please be ready.

Passport
Credit card
Two pairs of lightweight hiking pants
Two pairs of shorts
Two bathing suits
Two non-cotton T-shirts
Two water T-shirt
One fleece
One rain jacket
One pair of rain pants
Two buffs
One pair of tennis shoes
One pair of water sandals
One pair of flip flops
One cap or hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Mosquito repellent
Camera
Head lamp
Optional binoculars

NOTE: Laundry is available almost at every location and is quite cheap, this helps traveling light too.

Price based on number of guests:

2 - 3 guests

^$750_{/per person}

All premium features
Daily departures

4 or more guests

^$520_{/per person}

All premium features
Daily departures

Go private

We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.

Amazon Kayak Expedition $750