Arrival at Wild Mandari

Upon arrival in Coca (airport or bus terminal), you’ll be met by your local guide. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have a chance for breakfast (not included) at “Maitos del Yasuní,” a typical restaurant created by the association Challuwa Mikuna to benefit indigenous women.

We’ll then begin a journey of about an hour and 45 minutes on land transport; then, we will arrive at the Tiputini river. There, a motorized canoe and our kayaks will be waiting for us. The first will bring your belongings to the lodge, and we will embark on the kayaks for a 5-hour paddle. Along the way, we will stop for lunch. When we arrive at the lodge, you will have time to know the facilities and settle into your safari style tent. Enjoy a welcome drink and snacks.

Later in the evening a delicious dinner served by candlelight will be ready for you.

Kayaking and Hiking on the Spider Monkey Trail

Wake up to the sounds of exotic birds, enjoy a hearty breakfast and prepare for kayaking downriver the Tiputini River, followed by a hike back to the lodge on the Spider Monkey Trail. Spot colorful birds, playful monkeys and even a sloth hanging lazily from a tree branch while kayaking. Hike through dense vegetation, crossing streams learning fascinating facts about the flora and fauna. Return to the lodge feeling exhilarated and invigorated, reflecting on the incredible adventure in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us.

After a well-deserved rest, we will take our kayaks and cross the Tiputini River to reach the entrance trail to Pishñacocha, a black-water lagoon. Here, we will enjoy the sounds of the jungle and observe several birds while kayaking around the lagoon. Afterward, we will have many fish species that inhabit these waters. As the sun begins to set, we will make our way back to the lodge where a delicious dinner will be waiting for us.

A short night hike in the jungle is an unforgettable experience that awakens all your senses. As we walk along the trail, the sounds of the jungle change, becoming more alive and mysterious. The darkness heightens our other senses, and we may encounter nocturnal creatures such as frogs, tarantulas, or snakes, making it an incredible opportunity to experience the Amazon rainforest in a completely different way.

Exploring Black-Water Lagoons

After an early breakfast, we’ll navigate along the Tiputini in our canoe with the motor off to enjoy a peaceful jungle morning until we arrive at the entrance of Zoila Cocha. We will disembark with our kayaks and explore this lagoon. After this, we will return to the Tiputini river and kayak all the way down until we reach the entrance of Amaruncocha, Lake of the Anaconda, in the local kichwa language.

Our journey will be about 2 hours, passing through pristine jungle along the way. We’ll have a packed lunch on a river beach and rest for a while before exploring this small blackwater lagoon in the heart of the pristine rainforest of Yasuni and is home to one of the largest snakes on the planet, the anaconda. With luck, we might see this fantastic creature while enjoying the stunning scenery of this region of flooded forest, where we might also see the legendary piranhas, caymans, boas, and more.

After a full day of exploring the Amazon rainforest, we will head back to the lodge in our motorized canoe, enjoying the views of the lush jungle along the way. Once we arrive, we will have some time to freshen up with a shower, washing off the dirt and sweat of the day’s adventure.

Then, we’ll have the opportunity to take part in a small cultural activity, learning more about the local customs and traditions of the people who live in this incredible ecosystem. Finally, as the sun sets over the Amazon, we’ll gather for a delicious dinner, sharing stories of the day’s adventures and looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Parrot Clay Lick and Casa de la Abuela

After breakfast, we’ll board our motorized canoe, which will take us to the shore of the Rumiyacu River. From there, we’ll begin a short hike through the primary forest of Yasuni National Park, along a trail that will lead us to a parrot clay lick.

Along the way, we may be lucky enough to spot peccaries, monkeys, or other wildlife, while learning about the rich flora and fauna of the region, including some of the area’s medicinal plants. As we hike, we’ll have the opportunity to observe many birds, and at the clay lick, we’ll see various colorful species of parrots. After leaving the clay lick, we’ll take our kayaks down the Rumiyacu River to the Tiputini River, arriving at our camp for lunch.

In the evening, we’ll take our canoe to La Casa de la Abuela, the home of the community’s founder. Situated on a 50-meter-high hill, this traditional home offers an incredible view of the surrounding area and is considered the Harpy Eagle’s nest of the region. Here, we’ll learn about the way of life in the jungle and the community’s history and traditions, including how to make the traditional drink, chicha. We’ll witness the incredible sunset, and we will hike our way back to our lodge, or take our kayaks for a final activity of this Amazon kayak tour.

After a delicious dinner at our lodge, we can participate in a night hike through the jungle.

This unique experience allows us to observe the nocturnal creatures of the Amazon, including frogs, snakes, and other wildlife that only emerge after dark. With the help of our guide and a flashlight, we’ll walk along the trail, listening to the sounds of the jungle.

Return to Coca

Breakfast will be served early in the morning. We’ll begin our trip in our motorized canoe for about an hour and a half; during the relaxing trip, you can say goodbye to the beauty of the Amazon rainforest.

We’ll then be met at the shores of the river and travel overland for about an hour and a half back to Coca, where you’ll be dropped off at the airport or bus terminal for your return to Quito or travel to your next destination.

There is limited internet access in the lodge, and electricity is available from 5 pm to 9 pm.

The CDC recommends vaccinating against yellow fever (not known to be present in Yasuni), tetanus, and hepatitis A (consult your doctor before traveling). While malaria is present in the Ecuadorian Amazon, it is very uncommon in the region thus we do not feel malaria medication is necessary for most people…however please consult with your doctor.