Day 1 We leave at 10.00 from Coca and travel
south by pick-up. After 2 hours we arrive at Armadilo, an indigenous
community of Huaorani and Shuar. Here we learn about the customs
and traditions of these native tribes. After a box lunch we
navigate downriver by canoe for 3 hours. We make camp near the
river. After dinner we take lanterns in the canoe to look for
caimans.
Day 2 After breakfast we take a 4-hour hike
in the primary rainforest. The guide will explain the uses and
applications of medicinal, poisonous, edible, and hallucinogenic
plants. There are exotic birds and butterflies and, with a little
luck, we may see monkeys or other jungle animals high up in
the giant trees. We return to camp for lunch and later continue
traveling downriver by canoe for 3 more hours. We camp by the
river.
Day
3 In the morning we hike in the forest to learn about
various liana vines, including poisonous ones. Our guide demonstrates
the making of traps, another of the indigenous' ancient customs.
We arrive at a viewpoint with a breath-taking view of the Amazon
Jungle. We return to camp for lunch. In the afternoon we learn
how to prepare curare, the fastest acting poison in the world.
We also learn how for centuries the local indigenous people
have constructed their houses from what the jungle provides.
The rest of the afternoon is free for swimming or relaxing.
After dinner we take a walk to see the nocturnal life of the
jungle. We may see phosphorescent plants and insects.
Day 4 After breakfast we take a walk in the
forest looking for plants whose fibers are used to make hammocks
and nets. Our guide will give us a demonstration. In the afternoon
we navigate upstream to return to our first campsite. We fish
for piranhas and catfish for our dinner.
Day 5 We return upstream by canoe until we
reach our original departure point. By pick-up we return to
Coca, arriving at 5:00 p.m.
