Deep rainforest expedition to
Zancudococha lake
Otavalo: Get lost in the exotic flavors, smells, and sounds of Otavalo's indigenous market
Quito: Learn how to prepare typical Ecuadorian dishes
Cotopaxi: Explore Cotopaxi National Park, home to one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth
- 4 Days
- Arrive in Coca
- Zancudococha (3 nights)
- Daily Schedule
| Day | Highlights | Location |
| Day 1 | Arrival in Coca, Travelling to Zancudococha – Night walk | Coca to Zancudococha |
| Day 2 | Jungle hike – Piranha fishing – Caiman observation | Zancudococha |
| Day 3 | Excursion to Lagartococha, Delfincocha and visit to indigenous tribe | Zancudococha |
| Day 4 | Back to civilization, Departure | Zancudococha to Coca |
- Detailed itinerary
Travelling to Zancudococha
Night walk Small group · 9 hours · Lunch, Dinner Included
Your adventure starts early in the morning in the towns Lago Agrio or Coca, the two gateways to the Ecuadorian rainforest. From here, we will drive for 2 hours to Tierras Orientales, one of the last outposts located at the Aguarico River. After loading the camping equipment and supplies for the next days onto the
motorized canoe, we will embark on our journey to Zancudococha lake, deep inside of the Amazon rainforest.
On the way, we will ride past small settlements of indigenous tribes such as the Kichwa, Shuar and Secoya. You will also be able to spot the first animals, such as the Great Egret and turtles sunbathing on tree stems at the river banks. We will stop at one of the natural river beaches for a boxed lunch.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at the mouth of the water channel that connects the Augarico River with the lake. Crossing this narrow channel will take approximately 1.5 hours. While navigating the channel, we will be watching out for wildlife. This is a good place to see the endangered giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis).
Eventually, we arrive at our campsite. After setting it up, it‘s time to take a refreshing bath in the lake. With a bit of luck you might be able to spot the solitary pink river dolphin that has been roaming these waters for many years.
After a delicious dinner, you can join the naturalist guide on a night walk near the camp to look out for spiders, frogs, mantis and more nocturnal animals.
Jungle hike – Piranha fishing – Caiman observation
Small group · 8 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
After waking up to the sounds of the howler monkeys, you are served a healthy breakfast that will give you strength for the jungle walk of about 3 hours.
During the walk, your naturalist guides will explain the different plants and its uses, as well as the animals that you come across.
Back at the camp, put on your swimming suit for a refreshing swim in the lake, before a freshly cooked lunch is served at the campsite. Then time for a siesta in the hammocks. In the afternoon, you can try your luck at fishing piranhas. After dark, it is time to venture out on the lake to track down caimans with our torches. A few hundred individuals call this lake home, and they can grow up to 6 meters in length.
Excursion to Lagartococha, Delfincocha and visit to indigenous tribe
Small group · 12 hours · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included
Start into this long day full of adventure with a copious breakfast. You then will become the captain of your own paddling canoe. Your mission: Crossing the water channel from Zancudococha lake to Río Aguarico while spotting as much wildlife as possible! And since you are navigating silently without motor, this task will be even easier. At the river mouth, hop back onto the motor canoe and head straight to Lagartococha River, which forms the border between Ecuador and Peru. The Lagartococha River is a blackwater river, fueled by rain water. The intersection of Lagartococha and Aguarico is the first great spot to see the pink river dolphin. We then continue upstream until we reach Delfincocha, another beautiful river lake, a perfect place to take a swim and see the pink dolfins. After a boxlunch we continue upstream, into the territory of the Secoya tribe. The friendly people of this indigenous community will show you around the village and introduce you to the preparation of the traditional „Cassave“ bread. Time to say goodbye and return to the camp before the sun sets.
Back to civilization
Small group · 10 hours · Breakfast, Lunch Included
The last day of your rainforest adventure has begun. Before breakfast, join your naturalist guide to observe birds, as this is the time they are most active. After dismounting the camp, we return by motorized canoe to Tierras Orientales and from here back to civilization.
- What's Included
Activities
Day 1: Travelling to Zancudococha – Night walk (small group)
Day 2: Jungle hike – Piranha fishing – Caiman observation (small group)
Day 3: Excursion to Lagartococha, Delfincocha and visit to indigenous tribe (small group)
Day 4: Back to civilization (small group)
Accommodations
Your specialist has not yet selected any hotels for you. Please ask your specialist to select hotels with availability for your travel dates.
- Excludes
- International flights
- The meals not mentioned in the trip plan
- Personal expenses
Travel insurance, and repatriation insurance - Optional excursions, activities, and optional tours
- Reservations marked as “reserved by traveler” are reservations that the traveler is responsible for directly.
- These items are not reserved or supported by authenticecuador and are included in the trip plan just for completeness
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