SOUTH AMERICA - Ecuador

CONTINENT: SOUTH AMERICA
COUNTRY: Ecuador

DIFFICULTY: (1: Low, 5: High)

ITINERARY:
Traveling in the heart of the rain forest, through the Rio Conanaco with an engine powered dugout canoe to reach the tribe of the last Aucas indios.

Three times Carla experienced her great dream of travelling trough the rain forest: once in Peru and twice in Ecuador. In Ecuador, after incredible difficulties, she was able to reach the area where one of the last non-civilized indio tribes lived, accompanied by her husband. The only reason that they were accepted was thanks to their guide who was kidnapped with his mother when he was a kid, by white men, and latter returned to his family.

Carla lived with four families members that made the Huaorani (this is the original name of the tribe) for several days. She followed them trough all of the animal paths in the forest looking for food. The men and women were completely naked, with only a string tied to their waist. The men hunted with a blowgun and darts with venomous tip. During the night they slept on hammocks by the fire, in huts made from straw.

Ten years later, Carla and her husband came back to the same place to make a documentary, but they founded just part of the original tribe, as the other part had came away from the others. Unfortunately, in such of short period of time, they were leaving their ancients traditions and only very few of them escaped, deep into the forest, to be able to keep their traditions.

Proposal for the itinerary:

Based on Carla's experience, it is possible to take the same route: departing from Quito, reaching San Francisco de Orellana and Coca where the true navigation starts- reaching the Rio Cononaco, rafting down the river and arriving in the Auca territory, which goes trough the magic scenery of the rain forest, with its untouched nature, among animals and plants of all kinds, and followed by incredible and unforgettable sensations.

This trip is specific for the nature lovers, with some experience and adaptation skills, even if a specific physical training is not necessary.

The length of the trip is of 18-20 days, sleeping in tents or huts by the river. Both of Carla's travels were made in August, but in Amazonian it is always very hot and humid.

All vaccinations including antimalaria and antityphus are recommended. Don't forget insect repellent.