SOUTH AMERICA - Ecuador

CONTINENT: SOUTH AMERICA
COUNTRY: Ecuador

DIFFICULTY: (1: Low, 5: High)

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

For three times Carla realized the 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 with her husband the area where one of the last non-civilized indios tribe lived.
The only reason that we were accepted was thanks to our guide who was kidnapped with his mother when he was a kid from the white men and latter returned to his family.

Carla lived with the four families members that made the Huaorani (this is the original name of the tribe) for several days. She followed them all trough the animal made paths in the forest looking for food. 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 were sleeping on hammock 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 that came apart from the other. Unfortunately in such of short period of time, they were leaving their ancients traditions and only very few of them escaped deeply into the forest to be able to keep their traditions.

Proposal for the itinerary: Based on Carla experience, is possible to take the same route: departing from Quito reaching San Francisco de Orellana and at last Coca where the navigation starts reaching the Rio Cononaco Descending the river and arriving in the Auca territory trough the magic scenery of the rain forest with its untouched nature and among animals and plants of all kind, 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 tends 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 the vaccinations including the antimalaria and antityphus are recommended. Don't forget the insect repellent.

For more informations write to Carla.