Yasuni and Waorani Experience

This extension is rated level 3, which means moderately challenging. You will be camping in a remote location, where it is frequently humid or raining and, whilst the activities are not extremely challenging, the uneven terrain of the rain forest, combined with early mornings are not to be underestimated.

Water in Ecuador isn’t necessarily safe to drink. Purified water is available from dispensers at the WAO Kamp and you should not need to bring a filtration system unless you choose to. 

At the WOA Kamp, meals will be simple and will consist of locally inspired dishes and use seasonal vegetables. All meals will be taken in the camp's dining area.

You  should expect a mix of hot and cold options, including fruits, bread and jam, eggs, pancakes and, of course, lots of tea, coffee and locally sourced Guayusa leaf tea.

Lunches will consist of a selection of meats, salads and stews. You will also have the chance to try local dishes such as Tilapia maito (fish cooked in banana skins).

Your evening meal will consist of three courses. Typically there will be a soup to start, followed by meat or fish dishes served with cabbage / beet salads and rice and with a sweet desert to end the meal.

It is important to maintain a high standard of hygiene in what can be a difficult environment. It is worth carrying some anti-bacterial hand gel in case you are caught short during the day’s activities.  

You can easily become dehydrated in the hot and humid conditions in the Amazon. You will also be exerting

yourself, and sweating. As a result, you’ll have to drink much more water than you normally would so you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day. Even when you don’t feel thirsty you should  drink this amount as a minimum – preferably more. The most common

symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.

Please inform us of any dietary requirements upon booking so that we can inform the accommodations and plan suitable meals for whilst you are camping. As this trip takes place in a remote location, it may be difficult to source certain items that you may be able to get at home. Please discuss any dietary requirements with our team in the UK.

On this trip we will stay in the unique WAO Kamp, located on the shores of the Shiripuno River, in the Yasuni National Park. Accommodation is built in the style of the Waorani people’s homes with 4 meter tall bell tents underneath shelters made from woven leaves. Tents are allocated on a twin share basis and contain comfortable beds, towels, bedding (including pillows and duvet). There are shared shower and bathroom facilities and comfortable areas to eat and relax.

By staying in the WAO Kamp, you are helping to protect the way of life of the Waorani people and other nomadic groups who reside in the Ecuadorian Amazon as well as supporting the vital work being done by the National park to preserve the biodiverse eco-system that houses over 2000 types of plant and more than 1000 animal species. The WAO Kamp is a sustainable travel initiative fully led by the Waorani people. Your stay directly supports the community, their education, healthcare and conservation efforts.

All transportation costs are included in this trip. Your transfers will be taken in either a comfortable minibus or a 4x4 vehicle dependent on the location and conditions of the roads. You will also be transported by motorized canoe. 

Bag Weight: 15kg

On this trip you have a maximum luggage allowance of 1 x 15kg bags. We recommend using soft 80-100L duffel bags.

Your bags will be transported by vehicle (car and boat) between locations, and you will carry a smaller daysack (around 30l) on your activities each day. 

This adventure starts in Coca (also known as El Coca) and you must make your own way there. From Quito, this is possible either overland or flight. If you fancy travelling by road, the bus takes around 8 hours and is pretty inexpensive (around $15-$20). The best option is the night bus which leaves Quito at 11pm and arrives at the bus terminal in Coca at around 7am. Alternatively, the quickest option is to fly, Flights take around 30 minutes and depart in the morning. LATAM operate flights between Quito (Mariscal Sucre International Airport – airport code UIO) and Coca (Puerto Francisco de Orellana – airport code OCC). Please check the baggage limitations for domestic flights as they are often small. You must arrive in Coca in the morning as it is only possible to operate the boat transfer to the WAO Kamp during the day.

It is a requirement of joining any of our trips that you attend a pre-trip briefing on your arrival at WAO Kamp. The team will provide a full orientation of the Kamp and a full safety briefing. If time allows between the end of your Ecuador trip and the start of this extension, a briefing will be provided at your hotel in Ecuador the evening before the extension begins. The briefing in Quito is held the at 6pm the evening before the trip begins in the hotel lobby.

Please note that whilst you are out of the big cities there won't be anywhere for you to exchange money, so we would recommend doing this before leaving Quito. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants and shops in the cities however in the smaller towns and villages they will be useless, so please make sure to have some cash on you as well.  If you are relying on a credit or debit card for emergency funds, make sure you tell your card issuer that you will be using it abroad, or you may find that it won't work when you really need it.

Depending on how many souvenirs you want to buy, we would suggest a recommended budget of US$200 to $250.

Tipping is typically not expected in Ecuador, but is appreciated. The amount you tip should be based on the level of service you feel you have received and is completely voluntary. In restaurants and bars there is an official 10% service tax. For your trip crew, the decision on how much to tip should be determined by how well they serve you whilst you are on your adventure but the amounts below are a recommendation:

Guides: US$10 per person per trip

Drivers: US$5 per journey

WAO Kamp staff: $15 per group as a collection for either tip box or to be handed to guide who will distribute

Tips should be made in US Dollars and bills should be crisp, untorn and less than 10 years old.

For the Waorani, small thoughtful gifts to say thank you are appreciated and culturally welcomed. Practical items, educational materials, outdoor gear or items from your home country are considered very meaningful.