THE FLOTEL JUNGLE DISCOVERY, THE AMAZON, ECUADOR

The Amazon Rainforest is the largest remaining tropical rainforest on earth; called the "Oriente" it covers more than half of Ecuador's surface, lying on the eastern side of the Andean cordillera. With its amazing biodiversity it represents one of the wildest, most wildlife-packed rain forests of the world, with one of the highest densities of endemic plants and animals.

One Amazonian tree can host more ant species than the whole of England; one hectare of forest boasts about as many frog species as in all of North America; and the great expanse of the jungle contains more than twenty percent of the earth's vascular plant species. The Upper Amazon has the highest diversity of trees in the world, with more than 1500 species and an average of nearly 300 per hectare. Birdwatchers are able to observe up to 100 birds in a day, from the smallest hummingbird to the huge king vulture or the biggest bird of prey, the famous Harpy Eagle.

The jungle is also home to different types of mammals, for example 12 species of primates are recorded in the Yasuní National Park. Sometimes a Jaguar can be observed along the river, as can capybaras, tapirs, caimans, otters and river dolphins. Through the Amazon basin circulates one sixth of all the fresh water on earth and all the rivers in Ecuador are tributary rivers to the huge Amazon River. The rivers are classified in two different types; the brown muddy white water rivers such as the Napo and the black water rivers and systems such as the Lagartococha or Cuyabeno.

During the tour, on a series of well marked trails the guides explain to their guests the different types of primary forest. The terra firme (upland) forest contains the highest plant diversity, and along the rivers we find the várzea (seasonally flooded forest); huge swampy parts home to the Mauritius palm tree and in the igapo forest (temporally black water flooded forest) which sustains a great array of trees. This tropical rainforest is home to nearly 200 distinct indigenous cultures. In Ecuador we find culturally different groups such as the Kichwa, Siona, Secoya, Cofan, Shuar, Achuar, Záparo and the Huaorani. They are the ancient keepers and guardians of this biological heritage. They live from the forest and know all the useful and medicinal plants in their habitat. Unfortunately the Amazon basin is also rich in industrial products that get exploited on a huge scale such as latex, timber, oil, gold and other minerals. Also settlers are a huge threat to the forest, and their hunting scares the animals and making them retreat deeper into the forest. Several National Parks try to protect the last patches of undisturbed primary rainforest. Created in 1979, the Yasuní National Park is the largest mainland park of Ecuador (982,000 hectares) and UNESCO declared it an International Biosphere Reserve that same year.


YACHT FLOTEL "JUNGLE DISCOVERY"

The best opportunity to enjoy the magic of the rain forest is onboard the "Jungle Discovery", a first class yacht which is part of an ecotourism project operating in the deepest Ecuadorian Amazon forest in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and part of Peru. This extraordinary adventure invites you to explore the very high biodiversity of these exotic landscapes and their abundant wildlife. The Jungle Discovery offers its passengers full contact with nature with the high levels of comfort and service. Our profound knowledge about the jungle assures you an unforgettable trip.

The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, created in 1979, lies in the northeast of the province of Sucumbíos and Orellana and covers a territory of 655,781 hectares, between the river basins of the San Miguel and the Aguarico. This protected area of tropical humid forest is characterized by an amazing biodiversity. It has become an important Reserve because of its 14 spectacular lagoons created by lowland rainforest floods and the numerous rivers crossing the area.

For hundreds of years the Siona, Secoya, Cofán and Kichwa indigenous communities have lived in this protected region, always respecting their surrounding environment.

The Reserve counts on more than 4000 plant species (more than the double found in North America), and a great potential of endemics; and with more than 500 bird species registered, including the unique Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja). It is possible to find 107 species of reptiles and 83 species of amphibians in the forest, giving Ecuador the highest diversity of herpetofauna in South America. Freshwater grey and pink dolphins, giant armadillos, anacondas, manatees, 15 species of monkeys, more than 500 types of birds and caimans make up just a part of this fantastic ecosystem.

The main vegetation types are the igapó and várzea forests along the lagoons and river basins and in the hills are the terra firme forest.


5 days - 4 nights on the Flotel "Jungle Discovery"


Day 1:
We take the domestic flight from Quito to Coca with Tame airline at 8.10am. Transfer from the airport to Puerto Gregorio on the Aguarico river shore by private transport, arriving at 12:30pm. After a delicious lunch, we will take a motor canoe down river and reach the Yacht Jungle Discovery at 4pm, waiting for us on the confluence of the Cuyabeno and Aguarico rivers.

Navigating the Aguarico down river on board we can enjoy the view of the Amazon rainforest until we reach the entrance of the Zábalo River at about 6:30pm. Upon arriving we go on a true night adventure expedition to observe caimans. Afterwards we will have a welcome cocktail and dinner on board and the guide will explain the next day's program.

Day 2:
Breakfast at 6:00am. At 7:30am we start navigating Zábalo River upstream by motor canoe for about one hour. On the way we have the possibility to observe the fascinating wildlife of the Cofán reservation, like macaws, parrots, toucans and with luck monkeys. We will then go on a walk through the virgin forest accompanied by a Cofán native guide who will explain the flora and fauna as well as the use of their medicinal plants. After returning to the flotel we have lunch and have time to relax. In the afternoon we will go piranha sport fishing. At 8.00pm dinner and briefing for the next day.

Day 3:
Breakfast at 7:00am, followed by a walk through the forest along the Zábalo River. Our Cofán guide will again show and explain to us the biodiversity of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Lunch at noon on board. In the afternoon we visit the Cofán Community of Zábalo, about a half an hour down the Aguarico River. We will take part in the cultural activities of the community like Casabe preparing (yuca bread), their typical food and also the preparing of Yoco (a natural beverage). We also learn how to extract the chambira fibre out of a palm leave. This fibre is used for hammocks and bags. We will also have the opportunity to visit their turtle reproduction centre and to buy their handy crafts. In the late afternoon we will return to the Jungle Discovery and go up river to the entrance of the Cuyabeno River. After dinner we have the possibility to go on a night walk looking for insects, amphibians and other nocturnal animals.

Day 4:
Very early in the morning we will go on a hike to observe birds. After breakfast we will navigate by motor canoe to the Black Water River, habitat of the Pink river dolphins. We go on a longer walk through the forest together with a Kichwa native guide. In the afternoon we will visit a Kichwa family whose culture differs to the one of the Cofán and we will have time for some sport fishing. Dinner and farewell cocktail.

Day 5:
Breakfast at 6:00am. We will go on a walk along the Cuyabeno River. At 11:00am we will set off for Puerto Gregorio. On the way we enjoy a box lunch on a river beach. Transfer back to the airport at Coca where we take the domestic flight to Quito at 5:30pm with Tame airlines.

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