ITINERARY

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Day 1 - In the Heart of Waorani Territory
The experience begins in Coca, from where we depart towards the Shiripuno River. Along the way, there will be a stop to learn more about the reality of voluntarily isolated peoples through a meeting with the Human Rights Secretariat.To reach the Bameno community, we will pass through the so-called "Untouchable Zone," which is the area inhabited by the two uncontacted indigenous groups, the Tagaeri and Taromenani, who are part of the Waorani nationality.Once we arrive at the Shiripuno River bridge, we continue by canoe along the river to Guemeneweno, where we will be welcomed by Gaba (Waorani leader and elder) and his Waorani family.Here begins our first contact with the local culture: there will be time to learn about customs, listen to stories, and share authentic moments. The day ends with a refreshing swim in the river and dinner around the fire, before retiring for the night in tents (or hammocks, as the Waorani traditionally sleep in hammocks).

‍Day 2 - Welcome to Bameno: The True Beat of the Amazon
‍After breakfast, we set off again by canoe, navigating the river towards the Waorani community of Bameno, located in the heart of Yasuni National Park, the area with the greatest biodiversity in the world.The journey offers a total immersion in the biodiversity of the Amazon: we may spot parrots, monkeys, charapas (Amazonian turtles), birds, caimans, and if we’re lucky, even a sloth hidden among the trees.Arrival in Bameno marks the beginning of a warm welcome by the community and the start of a new stage of the adventure - we are indeed in the heart of Waorani territory, in one of the most authentic and isolated communities.

‍Day 3 - Roots and Rituals: Discovering Waorani Wisdom
The morning begins with traditional Waorani dances and songs held in the ONKO, the traditional Waorani hut. Here the welcome party will take place, where we will see traditional clothing, body painting, and participate in the traditional dance.Afterwards, we will have the chance to practice with blowpipes and spears, ancestral hunting tools that the Waorani still use today.We will then visit the Bameno community, with a special stop at the community shaman, the keeper of ancestral medicine.The walk through the forest will lead us to discover medicinal plants and millenary trees, before returning to the community for dinner.

‍Day 4 - Living Forest: Camping, Ancestral Fishing, and Night Exploration
We head out for a camping experience in the jungle: a guided walk will take us to discover a natural salt lick, where we can observe parrots gathering.After lunch and some rest, we set off for a catfish fishing session, then return to camp to prepare smoked fish according to Waorani tradition.We can watch Waorani women fish using a traditional method—a kind of small fishing net made from CHAMBIRA, a natural fiber extracted from a forest palm also used for handicrafts.The evening ends with a night canoe excursion on the Cononaco River to observe caimans in their natural environment.

‍Day 5 - Craftsmanship, Hidden Lagoons, and New Year’s Eve in the Jungle
The day begins with a walk to a hidden lagoon in the forest, a natural habitat for anacondas and piranhas. We can try fishing and observe wildlife in one of the most remote corners of the territory.After returning to camp and lunch in Bameno, there will be time to rest and visit the community center where local handicrafts will be showcased: accessories such as necklaces, hammocks, bracelets, and other handmade items will be available for those who want to bring back an authentic souvenir.All these crafts are made by the women of the community using only natural materials derived from a palm. The women will show us the entire process and how they obtain the different natural colors used to dye the fibers.At midnight, there will be no urban countdown: we will celebrate the start of the new year immersed in the darkness and sounds of the jungle, in an intimate and timeless moment.

‍Day 6 - Roots and Traditions: Meetings with Elders and Ceramics Workshop
This day is dedicated to deeply getting to know the community. We will visit the oldest families, keepers of oral memory and Waorani traditions, listening to their stories and life anecdotes in the jungle.During the day, it will also be possible to participate in a traditional ceramics workshop, shaping clay as Waorani women do, using techniques passed down through generations.Currently, very few women still keep the tradition of working with clay, and in this community, we will have the fortune and honor to meet those who still practice it.Those who wish can help prepare food or simply share time with the community, enjoying songs, chats, and moments of relaxation.

‍Day 7 - Farewell Rituals and Final Reflections in the Forest
The last day in the forest is meant as a moment of closure and reflection. After breakfast, there will be a brief ritual to say goodbye to nature and the community, led by an elder of the village.It will be the time to share thoughts, emotions, thanks, and take the last photos together.The afternoon departure by plane to Quito is scheduled.

‍Day 8 - Welcome to Quito
We land in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After checking in at the hostel, there will be a guided walk through the historic center: Baroque churches, colonial plazas, and murals of indigenous resistance. Dinner together to share first reflections on the trip.

‍Day 9 - Between Nature and City
We explore the naturalistic and modern side of Quito: visit to the Teleférico with views over the Andes, and the local market. The afternoon will be free to discover the La Floresta neighborhood, rich in street art, independent bookstores, and artistic cafés.

‍Day 10 - Goodbye Ecuador
‍The last day to process everything we have experienced. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and flight back home.