Amazon Tour: Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Brazil — 15 Days

This journey through Central and South America covers five countries: Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Brazil. It is a chance to travel the wild Amazon jungle, to meet indigenous peoples and to encounter the cultural traditions of the region.

The journey begins with the San Blas archipelago, known for its untouched beaches and turquoise water. You can enjoy the quiet on one of these Caribbean islands, spending the night either in a bungalow or in a tent.

After the Caribbean you arrive in Ecuador, where you can rest in the Papallacta hot springs, surrounded by mountains. It is a good place to recover after the first active days and before the demanding Amazon section.

The main part of the journey runs along the Napo and the Amazon. You travel these rivers, taking in the landscape and the wildlife. Meetings with local peoples, among them the Waorani and the Kichwa, open a traditional world in which old customs and rituals are still observed. You can take part in ceremonies with shamans and learn about the way of life of the indigenous peoples.

On one of the days we meet a married couple and stay overnight in their house. For more than ten years they have devoted themselves to the search for the legendary treasure of Atahualpa, and the evening in their house comes with their stories of that search.

You also visit historically significant towns: Iquitos in Peru, Leticia in Colombia and Manaus in Brazil. You explore their sights, try the local food and learn about the history of the region.

This tour is one part of a larger South America journey, so you can also join the second part, which covers Brazil, Venezuela and Panama: the city of Manaus and the expedition to the Lost World of Roraima, the Gran Sabana and the Canaima waterfalls, the river journey to Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, and a finish on one of the most beautiful Caribbean archipelagos, Bocas del Toro.

Day 1. Arrival in Panama City.

You land at Tocumen airport in Panama City, where our transfer meets you and takes you to the hotel. You can rest and freshen up after the long flight, and walk in the colonial centre of the city. In the evening you meet the other participants and the guide who will accompany you for the journey. Dinner at one of the local restaurants. Night in a hotel.

Day 2. San Blas archipelago.

An early start and departure for the San Blas archipelago at 5 a.m. This is one of the last true treasures of the Caribbean, where nature remains almost untouched: more than 300 islands with striking landscapes and water in every shade of blue. On this journey we go to the nearer islands of Cayos Limones, although the main route runs to the most remote corners of the archipelago, among which the Cayos Holandeses stand out. We spend the night on one of these Caribbean islands under a starry sky. The choice is yours: a bungalow on the island with hotel-style comfort, or the more adventurous option of a tent on a quiet part of the island, where you can take in the nature and the silence. Night in tents or a hotel.

Day 3. San Blas – Panama City – Quito – Papallacta.

After the islands we return to the port by lunchtime and go on to the airport. A few hours later we arrive at Mariscal Sucre airport in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The flight is scheduled for 19:00, landing at 21:30. After passport control and customs formalities there is a transfer to the Papallacta hot springs at 3200 m. Here you stay in comfortable single rooms. The hotel grounds hold thermal pools with water at different temperatures. The hotel also has a spa and a restaurant serving both local specialities and European dishes. Spend the evening in this restful place. Night in a hotel.

Day 4. Papallacta – Tena – the Napo province.

In the morning, after breakfast and time in the thermal pools, we gather at 11:00 to leave for Tena, the capital of the Napo province. On the way there is a short sightseeing tour of the town, and we then go on to a scenic place the local peoples call the «gates of the wind». Next comes a short trip to the Laguna Azul, a remarkable stretch of water where the Guayusa Yacu river joins the Napo. The place impresses even the most demanding traveller: fine canyons and clear lagoons surrounded by wild country. You can also try one of the well-known specialities of Amazonia, skewers of chontacuro grubs, prepared by local people from an indigenous community. Afterwards we go to spend the night in a house in the jungle. In the evening there is dinner around the fire, prepared by the hosts, who have lived in the jungle for more than ten years and are searching for the treasure of Atahualpa. By the light of the fire and over a glass of wine, we ask them to share the stories of their search.

Day 5. Tena – Coca – the Chiripuno river – Waorani community – Chiparo camp.

At 2 a.m. we set off for Coca, Puerto Francisco de Orellana, the last large settlement on the Napo river. The journey takes about two hours. On arrival there is a document check and a talk about the ecology of Yasuní national park and the Waorani reserve. After breakfast we travel by boat along the Chiripuno river, taking in the Amazon jungle and watching the local wildlife. We then visit the Waorani community to learn about their culture and way of life, and after lunch we go on to Chiparo, where we set up camp. In the evening there is piranha fishing, and later we go out at night to watch caimans before returning to camp to rest. Night in tents.

Day 6. The jungle with the Waorani and the return to Coca.

At 5:30 a.m. we go out to watch the dawn and the many birds waking with the first light. After breakfast comes a walk through the tropical forest with Waorani hunters. They share their knowledge of medicinal, edible, timber, poisonous and hallucinogenic plants, and take us to see the largest tree in Amazonia close up. Back at camp we have lunch, followed by a demonstration of the traditional preparation of curare, the poison the indigenous peoples use for hunting and to defend their land. After lunch you may see a traditional Waorani dance. Then it is time to say goodbye to the community and start back to Coca. We arrive in Coca in the evening, where you check into a hotel, have dinner and have free time to rest. Night in a hotel.

Day 7. Coca – Añangu – Kichwa community – Nuevo Rocafuerte – Jatun Cocha.

Early in the morning, at 05:00, our journey along the Napo begins, one of the largest tributaries of the Amazon. We travel by boat and soon reach Añangu, where there is a chance to watch parrots in their natural habitat. We then visit a Kichwa community and learn about their traditional culture and way of life. Here you can try the food of Amazonia, and after breakfast we say goodbye to the community and continue along the river. We take lunch at midday and then head for Nuevo Rocafuerte. After a short stop we continue to the mouth of the Yasuní river and then make for Jatun Cocha, the largest lake in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Having set up camp, we explore the surroundings: floating islands, mangrove thickets and the local inhabitants, birds, monkeys and giant otters. Back at camp there is dinner and an evening trip on the lake to watch caimans in their night-time life.

Day 8. Yasuní national park – Cuyabeno reserve – Yaku Warmi.

After breakfast we set out on a walk through the jungle of Yasuní national park. Here you can see rare animals and unusual plants, and visit a clay lick, a place where the inhabitants of the jungle gather for mineral salts. Back at camp we have lunch, then travel to the Cuyabeno reserve, along the Yasuní and Aguarico rivers to the Cocaya river, where we stay in the Yaku Warmi cabins. In the evening we meet the pink river dolphins: you can feed them and even swim alongside them. After dinner there is a night walk on the jungle trails to watch nocturnal animals, and stories from local people about the myths of Amazonia around the fire. Night in cabins.

Day 9. Cuyabeno – Pantoja – the Secoya community.

Early in the morning there is a chance to watch the macaws, other parrots and monkeys being fed. Back at our cabins we have breakfast and then set out on a walk through the jungle of the Cuyabeno national reserve. After lunch at the cabins we continue to Pantoja, the first Peruvian town on the border. Here we complete passport registration with the immigration service before returning to the Napo river. We then travel to the small Santa María river, where we reach the community of the Secoya people. We set up camp, have dinner and take part in a shamanic ceremony using ayahuasca. Night in tents.

Day 10. The Santa María river and Santa Clotilde.

At 06:00 we set out along the Santa María river in a traditional canoe. This is a chance to watch the many birds and the wildlife coming to life along the banks. Back in the community there is breakfast, and with it an introduction to the culture and way of life of the local people. You can take part in making casabe, the Amazonian flatbread, and other traditional dishes. After a farewell dance and lunch we continue the journey. In the evening we arrive in Santa Clotilde, where we stay in a small hotel and prepare for what comes next. Night in a hotel.

Day 11. Santa Clotilde – Mazán – Iquitos.

At 06:00 there is breakfast, after which the journey continues. Around lunchtime we arrive in Mazán, where we transfer to a fast boat. We then cross the Amazon and reach Iquitos. On arrival we stay in a hotel in the centre of the city, which makes it easy to explore the surroundings. Night in a hotel.

Day 12. Iquitos.

In the morning we start exploring Iquitos and the country around it. If you wish, you can visit the Yagua people, known for their kambo ceremonies, which use a frog secretion. The rest of the day is free for walks or rest, so you can take in the atmosphere of the city at your own pace. Night in a hotel.

Day 13. Iquitos – the triple border – Leticia.

We start the day early and travel by scheduled boat along the Amazon, a journey of about 12 hours. On the way we reach the «triple border», where three countries meet: Peru at Santa Rosa, Colombia at Leticia and Brazil at Tabatinga. During the journey you can take in the scenery and the life along the river, and lunch is served on board. On arrival in Leticia, the southernmost city in Colombia, we check into a hotel.

Day 14. Tabatinga – Manaus.

Today we cross the border into Brazil and fly from Tabatinga to Manaus, the largest city on the Amazon. After arriving in the city there is a transfer to the hotel. You have free time to get to know Manaus: you can walk its distinctive streets, take in the atmosphere and discover the local culture. Night in a hotel.

Day 15. Transfer to the airport.

Flight home.

• An experienced Mountain Guide team leader, for groups of 4 participants or more
• The domestic flights in the itinerary
• Airport meeting and send-off
• Hotel accommodation, twin rooms, the number of nights set out in the itinerary
• Accommodation in tents, twin occupancy, the number of nights set out in the itinerary
• Group equipment (first-aid kit, satellite navigator)
• Camping equipment
• Permits for all the national parks in the itinerary
• Tickets for the excursions in the itinerary
• Breakfasts in the hotels
• Full board during the journey down the Napo
• All transfers from Panama to Manaus along the trip

• International flights
• Visa
• The necessary vaccinations
• Porters for personal belongings, where required
• Restaurants and bars in the towns
• Insect repellent
• Participation in the shamanic ceremonies traditional to Amazonia
• Insurance
• Single occupancy
• Early check-in and late check-out at the hotel before or after the trip (we always try to arrange additional benefits for our guests with our partners, and early check-in or late check-out is often provided free of charge)
• Tips
• Any departure from the itinerary
• Any expenses arising from change to the itinerary

A private group can agree its own date, the length of the river sections, the standard of the town accommodation and extra days in a country of its choice. The order in which the countries are visited changes only once domestic flights, boats, border conditions and local partners have been confirmed.

• Passport
• The documents required to enter Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Brazil on your nationality
• Medical insurance covering water-based routes, trekking, search and rescue and evacuation
• Tickets and confirmations for the internal flights
• Each country’s current health requirements are checked before the trip
• We recommend keeping digital copies of your documents on your phone and in cloud storage

The route links the Caribbean coast, the high country of Ecuador and the humid tropics of the Amazon basin. Temperature, rainfall and water levels vary greatly from country to country and from section to section. Dates are chosen once river conditions, flights and the seasonal accessibility of every part of the route have been checked.

In the towns the trip uses hotels with twin rooms; on the self-sufficient sections it uses tents. Breakfasts are provided at the hotels and full board during the descent of the Napo; other meals are paid separately unless the invoice says otherwise.

• On the river and self-sufficient sections, showers, electricity and charging are limited
• Outside the towns, internet and mobile signal are rare or absent altogether
• The humidity calls for watertight protection for documents, clothing and electronics
• The schedule for domestic flights, boats and ground transfers can change
• Taking part in ceremonies and visiting communities is possible only with the hosts’ consent

Documents:

• Passport
• Flight tickets (including the return!)
• Medical insurance

Personal equipment:

• A 20-40 litre rucksack
• A sleeping bag with a comfort rating of 0 °C or lower
• Trekking poles

Clothing and footwear:

• Trekking boots
• Trainers (for the towns)
• Waterproof layer – jacket and trousers. The industry offers a whole range of products, from simple 5,000/5,000 membranes upwards.
• Fleece top and bottoms
• Base layer, top and bottoms
• Down jacket with a hood
• Thick gloves
• Thin gloves
• Bandana (as well as sun protection in the valley, it can keep your throat or face warm in the cold)
• Warm hat
• Warm trekking socks for summit day
• Cap or hat

Other items:

• LED head torch with at least 12 hours of battery life
• Sunglasses
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre. Preferably without a push-button lid
• Reusable bottle
• Windproof face mask for the lower face (a scarf will do at a pinch)
• Gaiters
• Sun cream and lip balm
• Chemical hand warmers (not essential, but they can prove useful)
• Personal first-aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or a support brace