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Nature & Culture

Cocha Lakes Tour




This 12-day trip is put together mostly for people who like to take picture  film wild animals and flowers in a primary lowland tropical rainforest. Cocha means lake or lagoon in Quechua and as the name implies we visit three of most beautiful lake regions of the country. We start at Pañacocha, move then to Largatococha and finally to Jatuncocha Lagoon. As already mentioned this excursion was especially put together for you, who like to have the chance to capture animals on film as the lagoons give unobstructed views to tree tops where most wildlife is concentrated. Lagoons also give wonderful opportunities to capture unique landscape images, especially when the occasional sunsets occur.


Day 1:   We start our adventure by driving from Quito to San Rafael Waterfalls, the highest and mightiest fall in Ecuador which lies in the higher Amazon region and is also famous for its bird population. We will spend the first night there in a simple camp. On a clear day we have also a splendid view of the active volcano El Reventador, which still emits fumaroles and thus presents another great photo opportunity.


Day 2:    In the morning we explore the area on small trails in this region of 1500m which represents a transitional forest from montane to the lower tropical rainforest. On the hike we may see cock of the rocks, oropendulas, tanagers and many other birds. Apart from that many flowering plants like orchids, bromeliads and heliconias make their home there. After lunch we drive on to Coca, where we arrive after another 4 hour and spend the night there in a hotel.


Day 3:   In the morning we stow our equipment in a motorized canoe to start our trip down the Napo towards Pañacocha. After 4 hours we reach the entrance to Pañayacu river and move up on this small with vegetation overhanging river to reach the lagoons. On this 1-hour upriver trip we have our first chances of seeing monkeys and birds among the trees, bordering the river. On a cleared bluff on a small lagoon we will put up our tent camp for the first few nights.


Day 4:   In the morning we explore the surrounding rainforest on a hike to get to know some of the trees and plants of the area. We observe also many insects and with luck some monkeys, in particular howler monkeys which inhabit that region. After lunch we move by boat farther upriver to observe more of the flora and fauna from the river. At night we undertake a short night walk through the forest to get to know some of the nocturnal animals.


Day 5:   We get up at first light in the morning and paddle in the canoe around the lagoons to observe birds. The weaving birds like cacique and oropendulas are numerous in that area but there also colonies of hoatzins and anis. Macaws, herons, kingfisher, vultures, raptors and many more also to be seen. In the afternoon we try our luck at fishing for pirañas and other ones to complement our food supplies. In the evening we go out by canoe to look for caimans.


Day 6:    We leave Pañacocha and head to Lagartococha. We enter the Napo again and drive farther downstream to reach the border with Peru. There we enter the Aguarico and move upstream to reach the small river entrance to Lagartococha. There we put up a tent camp again. In the evening we go out by canoe to explore this beautiful lake region for the first time.


Day 7:   Early in the morning we explore again the various lagoons and we may expect to encounter river dolphins which are common in this region. Afternoons we explore a little the forest on foot or try our fishing abilities again. Late evening we go out again and search later at dark for caimans.


Day 8:    We leave this beautiful area and continue on by boat and finally reach the Napo river again turning back upriver to enter the Yasuni river. Here we can encounter river dolphins again, especially at the entrance to the Jatuncocha lagoon, which we reach after 1 hour. We put up our tents in a forest clearing and in the evening we go out again by boat to look for caimans and other nocturnal animals.


Day 9:    Today we go out by canoe at sunrise to observe the varied birdlife of the lagoon. Herons, weaver birds, fish eagles among others wake up to start their activities. A little later we arrive at a spot where parrots gather to lick rich minerals at a low spot (if water level allows). Afterwards we return for breakfast and then we undertake a hike in the surrounding tropical forest for more exploration. Afternoon is spent swimming or fishing for piranhas and other fish abundant in this beautiful lake.


Day 10:  Today we move upriver and explore the river Yasuni. On the way  many birds may be observed and also river turtles are plentiful. After an hour we reach a forest trail which we explore on foot. Always snakes like fer de lances can be seen along this trail. After that exciting adventure we head back to our campsite where we spend our last night in tents.


Day 11:   After breakfast we leave this lake and head back to the Napo. It will take the whole day to reach Coca, where we spend the last night of our adventure expedition.


Day 12:   We drive back to Quito by way of Loreto. We will pass the Sumaco volcano and stop in Baeza for lunch. Before reaching Quito, we stop in Papallacta at the Hot Springs to relax after the long journey through the tropical wilderness.



 

 JUNGLE LODGES


Casa Suizo


Yarina


Sacha


La Selva


Yuturi


Kapawi


PICTURES









ISLAZUL TRIPS


Pañacocha


Tiputini


Yasuni


Cocha Lakes


Iquitos


PICTURES