The team of the expedition also included professional travelers, cameraman and a doctor. Besides experiencing the unforgettable drive of living in the heart of primitive nature for three weeks, members of the expedition crossed the borders of three countries - Ecuador, Peru and Brazil; took part in actual scientific researches; experienced life and cuisine of different cultures; rafted down the two rampant rivers, hardly ever tamed by any human; saw the active volcano and geysers in the crater of a dormant one; watched rare animals, including pink dolphin and white alligator! But the main thing was that EVERYTHING WAS VIDEOTAPED AND BROADCASTED ONLINE!
THIS HAPPENS ONLY ONCE IN A LIFETIME!
Day 1
December 28 2009. 18:45. Members fly out of St. Petersburg (Russia) to Quito (Ecuador). Flight St. Petersburg – Quito (Ecuador) with KLM airline.
Day 2
9:20 Arrival to the capital of Ecuador, Quito (Pichincha Province). The city was found by the Cara Indians (ancestors of today’s Otavaleños) in the 10th century A.D. It’s situated on the tableland between the volcanoes, 2,850 m high above the sea level. Hotel check-in (four/five-star hotel). Evening walk around the city.
Day 3
Jeep rent. The group takes only essentials and goes to Papallacta (60 km from Quito), to a spa center with big hot tubs that are filled with water from hot mineral springs of Antisana volcano. There we rest, explore the preserved area of Antisana surrounded by the Ands highlands. Here you can find colossal amount of various animals and birds (the Black-faced Ibis, the Noble Snipe (suborder of sandpiper), the American Golden plover, the Curve-billed Tinamou, the American kestrel). We spend the night in small cottages that have personal baths outside filled with volcanic stream water (while taking a bath at night you can enjoy the view of the stars!)
Day 4
Ride towards the Equator to the town of Cayambe, 22 km to the north of Quito (Ecuador); crossing the equator. New Year’s celebration at the equator with dinner and champagne. Return to the hotel.
Day 5
January 1 2010. Check-out at the Quito hotel early in the morning. Packing all the belongings and equipment into jeeps. Ride to the beautiful city of Riobamba: the Catedral (17th century), the only building to survive the terrible earthquake of 1977 and the famous Temple of the Sun (Ingapirca). The road to Riobamba goes along the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” which comprises nine out of ten highest peaks of the country, such as volcano Chimborazo (6,267 m, the highest peak in the country and the highest summit on the earth if the measurements are taken from the center of the planet) and volcano Cotopaxi (5,897 m). After Riobamba we move towards the city of Puyo (Ecuador) along the charming scenery where on the one side rise the sharp cliffs with waterfalls and on the other side the ground makes a vertical fall into the canyon where the Pastaza River flows from the Cotopaxi glaciers. On our way we will stop by the foot of one of the most active Ecuador’s volcanoes, Tungurahua (in local language means "Throat of Fire") 5,016 m high. When it last erupted on December 15 2008, the level of its seismic activity increased and led to the ash out-fall and ejection of hot volcanic material that rose 7 km above the sea level.
Day 6
In the morning we take jeeps and go to a city of Shell (Ecuador) – border outpost and military base built in Amazonian jungles for servicing the oil company and named after it. It’s mostly inhabited by soldiers, oil workers and locals from Shuar and Quechua tribes; the latter are engaged in prostitution and unskilled labor.
A helicopter ride to the crater of Tungurahua volcano. Then we place all our equipment and belongings into the boats. Launching the canoes. Starting to canoe along the Pastaza River! Going across the confluence of rivers Arapikos and Pastaza. First overnight stop in jungles (we get off, clean up the territory, set up canopy in case it rains, hang out hammocks equipped with mosquito net, cover parts of the equipment with special “skirts” in the canoe, put the parts which are packed into airproof bags in the hanging hammocks, start the fire, cook dinner).
Day 7-10
We take down the camp, pack, launch the canoes and move on along the Pastaza River towards the legendary underground tunnels (GPS orientation). There we get off and set up a three-day camp for further exploration of the area in search of the entrance into the “metal library”; besides we will take pictures and video and go fishing.
Day 10
We take down the camp and start a 6 km walk through the jungles towards the head of the Morona River. The locals carry the basic equipment and some of the things (they’re paid to help out). GPS orientation. Setting up the camp on the Morona’s riverside (Ecuador). Overnight camping in the jungle.
Day 11-18
Taking down of the camp. Launching the canoe: we move on canoeing along the Morona River. First stop in the city of Puerto Morona. During all those days we take pictures and video of the wild nature of Ecuador, beautiful, unique and diverse. Ecologists call Ecuador “the hot spot of megadiversity” because the land comprises more than 300 species of mammals, including sloths, lamas, alpacas, etc. Bird lovers come here from all over the world to watch the Andean Condor and other bird species.
Getting to know the customs of Amerindian group of tribes Jivaro – Guarani. Going into one of the Morona’s inflows down along the current towards the habitations of legendary Amazons.
Day 19
Stop in the city of Puerto Morona (Ecuador). Here we refill our food supplies, experience local traditions, go fishing, and relax. Those who wish to try the local drink “chicha”, once used in rituals and Incas’ festivities, will have such an opportunity. Getting a stamp in passport indicating that we crossed the border between Ecuador and Peru. Overnight stay in Puerto Morona.
Day 20-36
Going down along the Morona’s current till it flows into the river Maranon. The area of tropical forests in which we will continue our trip is the oldest natural habitat on Earth. Here we will have an opportunity to see the life of the Yagua and Jivaro tribes (it’s widely known that they’re against the assimilation in any form). Getting in contact with them, gathering the information about their traditions, customs, legends and mythology. Getting acquainted with the method of healing which is practiced by curanderos - shamans and folk healers. They possess a special “magic knowledge” that they receive mostly from contact with herbs of Power (Ayahuasca, Chacruna, Mapacho). Taking photos and videos of local flora and fauna, fishing (here you can catch a giant Amazonian fish pirarucu, or paiche). There’s a choice of underwater video shooting, as this part of route is a habitat of pink dolphins (Inia geoffrensis).
Day 37
Arrival to Iquitos (Peru), the biggest city of Peruvian Amazonia located in the very heart of tropical forests and for that fact called a capital of the Amazon’s jungles! Hotel check-in. Sight seeing. We will see the villas lined with blue Portugal glazed tile – the remains of luxury from the times when Iquitos was a capital of rubber production. Besides, we will visit the Belen market where you can buy different handmade creative works done by local tribes: shaman’s drinks; Native Americans’ crafts, all kinds of local dainties (meet of river turtles, dried arapaima, river crabs). We will try ceviche, national Peruvian dish!
Day 38-39
Flight to Manaus (Brazil). Hotel check-in. A walk in the streets. We will see the Opera Theatre “Amazonas” – the symbol of the city’s golden days, the only theatre in the world located in jungles. Besides, we will go to the ecological park where will have an opportunity to see the giant Amazon’s water lilies "Victoria Regia" in the lake January. We will also witness the marvelous phenomenon called “rivers’ wedding”, and again, meet our friends, pink dolphins!
Day 40-43
Flight to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Hotel check-in. A visit to the unique historical sights: the Sugar Loaf, Corcovado Mountain and a world-known statue of Christ; flamenco park, the biggest in the world Maracanã stadium. Night Rio: a visit to the biggest night club, Rio Scenarium (the favorite place of Brazilians themselves), a famous mulatto show (Plataforma), taking lessons of Brazilian dance, samba, and tasting the famous Brazilian drink Caipirinha (made from Cachaça, fermented sugarcane). Later we share our experiences, sort out the footage, relax on the beach, and adjust to the normal life.
Day 44
Flight from Rio de Janeiro to St. Petersburg (Russia).
Day 45
St. Petersburg: Presenting international numerated diplomas for the traveling achievements from the World Encyclopedia of Travel; voting for “the best expeditionist” that will later be elected as a corresponding member of the World Encyclopedia of Travel’s Academy.
Banquet.