A Little Guy Adventure Across the Amazonas!
May 19 - June 9/10* | $1500 USD*Depending on local boat schedules
Join us on a 3 week adventure through the lens of locals across the Amazon of Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil!
Between volunteering with the Waorani Tribe of Gomatoan and passing nights on local cargo boats, our expedition team (you guys!!) will be the first advertised group trip to travel this route! That being said, we have a very important precedent to set:
How to travel in a way that helps the communities, and hurts no one, especially not the planet.
This trip is about listening, understanding, and amplifying the voices we meet. We will collaborate on short form cinema as well as a longer form documentary, highlighting not just stories but social and environmental consciousness
We want the world to get to know the Amazon the way that we will,
from the perspective of those that know it best.
This trip is not just about experiencing the Amazon,
it’s about learning from it.
❋ The Process
There are 15 spots available for this historic trip.
In order to join this trip, you will need to apply using the link below. This application is followed by a conversation interview, mostly just so we can make sure our applicants are well aware of the general risks and discomfort associated with this type of extreme backpacking.
But don’t let that scare you!! Your guide, Sam crossed this route alone with little Spanish and almost no direction and she got across just fine!
After applying and being given the go ahead by our interview team, we will send the liability waiver and deposit information. All deposits will be made on our website in the section below
❋ The People
Your guides will be Sam Bolton, Angelvis Mañe, and Andres Valenzuela.
You and your fellow volunteers are expected to be people with a passion and empathy for deep connection with the world around you.
We will be interacting with an indigenous Waraoni tribe, local boat works, and locals living in small riverside communities.
❋ The Place
The first week will take place in and around the Amazon of Ecuador, where we will spend 3 days and 4 nights living and volunteering with a local Waorani Tribe community called Gomataon
Here we will help them build a crucial bridge for their local school kids to access the school during high tides, as well as participate in cultural exchange and immersion as we learn from their culture and share ours through different art workshops. This will all be paired with collaborative documentary media with the community.
After we will spend the next 2 weeks slowly crossing the Amazon River by boat between Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, including the famous Amazon capitals of Iquitos, Peru, Leticia, Colombia, and Manaus, Brazil.
Dates
May 19-June 10th*
*latest depending on boat schedules
Prices
$1500 USD all included
Deposit: $350 USD by March 15th
Remaining: $1150 USD by March 29th
Next Steps and FAQs
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This application is a form to express interest and give us an idea of of why you think this trip is a good fit for you! make sure to schedule a meeting after you apply!
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After filling out the form, you will be instructed to schedule a meeting. This meeting will be our way of getting to know you and to relay all the general risks and liability information! No spots are guaranteed by application alone.
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After the meeting with out team, if we feel you are a good fit for the program, we will send you a liability waiver. this will be followed by a deposit to secure your spot.
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To finalize your commitment to joining us, you will have to pay the deposit of $500. Although it is not due until March, your spot will not be secure until you pay it, and there are only 15 spots on this program.
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Although we are collecting passports in the primary application, after paying a deposit, you will be reminded of your requirement to get any necessary visas and vaccines, including the required yellow fever vaccine . We recommend acquiring, or at least being aware of and ready to meet the requirements of any visas before paying the deposit.
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the $1500 overall price includes:
habitation
food
program transportation
program materials
It does not include
flights
personal travel insurance
vaccines
visas
hammocks for the slow boats
cameras
Ready to place a deposit and secure your spot?
Day OneArrival and Activity Schedule
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us. The journey starts here.
Tuesday May 19
Arrive to Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport
We will be expecting all parties to arrive no later than 8 pm on Wednesday, May 20th at the Quito, Ecuador International Airport
Arriving earlier is encouraged! Any days you arrive prior, we can help you book beds at the Secret Garden Hostel, which is around 8$ a night for their cheapest habitation
We will be gathering and spending the night at the Secret Garden Hostel
Dinner (included) and Orientation will take place at the hostel
Introductions and goal setting
Wednesday May 20
Arriving in Tena, the frontier of the Ecuadorian Amazon
8:30am Breakfast at the Secret Garden Hostal, included
10:30am Bus to Tena
3/4pm Arrive in Tena
4:30pm Check into Hostal Pakay
5pm Explore and get dinner
8pm Games and group Bonding
Thursday May 2st
Into the Waorani Tribe of Gomataon
8 am: We wake up
8:30: Breakfast
9: Introduction to the Waorani Tribe and the Little Guy Mission
10am: we will take a 2 hour shuttle and a 2-6 hour canoe (depends on water levels) deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon to arrive in Gomataon
6pm: We will eat dinner upon arrival and meet with the local community leaders to learn about what they have available
8pm: Secret Hitler and We’re not Really Strangers Night!
10pm: Goal setting and understanding why we are really here
Gomataon
May 21st - May 25th
In Gomataon, we will will live and stay in the same community for 2 travel days and 3 volunteer days El Coca to Iquitos
May 26th - May 31st
After Volunteering in the Ecuadorian Amazon, we will begin the journey to Iquitos in fast boat. About 4 daysIquitos to Leticia
une 1st - June 5th
In Iquitos, we will explore the city before continuing by slow boat to Leticia. Hammock boat about 3 days 2 nights
Leticia to Manaus
June 6th - June 9th
After exploring the Colombia amazon of Leticia, we will continue by hammock boat to Manaus. 4 days, 3 nights, arrive June 9th