In 1541, two Spanish conquistadors Gonzalo Pizarro and Francisco de Orellana, after a grueling journey over Andes in search of cinnamon and gold, arrived to what is now Rio Napo. Most of the men and animals perished during the crossing of Andes, the food was scarce and surviving men sick.

On January 1, 1542, Francisco de Orellana, on a large balsa raft, drifted down the river in search for food and help. A strong courant carried him down the river. Few months later... on August 28, 1542, he reached the Atlantic Ocean. He was the first European to travel full length of Amazon River, but this voyage did not bring fame but shame to him. Gonzalo Pizarro somehow survived and returned to Quito. The Spanish Court was informed about "the betrayal" of de Orellana.

At the beginning of his journey, according to the journal he kept, he encountered light skin men dressed in gold. Later, along the way, he and his men ran into a tribe of fierce women warriors. The legend of El Dorado was born and Rio Grande was named Rio Amazonas.

Francisco de Orellana wanted to return, as soon as possible, to explore the Rio Grande he discovered, but the accusation of betrayal and abandonment prevented him to raise the necessary capital. He was out of favor at the Spanish Court.

Finally, after years of vain efforts, he was able to staff and equip few galleons to return… to die of fever (malaria) soon after he reached the Amazon River mouth.

Another chapter of the conquest of New World was closed.