Cuyabeno Jungle Tour
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Itinerary
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is an oasis of peace and adventure in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Get to know the flora and fauna and visit the local Siona community.
Envision yourself swimming in a lake in the middle of the jungle, witnessing the beautiful sunset, surrounded by lush greenery and undisturbed wildlife! This and more awaits you on our popular Cuyabeno jungle tour.
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, is an oasis of peace and adventure in the Ecuadorian Amazon, it is truly one of the country’s best treasures. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, ecology buff, adventure junkie, or merely want to explore one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, Cuyabeno will suit your interests. Among the various experiences travelers love about this tour is the spontaneous sighting of the reserve’s flora and fauna – birds, monkeys, caimans, frogs, bullet ants, turtles, pink river dolphins, electric eel, boas, and if you’re lucky, an anaconda. The guides are all native and very knowledgeable about the plants you will encounter, so you will learn about the region’s botany and the intriguing properties of your surroundings.
One of the unique aspects of this tour is the visit to the local Siona community, where you will interact with the people who live and thrive off the land. They will teach you how to make yucca bread, how they grow coffee, and meet their shaman (this is one of the most memorable parts of the tour, you’ll see why!)
Tailor this tour to your interests and flexibility – we offer expeditions of 4 & 5 days! This tour is ideal for, solo travelers, families, couples, or a group of friends. See details about our individual itineraries below, and join us on this memorable trip!
4 DAYS ITINERARY
Departures: Starting every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Day | Place | Activities |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Quito – Lago Agrio – El Puente | Morning: 9-hour ride to El Puente (Lago Agrio) where the Cuyabeno tour starts. You can do it either to through private or public transportation.
Around 11am start the canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River to our lodge. Night: Dinner and exciting night walk to observe bugs and the nocturnal animals. |
Day 2 | Cuyabeno River | Morning: TThree hour hike in the primary forest to learn about flora and fauna, including lessons in the use of plants for survival.
Late afternoon: Relax, go to Caimancocha and Patococha for bird watching, sunset at Laguna Grande with a chance for some refreshing swimming and caiman (alligator) searching. |
Day 3 | Cuyabeno river | Morning: An hour and a half boat ride down the river to a Siona indigenous community to interact and learn about their traditions and customs by making some local food. After a visit to a shaman to learn about his secrets and ancestral knowledge of shamanism.
At night we enjoy a delicious dinner and then some free time in the lodge. |
Day 4 | EL Puente – Lago Agrio – Quito | Early morning: Bird watching with your guide.
Breakfast: journey up Cuyabeno River to El Puente. Drive to Lago Agrio (arrive in Lago Agrio in the afternoon). Bus ride back to Quito |
5 DAYS ITINERARY
Departures: Starting every Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Day | Places | Activities |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Quito – Lago Agrio – El Puente | Morning: 9-hour ride to El Puente (Lago Agrio) where the Cuyabeno tour starts. You can do it either to through private or public transportation.
Afternoon: canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River to our camp site. |
Day 2 | Cuyabeno river | Three hour hike in the primary forest to learn about flora and fauna, including lessons in the use of plants for survival.
Late afternoon: Relax, go to Caimancocha and Patococha for birdwatching, sunset at Laguna Grande with a chance for some refreshing swimming and caiman (alligator) searching. |
Day 3 | Cuyabeno river | Morning: An hour and a half boat rides down the river to a Siona indigenous community to interact and learn about their traditions and customs by making some local food. After a visit to a shaman to learn about his secrets about the ancestral knowledge of shamanism.
At night we enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge and then we have some free time to relax. |
Day 4 | Cuyabeno river | Morning: Paddle by traditional dug-out canoe through small canals to enjoy the peaceful and quiet surroundings while looking for wild life around.
Late afternoon: Watching last sunset at the Laguna Grande. |
Day 5 | El Puente – Lago Agrio – Quito | Early morning: Bird watching with your guide.
Morning:Journey up Cuyabeno River to El Puente. Drive to Lago Agrio (arrive in Lago Agrio approx. 2pm). Flight or bus ride back to Quito. |
Pricing
Price 4D/3N: $270 per person
Price 5D/4N: $320 per person
Private transportation to and from Lago Agrio can be provided by a cost of $30 extra one way, or $60 extra round trip.
Included
- Bilingual Naturalist Guide
- Equipment for activities ( WATERPROOF PONCHO, BOOTS, MOSQUITO NET, AND LIFE VESTS )
- Electricity to charge electronics
- Meals on the tour ( breakfast, lunch, dinner and purified water )
- Hikes & activities mentioned in the itinerary
Excluded
- Breakfast on day 1 and dinner on the last day
- Community contribution $10.00 per person
- Transportation from Quito to Cuyabeno bridge and back.
- Tips for guide and lodge staff
What to bring
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Light breathable clothes (enough for 4 or 5 days)
- An extra towel for swims (quick dry recommended)
- Camera
- Swimsuit
- Flashlight (optional for night walk)
- Light jacket (at night it can be slightly breezy).
- Binoculars (optional for up close views of the animals)
- Long socks (for rubber boots).
- Refillable water bottle.