Cuyabeno Tour, 5 days and 4 nights. Private room.

The area takes its name from the Cuyabeno River, which overflows to form a complex of 14 lagoons and the largest wetland in the Ecuadorian Amazon. These flooded forests are home to dolphins, manatees, caimans, anacondas, otters, and the guarango de agua, the most unique tree in the reserve. Here there are communities of Siona, Secoya, Cofán, Kichwa, and Shuar indigenous peoples, making it one of the most culturally diverse protected areas in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

What should I bring?
Sunglasses.
Sunscreen.
Comfortable shoes.
Insect repellent.
Cash for extra expenses.
Community visit $10 USD per person.

Itinerary

DAY 1. QUITO – CUYABENO:

To reach our meeting point, you will travel the night before to “El Puente Cuyabeno,” which is the entrance to the Cuyabeno Reserve. If you are traveling from Quito by bus, the journey takes about 9 hours.

The adventure begins at 11:30 AM at the entrance to the Cuyabeno Reserve with a canoe trip downriver to our lodge (3 hours exploring the river in search of monkeys, birds, etc.). Lunch and time to relax. In the afternoon, you will explore the river and lagoons in search of more wildlife, swim, and enjoy the sunset. In the evening, you will go on a canoe expedition in search of caimans. Dinner. For all our guests interested in learning more about the Amazon rainforest, every night the naturalist guide will give different talks such as “Culture and communities, flora, fauna, and conservation.”

DAY 2. HIKE:

In the morning after breakfast, there will be a hike of approximately 3 hours in the primary forest accompanied by a naturalist guide who will explain about medicinal plants, frogs, insects, birds, etc. Lunch at the camp and time to relax. After 2 hours of rest, the preparation and tasting of coffee and chocolate in the traditional way will begin. Before nightfall, you will explore the streams in a traditional rowboat to enjoy the uniqueness of nature. You will enjoy the sunset on the river and, if conditions permit, you may see pink dolphins. Return to camp and prepare for the night hike. Dinner. Tonight you will have the opportunity to learn about and taste the different traditional drinks of the Amazon.

DAY 3. COMMUNITY:

After a delicious breakfast, we will visit the community, where an indigenous woman will guide us around and teach us about her culture, clothing, language, and, above all, her cuisine, as we will prepare our lunch with her. In the afternoon, the community shaman will teach us about medicinal plants and Amazonian rituals. After this exciting day, we will return to camp, have dinner, and relax.

DAY 4. ROWING CANOE:

After breakfast, prepare for an exciting morning exploring the streams and flooded forest with its unique habitat in complete tranquility and silence in a traditional rowing canoe. In this activity, as you move very slowly and quietly, you will have more opportunity to observe more species of monkeys, birds, sloths, dolphins, and more. Lunch at the camp and time to relax. In the afternoon, you will explore the lagoon area in search of wildlife and enjoy the sunset. Dinner.

DAY 5. CUYABENO – QUITO:

Early in the morning, you will explore the river in search of birds and enjoy the sunrise. After this activity, you will return to camp, have breakfast, and have time to pack your luggage. Then you will take the canoe back and explore the Cuyabeno River for 2 hours in search of more wildlife until you reach the entrance to the reserve (11 a.m.), where you can take your transportation back home. End of the tour.

Note: When one person travels, the final price has a 25% surcharge, bringing the cost to $488 USD.