Cuyabeno Rainforest Tour

Exploring the Cuyabeno Reserve

Highlights of the tour

Overview

Explore one of Ecuador’s most remarkable Amazon regions on a journey through the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Travel by canoe through rivers and lagoons, discover the rainforest by day and night, and experience an extraordinary variety of wildlife, birdlife and tropical vegetation.

Your stay in Cuyabeno is focused on nature and immersion rather than luxury. Comfortable rainforest lodges place you close to Laguna Grande and provide an ideal base for guided excursions, wildlife observation and encounters with the traditions of local indigenous communities.

Looking to make the Amazon part of a larger Ecuador journey? Explore our private Ecuador tours and let us combine Cuyabeno with the Andes, Galapagos or other regions in a tailor-made itinerary designed around your interests, travel dates and preferred pace.

Itinerary

The Cuyabeno Rainforest Tour can finally begin! You will fly over the Andes to the frontier oil town of Lago Agrio, (approx. start of tour  9:30 am). Once you have arrived, you will have a private transportation to the “Cuyabeno Bridge” (distance 100 km). From there, you will meet your guide and have lunch in a local restaurant. A motorized canoe transportation along the Cuyabeno River is also included. The destination will be the River to Laguna Grande, where your lodge is located. During this journey of approx. 2 hours (depending upon the conditions of the river) you will be able to observe the richness of the wildlife. After settling into your room at the Lodge you will have many options. Decide between exploring the lagoon and observe animals, taking a swim in the lake, or enjoy the sunset from the canoe.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner

Once you had breakfast, take a walk through the “terra firm forest” with your naturalist guide. There he will explain the wildlife, medicinal forest plants, the forest ecosystem and indigenous life. After lunch, a trip in a dugout canoe will follow. You will cross the river and have the chance to enjoy the unique flora flauna. If you are lucky, you may spot monkeys. Right after dinner, you have a night walk in primary forest to look for insects and observe nocturnal flora wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

In the morning, you follow the Cuyabeno River downstream to reach the Siona indigenous Village. You can observe or participate in how they cook the typical “casabe” bread. Your guide gives you some explanations about the way of life in the jungle and in the community. Return to the Lodge for lunch. During the late afternoon, you can have a siesta and a refreshing swim in the Laguna Grande. After dinner, you go on a night excursion by canoe to spot caimans, snakes and nocturnal birds.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After your breakfast, you will enjoy the day on the river. With the help of a traditional dug-out canoe, called “quilla”. It is the best way to discover the wildlife and listening the sounds of the nature. In the evening, you will go on an excursion to discover smaller lagoons. Alternatively, you may hike along other paths in the Cuyabeno Reserve.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner

In the early morning, you will head out for a last hike and for some bird-watching.  After breakfast, you will travel upstream. From there you will be brought back with our vehicle. You will reach Lago Agrio  around 15:30. The return to Quito will be by air. For this day, we will provide a lunch box. We hope that you have enjoyed the Cuyabeno Rainforest Tour!

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer In and Out
National flight Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito
Transportation Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno Lodge – Lago Agrio.
Four (4) nights accommodation in standard double
room (superior room upon request)
Excursions and activities with local, English speaking guide
Full board; coffee, tea, purified water included
Use of rain ponchos and rubber boots

International airfare to and from destination
Local community support USD $10,-p.p.
Meals not described
Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks
Cost of medical immunizations as needed
Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
Cost of optional activities
Excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any);
Optional gratuities to your guides
Items of personal nature

Hints

Single supplement fee: USD $160,-p.p.

Slots subject to availability at the moment of booking.
The travel times described are indicative and may vary depending on traffic conditions, weather, natural events or other cases of force majeure.
All prices are quoted in US dollars.
All bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.
Traveling alone? No problem – we will be happy to provide you with a personalized quote upon request.

Looking for something more personalized? We can adapt this journey to your dates, interests, preferred pace and travel style — or combine it with other regions of Ecuador and Galapagos.

Explore our private Ecuador tours and let us create a tailor-made journey around you.

Travel Insurance:
To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Travel insurance is intended to cover medical expenses, trip interruption and cancellation, theft and other losses incurred while traveling domestically or internationally.

Visa and Entry Requirements:
Ecuador requires a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements.