5 Days Amazon Lodge Cuyabeno Reserve

Your tour begins at the river docks, also known as "El Puente", the main entrance to the Cuyabeno Reserve and the last point of real civilization. Here you will have a box-lunch and then drive on the Cuyabeno River in a motorized canoe for 3 hours until you reach the Lodge. With a bit of luck, you can already observe species of one of ten different species of monkeys and tropical birds, as this part of the river is narrow enough to observe wildlife closely. After your arrival at the Lodge, you will have more time to rest and then take an introductory tour around the area. After dinner, your bilingual tour guide will supply you with information about the activities you will do in the coming days. ...more ...less

After an early breakfast you will start your exploration, taking advantage of the early hours of the day, which is the best time to observe the flourishing activities of the tropical forest. Your tour guide will share his knowledge with you during a walk in the rainforest. You will learn and understand how life in the jungle can coexists in a fragile balance. Your guide will explain the use of medicinal plants. Knowledge, that has been passed on from generation to generation and is still applied by the local population. Keep watch for amphibians, butterflies, centipedes and millipedes, snakes, birds, monkeys and other mammals along the trail. Later you will return to the lodge for your lunch. In the afternoon, you will make an excursion which will take you along the Cuyabeno River to discover the animals that live in the dense forest on the banks of the river, especially monkeys and also aras, toucans and sloths. There will be a good opportunity to see river dolphins (Iniageoffrensis and Sotaliafluviatilis) in the magnificent fluvial landscape.
Before having your dinner, you’ll head into the dark forest to find its nightlife such as insects, spiders, snakes or colorful frogs, accompanied by the nocturnal sounds of the jungle

An early morning activity through the forest will allow you to enjoy nature while wildlife awakens and the jungle arises; You will have a good chance to observe several species of monkeys and birds. After breakfast, you will continue by motor canoe along the "turtle path" to visit the community of Seoqueya, where some of the local families of the Siona indigenous group live. A family member will show you how to prepare the typical yuca bread of the area, called "Cassave", and you will prepare it together with them. Your guide will explain local traditions and cultures from the past to the present.
In the afternoon you will drive by motor canoe along the Cuyabeno River to the Laguna Grande. When exploring the lagoon, you will get to know the flooded forest (Igapo), a very special ecosystem of the tropical jungle that is dominated by powerful trees in which many epiphytes grow and give the natural habitat to local birds. After exploring the lagoon you can cool off by swimming in the calm waters of the lagoon while enjoying a spectacular sunset in the Amazon. Later, you will continue your adventure down the river to observe nocturnal animals, especially caimans, before returning to the lodge

Today early in the morning, you will enjoy the fantastic sunrise that the jungle offers you. You have the option to take an excursion, either by canoeing or hiking in the middle of the jungle landscape (depending on the climate and the interest of the group). After breakfast you will explore the virgin forest through a walk across the rainforest. Your guide will share the wealth of his knowledge with you, such as the medicinal use of the flora and fauna of the place, which since generations and until today have been used by members of the different cultures of the region. Later you will return to the Lodge to have lunch and take a rest. In the afternoon you will explore by canoe the Cuyabeno River, while enjoying not only the view of the extraordinary landscapes but also the magical sounds that the jungle produces while you are looking for its exotic inhabitants

This morning activity will be a short canoe trip to enjoy the sunrise in the jungle, where you will have a good opportunity to observe some different types of wild animals and enjoy another moment of peace in this wonderful natural paradise. After breakfast, you will have time to prepare your luggage for your return trip. You will navigate upriver to return to El Puente de Cuyabeno. After your box lunch, your bus will take you back to Lago Agrio from where you can return to Quito.