CUYABENO RAINFOREST ADVENTURE 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
The reserve covers over 602.000 hectares of primary rainforest and possesses an incredible variety of Neotropical wildlife: river dolphins, caimans, anacondas, monkeys, spiders, and butterflies. The bird life is spectacular: the prehistoriclooking hoatzin, the umbrella bird, the blue-headed parrot, the scarlet macaw, and the legendary harpy eagle. The rainforest continues to be the home to communities of ancient indigenous tribes such as the Siona, the Secoya and the Cofan who have lived in the Amazon basin for thousands of years.
Cuyabeno Rainforest Adventure
Day 1: Quito – Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno River – Laguna Grande
Fly or drive over the Andes to the frontier oil town of Lago Agrio (approx. start of the tour: 9:30 am). Private transportation to the “Cuyabeno Bridge” (distance 100km) where you will meet your guide and have lunch in a local restaurant. Motorized canoe transportation along the Cuyabeno River to Laguna Grande (location of the Lodge). 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, exploring tour of the lagoon to observe animals, take a swim in the lake and enjoy the sunset from the canoe.
Day 2:
After breakfast, walk through the „terra firma forest“ with your naturalist guide who will explain the wildlife, medicinal plants, the forest ecosystem and indigenous life. After lunch, a siesta, followed by a trip in a dugout canoe to the flooded parts of the forest with macrolobium trees covered with abundant epiphytes to spot monkeys and birds. After dinner, night walk in primary forest to look for insects and observe nocturnal flora wildlife.
Day 3:
After breakfast, you will follow the Cuyabeno River downstream to reach the Siona indigenous village. You will observe and participate in how they cook the typical “casabe”. Your guide will give you some explanations about their way of life. Return to the Lodge for lunch. Late afternoon a siesta and a refreshing swim in the Laguna Grande. After dinner, night excursion by canoe to spot caimans, snakes and nocturnal birds.
Day 4:
After breakfast, you will enjoy a paddling canoe journey to experience the silence of the lagoon and at the same time the exotic sounds of birds and insects. In the afternoon an excursion to discover smaller lagoons or hike along paths in the Cuyabeno Reserve.
Day 5:
Bird watching early in the morning. After breakfast, journey upstream to the bridge where our vehicle will take you back to Lago Agrio (approx. time of arrival 3:30 pm). Return to Quito either by bus or by air. We provide a lunch box.
Included
INCLUDED | NOT INCLUDED |
4 nights accomodation at the lodge All meals Naturalist guide Canoeing in motorized and dugout craft canoes, swimming, enjoying the spectacular sunset Bird watching, looking for dolphins and monkeys Hiking in the rainforest and explanations on the jungle, the wildlife, medicinal plants, and the history of the indigenous tribes Visit to the Siona Community and watching the preparation of the traditional “casabe” Night walks to observe caimans, insects and nocturnal birds Relaxing in a hammock or enjoying the view from the observation floor of the tower as well as enjoying the view from our deck overlooking the lake |
Air Ticket from/to Lago Agrio (add from our add on toul) Community entrance $5 per person No additional meals No additional drinks No alcoholic drinks Tipping Personal expenses
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Remarks
Itineraries can be adjusted according to group interests
Groups of more than four people have the option to start the tour on the day of their choice (no Wednesdays and no Sundays).
Groups of 1-3 travelers will be asked to join another group
Great for families, students, solo travelers and researchers
First eco-friendly Lodge in the Cuyabeno National Park
We offer six independent timber constructed cabins with thatched roofs, providing double accommodation with a tiled private bathroom and hot water showers
One cabin with two rooms, each containing four beds with a communal bathroom.
Superior rooms located in the tower, each with a balcony and a larger private bathroom with an
spectacular view over the forest canopy!
HOW TO GET TO LAGO AGRIO?
There are three options:
Public Bus: 6-7 hours. Cost aprox. US$25 (round-trip) per person.
Departure: the day before or by night. During the day there are departures every hour. At night the bus departs at 11:00 pm („Trans Esmeraldas“) from the bus terminal “Carcelén” in the north of Quito.
Return: Departures from Lago Agrio to Quito every hour.
By air: 40 minutes; Check add on, for costs per person (round-trip)
Flight schedule:
Quito – Lago Agrio:
Monday to Friday: TAME EQ201 9:20 – 10:00
Saturday and Sunday: TAME EQ201 10:00-10:55
Lago Agrio – Quito:
Monday to Friday: TAME EQ202 10:40 – 11:20
Saturday and Sunday: TAME EQ202 11:25 – 12:20
Tuesday and Thursday: TAME EQ210 17:20-18:00
Private car transportation: Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito Unique tour through the Andean highlands with stops in Papallacta and the San Rafael Waterfall
Quito – Lago Agrio: We leave Quito at 1:00 pm to go to Papallacta, the thermal hot springs. Arrival time is around 3:00 pm and the rest of the day is spent at “Termas Papallactas” with its many pools, the spa and the surrounding unique environment of the Andean Highlands. Walks or hiking can be alternative activities for the evening. We spend the night at the hotel. There are individual rooms or cabins available. The next morning, we leave at 6:00 am and drive to Lago Agrio to start the Cuyabeno Lodge Tour.
Lago Agrio – Quito: We leave around midday from Lago Agrio. After about two hours we reach San Rafael, to explore the largest waterfall in Ecuador, hidden away in the beautiful environment of the Andean Highlands. The falls are a 30-minute walk from the main road. After this visit, we continue our journey to Quito. Along the way, we take further short stops to enjoy the view. Arrival time in Quito is around 8:00 pm. You will be taken directly to your hotel.
Price: US$350 (1-4 persons), US$475 (5-10 persons), add from our add on tool
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