Cuyabeno Jungle Tour

The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, located in the North-Eastern province of Sucumbios, is the second largest natural reserve within a total of 56 national parks and protected areas in Ecuador. Due to its high degree of biodiversity, the Cuyabeno reserve was included in the system of national parks and protected areas created in 1979 under the directions and recommendations of the FAO in their report for “National Strategies on Conservation of Outstanding Wildlife Areas in Ecuador”

Itinerary:

Day 1: The journey begins at “El Puente” 11h00, the main entrance to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and our last moment with civilization. We continue by motorized canoe down the Cuyabeno river for about 2 and a half hours until we reach the Nicky Amazon Lodge. With a little luck we will be able to spot monkeys and bird species along the way. The Cuyabeno river is narrow in the upper part and allows to experience wildlife up close. A welcome cocktail will be waiting upon arrival at the lodge.  In the afternoon, there will be time to rest and go on our first activity enjoying the surroundings. Before dinner we will go on a night walk to look for different species of insects, spiders, tree frogs and other nocturnal wildlife. After dinner our bilingual guide will tell us about the activities for the following days.

Day 2: Early in the morning we will explore the area looking for monkeys, birds and other animals in the tropical rainforest. Return for breakfast. Some time to relax before we go again for a walk through the rainforest; our guide will share their knowledge and experience with us. We will learn how the most diverse life forms can coexist and survive in nature side by side within a delicate balance. We may spot colorful butterflies, frogs and listen to birds as we learn more about the great diversity of flora. Return to the lodge for lunch. After that we will have time to rest or hang around enjoying nature, swim, play soccer or just have a pleasant nap. In the afternoon we will take a ride in a paddle canoe down the Cuyabeno river taking us through lush jungle landscape. We will look for wildlife found on the riverbanks, trying to spot monkeys, macaws, toucans or sloths. We will have a good chance to see pink river dolphins in the river. After dinner, we can explore the lodge´s surroundings to look for nocturnal animals like insects, spiders, snakes and frogs, which become active at sunset.

Day 3: After breakfast , we will have a interesting cultural activity. We will visit our indigenous Siona community to share their daily life in the Amazon Basin. There will be a demostration on how to make “Cassave”, the typical manioc bread of the region. Also we will learn about local customs and traditions of this people. Return for lunch.   In the afternoon we will travel by motorized canoe up to Cuyabeno River to reach the Laguna Grande. While we explore the lagoon, we will learn about the “Igapos”, this special ecosystem of flooded forest, dominated by giant macrolobium trees which provide habitat to epiphytes and several species of birds such as cormorants.   After exploring the lagoon, we can swim in the calm waters while watching the spectacular sunset of the Amazon region.  Later on, we will continue our adventure trying to find nocturnal fauna in the river banks with different species of bats and insects while we look for caimans on the way down to the lodge. Dinner.

Day 4:  In the morning we will have the opportunity for an additional excursion, either by canoe or hiking through the forest. The choice depends on the weather conditions and interests of the group. After breakfast, we will set out to explore the forest again. Our guide will tell you more about the medicinal uses of plants based on the traditions of native cultures for generations and learn about how they could survive in the jungle. Lunch time.    In the afternoon, we will explore the Cuyabeno River one more time by paddling canoe to enjoy the views of the exceptional scenery and listen to the sounds of the jungle as we look for exotic local species. Really and amazing activity.

Day 5:  Optional morning excursion includes a short trip by canoe.  We will have another option to find monkeys and birds and maybe sloths in the surroundings of the lodge.  After breakfast you will have time to pack up before the return journey. We will have a box lunch on the trip back. This ride takes us upstream back to Cuyabeno bridge “El Puente de Cuyabeno” by 10h30. Where a bus will take us back to Quito (approximate 10 hours ride) or take us directly to the nearby town of Coca for overnight at a local hotel. Next morning transfer to the airport for the flight back to Quito.

• Location: Amazon Rainforest
• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights or 5 days / 4 nights
• Start / End: Puente Cuyabeno River / Coca.
• Activities: Canoe ride, jungle walks, wildlife viewing
• Highlights: Visit the Cuyabeno Reserve of 600,000 hectares of primary rainforest, over 500 bird species, 8 species of monkeys
• Season: All year
• Included: Meals mentioned in itinerary, accommodation, guided walks and activities, transportation on motorized or dugounts canoes as detailed on itinerary
• Not Included: Entrance fees to private reserves and local community. Airfares from/to Quito. Transportation from/to Coca or Quito. Tips, meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Prices: Please contact us for prices