Cuyabeno Reserve
ECU-90 & 91 / 4- & 5-day trips
The Amazon contains the world’s largest rainforest (5,5 million km2) and represents over 50% of the remaining rainforest in the world. The rainforest lies between the Atlantic ocean and extends all the way up the slopes of the Andes mountain range, why it is relatively easily accessed from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
Although only a very small part of the Amazon rainforest is situated within Ecuador, the Cuyabeno Natural Reserve is one of the best preserved and most interesting parts of the Amazon. A mix of flooded and non-flooded forest makes the Cuyabeno an extremely species rich forest and you will encounter many species of monkeys, dolphins, rodents, caymans, amazing parrots and other birds and much more.
Cuyabeno Reserve / 4 days
ECU-90 / 4-day trip
Intro
This program starts Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays.
| Day 1 | Quito – Coca – Cuyabeno |
| Day 2 | Cuyabeno: Jungle tour |
| Day 3 | Cuyabeno: Jungle tour |
| Day 4 | Cuyabeno – Quito |
| Day 1 | Quito – Coca – Cuyabeno The atmosphere at Siona Lodge is relaxed and cosy; In the bar, you can pick your beers yourself and write it on your bill (you pay the last night). Drinking water, coffee and tea are available at no extra cost. Bring an empty water bottle and fill it up in the restaurant. |
| Day 2 | Cuyabeno |
| Day 3 | Cuyabeno |
| Day 4 | Early Morning Birdwatching & return to Quito After breakfast at Siona Lodge, embark on a journey upstream towards Puente Cuyabeno. You will arrive at the bridge around 11:00 AM, where your transfer will be ready to continue the journey. |
About Siona Lodge
The Siona Lodge is situated by some lagoons in the middle of nowhere, and has a capacity of around 20 guests. After arrival and a presentation we are shown our rooms (two rooms in each hut – bring earplugs as you will hear everything from your neighbor, as well as all the jungle noises in the night – if you really want to miss them!)
It’s a very relaxed atmosphere in the lodge – in the bar you can pick your big beers yourself and write it on your bill (you pay the last night – a large beer is about $2.50, don’t expect wine). Drinking water, coffee and tea are available at no extra cost. Bring an empty waterbottle and fill it up in the restaurant. There are solar panels, meaning that you have light in the huts until 10 pm, after which everything is turned off. You can easily charge batteries in the restaurant.
There are mosquito nets in the rooms, and it is recommended you use them, although there are not many mosquitoes. It is said that there is no malaria or dengue, but it is recommended to ask your doctor before you leave, and also to bring insect repellent. A flashlight or headlamp is very important – if you forget, you can easily buy a cheap but adequate flashlight before getting into the canoe on the first day – price is around $6-7.
INCLUDED
- Transfer from hotel in Quito – airport (day 1)
- Domestic flights: Quito – Coca (day 1)
- Transfer from Coca – Siona Lodge (day 1)
- Transfer Siona Lodge – Quito by land (last day)
- English speaking guide during activities/tours
- Shared tour to Siona Lodge (max 12 pax per guide)
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Full board and activities at Siona Lodge at Cuyabeno
NOT INCLUDED
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Beverages from the bar
- Taxes to Siona community (total USD 10 per person)
AMAZONAS: Siona Lodge or similar
Cuyabeno Reserve / 5 days
ECU-91 / 5-day trip
As ECU-90 (see description above), but with one extra day canoeing in the Canangueno Lagoon.
This program starts Mondays and Thursdays.
| Day 1 | Quito – Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno |
| Day 2 | Cuyabeno |
| Day 3 | Cuyabeno |
| Day 4 | Canangueno Lagoon |
| Day 5 | Cuyabeno – Quito |
| Day 1 | Quito – Coca – Cuyabeno The atmosphere at Siona Lodge is relaxed and cosy; In the bar, you can pick your beers yourself and write it on your bill (you pay the last night). Drinking water, coffee and tea are available at no extra cost. Bring an empty water bottle and fill it up in the restaurant. |
| Day 2 | Cuyabeno |
| Day 3 | Cuyabeno |
| Day 4 | Canangueno Lagoon |
| Day 5 | Early Morning Birdwatching & return to Quito After breakfast at Siona Lodge, embark on a journey upstream towards Puente Cuyabeno. You will arrive at the bridge around 11:00 AM, where your transfer will be ready to continue the journey. |
About Siona Lodge
The Siona Lodge is situated by some lagoons in the middle of nowhere, and has a capacity of around 20 guests. After arrival and a presentation we are shown our rooms (two rooms in each hut – bring earplugs as you will hear everything from your neighbor, as well as all the jungle noises in the night – if you really want to miss them!)
It’s a very relaxed atmosphere in the lodge – in the bar you can pick your big beers yourself and write it on your bill (you pay the last night – a large beer is about $2.50, don’t expect wine). Drinking water, coffee and tea are available at no extra cost. Bring an empty waterbottle and fill it up in the restaurant. There are solar panels, meaning that you have light in the huts until 10 pm, after which everything is turned off. You can easily charge batteries in the restaurant.
There are mosquito nets in the rooms, and it is recommended you use them, although there are not many mosquitoes. It is said that there is no malaria or dengue, but it is recommended to ask your doctor before you leave, and also to bring insect repellent. A flashlight or headlamp is very important – if you forget, you can easily buy a cheap but adequate flashlight before getting into the canoe on the first day – price is around $6-7.
INCLUDED
- Transfer from hotel in Quito – airport (day 1)
- Domestic flights: Quito – Coca (day 1)
- Transfer from Coca – Siona Lodge (day 1)
- Transfer Siona Lodge – Quito by land (last day)
- English speaking guide during activities/tours
- Shared tour to Siona Lodge (max 12 pax per guide)
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Full board at Siona Lodge
NOT INCLUDED
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Beverages from the bar
- Taxes to Siona community (total USD 10 per person)
AMAZONAS: Siona Lodge or similar
