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

Jungle: Cuyabeno Reserve (Add-on) 6
OVERVIEW
Intro

Day 1 Quito – Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno
Day 2 Cuyabeno
Day 3 Cuyabeno
Day 4 Cuyabeno – Quito
ITINERARY
Day 1

Quito – Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno
Transfer to airport in Quito and fly to Lago Agrio. In Lago Agrio you are picked up by the Siona Lodge-bus (it is easy, because the airport is very small) for a 1.5 hour drive East towards the border of the Cuyabeno Reserve. On the way, you will see clear signs of an increasing population in these tropical areas, and of the oil industry dominating the area. At the “puente”, the bridge from where we go by canoe to the Reserve, we will first enjoy a lunch in a small, local restaurant. After a minute in the canoe, you are in the wilderness, with chances to see small anaconda snakes, squirrel monkeys as well as other monkeys species, and lots of kingfishers, herons, cormorants etc. Upon arrival at the lodge, check in and briefing about the next days activities.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2

Cuyabeno
Full day jungle activities, including a highly exciting walk in the jungle (rubber boots are supplied) and a sail around the absolutely stunning lagoons viewing wildlife and the scenery. Afternoon perhaps fishing for piranhas/pirañas and searching for pink river dolphins. Opportunity for a swim in the lagoon at sunset with the other visitors in Cuyabeno. After or before dinner, we can take a night-walk in the jungle near the lodge to spot all the creepy night-life.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3

Cuyabeno
Full day jungle activities including a full day trip to the local Siona community. We will take a beautiful long canoe-ride to the area where the local people have their two communities, farming the area and fishing in the river. We visit a local family who will show us how to make yuca-bread and give us an idea of how their life is. Perhaps a visit to the local shaman. We will enjoy our picnic-lunch before returning along the river keeping an eye out for dolphins, parrots, monkeys and much more.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4

Cuyabeno – Quito
Transfer to Lago Agrio and afternoon flight to Quito (it is simply the reverse of the description of the journey as described below.)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

PRICING
ECU-90 – To request prices, please click on the BOOK TRIP bottom on the right sidebar and fill the information.

INCLUDED

  • All transfers from Lago Agrio
  • English speaking guide during activities/tours
  • Shared tour to Siona Lodge (max 12 pax per guide)
  • Meals as described in the itinerary
  • Hotels according to “hotel list”
  • Full board, guide, activities, transfers and lodging for Siona Lodge at Cuyabeno

NOT INCLUDED

  • Domestic flights: Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito
  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • Tips
  • Transfer from the hotel to the airport, in Quito, and viceversa.
  • Personal expenses
  • Beverages from the bar
  • Taxes to Siona community (total USD 5 per person)
HOTEL LIST

AMAZONAS: Siona Lodge or similar

MAP
GALLERY

Cuyabeno Reserve / 5 days

ECU-91 / 5-day trip

OVERVIEW

As ECU-90 (see description above), but with one extra day canoeing in the Canangueno Lagoon.

Day 1 Quito – Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno
Day 2 Cuyabeno
Day 3 Cuyabeno
Day 4 Canangueno Lagoon
Day 5 Cuyabeno – Quito
ITINERARY
Day 1

Quito – Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno
Transfer to airport in Quito and fly to Lago Agrio. In Lago Agrio you are picked up by the Siona Lodge-bus (it is easy, because the airport is very small) for a 1.5 hour drive East towards the border of the Cuyabeno Reserve. On the way, you will see clear signs of an increasing population in these tropical areas, and of the oil industry dominating the area. At the “puente”, the bridge from where we go by canoe to the Reserve, we will first enjoy a lunch in a small, local restaurant. After a minute in the canoe, you are in the wilderness, with chances to see small anaconda snakes, squirrel monkeys as well as other monkeys species, and lots of kingfishers, herons, cormorants etc. Upon arrival at the lodge, check in and briefing about the next days activities.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2

Cuyabeno
Full day jungle activities, including a highly exciting walk in the jungle (rubber boots are supplied) and a sail around the absolutely stunning lagoons viewing wildlife and the scenery. Afternoon perhaps fishing for piranhas/pirañas and searching for pink river dolphins. Opportunity for a swim in the lagoon at sunset with the other visitors in Cuyabeno. After or before dinner, we can take a night-walk in the jungle near the lodge to spot all the creepy night-life.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3

Cuyabeno
Full day jungle activities including a full day trip to the local Siona community. We will take a beautiful long canoe-ride to the area where the local people have their two communities, farming the area and fishing in the river. We visit a local family who will show us how to make yuca-bread and give us an idea of how their life is. Perhaps a visit to the local shaman. We will enjoy our picnic-lunch before returning along the river keeping an eye out for dolphins, parrots, monkeys and much more.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4

Canangueno Lagoon
On this extra full day, you will visit the Canangueno Lagoon while paddling on your own in small canoes. This is a wonderful experience and you will appreciate the silence and also the opportunity to come even closer to the birdlife, and perhaps dolphins. Also on this day, you will take another hike in the rainforest, and hopefully spot more monkeys.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5

Cuyabeno – Quito
Transfer to Lago Agrio and afternoon flight to Quito (it is simply the reverse of the description of the journey as described below.)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

PRICING
ECU-91 – To request prices, please click on the BOOK TRIP bottom on the right sidebar and fill the information.

INCLUDED

  • All transfers
  • English speaking guide during activities/tours
  • Shared tour to  Siona Lodge (max 12 pax per guide)
  • Meals as described in the itinerary
  • Hotels according to “hotel list”
  • Full board, guide, activities, transfers and lodging for Siona Lodge at Cuyabeno

NOT INCLUDED

  • Domestic flight: Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito
  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • Transfer to the airport
  • Transfer in Quito
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Beverages from the bar
  • Taxes to Siona community (total USD 5 per person)
HOTEL LIST

AMAZONAS: Siona Lodge or similar

MAP
GALLERY
Tags: Nature & Culture, Ecuador, Amazonas, Cuyabeno, Jungle