6 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America
Embark on an unforgettable Amazon eco-adventure, exploring the pristine Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Encounter exotic wildlife, such as monkeys, anacondas, and pink river dolphins. Paddle along lush, tranquil lagoons and trek through rich, biodiverse rainforests. Engage with indigenous communities, le... Read More
By Encounter Latin America
Physical Difficulty
Recommended Age
Operated in
GUIDANCE
starting point
trip type
trip attributes
Nature & Widlife
Wildlife
Nature & Wildlife
Explorer Trips
Start/End
Night
Take a canoe ride on the Cuyabeno River
Hike through the primary forest
Visit a family of the Tarapuy community
Take a canoe ride on the Cuyabeno River
Hike through the primary forest
Visit a family of the Tarapuy community
Accommodation Categories
Day 1: Quito - Lago Agrio, Ecuador
Transfer to Lago Agrio
Day 2: Lago Agrio - Cuyabeno, Ecuador
Welcome to the Jungle (L/D)
Today you will arrive from Quito by bus to Lago Agrio, then travel to the entrance of Cuyabeno. Here you will have a box lunch. At this point, visitors must register at the office of the Reserve. Here your naturalist guide will give you information about the Reserve, important recommendations and other tips. You will board the canoe and start an exhilarating first ride on the Cuyabeno River. During the canoe ride you will get a first look at the forest and you will see different types of birds such as caciques, orioles and the prehistoric bird Hoatzin. You can also see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on weather conditions. You will arrive at the Jamu Lodge in the afternoon. At this time you will have time to settle into your room and relax a little. After a siesta you will leave the lodge to swim in the lagoon and watch a beautiful sunset in the middle of Laguna Grande. You will return to the lodge for dinner and you can finish your first day in the jungle, relaxing in a hammock or enjoying a drink in the bar.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Cuyabeno, Ecuador
Cuyabeno Activities (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will do a hike of about 3-4 hours through the primary forest, during which the guide will explain about the rainforest and medicinal plants. You can observe large trees like the Ceibo tree or small insects like ants. You will return to camp for lunch, have a break and in the afternoon you will see the beautiful butterflies and swim in the lagoon. When you are lucky, you can see the beautiful pink river dolphins. Enjoy the gorgeous sunset and take in the beauty of the Amazon. Dinner will be served at the restaurant of the lodge. At night you have the option of a nocturnal activity, which will be searching for caimans along the river banks riding with the canoe on the river. Afterwards you will return to the lodge for a relaxing night of sleep, while listening to the sounds of the jungle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Cuyabeno, Ecuador
Visit to Tarapuy community (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will set off down the river in a canoe, a journey of about an hour to visit a family of the Tarapuy community. You can learn how to prepare Casave (yuca traditional bread). You can assist in the making of Casave and learn to use the materials of the forest to make bread in this way. You will return to the lodge around two o'clock in the afternoon. After lunch it is time for a siesta and relaxing. After dinner you have the option of a nocturnal hike through the primary forest; this hike is focused on observing nocturnal insects such as spiders, geckos or scorpions. It is a perfect way to enjoy the sounds that the Amazon provides.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Cuyabeno, Ecuador
Lagoon visit and afternoon hike (B/L/D)
Today you will visit the Laguna Cananguena in a native dugout canoe called “quilla”. While paddling you have a better opportunity to see more fauna and flora, and you can get a good idea of what a flooded forest looks like. You can observe a variety of different birds and monkeys. Since this activity is about 4 – 5 hours long, you will take a box lunch with you. In the afternoon you will do another hike in the forest. Dinner will be served in the restaurant and at night you can enjoy a nice cocktail at the bar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Cuyabeno - Quito, Ecuador
Bird watching and transfer to Quito (B/L)
You will get up early and undertake a bird watching excursion before breakfast. After breakfast you take the motorized canoes back to the entrance of the Cuyabeno reserve. On the way back you have a last chance to spot birds and other animals like monkeys and even anacondas. At the entrance of the Cuyabeno reserve you will be picked up by a shared bus who takes you back to Lago Agrio. You will have breakfast and a box lunch when leaving this day. You will return to Quito by bus. Once you arrive in Quito, one of our representatives will pick you up at the bus station and drive you to your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals
Transport
Activities
Not Included
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