Amazonia Awaits: Cuyabeno Holiday

Difficulty

Easy

Comfort

Upscale

This is an engaging journey to one of Ecuador's largest and most diverse protected areas, the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This tour is tailored for those seeking a unique experience in the Amazon Rainforest, immersing themselves in a wild and pristine reserve without sacrificing comfort.

Cuyabeno offers an unforgettable experience with its abundant waterways, including rivers, streams, and oxbow lagoons, perfect for canoe expeditions both during the day and at night. You might encounter pink dolphins, caimans, monkeys, macaws, hoatzins, and, with a bit of luck, the remarkable Arpía Eagle, one of South America's most iconic birds!

If you arrive by flight, due to fixed schedules at Quito's Airport, you may not reach Cuyabeno's port in time. Therefore, an additional overnight stay in either Francisco de Orellana or Nueva Loja may be required. This program includes car transfers for your convenience.

Hiking and Trekking

Tour highlights

Spot Amazonia Wildlife

The Reserve is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including monkeys, macaws, hoatzins, and the rare Arpía Eagle

Meet the Local Community

You will learn the traditions, day to day life, beliefs and enjoy a little bit of their gastronomy

Comfort in the Jungle

You will stay in one of the best lodges in the Cuyabeno Reserve

Route details

You will depart early from your hotel (around 4 am) and be transferred to Lago Agrio (Nueva Loja), this will be a long journey.

Upon arrival, you will take a collective bus with the Lodge Group. This will be a 1h30 transfer to the Cuyabeno Entrance.

Finally the adventure starts! You will board a 2-hour speedboat transfer to reach your charming lodge in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. After some rest you will explore the “Laguna Grande”. Here you might be able to see the pink river dolphins (fresh water dolphins) and you can swim if you wish and enjoy your first jungle sunset. After dinner you go on a night expediton in search of caimans.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Visit: No

Hike: 1-2h

Transport: 9h

Difficulty

Easy

Minimal physical activity. Suitable for everyone regardless of fitness and age

Tour provider's comments

No specific physical or technical level is required for this trip. However, Some walks will be planned. They will not be physically hard but you will have to accept to walk 2 to 3 hours straight.

Accommodation

Comfort

Upscale

Hotel

3 nights

The prices provided are based the “Comfort/Superior” 3*** category. Let us know if you would like this program in the “Superior” 3/4**** or “Luxe” 4/5***** category.

«Comfort/Superior» : charming and comfortable accommodation 3*** category. Clean and offering an adapted-to-European and American customer service.

In the Cuyabeno reserve heart, on the edge of Laguna Grande, the Bamboo Ecolodge is ideally located to offer travelers an experience immersed in the primary Amazon forest. The Lodge offers comfortable and economical cabins and suites. The service quality is always highly appreciated, and the on-site qualified and attentive staff will make your stay in the Amazon unforgettable!

Capacity: 20 people

The Bamboo Lodge is, along with the Jamu Lodge, one of the best value-for-money lodges in the Cuyabeno Reserve. It will allow you to enjoy an ideal geographical location for animal observation, superb visits to the heart of the Amazon rainforest, and comfortable cabins for a very reasonable price (however, we recommend the suites for more comfort).

Cabin Standard:

Capacity: 1 to 3 people
Bed size: Simples or doubles
Bathroom: Shower (hot water)
Jacuzzi: No
Air conditioner: No
Hair dryer: No
Safe: No

Suite:

Capacity: 1 to 3 people
Bed size: King size or simples
Bathroom: Bathtub (Hot water)
Jacuzzi: No
Air conditioner: No
Hair dryer: No
Safe: No

Service:

Bar-restaurant: Yes
SPA: No
Laundry: No
Swimming Pool: No
Wifi connection: No

Tour conditions

Included

accommodation in a charming lodge Bamboo Lodge (Cuyabeno);
collective transfer Lago Agrio > Lodge > Lago Agrio + bus transfer (1h40) then speed-boat transfer 2h and vice versa at return;
pick up from your hotel and private transfer from to and from Quito to Lago Agrio. (transfer time, approx. 6h);
breakfast on the way in a traditional local restaurant;
degustation of a traditional dish on your way back to Quito in a traditional local restaurant;
naturalist guides as indicated;
meals (4 breakfasts / 3 Lunches / 3 Dinners);
raincoat, boots, and lifejacket for the expeditions.

Extras

round flight to the Amazon Rainforest (about $240 per/pers);
personal expenses (alcoholic drinks, tips…);
not indicated individual equipment;
not indicated meals;
tips.

Foresee between $ 5 and $ 30 per meal not included, per person.

Group size

From 2 to 4 tourists

Duration

4 days

3 nights

It's important to know

Clothing :

-1 or 2 light walking trousers
-1 or 2 warm walking trousers
-2 Fleece jackets
-1 breathable warm jacket (gore tex type)
-1 waterproof jacket (type kway)
– light t-shirts
– hike shoes
– casual shoes
-1 pair of gloves for high altitude walks
-1 warm hat for high altitude walks
– beach clothing -if necessary-
– cap

Additional :

– water bottle – sunglasses
– solar cream
– hiking bag (between 25 to 45L)
– hike sticks
– camera
– binoculars
– duvet between 0C et -15C (when nights in a refuge or tent are planned)
– headlamp (for nights in tents or shelters)