Get ready for an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon! Our 4-day, 3-night adventure to the incredible Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve promises an immersive experience filled with breathtaking nature, unique wildlife, and cultural encounters.

Day 1: Journey to the Heart of the Rainforest

Your adventure begins and ends at the Cuyabeno Bridge. We offer three convenient ways to get there:

• By Tourist Bus: A comfortable, 9-10 hour ride from Quito directly to Cuyabeno.
• By Private Transfer: Enjoy a quicker, more direct 7-hour journey from Quito.
• By Flight: Take a quick 35-minute flight from Quito to Coca with Aero Regional or Latam. From Coca, we’ll pick you up (transfer costs apply, please inquire!) and drive about 2-2.5 hours through stunning landscapes of rainforests, rivers, and charming small towns to the Cuyabeno Bridge.

Once we arrive at “El Puente,” we’ll enjoy a delicious box lunch before embarking on our motorized canoe journey down the narrow Cuyabeno River. Don’t worry about the rain – we’ll provide rain ponchos and life vests, and your luggage will be protected. For 2-3 hours, you’ll be amazed by the incredible flora and fauna as we make our way to the Tapir Lodge.

Upon arrival, settle into your comfortable room. After a delightful dinner at 7:30 PM, your knowledgeable guide will give you an overview of the lodge, the Cuyabeno Reserve, and the exciting activities planned for the days ahead.

Day 2: Exploring the Wonders of Laguna Grande

Start your day with a healthy and delicious breakfast around 7:30 AM. Afterward, we’ll head to the pier to ensure everyone has a pair of rubber boots for our excursion (available up to EU size 45). Depending on our group size, we’ll explore by motorized or paddle canoe.

Our 9:30 AM tour takes us upstream to the magnificent Laguna Grande (Big Lake). Here, you’ll witness unique flora like Igapos (inundated forests) and ancient macrolobium trees growing straight out of the water, providing a perfect home for bromeliads, orchids, ferns, and cacti.

After exploring the lake, we’ll venture to “Terra Firme” for a fascinating trek along the “Palma Roja” path. Your guide will share insights into the rainforest’s basic ecology. Keep your eyes and ears open! We hope to spot and hear many bird species like woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws, and toucans, and if we’re lucky, even some monkeys!

We’ll return to the lodge for a late lunch at 2:30 PM, followed by about two hours of free time to relax. Around 5:00 PM, we’ll head back to Laguna Grande for an evening canoe ride, searching for more birds and wildlife. If you wish, you can even swim in the safe and relaxing waters of the lake. Weather permitting, we might even witness a breathtaking sunset!

After our evening adventure, we’ll return to Tapir Lodge for refreshing drinks at the bar and a chance to chat with your guide about the day’s discoveries. After dinner, if the weather is right, we’ll enjoy a quick night trek around the lodge, looking for nocturnal creatures like frogs.

Day 3: Cultural Immersion and Rainforest Secrets

Today, we might have an early start around 6:00 AM for an optional bird-watching excursion, navigating downstream to spot exotic local birds before returning for breakfast around 7:00 AM.

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a two-hour canoe ride downstream, keeping an eye out for stunning Morpho butterflies, monkeys, and more! Our journey takes us past Puerto Bolívar, home to the Siona people.

Next, we’ll visit a small community to meet Thomas, a local Shaman from the Cofan ethnic group. Thomas possesses vast knowledge of medicinal plants and spends his time healing local inhabitants. We’ll enjoy a tasty box lunch in Thomas’s backyard, and he’ll share his rainforest experiences and healing processes. For those interested, there’s an option to participate in a healing ceremony (approx. 40 minutes). You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase beautiful handicrafts made from rainforest materials.

Around 3:00 PM, we’ll journey back to Puerto Bolívar, where a local Siona family will welcome us. Here, you’ll observe how traditional Cassava Bread (Yuca) is prepared. This root has always been a vital food source for indigenous communities. You’ll see the process of peeling, grinding, pressing, and toasting the yuca into a “pancake-like” bread, which you’ll get to taste!

We’ll then head back to Tapir Lodge for dinner at 8:00 PM. After dinner, we’ll enjoy a farewell Passion Fruit Cocktail and introduce our dedicated staff members, whose hard work ensures you receive first-class service throughout your stay. To cap off the day, for those seeking more adventure, we’ll have a short 50-minute night hike around the lodge, searching for tree frogs, spiders, and night monkeys.

Day 4: Farewell to the Amazon

Enjoy breakfast at 7:30 AM. After breakfast, we’ll coordinate your departure from Tapir Lodge, generally around 9:30 AM (this can vary based on weather and river levels). Our staff will ensure all your luggage is loaded onto the canoe.

We’ll journey back to the Cuyabeno Bridge, where your chosen transportation will be waiting to take you back to Lago Agrio, Coca, or Quito. For those flying to and from Coca, the departure schedule will be adjusted to ensure you reach the airport on time.

You can expect to arrive back in Quito around 7:00 PM.

Please note: These itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, client requirements, or if our guides believe it will enhance the quality of your experience.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the incredible Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve! Do you have any questions about these options or anything else about your trip?