Get ready for an extraordinary adventure deep in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon with our 5-day, 4-night “Serenity Tour” to the breathtaking Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This immersive experience is designed to connect you with nature, fascinating wildlife, and rich local cultures.

Day 1: Journey to the Heart of the Rainforest

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

• By Tourist Bus: A comfortable, approximately 9-hour ride from Quito directly to Cuyabeno.
• By Private Transfer: Enjoy a quicker, more direct 8-hour journey from Quito.
• By Flight: Take a swift 35-minute flight from Quito to Coca with Aero Regional or Latam. From Coca, we’ll pick you up (please inquire about transfer costs!) and drive about 2 to 2.5 hours through stunning landscapes of rainforests, rivers, and charming small towns to the Cuyabeno Bridge.

Upon arrival 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 elements—we’ll provide rain ponchos and life vests, and your luggage will be protected. For 2 to 3 hours, you’ll be captivated by the incredible flora and fauna as we make our way to the Tapir Lodge.

Once at the Tapir Lodge, settle into your comfortable room and make yourself at home. After a delightful dinner at 7:30 PM, your knowledgeable guide will provide a warm welcome, offering insights into the lodge, the Cuyabeno Reserve, and the exciting activities planned for the days ahead.

Day 2: Discovering 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 that grow straight out of the water, providing a perfect habitat 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 lunch at 2:30 PM, followed by approximately 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 or a 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

Depending on the weather, 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 a delicious 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, a village solely inhabited by 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 (approximately 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. There, we’ll observe how traditional Cassava Bread (Yuca) is prepared. This root has always been a vital food source and main carbohydrate for the indigenous communities of the rainforest. 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 the Tapir Lodge for dinner. After dinner, we’ll have a short 50-minute night hike around the lodge, searching for tree frogs, spiders, and night monkeys, among other fascinating creatures.

Day 4: Tailored Exploration and Farewell Evening

After breakfast, the day’s activities will be scheduled according to the interests of the guests, allowing you to choose your adventure with your guide. Several options are available, ranging from more bird watching, canoeing, or walking in the rainforest. We always keep the group together, so the activity will be based on the majority’s preference.

Lunch will be served at the Tapir Lodge, and in the afternoon, our guests can enjoy some leisure time and savor the last sunset over the lake. After dinner, we’ll serve and enjoy a delightful farewell Passion Fruit Cocktail. This is also a special moment to introduce our hard-working, attentive, and diligent staff members, whose cooperation, assistance, and courteous service ensure you receive first-class service from the moment you arrive.

Day 5: Departure from the Amazon

Enjoy breakfast at 8:00 AM. After breakfast, we’ll coordinate and schedule your departure from Tapir Lodge. Departure time is generally at 9:30 AM, depending on weather conditions and river level. Our staff will carefully load your luggage onto the canoe. We’ll depart Tapir and make our way back to the bridge, where your chosen transportation will be waiting to take you back to Lago Agrio, Coca, or Quito.

You can expect to arrive back in Quito around 7:00 PM. Please note that for guests flying to and from Coca, the departure schedule will be different to ensure you arrive at the airport on time.

What to Bring:

To make your trip as comfortable as possible, we recommend packing:

• Cotton shirts & T-shirts (3 or more)
• Long trousers (not jeans) & Shorts
• Cotton socks (a pair per day)
• Comfortable walking shoes & sandals
• Sweater
• Bathing suit
• Small waterproof backpack
• Insect repellent
• Water canteen
• Binoculars
• Torch (flashlight)
• Sunblock
• Book and notebook
• Cotton underwear
• Toiletries
• Money
• Sunglasses
• Original Passport
• Prescription medicines and a small first aid kit
• Hat or cap

Tapir Lodge Program Includes:

• Accommodation in a double room with private bathroom and hot shower
• Canoe rides
• 3 meals a day (box lunch and dinner on arrival day)
• Purified water, coffee, and tea
• Daily excursion program
• Naturalist multilingual speaking guides (English, Spanish, and German)
• Rubber boots, raincoats, and life vests

Tapir Lodge Program Does Not Include:

• Flights Quito – Coca – Quito (approx. USD 220 RT per person – price subject to change)
• Transfer from Coca to Cuyabeno (USD 290 RT for 2-4 guests; USD 440 RT for 5-16 guests)
• Private transportation Quito-Cuyabeno-Quito (USD 600 per way)
• Contribution to the local Siona – Secoya Community (USD 10.00 per person)
• Alcoholic and bottled beverages
• Tips and personal expenses

Please note: These itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions, client requirements, or if our guides feel that it would improve the quality of services.

We can’t wait to share the magic of the Amazon with you! Do you have any questions about this serene journey or anything else you’d like to know?