Ecuador Amazon Tour – Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Experience the rich wildlife of Cuyabeno on a 4-day guided jungle adventure with a naturalist expert
Briefing
The Ecuador Amazon Tour – Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a unique adventure deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Over four days, you’ll explore the Cuyabeno Reserve by navigating winding rivers, spotting pink dolphins, monkeys, caimans, and exotic birds, and immersing yourself in the indigenous culture of the Siona community. You’ll sleep in an eco-lodge in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by natural sounds and unforgettable landscapes. The tour includes transportation from Lago Agrio to the lodge, accommodation, meals, local guides, and all activities. With Howlanders, you’ll enjoy an authentic, responsible, and fully organized experience. Are you ready to discover the Amazon like never before? 🌎
Tour details
Included
- Private transportation Lago Agrio – Lodge – Lago Agrio
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Drinks (water, coffee, or tea)
- Professional bilingual guides (Spanish - English)
- Accommodation in a double room with mosquito nets and private bathroom
- Waterproof excursion equipment
- Rubber boots
- Life jackets
- Excursions
Not included
- Transportation Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito (bus or flight)
- Alcoholic and bottled drinks
- Tips
- $5 for the community / $5 for the Shaman
Important information
🛖 Keep in mind that this is a nature and adventure tour in a remote area. The infrastructure is basic but comfortable, designed to minimize environmental impact.
💉 No vaccines are mandatory, but it is recommended to check with your health center regarding the yellow fever vaccine and malaria prevention.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellations!
If you cancel at least 41 days before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. If you cancel between 40 and 31 days before the start date, you will receive 75% of the amount paid. If you cancel between 30 and 19 days before, you will receive 70%. If you cancel between 18 and 9 days before, you will receive 50%. After that, or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 Lago Agrio – Lodge
Pick-up in Lago Agrio
The Ecuador Amazon Tour – Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve begins at the Cuyabeno Bridge. Once everyone is gathered, we’ll make a short stop for a meal, then cross the river by canoe for a first glimpse of Cuyabeno’s flora and fauna. During the journey, the guide will provide rain ponchos and life jackets. The canoe trip to the lodge takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Arrival at the Lodge
Upon arrival, you'll receive a warm welcome at the lodge. You'll have time to drop off your luggage and relax until dinner. Our guide will give a brief briefing about the lodge, the magnificent Cuyabeno Reserve, and everything you'll see during the tour.
DAY 2 Laguna Grande – Jungle Hike – Sunset
Navigation & Jungle Hike
After a delicious and healthy breakfast, we'll start our second day at Cuyabeno Reserve. At 9:30 AM, we board the canoe to explore the ecosystem of Laguna Grande, navigating through the flooded tropical "igapó" forest where we’ll see amazing trees like Mimosa and the cactus Epiphyllum. We then hike through the jungle in the morning while the guide shares its secrets, spotting monkeys and exotic birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, and toucans.
Sunset & Night Walk
After lunch and two hours of rest at the lodge, we’ll head back on the canoe around Laguna Grande to enjoy an Amazonian sunset. At night, we’ll take a guided walk around the lodge to look for frogs and other nocturnal creatures.
DAY 3 Shaman Visit – Cassava Harvest
Dawn & Shaman Visit
We begin very early with a birdwatching excursion, departing at 6:00 AM to navigate downstream in search of exotic species and riverside wildlife. We’ll return to the lodge at 7:00 AM for breakfast. Then, we set off on a 2-hour canoe trip downstream looking for Morpho butterflies, monkeys, and more. We'll pass through the Siona community of Puerto Bolívar before reaching a small Cofán community, where we’ll meet Thomas, a local shaman. We'll enjoy a box-lunch in his yard and learn about his ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants. Those interested can participate in a traditional healing ceremony.
Cassava Harvest
In the afternoon, we'll visit a Siona family in Puerto Bolívar, observing the traditional preparation of cassava bread—from harvesting the root, grating, pressing, to cooking it into tortillas, which we’ll get to taste. We'll return to the lodge in the evening. Dinner will be served at 8:00 PM, followed by a passion fruit farewell cocktail. For those still energized, a 50-minute night walk will be offered to spot frogs, spiders, nocturnal monkeys, and other jungle creatures.
DAY 4 Return to Cuyabeno Bridge
Return to the Cuyabeno Bridge
After breakfast, we’ll take the canoes back to the Cuyabeno Bridge, enjoying one last opportunity to admire the area's unique and incredible flora and fauna along the way. Departure is around 9:30 AM, depending on weather and river conditions. We’ll arrive at the meeting point at the Cuyabeno Bridge at approximately 1:30 PM, marking the end of our Ecuador Amazon Tour – Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.
What to bring to Ecuador Amazon – Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve tour
The climate in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is typically warm and humid with frequent rain, so it is essential to pack light but suitable gear for the rainforest. We recommend bringing:
- Lightweight, quick-drying clothes (T-shirts, long pants)
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Comfortable and sturdy shoes
- Hat or cap
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
- Small backpack
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera or phone with good battery
- Personal and basic medications
Where does the tour Ecuador Amazon – Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve start
The tour starts at the Cuyabeno Bridge, which you must reach on your own. There are several options from Quito to get to this remote area of the Amazon:
🚌 Tourist bus: From Quito to Cuyabeno, the trip takes approximately 9–10 hours.
🚗 Private transportation: From Quito to Cuyabeno, estimated travel time is 7 hours.
✈️ Daily flight: You can take a flight from Quito to Coca with Aeroregional or Latam, which lasts about 35 minutes.
From Coca, your guide can pick you up (for an additional cost) and take you by vehicle to the meeting point at the Cuyabeno Bridge. This journey takes around 2.5 hours, depending on weather and traffic conditions.
Questions & Answers
Is the Ecuador Amazon Tour – Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve suitable for children?
Yes, although it is recommended for children over 6 years old. It’s important that they are used to walking and being in contact with nature.
What kind of accommodation is included?
You’ll stay at an eco-lodge in the jungle, with private rooms that include a private bathroom and basic services adapted to the natural surroundings.
What meals are included?
All meals are included from arrival at the lodge to departure. Menus can be adapted for vegetarian, vegan, or other dietary restrictions (with prior notice).
Do I need vaccines to visit the Amazon?
No vaccines are mandatory, but it is recommended to check with your healthcare provider about yellow fever and malaria prevention.
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