Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

 

We have put together information about our tourist operations in the Cuyabeno Reserve, which is located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. We offer a relaxing atmosphere with educational and informational activities.

 

There are two ways to get to the Lodge:

 

The first option is by bus, which takes 10 hours from Quito to Lago Agrio. The price for the ticket each way from Quito is $8. We recommend the passengers to take the buses “transportes Esmeraldas”, the direct bus to Lago Agrio at 11:30 pm. We will meet you the next morning at 9:00 am at Hotel de Mario in Lago Agrio (av. Quito and Gonzanama st), and then take you in our private transportation to the Cuyabeno bridge where we will start our trip into the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.

 

The second option is to fly to Lago Agrio (45 minutes from Quito) and we will pick you up at the airport in our private transportation, and then we will take you to the Cuyabeno bridge, where we will start our trip into the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. The flight from Quito to Lago Agrio leaves at 9:00am and arrives at 9:45am. The price for each way is $62

 

FOUR DAY PROGRAM

 

Day 1: We meet in Lago Agrio at 08:00 am or 08:30 am, (depending on the transportation from Quito by bus or airplane), from where we will take our private transportation to the Cuyabeno bridge. On our way, we will have a box lunch.

 

At the entrance of Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, we will register our passport in and we will pay the entrance fee ($20). Then we will take a motorized canoe down the Cuyabeno River for about two and a half hours. During the canoe ride you will get a first look at the jungle and will be able to observe different kinds of birds like Caciques, Oropendolas, Greater Anis and the prehistoric bird “Hoatzin”. You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on the time and weather conditions.

 

We will arrive at the lodge around 4:30pm. At that time you will be shown to your rooms and you can relax a little. After a siesta we will leave the camp for a swim in the lagoon and watch a beautiful sunset in the middle of the Laguna Grande. You will then return to the camp for dinner, and can finish your first day in the jungle relaxing in a hammock or with a night walk.

 

Day 2: After breakfast we will take a hike in the primary forest for 3 to 4 hours, where your guide will explain the intricate interrelatedness of life within the tropical rainforest. You will be also able to learn about medicinal plants and might be able to see some exotic birds or monkeys. We will then return to the camp for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon you will go piranha fishing, have a swim in the lagoon and watch the sunset. With a little luck you can observe the pink river dolphins or an anaconda sunbathing in a tree. You will return to the camp for dinner, and take a night canoe ride to look for caimans.

 

Day 3: For those of you who are willing to see the sun rise, you can go for an early morning bird watching canoe ride at around 6 am. You will return to the camp for breakfast, and then depart in native dugout canoes to visit a family of the Tarapuy. Community. You will see how Casabe is prepared, traditional bread made from Yuca (Manioc). You can help prepare the Casabe and see how the products from the jungle are used to make bread.

 

You will then visit the Siona community and your guide will explain the customs and their traditions. You will be able to see what traditions have been lost and what has been maintained. Then, we will return to the lodge to have a late lunch. At night, you can go on a short nocturnal hike through the primary forest in search of insects, spiders, geckos or scorpions, and listen to the night sounds of the jungle.

 

Day 4: After/before the breakfast we take the motorized canoes on a trip around the lodge for about 1-2 hours to observe some animals (depending on the weather conditions). Afterward we return to the lodge pick up our stuff and head back to the Cuyabeno bridge. Our private transportation will take you back to Lago Agrio from where you will be able to take the bus or the plane back to Quito.

 

NOTE: The program for five days includes a day of canoeing, which is as follows described: We depart in native, dugout canoes, called “quilla”, to visit smaller lagoons such as Pato Cocha, and Caimán Cocha. While paddling you have a better opportunity to see more fauna and flora, and you can get a good idea of what an igapo (flooded) forest looks like. You can observe a variety of different birds and monkeys. Because this activity is about 4 – 5 hours long, we take a box lunch with us.

 

Included:                 

- Accommodation in dorms or private rooms (mosquito nets)

- Private transportation Lago Agrio- Cuyabeno bridge- Lago Agrio

- Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

- Free Coffee, tea, purified water

- River transportation in the Cuyabeno reserve (canoe, kayaks)

- Excursions & activities

- Bilingual guide (English, Spanish)

- Rain boots and poncho

 

Not included:

- Transportation Quito- Lago Agrio- Quito (bus $8 each way / airplane Quito- Lago Agrio $62 one way)

- Entrance fee to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve: $5

- Donation to the community $4

- Alcoholic beverages.

- Tips

 

 Equipment needed

 

• Original passport
• Camera with waterproof bag
• Binoculars (optional)
• Flashlight (torch) with spare batteries
• Hat or cap
• Both, water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June
• Sunglasses with a strap

• One small backpack for the excursions
• Water bottle
• Insect repellent
• Sun block
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Cotton socks for the rubber boots

 

IMPORTANT
- We can start this trip any date with a minimum of 4 passengers, otherwise consult with our weekly departure
- The itinerary can be made according to preferences of private groups
- Under request and with and extra charge we can offer tour guides for groups who speak French, German, Japanese, or Italian
- At the lodge it is possible to recharge your cell phones and camera batteries.
- Porta Telephone Company has the best reception in the area.
- In case you are vegetarian the lodge will provide a special menu.

 

For more information and for the price of this trip!

 

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