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Quito · Pichincha · Ecuador
4-Day Amazon Journey in the Heart of Cuyabeno
Starting From
From $805.43 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
Experience inventory, live availability and secure booking provided by
Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
You will be immersed in a truly special Amazon experience that blends wildlife encounters, guided rainforest hikes, peaceful paddling through jungle waterways, meaningful cultural exchanges, and moments of pure relaxation. Each carefully designed excursion offers a different way to explore the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, revealing its rich biodiversity, living ecosystems, and deep connection between nature and local communities, ensuring every journey feels unique, enriching, and unforgettable.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Take part in earlymorning excursions to observe a remarkable diversity of bird species.
- Venture into the rainforest on guided hikes and discover the medicinal and practical uses of native plants.
- Learn about the region’s diverse ecosystems and their vital role in maintaining rainforest balance.
- Join guided night walks to observe insects, spiders, snakes, and amphibians while listening to the sounds of nocturnal wildlife.
- Visit a Siona family and gain insight into their ancestral traditions and way of life.
- Explore Laguna Grande and the surrounding flooded forest dominated by macrolobium trees.
- Navigate the waterways in search of caimans during nighttime canoe excursions.
- Spot the Amazon’s iconic pink and grey river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis & Sotalia fluviatilis).
- Paddle silently in a traditional dugout canoe, fully immersed in the natural sounds of the jungle
- Unwind in a comfortable, natural setting designed for rest and connection with nature
- Enjoy engaging talks led by our knowledgeable bilingual naturalist guides
- Experience an unforgettable journey deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Quito
Hiking at Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. QUITO - NIGHT BUS TO CUYABENO - ARRIVAL AT CUYABENO RESERVE On the evening before your Amazon adventure begins, you will be picked up from the designated meeting point at Blue House Youth Hostel and travel overnight by shuttle toward the rainforest. At dawn, you will arrive at El Puente del Cuyabeno, the gateway to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and the final trace of urban life, where the lodge staff will welcome you. From there, you will journey by motorized canoe along the Cuyabeno River for about two hours, a scenic route that often offers the first sightings of monkeys and colorful birdlife at close range. Upon reaching the lodge, you will be welcomed with a refreshing drink, assisted with your room allocation, and given time to unwind or take in the surrounding rainforest. A tasty lunch will follow before you set off on your first excursion to Laguna Grande, located about 30 minutes away. Traveling by motorized canoe, you will explore the lush vegetation and learn about the igapó, the unique flooded forest ecosystem. Later, you can enjoy a swim in the peaceful waters while watching the Amazon sunset. As evening approaches, the adventure continues with a search for nocturnal wildlife such as bats and caimans, before returning to the lodge for dinner. After dinner, your bilingual naturalist guide will provide a detailed briefing about the activities planned for the days ahead. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Accommodation: Lodge in Cuyabeno
Day 2
Quito
Hiking at Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. AMAZON JUNGLE EXPEDITION Early in the morning, you will take part in an activity before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Later, you will set out on an excursion—either by canoe or on foot—venturing deeper into the rainforest. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the medicinal plants of the jungle and how native communities have used them for generations. After the excursion, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, you will navigate the Cuyabeno River by canoe, taking in the scenery, listening to the sounds of the forest, and searching for unique local wildlife, before enjoying dinner at the lodge. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation: Lodge in Cuyabeno
Day 3
Quito
Hiking at Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. AMAZON JUNGLE EXPEDITION We will begin the day early with a birdwatching excursion by paddle canoe, providing an opportunity to silently observe and appreciate the diverse bird species of the region. Afterwards, we will return to the lodge for breakfast. Later, we will set out again by canoe to visit an Indigenous Siona family in the Amazon basin, where you will interact with the community and take part in hands-on activities such as harvesting yuca and learning how traditional cassava bread, a staple of the region, is prepared. You will also gain insight into local customs and ancestral traditions. A typical lunch will be enjoyed with the community before returning to the lodge for some rest. In the afternoon, a guided jungle walk will allow you to spot a variety of insects, spiders, tree frogs, and other rainforest species, followed by dinner at the lodge. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation: Lodge in Cuyabeno
Day 4
Quito
Transportation at Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. TRANSFER TO CUYABENO BRIDGE FOR YOUR RETURN JOURNEY TO QUITO At dawn, you will enjoy a brief canoe outing to spot wildlife along the river. After breakfast, there will be time to organize your luggage and prepare for departure, with check-out scheduled for 8:30 a.m. A light farewell snack will be provided for the journey back to Cuyabeno Bridge, where you will arrive around 10:30 a.m. and meet your private tourist bus for the return trip to Quito. Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch. Accommodation: None
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
-Round-trip transportation between Quito and Puente de Cuyabeno. -Transport by motor canoe from El Puente de Cuyabeno to the lodge, during the excursions, and from the lodge to El Puente de Cuyabeno. -Excursions and activities of the itinerary. -Naturalist Bilingual guide -Lifejacket, water boots -Assistance at all times
Not Included
-The entrance fee to visit the Siona family in Cuyabeno Reserve (to be paid locally, USD 10 per person) -Rain poncho -Additional drinks and meals -Travel Insurance (not mandatory) -Tips and personal expenses -Short-term price increases regarding fees and taxes. -For passengers, groups, or families who require guides in German or French, it is important to know in advance. -There is the option of taking a flight to arrive in the Cuyabeno Reserve. However, this has an additional cost, and the logistics would change on arrival and departure from the reserve. Please, contact us for more information.
What to Bring
You should bring the following items: - Passport - Cotton clothing and dry-fast materials are best - Long-sleeved shirt or blouse and long pants for the hikes into the rainforest - T-shirts &shorts - Some pairs of socks - Rain poncho - Sandals or sneakers - Light wind-breaker and sweater or fleece (for the early morning and night activities) - Bathing suit and personal towel for swimming - Sun cap or hat - Sunglasses with a strap - One small daypack (waterproof) - Insect repellent - Sunblock - Headlamp or flashlight (with spare or rechargeable batteries) - Personal water bottle or canteen - Toilet kit ( biodegradable soap & shampoo preferred) - Personal first aid kit (this includes your travel medicines) - Camera ( bring your charger and adapter) - Binoculars ( 10×42 are suggested) - Notebook - Plastic bags (zip lock bags are the best for your items, especially - cameras, phones, binoculars, medicines, and documents to keep them dry) - Wet wipes - Books to read
Restrictions
For this trip, you should be in good enough physical shape to enjoy jungle treks for 2-3 hours in a humid, tropical climate. However, if you would like to skip the hikes and other activities described above and only want to take part in the canoe trips, you can, of course, make use of the lodge´s facilities instead, for example, relax in a hammock.
Meeting & Pickup
The meeting point will be the night before your tour at the Blue House Youth Hostel in Quito at 10:45 PM.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 7 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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