← Back to Ecuador Experiences
Quito · Pichincha · Ecuador
5 Day - Cuyabeno Adventure Jungle Tour
Starting From
From $1,438.96 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 River. AMAZON JUNGLE EXPEDITION Early in the morning, we explore the surrounding rainforest in search of monkeys and birds before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After some time to relax, we head out on a guided jungle walk, where you will learn about local flora, ecosystems, and may spot colorful butterflies, toads, and hear birds along the way. We return to the lodge for lunch, followed by free time to rest, swim, play soccer, or simply enjoy the natural surroundings. In the afternoon, a canoe excursion along the Cuyabeno River offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife such as monkeys, macaws, toucans, sloths, and pink river dolphins. Before dinner, we set out on a night walk to look for insects, spiders, frogs, snakes, and other nocturnal species. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation: Lodge in Cuyabeno
Day 3
Quito
Wildlife & Eco Tourism at Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. AMAZON JUNGLE EXPEDITION Immerse yourself in Indigenous communities. After breakfast, you depart in a canoe downriver for about an hour to visit a family from the Tarapuy community, where you can learn how to prepare Casabe, a traditional Yuca bread. You will help in its preparation. You will also learn to use the materials of the jungle to make bread, and we occupy the whole day until 2 pm. You will have to return to the Lodge. After lunch, you will have relaxation activities. To end the day, we will have a short walk through the primary forest focused on observing nocturnal insects, such as spiders, geckos, or scorpions, and listening to the noises and sounds of the night. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation: Lodge in Cuyabeno
Day 4
Quito
Eco Tour at Cuyabeno River. AMAZON JUNGLE EXPEDITION The day begins with an early morning canoe excursion along the river for birdwatching, followed by a return to the lodge for breakfast. Later, we head out on a paddle canoe trip to explore the jungle, enjoying the scenery and the sounds of the rainforest while searching for local wildlife. During the journey, the guide will share insights into the traditional medicinal use of plants by native cultures. After returning to the lodge for lunch and rest, we spent the afternoon canoeing along the Cuyabeno River in search of freshwater pink dolphins. The day concludes with dinner at the lodge. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation: Lodge in Cuyabeno
Day 5
Quito
Canoeing at Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. TRANSFER TO CUYABENO BRIDGE FOR YOUR TRIP BACK TO QUITO Today’s morning excursion includes a short expedition by canoe. Taking advantage of the early morning hours to observe the animals during this activity and to say goodbye to the jungle. After, you will return to the lodge to take your breakfast. Finally, you will have time to pack your luggage for the return journey. The ride takes you upstream back to the civilization at ‘El Puente de Cuyabeno, where you will receive a lunch (box lunch). A private bus will take you back to Quito. Meals Included: Breakfast and box lunch
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 re-chargeable batteries) - Personal water bottle or canteen - Toilet kit ( biodegradable soap & shampoo preferred) - Personal first aid kit (this includes your personal travel medicines) - Camera ( bring your own 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 the 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: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
Featured Travel