CUYABENO LODGE 3 DAYS AMAZON ADVENTURE

Start your adventure as you leave the mountains of the Andes behind and enter the Amazon basin, where you board our motorized canoe gliding slowly down the winding Cuyabeno River through the rainforest.

3-DAYs TOUR

Prices are PER PERSON based on double occupancy. During the high season* there is a surcharge of $50 USD per person if you want to have the room just for yourself). The surcharge is waived during low season.

Children aged 5-12 get 30% off. Children 4 years and younger are free.

* The dormitory price is a limited time deal for a minimum of 4 persons or if there is another group you can join.

Payment methods

All payments must be made via bank transfer, credit card, (we use the platform WETRAVEL (2.9% fee) or deposit. All payments are required 30 days BEFORE the program begins.

Read the itinerary

Itinerary

Travel from Quito the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve Reserve Cuyabeno Bridge)

Into the Wild (Cuyabeno River to Cuyabeno Lodge)

Motorized Canoe Expedition: You will board our motorized canoe for a scenic, 2-hour journey gliding downstream along the pristine Cuyabeno River.
Spot Monkeys in the Wild: Keep your eyes on the tree canopy! It is very common to spot squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and tamarin monkeys swinging along the riverbanks. If you are lucky, you may hear the deep roar of a howler monkey or spot a camouflaged sloth.
River Giants & Exotic Birds: The forest along the river is home to the blue-and-yellow macaws, colorful toucans, and green parrots. Watch the river banks to catch a rare glimpse of an anaconda in the shrubs, a caiman or a pink Amazon river dolphin hunting for fish.
Watching the animals and plants of the rainforest: The Amazon jungle is all about the fine details of hidden wildlife and rare orchids. Bringing binoculars is essential to get the most out of your trip. If you forget yours, don't worry—we offer binocular rentals at the lodge for a modest fee.

Arrival & Sunset at Lake Cuyabeno

Welcome to our Island Paradise: Your first river excursion concludes at Lake Cuyabeno, where our rainforest style Cuyabeno Lodge sits beautifully on a seasonal island near the shore.
Sunset Lake Excursion: After settling into your private room, your guide will take you back onto the quiet water of Lake Cuyabeno (Laguna Grande) to swim and witness the spectacular, vibrant sunsets for which Cuyabeno is famous.
Rainforest Night Sounds: Following a delicious home-made-style dinner at our lodge. Afterwards, your guide will map out the activities for the next day before you drift off to sleep to the rhythmic, soothing soundtrack of the nocturnal rainforest, or you may spend some hours in the restaurants, playing some boardgames or internet games using our Starlink internet.

Early morning: Journey to the Siona Indigenous Village

River Excursion Downstream: Start your day with an early breakfast at the lodge before embarking on a cultural experience. You will travel downstream along the winding Cuyabeno River to reach one of the four traditional Siona indigenous villages.
Wildlife on the Way: Keep your binoculars ready during the boat ride! Scan the open waters of the lake for tropical birds and hunting pink river dolphins, and look along the riverbanks for active monkey troops.

Having arrived at the village you will watch how a Siona woman prepares and cooks the typical “cassava” tortillas while you participate in the preparation. The process starts with the harvesting of the manioc or cassava in the family’s kitchen garden, before it gets cooked in a traditional kitchen over an open fire. The woman will also talk about the way of life of the Siona tribe. The women rotate daily so each will get a turn to earn some money. After the presentation, you return to the Lodge for lunch and a siesta.

Authentic Cultural Encounter & Casabe Making

Traditional Casabe Preparation: Upon arriving at the village, you will participate in making traditional casabe (cassava bread) from scratch. The hands-on experience begins by harvesting fresh manioc (cassava) directly from the family’s organic kitchen garden, followed by processing and cooking it over an open fire in a traditional kitchen. You will get a traditional lunch including the tortilla you just prepared.

Insights into Tribal Life: Your indigenous host will share stories about the history, daily life, and ancestral customs of the Siona tribe.

Supporting Sustainable Tourism: This cultural program operates on a fair, daily rotation system among the local women. By participating, your visit directly ensures equitable income distribution and supports community empowerment within the reserve.

Return for Lunch & Siesta: Following this rich cultural presentation, you will cruise back to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon siesta during the hottest part of the day.

Evening & Night: Lake Swim & Nocturnal Caiman Excursion

Vibrant Lake Swim: In the late afternoon, shake off the midday heat with a refreshing, scenic swim in Lake Cuyabeno and enjoying the sunset.

Nocturnal Wildlife tracking: Once darkness blankets the jungle, you will set out on a night excursion by canoe. Armed with flashlights, your guide will help you spot the glowing eyes of caimans, tree snakes, bats and elusive nocturnal birds.

This program may need to be interchanged with another excursion pending availability.

Final Day Itinerary: Dawn Birdwatching & Return to Quito

On the final day of your Cuyabeno Amazon rainforest tour, you will likely share a feeling common to so many of our guests: that time went by far too fast, and you wish you could stay just a little longer. But, as your journey wraps up, you will carry home with you lifelong memories of the profound peace and unmatched beauty of our beloved Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.

Early Morning: Dawn Birdwatching Excursion

A Final Sunrise excursion: For those wanting to maximize their final hours in the jungle, wake up early to enjoy one last birdwatching at dawn through the morning fog.
The Jungle Awakens: Watch the rainforest shake off the mist as flocks of macaws, toucans, and parrots begin their morning flights across the lake.
River Giants & Exotic Birds: The forest along the river is home to the blue-and-yellow macaws, colorful toucans, and green parrots. Watch the river banks to catch a rare glimpse of an anaconda in the shrubs, a caiman or a pink Amazon river dolphin hunting for fish.
Watching the animals and plants of the rainforest: The Amazon jungle is all about the fine details of hidden wildlife and rare orchids. Bringing binoculars is essential to get the most out of your trip. If you forget yours, don't worry—we offer binocular rentals at the lodge for a modest fee.

Mid-Morning: Farewell Breakfast & Upstream Navigation

Noon: Return to Quito

Want to spend more time with Cuyabeno Lodge in the Amazon? Join us for our 4-days tour!

Unforgettable Amazon Jungle Safaris & Activities at Cuyabeno Lodge

Our custom-tailored itineraries feature a dynamic mix of water excursions, forest walks, and an authentic cultural encounter. When you stay with us, you will experience the very best Cuyabeno Amazon rainforest activities:

Excursions & Sunset Swims: Cruise the waters of Lake Cuyabeno and winding rivers in our motorized and paddle canoes, take refreshing swims in the lake, and witness the spectacular sunsets for which Cuyabeno is famous;
Wildlife & Birdwatching Expeditions: Embark Embark on expert-led excursions to spot iconic Amazonian species, including pink river dolphins, prehistoric-looking hoatzins, bright-colored toucans, and up to 10 species of monkeys;
Guided Rainforest walks: Explore the primary jungle while our naturalist guides share fascinating insights about the complex rainforest ecosystem, wildlife, and the traditional use of plants;
Authentic Siona Community Visit: an unforgettable visit to the indigenous Siona community. Here, you will learn about their rich history and participate in preparing traditional casabe (cassava bread) from scratch;
Intriguing Night Excursions: Step into the jungle after dark. Armed with flashlights, you will set out on night excursions by foot as well as by canoe to find fascinating insects, treefrogs, and unique nocturnal birds as well as the glowing-eyed caimans, and bats on the lake;
Relaxation from our Deck and Canopy Tower: Unwind between adventures by relaxing in a swinging hammock, capturing panoramic photos from our observation tower, or taking in the breathtaking views of the lake from our spacious observation deck.

The shown programs are examples and will vary per guide

Explore cuyabeno with us

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WHAT's INCLUDED?

Boots and ponchos

Private bathrooms

Meals included

Transportation on the river

Hot water

Tour guide

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What's included?

Included

Activities such as hiking, canoe rides, and local community visit
Bilingual Naturalist Guide
Accommodations with hot water
Meals starting with lunch and ending with breakfast
Coffee, tea, purified water, available at all times
Use of rain ponchos and rubber boots – indicate size when booking

Not Included

Alcoholic and additional beverages ;
Transportation Quito - Cuyabeno - Quito ;
Flights Quito - Coca - Quito ;
Transfers Coca - Cuyabeno - Coca ;
$10 cash donation to the Siona community for hosting visitors;
IVA for Ecuadorian nationals (does not apply to foreigners)

PLEASE NOTE

Activities may be adjusted according to group interests or weather conditions ;
Rooms have no power outlets and equipment can only be charges in communal areas;
Only mobiles and laptops can be charged ;
Private guiding available at additional charge ;
French and German guide or translators may be available at additional charge.