Cuyabeno Reserve Explorer — 6 Days / 5 Nights (Paddling)
$590
per person
Duration
6 Days / 5 Nights
Departures
Any day · min. 2 travelers
Level
Medium-low
Altitude
177–326 m
Temperature
23–29 °C
Language
English, Spanish
Group
Minimum 2 people
About This Cuyabeno Tour
An exceptional 6-day, 5-night expedition: exploration in the middle of the jungle, the Siona community, hiking and a full traditional paddling experience starting the very first day. Minimum 2 people. No experience needed.
Cuyabeno Dolphin Eco-Lodge is located in the heart of the primary jungle, in a protected area 2 hours by motorized canoe from the Cuyabeno Bridge. We sit right in front of the natural pool of the pink dolphins — that is why it is called Dolphin Lodge, a privileged place.
The Cuyabeno Reserve is one of the most important conservation reserves in the world for its great biodiversity of plants and animals per square meter, with several indigenous nationalities living in one place.
How to Get There
Tourist bus: departs from Quito the night before, from the Plaza Foch area (Embassy Quito Hotel, Wilson E8-22 & 6 de Diciembre) at 22:30, and for travelers staying in the Historic Center from Secret Garden Hostel (José de Antepara & Los Ríos) at 23:00. It is a direct trip to our meeting point, the Cuyabeno Bridge (El Puente de Cuyabeno). This service has an extra cost: $38 per person one way, $74 round trip. We can help you with the reservation.
Public bus: the Putumayo bus company is the only one that travels directly to the Cuyabeno Bridge. It leaves from Quitumbe South Terminal in Quito at 21:00 and costs $22.50 per person (platforms 18–19). We help you with the logistics; tickets are purchased directly at the terminal.
What's Included
Not Included
What to Bring
Big 7 Sighting Chances
How likely you are to spot each of the Big 7 on this program, rated by our guides. The jungle always has the final word.
Itinerary
Arrival by public or private bus (traveling the night before, about 10 hours) to Puente Cuyabeno. Canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River to Paso del Tigre, where our traditional paddling canoe activity starts. We have a box lunch on the route. This experience is amazing: in silence, we can see many animals and the forest — the jungle will be with us for about 6 hours — and we arrive at the lodge with the sunset. Dinner and an exciting night walk.
This activity runs depending on the water level (a couple of weeks in the dry season it doesn’t run). On the route we have a bilingual guide and paddlers from the community helping us, with motorized canoe support.
Level: Medium-high
Altitude: 177–326 m
Temperature: 23–29 °C
Activities: Canoeing, paddling, photography, walking
Time: about 6 hours of paddling
What to bring: Long sleeves, long pants, cap, sunblock, mosquito repellent
Breakfast. Full day in the jungle: with our bilingual guide we explore by paddle canoe and on the trail, discovering animals, medicinal plants, the rivers and lakes. Sunset at the Laguna Grande and back to the lodge. Dinner.
Level: Medium
Altitude: 177–326 m
Temperature: 23–29 °C
Activities: Canoeing, swimming, paddling, photography, night walk
Time: about 8 hours
What to bring: Long sleeves, long pants, cap, sunblock, mosquito repellent, swimsuit
Breakfast. In the morning, a three-hour hike in the primary forest to learn about flora and fauna, especially medicinal plants, frogs, insects and birds. Lunch at the camp. In the afternoon, motor canoe trip on the lagoons and rivers to explore and enjoy the uniqueness of nature — you can swim and enjoy the sunset, and if conditions permit you may see pink dolphins. Return to the lodge. Dinner.
Level: Low
Altitude: 177–326 m
Temperature: 23–29 °C
Activities: Walking, canoeing, swimming, photography
Time: about 8 hours
What to bring: Long sleeves, long pants, cap, sunblock, mosquito repellent, swimsuit
Breakfast. Visit to the Siona Tarabeaya community, where we help a family prepare the typical food Casabe while the guide explains their culture and traditions. Lunch. Visit to the shaman, who explains the ceremonies of the jungle. Return to the lodge. Dinner and a night canoe expedition in search of caimans.
Level: Low
Altitude: 177–326 m
Temperature: 23–29 °C
Activities: Community visit, Casabe preparation, traditional cleansing with the shaman, walking, canoeing, photography, night expedition
Time: about 8 hours
What to bring: Long sleeves, long pants, cap, sunblock, mosquito repellent, swimsuit
Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. We gather what we need for this jungle activity and leave by motorized canoe 1 hour upriver to a place known as Canangueno to start the paddling activity. We come down the river in a canoe without a motor — the moment with the highest chance of observing animals — with the guide and travelers paddling together. Lunch. Rest. Visit to the lagoon: swimming and sunset photos. Dinner.
Level: Medium
Altitude: 0–100 m / 328 ft
Temperature: 26–28 °C
Activities: Navigation, photography, guiding, observation, paddling, swimming
What to bring: Rubber boots, rain coat, life jacket, camera, insect repellent, sunscreen, water, long pants and long-sleeve shirt, bathing suit, binoculars (optional)
5:30 a.m.: we wake up very early to observe birds — between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. they come out to look for food and we have the best chance to watch them. Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., our last meal included in the tour.
We prepare our luggage and take the last excursion: navigation from Dolphin Lodge to El Puente de Cuyabeno, watching animals in the river. Farewell and final photos; at El Puente de Cuyabeno we help you take the buses back to Quito or recommend buses to other destinations.
Level: Low
Altitude: 0–300 m
Temperature: 24–26 °C
Activities: Navigation, hiking, photography, guiding, observation
What to bring: Rain coat, life jacket, camera, insect repellent, sunscreen, water, binoculars (optional)