4, 5 and 6 Days Tours | Cuyabeno River Lodge

Cuyabeno River Lodge holds three Jungle Tours

A. 4-Days Cuyabeno River Lodge Tour (read here)
B. 5-Days Cuyabeno River Lodge Tour (read here)

NOTE: The following itineraries are sample itineraries Cuyabeno River Lodge. There is also a 6-day tour available, please let us know if interested. Excursions and times on this itineraries are subject to change and largely depend on weather, season, group limitations, group interests, and guide decisions based on passenger safety and organized operations.

Day 1: Quito – Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno River Lodge

Upon arrival at the Cuyabeno bridge, your guide will meet you and transport you by motorized canoe to our base camp, Cuyabeno River Lodge. After an initial rest, we will take a short walk in the afternoon on the Ceibo trail, leading us to one of the region’s largest tree species.

Day 2: Cuyabeno Laguna Grande tour

After an early breakfast, we will visit the Laguna Grande, Cuyabeno’s largest lake, by motorized canoe. During the excursion you will observe the exotic flora and fauna (monkeys, dolphins, etc.) peculiar to this region.

After stopping for lunch, we will continue down the Cuyabeno River to the indigenous community of Puerto Bolivar. Here we will participate in preparing a typical yucca bread in the home of an indigenous family before returning to our base camp. Optional nocturnal walks and canoe rides may be requested free of charge.

Day 3: Cuyabeno by Canoe

Optional: Requests for early morning bird walks are more than welcome. After breakfast, we will continue to trek through the primary rainforest, exploring our longest trail for 3-4 hours in search of exotic plants, animals, and animal tracks. Our guide will indicate medicinal plants and native animals, and discuss local indigenous customs. In addition, we will have the opportunity to row down the river in native style canoes, fish for piranhas, and take a refreshing swim in the Cuyabeno River.

Day 4: Return Cuyabeno River lodge to Quito

On day four we will explore one last trail, with new opportunities to see different vegetation and animals before taking the early evening direct bus (6:30 pm) to Quito.

Day 1: Quito – Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno River Lodge

Upon arrival at the Cuyabeno bridge, your guide will meet you and transport you by motorized canoe to our base camp, Cuyabeno River Lodge. After an initial rest, we will take a short walk in the afternoon on the Ceibo trail, leading us to one of the region’s largest tree species.

Day 2: Cuyabeno Laguna Grande tour

After an early breakfast, we will visit the Laguna Grande, Cuyabeno’s largest lake, by motorized canoe. During the excursion you will observe the exotic flora and fauna (monkeys, dolphins, etc.) peculiar to this region. 

After stopping for lunch, we will continue down the Cuyabeno River to the indigenous community of Puerto Bolivar. Here we will participate in preparing a typical yucca bread in the home of an indigenous family before returning to our base camp. Optional nocturnal walks and canoe rides may be requested free of charge.

Day 3: Cuyabeno by Canoe

Optional: Requests for early morning bird walks are more than welcome. After breakfast, we will continue to trek through the primary rainforest, exploring our longest trail for 3-4 hours in search of exotic plants, animals, and animal tracks.

Our guide will indicate medicinal plants and native animals, and discuss local indigenous customs. In addition, we will have the opportunity to row down the river in native style canoes, fish for piranhas, and take a refreshing swim in the Cuyabeno River.

Day 4: Native-style canoes. Optional nocturnal walk

A continuation of exploring walking trails and canoeing in quillas, our native-style canoes. Optional nocturnal walk after dinner.

Day 5: Return from Cuyabeno River Lodge to Quito

On day four we will explore one last trail, with new opportunities to see different vegetation and animals before taking the early evening direct bus (6:30 pm) to Quito.

Jungle Trip Tips for Cuyabeno Rivel Lodge Tour

* How to get to get to Lago Agrio?

There are two ways to get to Lago Agrio from Quito city.

Take a flight. It takes 30 minutes one-way from Quito, and the fare is around  $65 USD one-way, or $130 for a round-trip, on either airlines TAME or VIP. Please make sure you arrive earlier that 9:30 am. 

Take a bus on the night before the tour (it takes 8 hours from Quito). You must go to Quito’s Terminal Terrestre. Buses leave every half-hour between 6am and 11:30pm. Two main bus lines: Transportes Baños (tel. 02/2570-884) and Putumayo (tel. 02/2583-316 in Quito, or 06/2833-819 in Lago Agrio). The fare is around $9 USD per person. 

We can also arrange a private transportation by car to Lago Agrio. It can inlcude a stop at Papallacta Hot Springs which are on the way there. Le us know.

* What about insects and malaria?

There has NOT been any malaria in our area until now. So no prophylaxis will be needed, if you only visit the Sierra and our area. No vaccinations are required.

What about insects and malaria?

There has NOT been any malaria in our area until now. So no prophylaxis will be needed, if you only visit the Sierra and our area. But other rainforest places like Coca and Lago Agrio do have malaria problems, as well as the North coast (Atacames). You should then take medicines with you, if you intend to go to these places.

The fact that we do not have malaria does not mean that there are no insects in our area! Therefore, it would be better to protect yourself. Not at night, as everybody thinks, since you can walk around during this time with shorts without any problem, but during the day, when it is advisable to put a repellent on or, better, wear a pair of trousers with socks. The insects that bite during the day are not at all dangerous. They are just unpleasant.

* Cuyabeno National Park and luggage recommendations

The temperatures in Cuyabeno National Park are rather stable this means that throughout the year you can expect very hot and dry months this however does not mean that it’s a sunny paradise all year long, it is after all a rainforest. 
Bring a small to medium seized waterproof backpack, big carry-on bags are not recommended bear in mind that you are going to the jungle so your luggage might get dirty on the way.

Cotton t-shirts or shirts with long sleeves are ideal, not only will you be protected from the sun but also 
from mosquito bites. 2 to 4 long pants, jeans are not recommended then it can be pretty humid and hot remember that wearing comfortable cloths during the jungle hikes is a bless. 2 pair of shorts and a cap to protect you from the sun. For those with sensible skin make sure to pack sunblock too much exposure to the sun can be dangerous for your skin.

Please do bring enough cotton socks, you will need them for when you wear rubber boots. A light raincoat is advised. Don’t forget your insect repellent, medicines if you need to take them and a personal first aid kit. Bathing suits are important you will feel like jumping into the water. Bring your camera/video camera as well as binoculars a torch, your original passport, a refillable bottle for the excursions, it is important to keep yourself hydrated all the time.

Bring enough money with you, (our currency is American dollars) in case you decide to purchase handcrafts made by the family of the Shaman or souvenirs from the tapir lodge. Try not to bring credit cards, travel checks and big notes ($50, $100) then you will not be able to use them in Cuyabeno National Park. Small notes and coins will be a better option. We encourage our guests to tip our staff the last day of their journey however you should not feel obliged to do it.

• Kids under the age of 12 are required to bring their own raincoats and boots.
• Note: Our minimum stay requirdment is 3 nights