5-day Cuyabeno Birdwatching
Our meticulously crafted 5-Day Cuyabeno Birdwatching Tour is a dream come true for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Under the guidance of our experienced and passionate naturalist guides, you’ll explore diverse habitats teeming with avian life on this private adventure. Expect to encounter a spectacular array of bird species, including rare and exotic birds, each with its unique songs and behaviors.
From $650 p.p.
5-day Cuyabeno Birdwatching
Our meticulously crafted 5-Day Cuyabeno Birdwatching Tour is a dream come true for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Under the guidance of our experienced and passionate naturalist guides, you’ll explore diverse habitats teeming with avian life on this private adventure. Expect to encounter a spectacular array of bird species, including rare and exotic birds, each with its unique songs and behaviors.
Discover Birds, Embrace Wilderness
Day 1: Arrival, First Animal Spotting & Into the Jungle After Dark
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After that, you’ll travel by private bus for about two hours to the “Tierras Orientales” village and canoe pickup point on the Aguarico River. Here, you’ll have a boxed lunch and switch to a motorized canoe. The journey continues along the river for about 3 hours, taking you to “La Bocana,” where the Aguarico River meets the Cuyabeno River. You’ll have the chance to see pink river dolphins and explore the primary and secondary forests with a knowledgeable guide.
- Notably, many of these fascinating creatures can be readily seen without the assistance of binoculars. However, if you possess a pair, it’s encouraged to bring them along. Alternatively, we will happily provide binoculars to enhance your viewing experience.
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The next leg of the journey takes you 20 minutes up the Cuyabeno River to reach our Amazon Lodge on the shores of “Laguna San Francisco” within the Cuyabeno reserve. Along the way, you’ll encounter a diverse array of wildlife, including monkeys, birds, reptiles, and aquatic mammals.
- Upon arrival at around 4:30 pm, take some time to settle in and explore the stunning surroundings of the lodge. Indulge in a delicious dinner while our local guide outlines the thrilling activities planned for the following days.
- Under the cloak of night, we will embark on a guided expedition along the trails encircling the lodge. This walk will unveil intriguing nocturnal animals, including insects, spiders, amphibians, and arboreal snakes among other unique species.
Day 1: Arrival, First Animal Spotting & Into the Jungle After Dark
Read Description
-
After that, you’ll travel by private bus for about two hours to the “Tierras Orientales” village and canoe pickup point on the Aguarico River. Here, you’ll have a boxed lunch and switch to a motorized canoe. The journey continues along the river for about 3 hours, taking you to “La Bocana,” where the Aguarico River meets the Cuyabeno River. You’ll have the chance to see pink river dolphins and explore the primary and secondary forests with a knowledgeable guide.
- Notably, many of these fascinating creatures can be readily seen without the assistance of binoculars. However, if you possess a pair, it’s encouraged to bring them along. Alternatively, we will happily provide binoculars to enhance your viewing experience.
-
The next leg of the journey takes you 20 minutes up the Cuyabeno River to reach our Amazon Lodge on the shores of “Laguna San Francisco” within the Cuyabeno reserve. Along the way, you’ll encounter a diverse array of wildlife, including monkeys, birds, reptiles, and aquatic mammals.
- Upon arrival at around 4:30 pm, take some time to settle in and explore the stunning surroundings of the lodge. Indulge in a delicious dinner while our local guide outlines the thrilling activities planned for the following days.
- Under the cloak of night, we will embark on a guided expedition along the trails encircling the lodge. This walk will unveil intriguing nocturnal animals, including insects, spiders, amphibians, and arboreal snakes among other unique species.
Day 2: Sunrise Birdwatching, Terra Firme Hike, Canoe Expedition & Swimming
- At 6:00 am, we will take our motorized canoe to navigate upstream on the Cuyabeno River, through meanders and lagoons near the Lodge, to enjoy the morning and search for bird species that are not commonly observed during daylight hours.
- After relaxing and marveling at the richness of the rainforest, we return to our Lodge for an exquisite breakfast.
- After a short rest, we will take our canoe again to head to Laguna Grande, where we will take a walk in the terra firme forest to search for high-altitude birds such as pihas, manakins, and many more species.
- As lunchtime approaches, we return to our canoe where a delicious box lunch awaits us.
- We will then navigate among the vegetation adapted to the igapo ecosystem, such as macrolobium trees, in search of herons, tyrant flycatchers, and bird species that have made these ancient trees their refuge.
- As the afternoon falls, we venture for a dip in the lagoon and then continue to our Lodge, where a captivating dinner awaits us. Afterward, our guide will invite us to enjoy a glass of wine while we make a list of the birds observed during the day.
Day 2: Sunrise Birdwatching, Terra Firme Hike, Canoe Expedition & Swimming
Read Description
- At 6:00 am, we will take our motorized canoe to navigate upstream on the Cuyabeno River, through meanders and lagoons near the Lodge, to enjoy the morning and search for bird species that are not commonly observed during daylight hours.
- After relaxing and marveling at the richness of the rainforest, we return to our Lodge for an exquisite breakfast.
- After a short rest, we will take our canoe again to head to Laguna Grande, where we will take a walk in the terra firme forest to search for high-altitude birds such as pihas, manakins, and many more species.
- As lunchtime approaches, we return to our canoe where a delicious box lunch awaits us.
- We will then navigate among the vegetation adapted to the igapo ecosystem, such as macrolobium trees, in search of herons, tyrant flycatchers, and bird species that have made these ancient trees their refuge.
- As the afternoon falls, we venture for a dip in the lagoon and then continue to our Lodge, where a captivating dinner awaits us. Afterward, our guide will invite us to enjoy a glass of wine while we make a list of the birds observed during the day.
Day 3: Deep Jungle Canoe Birdwatching, Swimming & Kichwa Territory Lodge
- A long day awaits us. We will have an early breakfast at 7:30 am, then gear up and board our motorized canoe to navigate downstream on the Cuyabeno River for about 5 hours. On this journey, we will have the opportunity to enjoy sighting new species as we go deeper into the forest. We will make several stops for photography, swimming and stretching our legs.
- We will have lunch on the riverbank surrounded by lush tropical jungle.
- As the afternoon falls, we finally arrive at a lodge that is built within the Kichwa territory, located on the shores of Laguna San Francisco, within the Cuyabeno Reserve.
- We will have a break and time to relax and familiarize ourselves with the surroundings until dinner time. At night, we will make a list of the species observed and our guide will give an informative talk about the place.
Day 3: Deep Jungle Canoe Birdwatching, Swimming & Kichwa Territory Lodge
Read Description
- A long day awaits us. We will have an early breakfast at 7:30 am, then gear up and board our motorized canoe to navigate downstream on the Cuyabeno River for about 5 hours. On this journey, we will have the opportunity to enjoy sighting new species as we go deeper into the forest. We will make several stops for photography, swimming and stretching our legs.
- We will have lunch on the riverbank surrounded by lush tropical jungle.
- As the afternoon falls, we finally arrive at a lodge that is built within the Kichwa territory, located on the shores of Laguna San Francisco, within the Cuyabeno Reserve.
- We will have a break and time to relax and familiarize ourselves with the surroundings until dinner time. At night, we will make a list of the species observed and our guide will give an informative talk about the place.
Day 4: Parrot Clay Lick, Spotting Dolphins, Bird Observation Tower & Night Walk
- Early at 5:30 am, we start our excursion on the Cuyabeno River in our motorized canoe (approximate time of 1h30 min.), the best time to observe a wide variety of birds and other animals until we reach the “Saladero” (a nutrient-rich clay bank on the riverbank) where we can enjoy 5 species of colorful parrots and parakeets feeding on clay to extract toxins from their bodies.
- After this magnificent morning with the birds, we return to our lodge for breakfast and a rest.
- Then, together with our guide, we will take our motorized canoe to navigate the Cuyabeno River, enjoying the thriving activity of the rainforest until we reach “La Bocana.” Here, we can once again observe freshwater dolphins and delight in a wonderful landscape, as well as appreciate the coloration of the white waters full of sediments from the Aguarico River and the black waters full of tannins from the Cuyabeno River, a spectacular experience.
- Afterward, we return to our Lodge for a delicious lunch.
- In the afternoon, at 4:00 pm, we will take our canoe to go to the Bird Observation Tower, which is built around a “Ceibo tree,” one of the largest in the area, with a height of 28 meters. We will have a spectacular and wide view of the canopy and tropical jungle, giving us the opportunity to listen to and observe a great diversity of animal life.
- As night falls, we venture on a short walk through the forest in search of new nocturnal creatures and enjoy the unique concert caused by the sounds emitted by a wide variety of insects. After this great time, we return to our Lodge where a delicious dinner awaits us. We will enjoy a local drink while making a general list of the entire trip, as it is our last night in the jungle.
Day 4: Parrot Clay Lick, Spotting Dolphins, Bird Observation Tower & Night Walk
Read Description
- Early at 5:30 am, we start our excursion on the Cuyabeno River in our motorized canoe (approximate time of 1h30 min.), the best time to observe a wide variety of birds and other animals until we reach the “Saladero” (a nutrient-rich clay bank on the riverbank) where we can enjoy 5 species of colorful parrots and parakeets feeding on clay to extract toxins from their bodies.
- After this magnificent morning with the birds, we return to our lodge for breakfast and a rest.
- Then, together with our guide, we will take our motorized canoe to navigate the Cuyabeno River, enjoying the thriving activity of the rainforest until we reach “La Bocana.” Here, we can once again observe freshwater dolphins and delight in a wonderful landscape, as well as appreciate the coloration of the white waters full of sediments from the Aguarico River and the black waters full of tannins from the Cuyabeno River, a spectacular experience.
- Afterward, we return to our Lodge for a delicious lunch.
- In the afternoon, at 4:00 pm, we will take our canoe to go to the Bird Observation Tower, which is built around a “Ceibo tree,” one of the largest in the area, with a height of 28 meters. We will have a spectacular and wide view of the canopy and tropical jungle, giving us the opportunity to listen to and observe a great diversity of animal life.
- As night falls, we venture on a short walk through the forest in search of new nocturnal creatures and enjoy the unique concert caused by the sounds emitted by a wide variety of insects. After this great time, we return to our Lodge where a delicious dinner awaits us. We will enjoy a local drink while making a general list of the entire trip, as it is our last night in the jungle.
Day 5: Return to Civilization: Final Canoe Ride and Jungle Excursion
- Enjoy one last early excursion into the forest or by canoe with your guide.
- Return to the lodge for breakfast and pack your bags for the return trip.
- Take a 2.5-hour canoe ride back to Tierras Orientales, with opportunities for animal sightings and soaking up the beauty of the Cuyabeno rainforest.
- From Tierras Orientales take the private bus for around 2 hours to Lago Agrio.
- Arrive in Lago Agrio around 4:00 pm and take your bus or plane back to Quito. If you wish to use the shuttle bus option for your return, the itinerary can be adjusted on the final day to accommodate this.
Day 5: Return to Civilization: Final Canoe Ride and Jungle Excursion
Read Description
- Enjoy one last early excursion into the forest or by canoe with your guide.
- Return to the lodge for breakfast and pack your bags for the return trip.
- Take a 2.5-hour canoe ride back to Tierras Orientales, with opportunities for animal sightings and soaking up the beauty of the Cuyabeno rainforest.
- From Tierras Orientales take the private bus for around 2 hours to Lago Agrio.
- Arrive in Lago Agrio around 4:00 pm and take your bus or plane back to Quito. If you wish to use the shuttle bus option for your return, the itinerary can be adjusted on the final day to accommodate this.
Pricing & Details
Our 5-day Cuyabeno Birdwatching Tour offers an intimate exploration, specially designed for avid birdwatchers. This experience covers the middle and lower part of the Cuyabeno Reserve.
This tour is available every Monday and Friday, with a minimum of 2 travelers. Please select the best option in our system. If you would like to travel on a different date, please contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
2-3 Travelers: $800 USD per person.
4-5 Travelers: $700 USD per person.
6 Travelers: $650 USD per person.
The tour accommodates up to 6 people.
This semi-private tour has a unique feature: the first and last days will be spent with a shared group. However, this group will follow a different itinerary from yours, except on these two days. On the second, third, and fourth days, all activities will be private, as outlined in the itinerary.
Solo travelers will be placed on a waiting list, and we will try to match you with one of our existing departures.
Important Notes:
- Prices are per person for the entire itinerary, not per night.
- All rooms are standard with an ensuite bathroom. We offer single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms.
- The itinerary is subject to change due to external factors or to ensure the best experience.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Center owns and manages the itinerary and exclusively partners with a lodge to operate the tour.
Guided excursions: All activities listed in the itinerary with a bilingual, certified, local naturalist guide.
Gear Provided: Raincoats, rubber boots, life jackets for excursions.
Meals: All-inclusive meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with purified water, coffee, and tea. Meals begin with lunch on the first day and end with breakfast on the last day.
*We can cater to vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary restrictions.
Accommodation: Private rooms with private bathrooms at the lodge.
Transport: Bus and canoe transfers to and from Lago Agrio and the lodge.
Amenities: Comfortable rooms with mosquito nets, showers, towels (for room use only), soap, and shampoo.
Energy: Generators for device charging.
Happy Hour: Enjoy daily happy hour from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the lodge.
Transportation: Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito (we can help book transportation).
Meals: Meals outside the tour, like breakfast on the first day and lunch and dinner on the last day.
Drinks: Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (available for purchase at the bar).
Observation Tower: Visit costs an additional $6 per person (cash payment).
Binoculars: Available for rent at the lodge for $10 per day (cash payment).
Tips: Optional, but our crew really appreciates it.
Additional Expenses: Any costs not covered in the tour package.
Taxes: Applies to Ecuadorian travelers and companies.
This tour begins and ends at Lago Agrio. We highly recommend opting for a private transfer to ensure safe transportation for any of your birdwatching equipment.
For more information about the different options, please visit: Transport options to the Cuyabeno.
Our 5-day Cuyabeno Birdwatching Tour offers an intimate exploration, specially designed for avid birdwatchers. This experience covers the middle and lower part of the Cuyabeno Reserve.
This tour is available every Monday and Friday, with a minimum of 2 travelers. Please select the best option in our system. If you would like to travel on a different date, please contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
2-3 Travelers: $800 USD per person.
4-5 Travelers: $700 USD per person.
6 Travelers: $650 USD per person.
The tour accommodates up to 6 people.
This semi-private tour has a unique feature: the first and last days will be spent with a shared group. However, this group will follow a different itinerary from yours, except on these two days. On the second, third, and fourth days, all activities will be private, as outlined in the itinerary.
Solo travelers will be placed on a waiting list, and we will try to match you with one of our existing departures.
Important Notes:
- Prices are per person for the entire itinerary, not per night.
- All rooms are standard with an ensuite bathroom. We offer single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms.
- The itinerary is subject to change due to external factors or to ensure the best experience.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Center owns and manages the itinerary and exclusively partners with a lodge to operate the tour.
This tour begins and ends at Lago Agrio. We highly recommend opting for a private transfer to ensure safe transportation for any of your birdwatching equipment.
For more information about the different options, please visit: Transport options to the Cuyabeno.
Guided excursions: All activities listed in the itinerary with a bilingual, certified, local naturalist guide.
Gear Provided: Raincoats, rubber boots, life jackets for excursions.
Meals: All-inclusive meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with purified water, coffee, and tea. Meals begin with lunch on the first day and end with breakfast on the last day.
*We can cater to vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary restrictions.
Accommodation: Private rooms with private bathrooms at the lodge.
Transport: Bus and canoe transfers to and from Lago Agrio and the lodge.
Amenities: Comfortable rooms with mosquito nets, showers, towels (for room use only), soap, and shampoo.
Energy: Generators for device charging.
Happy Hour: Enjoy daily happy hour from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the lodge.
Transportation: Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito (we can help book transportation).
Meals: Meals outside the tour, like breakfast on the first day and lunch and dinner on the last day.
Drinks: Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (available for purchase at the bar).
Observation Tower: Visit costs an additional $6 per person (cash payment).
Binoculars: Available for rent at the lodge for $10 per day (cash payment).
Tips: Optional, but our crew really appreciates it.
Additional Expenses: Any costs not covered in the tour package.
Taxes: Applies to Ecuadorian travelers and companies.
Complete Bird list of Cuyabeno Reserve
Tinamous
- Great Tinamou
- Undulated Tinamou
Ducks and Geese
- Muscovy Duck
Guans, Chachalacas & Curassows
- Spix’s Guan
- Blue-throated Piping-guan
- Speckled Chachalaca
Cormorants and Anhinga
- Neotropic Cormorant
- Anhinga
Herons, Egrets & Bitterns
- Boat-billed Heron
- Black-crowned Night-heron
- Cattled Egret
- Cocoi Heron
- Great Egret
- Striated Heron
- Capped Heron
- Snowy Egret
- Little Blue Heron
Storks, Ibises and Spoonbill
- Green Ibis
- Bare-faced Ibis
Vultures
- Greater Yellow-headed
- Vulture
- Black Vulture
- King Vulture
Osprey, Kites, Hawks and Eagles
- Western Osprey
- Gray-headed Kite
- Swallow-tailed Kite
- Snail Kite
- Slender-billed Kite
- Double-toothed Kite
- Plumbeous Kite
- Tiny Hawk
- Slate-coloured Hawk
- Great Black Hawk
- Roadside Hawk
Eagles and Hawk-eagles
- Harpy Eagle
- Ornate Hawk-eagle
Forest-falcons
- Laughing Falcon
- Slaty-backed Forest-falcon
Caracaras
- Red-throated Caracara
- Black Caracara
- Yellow-headed Caracara
True falcons
- Bat Falcon
Crakes and rails
- Sun grebe
- Sun bittern
Plovers
- Southern Lapwing
- Collared Plover
Skuas and Jaegers
- Wattled Jacana
- Yellow-billed Tern
- Large-Billed Tern
- Black Skimmer
Doves and Pigeons
- Ruddy Ground-dove
- Plumbeous Pigeon
- Ruddy Pigeon
Parrots
- Blue-and-Yellow Macaw
- Chestnut-fronted Macaw
- Scarlet Macaw
- Dusky-headed Parakeet
- Maroon-tailed Parakeet
- Dusky-billed Parrot let
- Cobalt-winged Parakeet
- Black-headed Parrot
- Orange-cheeked Parrot
- Blue-headed Parrot
- Yellow-crowned Amazon
- Orange-winged Amazon
- Mealy Amazon
Hoatzin
Cuckoos
- Little Cuckoo
- Squirrel Cuckoo
- Greater Ani
- Smooth-billed Ani
Potoos
- Great Potoo
- Common Potoo
Nighthawks and Nightjars
- Short-Tailed Nighthawk
- Sand-coloured Nighthawk
- Common Pauraque
- Ladder-tailed Nightjar
Swifts
- White-collared Swift
- Short-tailed Swift
- Fork-tailed Swift
- Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
Hummingbirds
- Rufous-breasted Hermit
- White-bearded Hermit
- Great billed Hermit
- Black-throated Mango
- Long-billed Star throat
- Black-throated Brilliant
- Blue-chinned Sapphire
- Golden-tailed Sapphire
Quetzals and Trogons
- Black-tailed Trogon
- Amazonian Trogon
- Blue-crowned Trogon
- Black-throated Trogon
Kingfishers
- Ringed Kingfisher
- Amazon Kingfisher
- Green Kingfisher
- Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher
- American Pygmy Kingfisher
Jacamars
- White-eared Jacamar
- White-chinned Jacamar
Puffbirds
- White-necked Puff bird
- Collared Puff bird
- Black-fronted Nun bird
- White-fronted Nun bird
- Swallow-winged Puff bird
Barbets
- Scarlet-crowned Barbet
- Gilded Barbet
Toucans
- White-throated Toucan
- Channel-billed Toucan
- Lettered Aracari
- Chestnut-eared Aracari
- Many-banded Aracari
- Ivory-billed Aracari
Woodpeckers
- Yellow-tufted Woodpecker
- Little Woodpecker
- Golden-green Woodpecker
- Yellow-throated Woodpecker
- Spot-breasted Woodpecker
- Scaly-breasted Woodpecker
- Chestnut Woodpecker
- Cream-coloured Woodpecker
- Lineated Woodpecker
- Crimson-crested Woodpecker
Wood creepers
- Spot-throated Wood creeper
- Long-billed Wood creeper
- White-chinned Wood creeper
- Straight-billed Wood creeper
- Buff-throated Wood creeper
Antbirds
- Plain-winged Antshrike
- Pygmy Antwren
- Amazonian treaked Antwren
- Plain throated Antwren
- Long-winged Antwren
- Black-faced Antbird
- Plumbeous Antbird
Flycatchers
- Social Flycatcher
- Great Kiskadee
- Lesser Kiskadee
- Yellow-throated Flycatcher
- Streaked Flycatcher
- Boat-billed Flycatcher
- Tropical Kingbird
- Drab Water-tyrant
Ramphotrigon
- Cinnamon Attila
- Citron-bellied Attila
Cotingas
- Purple-throated Fruit crow
- Plum-throated Cotinga
- Spangled Cotinga
- Screaming Piha
- Bare-necked Fruit crow
Manakins
- Wire-tailed Manakin
- Golden-headed Manakin
Tityras and Becards
- Black-tailed Tityra
- Black-crowned Tityra
Jays
- Violaceous Jay
Swallows
- White-banded Swallow
- Brown-chested Martin
- Grey-breasted Martin
- Sand Martin / Bank Swallow
Black-capped Donacobius
Thrushes
- Grey-cheeked Thrush
- Black-billed Thrush
- Lawrence´s Thrush
- White-necked Thrush
- Thrush like wren
Tanagers
- Red-capped Cardinal
- Magpie Tanager
- Orange-headed Tanager
- Fulvous Shrike-tanager
- White-shouldered Tanager
- Masked Crimson Tanager
- Silver-beaked Tanager
- Blue-grey Tanager
- Paradise Tanager
- Opal-crowned Tanager
- Opal-rumped Tanager
- Green-and-Gold Tanager
Dacnis and Honeycreeper
- Black-faced Dacnis
- Blue Dacnis
- Purple Honeycreeper
- Green Honeycreeper
Satators
- Slate-coloured Grosbeak
- Buff-throated Saltator
Emberizine Sparrows and Finches
- Saffron Finch
- Chestnut-billed Seedeater
Icterids
- Russet-backed
- Oropendola
- Crested Oropendola
- OliveOropendola
- Yellow-rumped Cacique
- Solitary Black Cacique
- Orange-backed Troupial
- Oriole Blackbird
- Giant Cowbird
- Shiny Cowbird
- Velvet-fronted Grakle
- Thick-billed Euphonia
- Orange-bellied Euphonia
- Rufous Bellied Euphonia