Our Previews

5-day Cuyabeno Loop

Our Previews

• The adventure begins at 9:30 AM at Hotel D’ Mario’s restaurant in Lago Agrio. Whether you arrive by public bus, shuttle bus, or your own private transport, this is where we will meet. For those who prefer to fly, the nearest airport is located in Coca City. Be sure to check our transportation guide for more information.

• We will take private transportation and travel for about two hours to the Cuyabeno bridge, the main entry point into the upper part of the reserve.

• After sharing a box lunch, we will board a motorized canoe and commence our downstream journey on the Cuyabeno River. Our trip to “La Bocana,” the gateway to La Laguna Grande, will take around three hours. Along the way, we will enjoy scenic views, spot freshwater pink dolphins, and learn from our guide about the primary and secondary forests.

• A visit to the Grand Lagoon will allow us to revel in the biodiversity and explore the igapo ecosystem. This leg of the journey offers ample opportunities to observe and photograph a diverse array of plant and animal life, including monkeys, birds, reptiles, and aquatic mammals.

• Continuing for another 30 minutes downstream, we will arrive at our first Amazon lodge, situated along the river within the reserve. Upon arrival at the lodge, there will be time to relax and become acquainted with the surroundings.

• After dinner, our guide will give us an informative talk about the activities for the following days and invite us to take a night walk around the camp in search of interesting nocturnal species such as insects, spiders, amphibians, tree snakes, and many more.

• The day begins at 6:00 a.m., the optimal time for experiencing nature, birds, and the vibrancy of the rainforest. We will set out in our motorized canoe to navigate the bends near our lodge and observe a variety of bird and mammal species. 

• After returning to camp for a hearty breakfast, we will rest briefly before resuming our adventure.

• Per our guide’s direction, we will embark on a two-hour motorized canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River, enjoying the thriving tropical jungle. Stops along the way will allow us to swim in blackwater rivers, partake in a box lunch, and admire the rich flora and fauna. 

• As evening approaches, we’ll reach “El Cruce” to set up our camping tents and enjoy a delightful dinner.

• Before settling in for the night, our guide will outline the next day’s activities and provide an engaging explanation of the area.

• The day kicks off early, at 5:30 a.m., to capitalize on the serene hours before dawn for observing wildlife. Our motorized canoe excursion along the Cuyabeno River will lead us to the “Saladero,” a nutrient-rich clay bank where we can watch colorful parrots and parakeets detoxify by feeding on the clay.

• Following a morning of birdwatching, we’ll return to the lodge for breakfast and some downtime.

• After enjoying a magnificent morning, we will prepare our equipment to later enjoy an activity that allows us to connect with nature. We will take our paddle canoe to navigate downstream on the blackwater river for approximately 3 hours until we reach the Cuyabeno River, where our motorized canoe with a delicious box lunch will be waiting for us.

• After enjoying this pleasant time, we will continue in our canoe to our Amazon Lodge, where we will stay for two nights.

• After a delicious dinner, our guide will lead us on a one-hour nocturnal walk to observe the diverse array of insects, spiders, snakes, and other creatures of the night.

• Another early start promises an exceptional birdwatching experience in the rainforest. Our guide will share tips on identifying the myriad species that inhabit this lush tropical environment.

• After soaking in the morning’s wonders, we’ll head back to the lodge for breakfast.

• After the morning activities, our local guide will invite us to be part of a short walk, where they will explain and share their knowledge about the practical use of medicinal plants that their ancestors have transmitted through generations. 

• After this magnificent experience, we return to our camp to enjoy a delicious lunch.

• In the afternoon, at 4:00 p.m., we will take our canoe to head to the Bird Observation Tower, which is built around a “Ceibo tree,” one of the largest in the place, with 28 meters in height. 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.

• Shortly after, before returning to our Lodge, we will take a short night walk around the tower in search of new insect species, to later return to our Lodge where a delicious dinner awaits us.

• On our last day in this wonderful place, we will have an early activity with a brief excursion into the forest or by canoe to enjoy the awakening of nature and observe the birds. This activity allows us to take the last memory of this wonderful place.

• Return to the lodge for breakfast and pack your bags for the return trip.

• A 30-minute canoe ride downstream on the Cuyabeno River followed by an upstream journey on the Aguarico River (approximately 3 hours) will take us to “Tierras Orientales.”

• There, our private transportation awaits to bring us back to Lago Agrio, arriving around 4:00 p.m. to connect with the bus or flight 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.