This tour starts every day, based on availability
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Lodge, Sunset Laguna Grande & Night Search Caimans
11:00 am: Meet at El Puente de Cuyabeno
Your guide will meet you at the entry point and explain how the visit to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve begins. If you’re arriving by bus, we suggest the night shuttle, the most popular option among our travelers. See our transportation guide for more details.
Canoe ride to the lodge (approx. 2 hours)
We’ll start the trip by canoe along the Cuyabeno River, one of the highlights of any Cuyabeno tour in Ecuador. Along the way, you may spot monkeys in the trees, plus birds, reptiles and other animals that live near the river.
Lunch at the lodge
We’ll arrive at the lodge for lunch. After you eat, you’ll have time to check in, settle into your room and rest before the afternoon outing.
Afternoon Laguna Grande
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Laguna Grande. You can swim, enjoy the open water and take in the sunset over the lagoon.
Night excursion: searching for Caimans and Boas
After returning to the lodge, we’ll go on a night trip along the river to look for caimans, boas and other nocturnal wildlife.
Dinner
Dinner will be served at the lodge, and then you can rest for the night.
Day 2: Deep Jungle Walk, River Wildlife and Night Exploration
Breakfast
Start the day with breakfast at the lodge.
Morning rainforest walk (approx. 3 hours)
We’ll take a short canoe ride to a trail inside the primary rainforest. With your bilingual, certified guide, you’ll walk through the jungle and learn about the plants and animals found in this part of the Amazon. Watch for birds, amphibians, reptiles and the different mammals that live here.
Lunch and free time
We’ll return to the lodge for lunch. The early afternoon is free. You can relax, swim near the lodge, read a book or keep an eye out for dolphins if they’re in the area.
Afternoon River expedition
Later, we’ll explore the river again by canoe. This is a good moment to see wildlife like sloths, monkeys, parrots, dolphins, hoatzins and caimans.
Night walk (45–60 minutes)
Once it gets dark, we’ll take a short walk near the lodge to look for animals that only come out at night.
Dinner
We’ll end the day with dinner at the lodge, followed by time to rest before the next activities.
Day 3: Deeper Jungle, Community Visit, Shaman Meeting and Laguna Grande
Alternative to the Community Visit
The community visit can be replaced with an additional full day in the rainforest for travelers who prefer more time exploring the jungle. Please let us know in advance, as this cannot be decided on the spot. The community visit will be the standard plan unless you indicate otherwise when booking.
Breakfast
Start the day with a delicious breakfast.
Canoe ride and walk to the community
We’ll travel deeper into the primary rainforest by canoe, heading toward the Taricaya area. From there, it’s about a one-hour walk to reach the community. Families welcome us when we arrive and usually offer seasonal fruits they grow themselves.
Casabe preparation and community lunch
Alongside the women of the community, you’ll learn how they prepare casabe, a traditional yucca bread. You’ll see the whole process, from peeling the root to cooking it over the fire. Lunch is served in the community today, so we won’t return to the lodge at midday.
Visit with the Shaman
In the afternoon, we’ll meet the community’s shaman. They’ll talk about daily life, traditional medicine and the process of preparing an ancestral drink (we won’t drink it during the visit). If you want, you can take part in a cleansing ceremony guided by the shaman.
Return to the lodge and visit to Laguna Grande
After our time with the community and the local entry contribution, we’ll be back at the lodge in the late afternoon. Later, we’ll head to Laguna Grande to explore the lake and enjoy the sunset.
Dinner
Dinner will be served at the lodge, closing a full day in the Cuyabeno.
Day 4: Paddle Expedition, Laguna Grande and Sunset
Breakfast
Start the day with a tasty breakfast.
Morning paddle expedition
After breakfast, we’ll get the equipment ready for a longer jungle outing. We’ll travel upstream by motorized canoe for about one hour to reach Canangueno. From there, we switch to paddle canoes. Moving quietly through the forest channels gives you a better chance to spot wildlife and enjoy the sounds of the Amazon. Your guide and group will paddle together, which makes this part of the tour feel more immersive.
Lunch and free time
We’ll stop for lunch and take a break before going back to the lodge. The early afternoon is free, so you can rest, read or enjoy the river in front of the lodge.
Laguna Grande and Sunset
Later, we’ll visit Laguna Grande again. The late afternoon light is especially beautiful here, and it’s one of the best spots to watch the sunset during a Cuyabeno tour in Ecuador.
Dinner
We’ll end the day with dinner at the lodge.
Day 5: Early Birdwatching and Final Canoe Ride
Early birdwatching
We’ll start early to watch the forest wake up. Many bird species become active in the morning, so this is a good moment to spot them feeding and moving through the trees.
Breakfast
Enjoy your last breakfast at the lodge. After eating, you’ll have time to pack and get ready for the return journey.
Morning river ride
We’ll leave the lodge by canoe and travel back toward El Puente de Cuyabeno. It’s a calm ride and often a final chance to spot monkeys, birds or reptiles along the river. It’s a nice way to close your Cuyabeno tour.
11:00 a.m.: Farewell
We’ll reach El Puente de Cuyabeno around 11:00 am. You can take final photos and say your goodbyes before heading out. More details are available in our transportation guide.
Is your preferred date sold out or unavailable? Contact us and we’ll help find an alternative.
The Lodge
Quiet Location - The lodge is in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, making it a peaceful stay.
Rooms & Pricing
Book your 5-day Cuyabeno tour with meals and accommodation.
Prices are per person for the entire itinerary, not per night.
Ensuite Bathrooms
Hot Water Showers
Mosquito Nets
Soaps & Towels
Daily departures
We run tours almost every day, so it’s easy to match your travel dates. Choose your preferred date in our booking system. If you don’t see it there, feel free to contact us.
Pricing
Prices are per person for the full itinerary, not per night.
Rooms
All rooms are standard and include a private bathroom. We offer single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms. Shared rooms have low beds. During busy periods, you may share with up to four people. When it’s quieter, you may have a room with only one other guest.
Support at the lodge
A lodge manager is on-site to assist with anything you need during your stay.
Itinerary changes
Activities or the order of activities may change without notice, depending on the guide or operational needs.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Center owns and manages the itinerary. We work exclusively with one lodge to operate the tour.
Private room or a bed in a shared room for the entire duration of 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, and paddle boards for free time.
Meals
All-inclusive buffet (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.
Transport
Canoe transfers to and from El Puente Cuyabeno and the lodge.
Amenities
Comfortable rooms with mosquito nets, hot water showers, towels (for room use only), soap, and shampoo.
Energy
Solar power available, with device charging in the main lobby.
Extras
Fresh fruits, water, and juice upon arrival. Massage service available for relaxation (tip-based).
Transportation
Quito – El Puente Cuyabeno – Quito (we can help book the night shuttle bus).
Community Visit (optional)
If you visit the local community, there’s a $20 fee per person (cash payment).
Drinks
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (available for purchase at the bar, cash payment).
Wi-Fi
To help you fully enjoy the jungle experience, Wi-Fi is not an open network. You can purchase access if needed, but we encourage guests to unplug and enjoy the Amazon.
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.
If you are in Quito, we strongly advise taking the shuttle bus to reach our meeting point.
For more information about the different options, please visit: Transport options to the Cuyabeno.
Private room or a bed in a shared room for the entire duration of 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, and paddle boards for free time.
Meals
All-inclusive buffet (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.
Transport
Canoe transfers to and from El Puente Cuyabeno and the lodge.
Amenities
Comfortable rooms with mosquito nets, hot water showers, towels (for room use only), soap, and shampoo.
Energy
Solar power available, with device charging in the main lobby.
Extras
Fresh fruits, water, and juice upon arrival. Massage service available for relaxation (tip-based).
Transportation
Quito – El Puente Cuyabeno – Quito (we can help book the night shuttle bus).
Community Visit (optional)
If you visit the local community, there’s a $20 fee per person (cash payment).
Drinks
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (available for purchase at the bar, cash payment).
Wi-Fi
To help you fully enjoy the jungle experience, Wi-Fi is not an open network. You can purchase access if needed, but we encourage guests to unplug and enjoy the Amazon.
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.
Daily departures
We run tours almost every day, so it’s easy to match your travel dates. Choose your preferred date in our booking system. If you don’t see it there, feel free to contact us.
Pricing
Prices are per person for the full itinerary, not per night.
Rooms
All rooms are standard and include a private bathroom. We offer single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms. Shared rooms have low beds. During busy periods, you may share with up to four people. When it’s quieter, you may have a room with only one other guest.
Support at the lodge
A lodge manager is on-site to assist with anything you need during your stay.
Itinerary changes
Activities or the order of activities may change without notice, depending on the guide or operational needs.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Center owns and manages the itinerary. We work exclusively with one lodge to operate the tour.
If you are in Quito, we strongly advise taking the shuttle bus to reach our meeting point.
For more information about the different options, please visit: Transport options to the Cuyabeno.
Ready to discover the Amazon of Ecuador?
FAQ’s
Q: Is the 5-day tour worth it compared to shorter Cuyabeno tours?
A: Many travelers pick the 5-day option because it gives you more time in remote areas of the reserve. You can explore deeper parts of the jungle, spend longer with the community, and enjoy extra activities like paddling in quieter lagoons. If you want a fuller experience and more chances to see wildlife, this itinerary is a strong choice.
Q: Will I see more wildlife on a 5-day Cuyabeno tour in Ecuador?
A: You usually have a better chance. More days means more outings at different times of day, which helps spot a wider range of animals. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the longer itinerary allows for extra river trips, night walks and early-morning activities.
Q: Do I need a high level of fitness for this Amazon tour?
A: Not really. Most activities are moderate, like short walks, canoe rides and paddling. The jungle can be hot and humid, so it helps to be comfortable walking on uneven terrain, but the tour isn’t physically demanding. Your guide will always adjust the pace for the group.
Q: Is there phone signal or Wi-Fi during the tour?
A: There is no phone signal inside the reserve. We do offer access to Wi-Fi at an extra fee, however we prefer that our guests stay offline. For most travelers, this is part of the experience. Let friends and family know ahead of time that you’ll be offline.
Q: How remote is the lodge?
A: Lodges in Cuyabeno are inside the protected reserve, usually accessed only by canoe. This means peaceful surroundings, limited noise and great chances to see wildlife right from the river. It also means no shops, no ATMs and no phone signal, so plan ahead.
Q: Are the guides certified?
A: Yes. All guides in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve must be certified. Our guides are local, experienced and know the river system very well. They help you spot wildlife and explain both the forest and local culture in a clear, friendly way.
Do you still have a question or special request?