Early morning parrot clay lick
The day starts early with a motorized canoe ride along the Cuyabeno River. This is a good time to see wildlife, especially birds. After about 1.5 hours, we reach a parrot clay lick where several species of parrots and parakeets gather to feed on mineral-rich clay.

Gear preparation
We return to the lodge for breakfast and a short rest. After that, we prepare our equipment for a deeper navigation into the Cuyabeno reserve.

Canoe journey toward the Peru border
By motorized canoe, we travel toward La Bocana once again, where white and black water rivers meet. From here, we continue downstream along the Aguarico River toward the Ecuador–Peru border. This section takes around four hours and passes through flooded forest areas. One the way, we will search wildlife.

Lagartococha River and Kichwa community visit
We turn upstream into the Lagartococha River, moving slowly while looking for animals. Along the way, we stop at a Kichwa family farm for a boxed lunch and to pick up local products used for our next meals.

Camping at Zancudococha
In the afternoon, we arrive at Redondococha, located within the Kichwa community of Zancudococha. We set up camp on raised platforms for two nights. This area is part of a large blackwater flooded forest with many wildlife species.

Night activity
After dinner, the guide talks about the region before taking you on a night activity to look for caimans and other nocturnal animals.

Early departure
We start early with breakfast at camp and we’ll get ready to leave by motorized canoe.

Journey to Garzacocha Lagoon
We travel upstream along the Lagartococha River for approximately three hours to reach Garzacocha, one of the largest lagoons in the Cuyabeno Reserve. Along the way, we may see birds, monkeys, caimans, sloths, and with some luck, capybaras or giant river otters.

Lagoon exploration and jungle walk
We stop for lunch near the lagoon. After that, we explore Garzacocha and its blackwater ecosystem. We also take a short forest walk to see the area.

Return to camp and sunset
In the late afternoon, we return to camp by canoe. You can watch the sunset along the river. Back at camp, there is time to relax before dinner.

Night canoe activity
After dark, we head out again by canoe to search for black caimans, tree boas, fishing bats, night birds, and other nocturnal wildlife.

Early navigation
We start the day early with breakfast at camp before heading downstream along the Lagartococha River toward the remote Imuya Lagoon.

Imuya Lagoon exploration
Reaching Imuya takes some careful navigation. We move slowly through floating islands of aquatic plants to enter this lagoon. The Amazon rivers are home to bird species that live on floating grass islands.

Rest at camp
After making our way back, we stop for lunch at camp and take a short rest.

Aguarico River & Iripari creek
In the afternoon, we travel by canoe to the Lagarto River. We will search for pink river dolphins. From there, we head upstream along the Aguarico River toward the Kichwa community of Zancudococha. We then enter the narrow Iripari creek, a 45-minute journey through narrow rivers and thick forest.

Zancudococha Lagoon & sunset
We arrive at the Iripari or Zancudococha Lagoon, one of the largest blackwater lakes in the region, and set up camp for the next two nights. Before dinner, we explore the lagoon by canoe and, if conditions allow, watch the sunset.

Caiman search and optional night walk
After dinner, we’ll have another opportunity to search for black caimans along the lagoon. Depending on time and energy levels, you may also join an optional night walk in the Terra Firme forest.

Morning canoe ride in the Moretal
In the early morning, we begin with a quiet canoe ride along the edge of the lagoon, exploring the Moretal flooded forest. Tall palms are the main trees here, and the area has a lot of wildlife. We return to camp for breakfast after the canoe navigation.

Terra Firme forest walk
Later in the morning, our guide leads a walk through Terra Firme forest, explaining the use of medicinal plants and ancestral knowledge passed down through generations of local communities. We return to camp for lunch and some time to relax.

Afternoon exploration and swim
In the afternoon, we head back out to explore more of the lagoon and flooded forest. There’s time to look for wildlife and swim in the lagoon.

Night at camp and optional activity
In the evening, we gather for a special dinner at camp. If time and energy allow, there may be an optional evening activity.

Early departure
After breakfast, we begin our return journey toward the lodge. We travel through the Iripari river by canoe, passing through both flooded forest and Terra Firme forest.

Zabalo River navigation
We reconnect with the Aguarico River and travel upstream toward Cofán territory. From there, we take a detour along the remote Zabalo River, a blackwater river located between Kichwa and Cofán lands. This remote route shows you untouched rainforest that few visitors see.

Return to the lodge
We stop for a picnic-style lunch along the river before continuing to the lodge, where there’s time to rest.

Canopy Tower
In the late afternoon, we visit the canopy tower built around a giant Ceibo tree. Standing 28 meters high, it gives you a wide view of the canopy and good chances to spot birds and other wildlife.

Night walk
Before dinner, we take a short night walk to search for nocturnal animals.

Early departure and packing
On our last morning, we head out early for a short canoe ride or forest walk to experience the rainforest waking up.

Departure
After breakfast, we’ll pack up and begin the trip back. We’ll travel about 30 minutes down the Cuyabeno River, then turn onto the Aguarico River for roughly three hours until we reach Tierras Orientales.

Return to Lago Agrio
Our private transport will meet us at Tierras Orientales and take us back to Lago Agrio, arriving around 13:00 (1:00 pm). This timing works for most public buses, the tourist shuttle or your own car back to Quito.

For travelers planning to fly from Coca, flights should be scheduled for the next day. More details are available in our transportation guide.