This tour starts every day, based on availability
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Paddle Canoe Adventure, Sunset and Night Walk
11:00 am: Arrival at El Puente de Cuyabeno
Your guide will welcome you, explain the entrance procedures, and give a short introduction to the reserve. 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.
Paddle canoe expedition (approx. 6 hours)
From the bridge, we begin a paddle canoe journey along the Cuyabeno River toward an area known as Paso del Tigre. This part of the tour is done in traditional canoes, moving quietly through narrow waterways. For around six hours, we paddle through the rainforest, accompanied by our guide, with plenty of time to observe birds, monkeys, and other wildlife along the riverbanks.
Lunch along the river
A box lunch is provided during the journey, allowing us to rest, eat, and continue enjoying the surroundings without leaving the forest environment.
Arrival at the lodge and sunset
By late afternoon, we reach the lodge and settle in just before sunset. Dinner is served shortly after arrival.
Night walk
After dinner, we head out on a guided night walk near the lodge. This is a good moment to spot nocturnal life such as insects, frogs, spiders, and tree snakes that become active after dark.
Day 2: Paddle Canoe Exploration, Jungle Walk and Sunset Swim
Breakfast
Start the day with breakfast at the lodge.
Full-day jungle exploration
Today is spent exploring the upper areas of the reserve by paddle canoe and on foot. We move quietly through rivers, lakes, and hidden trails with a local bilingual guide. During the walks, you’ll learn about medicinal plants, trees, and the animals that live in this part of the Amazon rainforest.
Lunch and continued exploration
Lunch is enjoyed during the day’s activities, followed by more time on the water and short jungle walks as we continue exploring remote sections of the reserve.
Laguna Grande and sunset swim
In the late afternoon, we visit Laguna Grande. You’ll have time to swim, relax, and watch the sunset over the lagoon, one of the highlights of any Cuyabeno tour in Ecuador.
Dinner and rest
We return to the lodge for dinner and a well-earned rest after a full day in the jungle.
Day 3: Deep Jungle Walk, River Expedition and Night Walk
Breakfast
Start the day with a tasty breakfast.
Morning rainforest walk
We travel by motorized canoe to reach a remote trail in the primary rainforest. From there, we begin a guided walk of about three hours. Along the way, your guide explains the local wildlife and medicinal plants, while keeping an eye out for birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.
Lunch and free time
Lunch is served back at the lodge. Afterward, you’ll have time to relax, swim in the river, or simply enjoy the quiet surroundings. During certain seasons, this is also a good moment to watch for pink river dolphins passing by.
Afternoon river expedition
In the late afternoon, we head out by motorized canoe for a wildlife-focused river excursion. This is a good time to spot animals such as sloths, monkeys, parrots, hoatzins, dolphins, and caimans.
Night walk and dinner
After returning to the lodge, we take part in another guided night walk near the lodge, lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. Dinner is served afterward, and you can rest up for the next day’s activities.
Day 4: Deeper Jungle, Community Visit, Shaman Meeting and Laguna Grande
Breakfast
Start the day with 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
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 5: Paddle Canoe Expedition and Sunset at Laguna Grande
Breakfast
Start with a delicious breakfast.
Preparation and travel upriver
We prepare the equipment for the day and leave by motorized canoe. We travel upstream for about one hour to reach an area known as Canangueno.
Paddle canoe exploration
At Canangueno, we switch to paddle canoes. This quiet way of moving through the water allows better chances to observe wildlife along the riverbanks. Everyone takes part in paddling, guided by our team, making it an active and immersive jungle experience.
Lunch and free time
We’ll stop for lunch and take a break. The early afternoon is free, so you can rest, read or enjoy the river in front of the lodge.
Laguna Grande and Sunset
Later in the day, we return to Laguna Grande to watch the sunset over the lagoon and rainforest, one of the most peaceful moments of a Cuyabeno tour in Ecuador.
Dinner
We’ll end the day with dinner at the lodge.
Day 6: Early Birdwatching and Final Canoe Ride
Early birdwatching
We’ll start early to watch the forest wake up. In the early morning, many bird species become active, 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 am: 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 6-day Cuyabeno tour with meals and accommodation.
Prices are per person for the entire itinerary, not per night.
With private bathroom in twin, double, triple, or family, assigned by group size and availability (min. 2 people).
Ensuite Bathrooms
Hot Water Showers
Mosquito Nets
Soaps & Towels
Unique tour
Experience the Amazon like never before with our exclusive canoe paddle-based tour. We are the only operators offering this unique way to explore the jungle.
Availability & Group size
This tour is available any day with a minimum of 2 travelers. Solo travelers will be placed on a waiting list, and we will try to match you with one of our existing departures.
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.
Accommodation
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.
Unique tour
Experience the Amazon like never before with our exclusive canoe paddle-based tour. We are the only operators offering this unique way to explore the jungle.
Availability & Group size
This tour is available any day with a minimum of 2 travelers. Solo travelers will be placed on a waiting list, and we will try to match you with one of our existing departures.
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: What makes the 6-Day Total Jungle Tour different from shorter Cuyabeno tours?
A: This tour goes deeper into the reserve and moves at a slower pace. With six days in the jungle, there’s more time for paddle canoe expeditions, longer walks, wildlife observation, and cultural visits. It’s a good option for travelers who want a more complete Amazon experience in Ecuador, rather than a quick overview.
Q: How physically demanding is this tour?
A: The tour includes canoe paddling, jungle walks, and early mornings, but it’s designed for people with a normal level of fitness. Activities are taken at a steady pace, with breaks and support from the guide team. No technical skills are needed.
Q: Q: Do we really paddle canoes ourselves?
A: Yes. On several days, you’ll travel by paddle canoe instead of motorized boats. This allows for quieter movement through the forest and better chances to see wildlife. Guides are always present to assist, explain techniques, and help when needed.
Q: Will we stay in the same lodge every night?
A: All nights are spent at the lodge, but the tour also includes extended canoe journeys and full-day explorations that reach more remote areas of the reserve. This balance allows comfort while still accessing less visited parts of Cuyabeno.
Q: Is this tour suitable for photographers and nature lovers?
A: Very much so. Paddle canoes, early birdwatching, long stays at Laguna Grande, and quieter sections of the river offer good light, calm conditions, and time to observe behavior rather than rushing from place to place.
Q: What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on this Cuyabeno tour in Ecuador?
A: Wildlife sightings vary, but guests often see monkeys, birds, caimans, river dolphins, frogs, insects, and sometimes snakes. Spending more days in the reserve increases the chances of spotting animals, especially during early mornings and paddle canoe sections.
Do you still have a question or special request?