This tour starts every day, based on availability
Itinerario
Día 1: Llegada, Lodge, Atardecer en Laguna Grande y Búsqueda Nocturna de Caimanes
11:00 a. m.: Encuentro en 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 Guía de transporte para más información.
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.
Almuerzo en el 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.
Tarde en 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.
Cena
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
Desayuno
Start the day with breakfast at the lodge.
Caminata matutina en la selva (aprox. 3 horas)
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.
Almuerzo y tiempo libre
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.
Expedición por el Río en la Tarde
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.
Caminata nocturna (45-60 minutos)
Once it gets dark, we’ll take a short walk near the lodge to look for animals that only come out at night.
Cena
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.
Desayuno
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.
Cena
Dinner will be served at the lodge, closing a full day in the Cuyabeno.
Day 4: Paddle Expedition, Laguna Grande and Sunset
Desayuno
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.
Almuerzo y tiempo libre
Back at the lodge, we’ll enjoy lunch. 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.
Cena
We’ll end the day with dinner at the lodge.
Day 5: Early Birdwatching and Final Canoe Ride
Avistamiento de aves
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.
Desayuno
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.: Despedida
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 Guía de transporte.
¿Su fecha preferida está agotada o no disponible? Contáctenos y le ayudaremos a encontrar una alternativa.
El Lodge
Ubicación Tranquila - El lodge está en medio de la selva amazónica, lo que garantiza una estadía relajante.
Habitaciones y Precios
Book your 5-day Cuyabeno tour with meals and accommodation. Prices are per person for the entire itinerary, no por noche.
Baños Privados
Duchas de Agua Caliente
Mosquiteros
Jabones y Toallas
Incluido, Excluido
y Más
Alojamiento
Habitación privada o una cama en habitación compartida durante todo el tour.
Excursiones guiadas
Todas las actividades listadas en el itinerario son con un guía naturalista local certificado, bilingüe EN-ES.
Equipo incluido
Impermeables, botas de caucho y chalecos salvavidas para las excursiones.
Comidas
Ofrecemos un menú diario fresco, servido en un buffet de autoservicio para desayuno, almuerzo y cena. Incluye agua purificada, café y té ilimitados.
El plan de comidas comienza con el almuerzo del primer día y finaliza con el desayuno del último día.
*Opciones vegetarianas, veganas y otras dietas están disponibles bajo pedido.
Transporte
Traslados en canoa desde y hacia El Puente Cuyabeno y el lodge.
Servicios
Habitaciones cómodas con mosquiteros, duchas de agua caliente, toallas (solo para uso en la habitación), jabón y shampoo.
Energía
Energía solar disponible, con puntos de carga en el lobby principal.
Extras
Frutas frescas, agua y jugo de bienvenida.
Servicios de tiempo libre (todo sujeto a disponibilidad)
Hamacas, torre de canopy, kayaks, tablas de paddle y masajes (basado en propinas).
Transporte
Quito – El Puente Cuyabeno – Quito (podemos ayudarle a reservar el bus turístico nocturno).
Visita a la Comunidad (opcional)
Si visita la comunidad local, hay una tarifa de $15 por persona (pago en efectivo).
Bebidas
Gaseosas y bebidas alcohólicas (disponibles para compra en el bar, pago en efectivo).
Wi-Fi
Si desea mantenerse conectado, puede adquirir acceso Wi-Fi; tenga en cuenta que la señal sólo está disponible en la cabina principal. ¡Le animamos a desconectarse y disfrutar de la experiencia en la selva!
Propinas
Opcionales, pero nuestro equipo realmente las aprecia.
Gastos Adicionales
Cualquier costo no cubierto en el paquete del tour.
Impuestos
Aplica para viajeros y empresas ecuatorianas.
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.
Itinerary changes
Activities or the order of activities may change without notice, depending on the guide or operational needs.
Rooms
All rooms are standard and include a private bathroom. We offer single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms.
Our shared dorms have low beds. You may share with up to four people (mixed, female, or male) depending on occupancy.
Pricing
Prices are per person for the full itinerary, not per night.
Children aged 11 or younger at the time of the tour qualify for the discounted rate when sharing a room with an accompanying adult.
Support at the lodge
A lodge manager is on-site to assist with anything you need during your stay.
Wildlife Sightings
This is a 100% wildlife-focused tour. Our guides and team always do their best to help you spot as much wildlife as possible. Please keep in mind that we are in a natural reserve, and specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Center designs and manages this tour, including accommodation at our Dolphin Lodge inside the Cuyabeno Reserve.
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.
Alojamiento
Habitación privada o una cama en habitación compartida durante todo el tour.
Excursiones guiadas
Todas las actividades listadas en el itinerario son con un guía naturalista local certificado, bilingüe EN-ES.
Equipo incluido
Impermeables, botas de caucho y chalecos salvavidas para las excursiones.
Comidas
Ofrecemos un menú diario fresco, servido en un buffet de autoservicio para desayuno, almuerzo y cena. Incluye agua purificada, café y té ilimitados.
El plan de comidas comienza con el almuerzo del primer día y finaliza con el desayuno del último día.
*Opciones vegetarianas, veganas y otras dietas están disponibles bajo pedido.
Transporte
Traslados en canoa desde y hacia El Puente Cuyabeno y el lodge.
Servicios
Habitaciones cómodas con mosquiteros, duchas de agua caliente, toallas (solo para uso en la habitación), jabón y shampoo.
Energía
Energía solar disponible, con puntos de carga en el lobby principal.
Extras
Frutas frescas, agua y jugo de bienvenida.
Servicios de tiempo libre (todo sujeto a disponibilidad)
Hamacas, torre de canopy, kayaks, tablas de paddle y masajes (basado en propinas).
Transporte
Quito – El Puente Cuyabeno – Quito (podemos ayudarle a reservar el bus turístico nocturno).
Visita a la Comunidad (opcional)
Si visita la comunidad local, hay una tarifa de $15 por persona (pago en efectivo).
Bebidas
Gaseosas y bebidas alcohólicas (disponibles para compra en el bar, pago en efectivo).
Wi-Fi
Si desea mantenerse conectado, puede adquirir acceso Wi-Fi; tenga en cuenta que la señal sólo está disponible en la cabina principal. ¡Le animamos a desconectarse y disfrutar de la experiencia en la selva!
Propinas
Opcionales, pero nuestro equipo realmente las aprecia.
Gastos Adicionales
Cualquier costo no cubierto en el paquete del tour.
Impuestos
Aplica para viajeros y empresas ecuatorianas.
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.
Itinerary changes
Activities or the order of activities may change without notice, depending on the guide or operational needs.
Rooms
All rooms are standard and include a private bathroom. We offer single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms.
Our shared dorms have low beds. You may share with up to four people (mixed, female, or male) depending on occupancy.
Pricing
Prices are per person for the full itinerary, not per night.
Children aged 11 or younger at the time of the tour qualify for the discounted rate when sharing a room with an accompanying adult.
Support at the lodge
A lodge manager is on-site to assist with anything you need during your stay.
Wildlife Sightings
This is a 100% wildlife-focused tour. Our guides and team always do their best to help you spot as much wildlife as possible. Please keep in mind that we are in a natural reserve, and specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Center designs and manages this tour, including accommodation at our Dolphin Lodge inside the Cuyabeno Reserve.
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?