CUYABENO
ZANCUDOCOCHA
6 Days / 5 Nights
About 2% of the Amazon Rainforest lies within Ecuador’s borders at the foothills of the Andes, containing about one third of its diversity! The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve protects 590.112 hectares. Located just along the Equator, in the northeast area of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, in Cuyabeno it is possible to identify over 500 different species of colorful birds starting from tiny hummingbirds to the majestic Harpy Eagle.
240 different species of plants can be found within in one hectare, many with a specific practical and medical use. Jaguars, Monkeys, Anteaters, Sloths, Dolphins (IniaGeoffrensis and Sotalia), Manatees and Armadillos, are just some of the mammals that live in the Cuyabeno reserve. Amazing anacondas and caimans are some of the reptiles found. Piranhas, Catfish, the gigantic Arapaima (reaching over 2 meters), and other species of fish thrive here in the black water rivers and lakes. The Cuyabeno Reserve provides not only a habitat for countless plant and animal species but also for Indigenous communities such as Sionas, Secoyas, Kichwas and Cofanes.
HIGHLIGHTS
Hike in the rainforest and learn about the medicinal and practical uses of the plants
Learn about the different eco-systems and their balance in the rainforest
Go on night walks to observe insects, spiders, snakes, amphibians and listen to nocturnal animals
Climb the Kichwa Bird Watching Tower with approx. 26 mts altitude.
Visit the Salt lick with parakeets and parrots (depending on the climate)
Go on an excursion to Zancudococha Lake to explore the flooded forest
Participate in early-morning bird watching activities to observe many species of tropical birds
Observe the Amazon’s Pink and grey dolphins (Inia Geoffrensis & Sotalia Fluviatilis )
Go on canoe safaris in search of caimans (alligators)
Visit a Siona Family
Learn more during captivating lectures given by our Bilingual Naturalist Guides
Amazing experience in the deep Amazon rainforest.
Explore the rainforest off the beaten track
ITINERARY
Location: Upper and lower parts of Cuyabeno Reserve
Navigate along the Cuyabeno & Aguarico rivers to Zancudococha (Iripari Lake) one of the big lakes in the Amazon Basin. Full day to explore the Lagartococha River near the border to Perú
DAY 01:
The tour begins at 09:30 in Lago Agrio. Your transfer by bus/truck brings you to El Puente (Approx. 2 hours) the main access to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and the last place in civilization. Here you will have lunch (box lunch) and then drive in a motorized canoe on the Cuyabeno River for about 2 hours until you reach the lodge. With a little luck you can already observe the first monkey and bird species along the way. The river is extremely narrow in this region and allows you to experience the wildlife up close. After your arrival at the lodge, you will have time to recover and go on your first exploratory tour in the surroundings of the lodge. After dinner your bilingual guide will inform you about the activities of the following days.
DAY 02: Through the dense Jungle to Zancudo Campsite
After breakfast, you will start your adventure in a motor canoe along the Cuyabeno and Aguarico Rivers, entering the Amazon until you reach your campsite, looking out for birds, sloths and monkeys along the way. Box lunch. The canoe ride will take approx. 4 hours but you will make stops to stretch your legs and enjoy the sand beaches of the Aguarico river. In the afternoon you will arrive at the Zancudo campsite of the local Kichwa community.
DAY 03: Zancudococha explorations
After breakfast you will hike into the forest to learn more about the jungle and the medicinal plants and their use. Lunch. In the afternoon you will navigate to one of the big lakes of the Ecuadorian amazon basin, Zancudococha. Here you will explore with your paddle canoe the different ecosystems such as Varzea and flooded forest inhabited by many tropical birds. Later enjoy the sunset in this wonderful setting in the middle of the jungle. Good chance to look for caimans (alligators).
DAY 04: Zancudococha – Lagartococha
After breakfast we continue our expedition downstream the Aguarico River by motor canoe. Near the border of Perú you leave the Aguarico River and navigate upstream the Lagartococha River accessing the flooded area shaped by a system of lakes and small rivers. Here you will have the opportunity to discover some lagoons connected by Black water rivers and explore the different ecosystems of the flooded forest or Varzea region. Box lunch. In the afternoon enjoy swimming in the Delfin Cocha Lake while observing some of the name giving freshwater pink dolphins (Inia Geofrensis). Later you will return to the Kichwa campsite located 30 minutes from the junction of Aguarico and Cuyabeno rivers.
DAY 05: Kichwa camp & Tower
Early breakfast; then you will visit a salt lick at the riverbank which many parakeets and parrots visit (note: on rainy days only few birds come to these places). From here you continue to the Kichwa Tower built around a tall Ceibo tree (kapok tree), where you can climb up 26 mts of altitude to enjoy the views on the canopy of the rainforest. Later you navigate upstream Cuyabeno River for about 2 ½ hours to visit a family from the indigenous group of the Siona. Here you will learn about the local Casave (Manioc bread) preparation. Box lunch. In the afternoon you return to the lodge.
Optional night walk.
DAY 06: Lodge – Return
Before breakfast you have the option to make some last memories of this wonderful place experiencing the jungle waking up when rowing silently with your canoe along the river. After breakfast it is time to get your luggage ready for your trip back. You navigate along Cuyabeno River upriver to “El Puente” where a Box lunch awaits you before taking your bus/truck back to Lago Agrio, where you will arrive approx. at 15h00.
B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / BL: Box Lunch / D: Dinner
PRICES 2024
Cuyabeno Lagartococha / Zancudococha Tour 6 days / 5 nights
US$ 620
This tour operates with 4 people minimum
Prices per person
All prices are listed in US dollars
Children under 12years old receivea 25% discount
Children under 3 years old (FREE)
Additional services:
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Cost of a French or German translator service per day = US $ 95
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Private tour services available upon request with an additional cost per person or group. Inquire within for a quote.
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Everything about the route, prices, activities, land and river transport, guides, etc., is shared based on groups of 12 or 13 people maximum.
Departures:
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Thursday
(Daily for groups of 6 or more)
INCLUDE
- Bus transportation from Lago Agrio to El Puente and back to Lago Agrio
- (Tourism Ministry Licensed) bilingual naturalist guides trained in Eco-tourism
- All meals from Lunch on day one until box lunch for the last day (including purified water)
- Accommodation according to the program at the lodge in double rooms with private bathroom and at the camp sites in double tents including all camping Equipment and all bedding for long expeditions (sleeping mats, bed sheets, blankets, pillows and towels). This kind of adventurous trip involves that simple camping toilets and showers will be shared.
- Personal equipment: lifejackets and rubber boots (up to size 45 – from size 45 up need to be requested prior to the tour without additional costs).
- Tea, Coffee, hot chocolate available at the campsites
- Catering for vegetarians
NOT INCLUDED
- Trip Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito
- Airfare Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito US$ 230 (40 minutes one way)
- Bus Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito US$ 40 (6 hours one way – transport in a private bus in international groups)
- US $ 5 Dollars for the visit of a native family (to be paid at site)
- US $ 5 Dollars for the visit the Kichwa tower (to be paid at site)
- Additional beverages and meals
- Single Supplement
- Tips
- Personal Insurance and expenses
- Personal equipment besides lifejackets and rubber boots
- All short-term price increases regarding fees and taxes.
WHAT TO PACK
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An original ID document with photo (passport or identity card)
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Rain poncho
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Long sleeve T-shirt
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Cotton socks
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Shorts
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Sandals or comfortable walking shoes
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Sweatshirt
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Flashlight with spare batteries
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Personal medicine
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Toiletry bag (IMPORTANT: biodegradable soap and shampoo)
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Swimwear and towel
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Hat
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Sunscreen
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Sunglasses with tether
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A waterproof or water-repellent backpack
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Insect repellent
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Zip lock bag or plastic bag
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Camera
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Binoculars (We recommend 10×40)
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Notepad
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Swiss army knife
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Wet wipes
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Reading material.
REQUIREMENTS
For this trip, you should be in good enough physical shape to enjoy jungle treks for 2-3 hours in a humid, tropical climate. However, if you would like to skip the hikes and other activities described above and only want to take part in the canoe trips, you can, of course make use of the lodge´s facilities instead, for example: relax in the hammock.
HOW TO GET THERE
Transport Quito – Cuyabeno – Quito 2024:
Option 1:
By bus
Your touristic bus will be leaving from Quito at 23h00pm the day before your tour starts riding along the Andes down to the Amazon basin, reaching Cuyabeno Bridge (National Park Entrance) at about 09h00am giving you some free time (e.g. to have an optional breakfast) before your tour starts (usually between 10:00 am and 11:00 am).
After the tour ends at the Cuyabeno bridge (usually between 10:00 am and 11:00 am) you take the tourist bus back to Quito (you will be back in Quito at about 21h00pm)
Price per person :$80
Option 2:
By plane and bus
Your plane will leave from Quito’s Airport at 09h30am, flying through the Andean snow-capped volcanoes and reaching Coca at about 10h00am where your transport will await you and your jungle tour starts with the transfer to Cuyabeno Bridge (National Park Entrance). From here you take your canoe along the calm Cuyabeno River to your lodge.
After the tour ends at the Cuyabeno bridge you take the tourist bus back to Quito (approximately 10 hours - you will be back in Quito at about 21h00pm)
Price per person: us$607 for 01 traveler
Us$385 for 2+ travelers
With 3/6/9 people the price for 2+ travelers goes down by US$ 55 per person
Option 3:
By plane Version A
Your plane will be leaving from Quito at 09h30am, reaching the charming Amazonian town of El Coca at about 10h00am where your transport will await you and your tour starts with the transfer to Cuyabeno Bridge (National Park Entrance). From here you will take a relaxing canoe ride along the Cuyabeno River to your lodge.
After the tour ends at the Cuyabeno bridge a taxi will drive you back to Coca where you will stay the night. The next morning you take a taxi (ca. US$ 3) to the airport and take the plane at 10h30am back to Quito (you will be back at Quito Airport at about 11h00am)
Price per person: us$959 staying at Hotel El Auca Standard Single Room
Price per person: us$621 staying at Hotel El Auca Standard Double Room
Price per person: us$ 979 staying at Hotel El Auca Superior Single Room
Price per person: US$642 staying at Hotel El Auca Superior Double Room
Price per person: US$ 1006 staying at Gran Hotel del Lago Single Room
Price per person:US$662 staying at Gran Hotel del Lago Double Room
With 3/6/9 people the price for 2+ travelers goes down US$ 65 per person
By plane Version B
Your plane will be leaving from Quito’s airport at 09h30am, reaching the Amazon Basin town of Coca at about 10h00am where your transport will await you and your tour starts with the transfer to Cuyabeno Bridge (National Park Entrance). From here you take your canoe along the Cuyabeno River to your lodge.
At 04:00 am you return in canoe to the Cuyabeno bridge from where your taxi will drive you back to Coca to the airport and take the plane at 10h30am back to Quito (you will be back at Quito Airport at about 11h00am)
Price per person: US$1134 for 01 traveler
US$689 for 2+ travelers
With 3/6/9 people the price for 2+ travelers goes down US$ 110 per person
Important:
For travelers traveling on a budget, we recommend Option 1, but please note that especially the first bus ride during the night is quite a bit demanding.
For relaxed travelers, we recommend Option 2, as the long drive back in the bus is during the day and you will have quite impressive views of the rainforest and then later the cloud forest when driving up the slopes of the eastern range of the Andes. This way you do not lose a day for your jungle trip, flying to Coca and then traveling to the lodge the same day, and returning by bus after the tour you still sleep that day back in Quito and can continue your trip the next morning. This is generally our favorite and suggested option.
For travelers who prefer a more comfortable way of traveling, we recommend Option 3A, traveling by plane both ways and enjoying a free afternoon in Coca after the Amazon rainforest tour before returning to Quito the next morning.
For travelers who want to avoid the long bus ride but need to be back in Quito the same day the rainforest tour ends, we recommend Option 3B, but please note that you must say farewell to the lodge as early as 04:00 am to catch your flight that same day.
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