CUYABENO RIVER LODGE
Cuyabeno River Lodge the place where you fill the soul and strengthen the spirit, far from civilization sits upon 300 acres in our privately protected zone of the Cuyabeno Reserve. Our mission is to promote ecotourism in an environmentally and culturally safe manner, consciously protecting the delicate jungle habitat and working with the local indigenous communities to safely expose Cuyabeno´s natural and cultural beauty to its visitors. Our standard four or five-day jungle tours include a stay in our native cabins (with private bathrooms) on the banks of the Cuyabeno River, jungle hikes with a bilingual guide, learning about medicinal plants, visiting the Laguna Grande, preparing a traditional food dish with an indigenous family, rowing in native-style canoes, piranha fishing, bird observation, and nocturnal animal walks. Between activities, there is plenty of time to rest in our hammocks or cool off in the Cuyabeno River for a unique and relaxing experience. For every nature-lover and adventure-seeker, a trip to the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is a must. In the northern Amazon region we find the largest and the deepest reserve of the Ecuadorian jungle: The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Here you will experience adventure directly with nature. In a tour of 3 days and 2 nights will experience a unique type of hiking and canoeing, while countless species of wildlife will cross your path.
Cuyabeno Wild Life Reserve
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is an important nature reserve in Amazonia with rather unusual ecological characteristics. Located at the foothills of the Andes, it is different from any other Amazon protected area in the world. The area encompasses a poorly drained plain with a network of periodically inundated forests, lakes and creeks. Such conditions are rare so close to the Andes, where the drainage in the foothills prevents the development of swamps and lakes. Given its proximity to the mountains, combined with a slightly cooler and wetter climate it may be expected to have a partly different species composition than other areas in the upper Amazon watershed. As all protected areas in the Amazon region, the area has a high biodiversity, but possibly a bit lower than better drained protected areas like the neighbouring Yasuni National Park
SERVICES
Staff
Our friendly staff form the backbone of the cuyabeno river Lodge experience, and are always available to cater to any special needs you may have.
Bar
Enjoy a beer or cocktail. We also have a well-curated wine list including wines from Chile, Argentina and Ecuador.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi with a passcode all around the lodge and rooms. Ask for the passcode at reception.
Electricity
Throughout the Lodge, 24-hour electricity is provided by a distant, nearly inaudible generator.
Boots & Ponchos
Clean and disinfected bubber boots and rain ponchos are available for all of our guests at the Lodge, free of charge.
Water
Purified, safe drinking water is available at multiple points around the Lodge – there’s no need to bring your own bottled water.
Restaurant
Complete meals from the first day, breakfast until the last day, lunch. We also have catering for vegetarians
Mosquito net
The rooms have mosquito nets for a better rest for our clients.
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
$250 PER PERSON
BOOK NOW
Exploring Ceibos Trail
After traveling by bus to the Cuyabeno bridge, (check in 11:00 am) our guide will be waiting to pick you up and board the canoes that will take us to our camp "Cuyabeno River Lodge". After lunch, we will make the adaptation walk along the "Sendero de los Ceibos" approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. In the evening, we will have a talk for the next day's activities.
Exploring the Laguna Grande
Breakfast at 07:30 am. Then, we will leave in the canoe, towards the Lagunas complex with an impressive route, observing during the journey, different species of animals and birds such as Monkeys, Hoatzines, Herons, River Ducks, Martin Fishermen, etc. and with a lot of luck, the sloths. Once in the Laguna Grande, we can enjoy the surroundings and we will observe Pink Dolphins. In the lagoon, we can also see the flooded forest, where we will try to find the Anacondas. In La Hormiga (Laguna Grande) we will look for a suitable place to serve ourselves an appetizing box lunch. Then, in the afternoon we will take a refreshing swim in the very center of Laguna Grande and watch the sunset. At a suitable time our guide will propose the return where we can observe alligators back to the camp. Dinner and accommodation.
Bird Watching
Very early in the morning, we will leave for Bird Watching (optional activity), we must remember to notify the guide the night before, so that he wakes up and can go do this exercise. During this journey you will be able to see different species of birds, then we will have breakfast. It will be done (check out 11:00 am) we will go to the Cuyabeno Bridge where we will board the direct bus or our own vehicle.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
$300 PER PERSON
BOOK NOW
Exploring Ceibos Trail
After traveling by bus to the Cuyabeno bridge, (check in 11:00 am) our guide will be waiting to pick you up and board the canoes that will take us to our camp Cuyabeno River Lodge. After lunch, we will make the adaptation walk through the “Sendero de los Ceibos” approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. In the evening, we'll have a talk for the next day's activities.
Exploring in the jungle and Siona community
Breakfast at 07:30 am. then, we will leave in the canoe, towards the complex of Lagunas with an impressive journey, observing during the journey, different species of animals and birds such as monkeys, hoatzines, herons, river ducks, kingfishers, etc. Y with a lot of luck, the sloths. Once in Laguna Grande, we can enjoy the surroundings and we will observe Pink Dolphins. In the lagoon, we can also see the forest flooded, where we will try to find the Anacondas. In the Ant (Lagoon Grande) we will look for a suitable place to serve ourselves an appetizing box lunch. Then we'll go downriver to visit the Siona Community. In this visit we will be able to learn how they live and what they do on a normal day, then we will go with a family to prepare the PAN DE YUCA or CASABE in the traditional way. In the afternoon we will take a refreshing swim in the center of the Laguna Grande and we will watch the sunset. At a suitable time our guide will propose the return where we can observe alligators back to the camp. Dinner and accommodation.
Exploring the Cuyabeno Reserve
After breakfast, we will continue with our expedition in the primary forest of the Reserve Cuyabeno in the different trails of the northern part. Lunch. We will carry out the activity navigation upriver to observe animals. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Bird Watching
Very early in the morning, we will leave for Bird Watching (optional activity), we must remember to notify the guide the night before, so that he wakes up and can go do this exercise. During this journey you will be able to see different species of birds, then we will have breakfast. It will be done (check out 11:00 am) we will go to the Cuyabeno Bridge where we will board the direct bus or our own vehicle.
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
$350 PER PERSON
BOOK NOW
Exploring Ceibos Trail
After traveling by bus to the Cuyabeno bridge, (check in 11:00 am) our guide will be waiting to pick you up and board the canoes that will take us to our camp Cuyabeno River Lodge. After lunch, we will make the adaptation walk through the “Sendero de los Ceibos” approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. In the evening, we'll have a talk for the next day's activities.
Explo
ring in the jungle
Breakfast 08:00 AM. Then we will go into the primary forest where our guides will give us talks and transmit their ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants and the existing fauna in the forest, here we will find the footprints of the Tapir, Paca, Armadillo, Puma etc. This walk can take us approximately 4 to 5 hours. Lunch – In the afternoon we will navigate upriver to practice paddling in traditional canoes (Quillas). Dinner. In the evening, after dinner, we will do a nocturnal walk to see nocturnal animals, such as spiders, toads and tree snakes, we will also turn off our flashlights to listen to the sounds of the jungle. This walk takes about 40 minutes
Exploring in the jungle and Siona community
Breakfast at 07:30 am. then, we will leave in the canoe, towards the complex of Lagunas with an impressive journey, observing during the journey, different species of animals and birds such as monkeys, hoatzines, herons, river ducks, kingfishers, etc. Y with a lot of luck, the sloths. Once in Laguna Grande, we can enjoy the surroundings and we will observe Pink Dolphins. In the lagoon, we can also see the forest flooded, where we will try to find the Anacondas. In the Ant (Lagoon Grande) we will look for a suitable place to serve ourselves an appetizing box lunch. Then we'll go downriver to visit the Siona Community. In this visit we will be able to learn how they live and what they do on a normal day, then we will go with a family to prepare the PAN DE YUCA or CASABE in the traditional way. In the afternoon we will take a refreshing swim in the center of the Laguna Grande and we will watch the sunset. At a suitable time our guide will propose the return where we can observe alligators back to the camp. Dinner and accommodation.
Exploring the Cuyabeno Reserve
After breakfast, we will continue with our expedition in the primary forest of the Reserve Cuyabeno in the different trails of the northern part. Lunch. We will carry out the activity navigation upriver to observe animals. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Bird Watching
Very early in the morning, we will leave for Bird Watching (optional activity), we must remember to notify the guide the night before, so that he wakes up and can go do this exercise. During this journey you will be able to see different species of birds, then we will have breakfast.It will be done (check out 11:00 am) we will go to the Cuyabeno Bridge where we will board the direct bus or our own vehicle.Location
STANDARD ROOM
- 2 Double(s)
- WiFi
- Showe
- Bath
ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON 2024
PROGRAM | DOUBLE/TRIPLE |
---|---|
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTSS | $250 |
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS | $300 |
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS | $350 |
ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON - 2025
PROGRAM | DOUBLE/TRIPLE |
---|---|
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTSS | $270 |
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS | $320 |
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS | $380 |
MATRIMONIAL CABIN
- 1 Super-King(s)
- Air-conditioning
- WiFi
- Showe
- Bath
ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON 2024
PROGRAM | DOUBLE/TRIPLE |
---|---|
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTSS | $250 |
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS | $300 |
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS | $350 |
ALL RATES ARE PER PERSON - 2025
PROGRAM | DOUBLE/TRIPLE |
---|---|
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTSS | $270 |
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS | $320 |
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS | $380 |
FAQ
THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- Canoe transportation from Puente de Cuyabeno - Cuyabeno River Lodge - Puente de Cuyabeno
- Accommodation in double room with private bathroom
- All meals according to the program (The tour starts with the lunch of the first day and finish with the breakfast of the last day)
- Free Water, tea & coffee
- Excursions and activities according to itinerary
- Bilingual English/Spanish speaking Naturalist Guide.
- Rubber boots (only up to size # 43)
- water poncho
NOT INCLUDED:
- Transportation Quito - Puente de Cuyabeno - Quito
- Visit to indigenous Community - entrance fee $10.00 per person
- Alcoholic and no alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses and tips
- WIFI 24 hours ($15)
- $5 admission to the Siona community.
Lightweight pants and long sleeved cotton shirts are ideal for walks in the forest. However, if you are more comfortable wearing short sleeves, remember that exposed skin may need a light dousing with insect repellant.
During the rain, full waterproof clothing can be uncomfortable as it often gets you wet with sweat instead of water, but rain ponchos are recommendable for tropical cloudbursts. Plenty of ponchos are available at no charge if you do not have your own, and we also supply rubber boots up to men’s size 14 for walks in the forest interior.
Comfortable shoes (or sandals), shorts and t-shirts are fine for walking on boardwalks and around the Lodge during meals and free time. And don’t forget your bathing suit!
- Passport
- Binoculars
- Flashlight and batteries
- Camera, memory and flash
- Insect repellent
- Rain Poncho
- Sun protection (cream / sunglasses / hat or cap)
- Light long pants and long-sleeved shirts for walks
- Shorts, short sleeve shirts and swimsuit for the Lodge
- Comfortable shoes and extra socks
- Small day backpack
- Plastic bags to protect cameras, binoculars, batteries, from rain.
- Children under 11 years 11 months have a 30% discount on the rate, if they share the same cabin with
Accommodation in individual, double, double, triple, quadruple or sextuple cabins, with their respective beds, blankets, sheets, pillows, mosquito nets, 24-hour electricity and private bathroom in each cabin with hot water.
Regarding transportation from Quito to Cuyabeno Reserve, the lodges offer a semi-private bus service for tourists.
The bus costs 30 USD each way, and departs from Quito at night (11:00 PM) to Cuyabeno Bridge on the following days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. all the guides arrive on Cuyabeno Bridge with their canoes to meet clients and start the trip**
The bus return departs from Cuyabeno Bridge around 11:00 a.m. after the tour. The lodge guide will leave you at this meeting on time for the trip back to Quito. The cost is USD 30 for the ride to Quito, and operates on the following days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
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