COFAN LODGE & CUYABENO LOOP

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AMAZON RAINFOREST TOURS [ECUADOR]

Are these really the 6 best Tours to discover the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador?

YES! This is why...

When walks through the jungle, wildlife overhead in the canopy are difficult to distinguish. When you look up there is not much to see. The leaves are dark against the light sky, appearing almost black.  Along narrow rivers though, light can penetrate through the forest allowing you to see birds and other animal. This allows you to watch birds, flowers and mammals much better, from the comfort of your canoe.

So what makes Cuyabeno so special...

• The only nature reserve in the Amazon-Andean countries with plains in the near-Andes Amazon region. Slow-flowing rivers and abundant lakes can only occur in flat terrain; not in hills. This makes Cuyabeno so unusual!

• While there are some well-drained forests, you may see some land-bound animals and birds; but with such abundance of water, you will get to see lots of water-bound animals like: Dolphins, Manatees, Capybaras, Caymans, Ducks, Cormorants, Herons, etc.

• Watching animals from a boat is much more comfortable than  on foot. Your birding and mammals books, your binoculars and your camera are all easily at your disposition.

But there is more...

• Getting from Lagoagrio to Cuyabeno is (mostly) over an asphalt road. Distances over water are much shorter than to other reserves, like Yasuní National Park;

•  Our programs are organized by or in collaboration with small Indian tribes, the Cofans and Sionas;

• All programs are so child friendly, I took my grandchildren (3,5 & 6) there. Wao, did they love it!

4 DAYS CUYABENO LODGE TOUR

Discovery of the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, Day one

Our vehicle meets you in Lagoagrio to bring you to the main entrance of the park "El Puente"; the "Bridge".

Upon arrival, your adventurous Amazon journey really takes off, as we take you along the beautiful winding Cuyabeno River to reach our Cuyabeno Lodge. It's a fascinating ride on this tributary of the Amazon River, that will take you  first to the largest lake in the reserve, the Laguna Cuyabeno also known as Laguna Grande. This is the perfect spot for the discovery of the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, as our Cuyabeno Lodge is one of the few accommodation located on any of the seven lakes of the Cuyabeno river system.

Our canoe takes you down the winding, narrow upper Cuyabeno River.

Discovery of the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, Days 2 and 3

As birds are most active at dawn, you may start out your day with birdwatching before or right after breakfast with our experienced guide. Blue and Yellow Macaws fly noisily across the Cuyabeno Lake, while Hoatzins whisper their hoarse sounds as they brows the leaves of the Macrolobium trees. You may also hear the mysterious swelling sound of the Howler Monkeys or see a troop of squirrel monkeys bouncing through the treetops. In fact, 10 species of monkeys have been recorded in the reserve.

After breakfast explore the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador in the "terra firma" forest with your naturalist guide where you can learn about the forest's medicinal plants and traditions. There are many colorful flowers in the Cuyabeno Nature Reserve, but it takes a bit of an effort to find them. Orchids and Heliconias are among the more spectacular Amazon Forest Plants.

Some of the spectacular flowers of Cuyabeno.

One of the afternoons, you will be taken to a Siona village, where you will learn about Siona cooking and traditional food from their kitchen garden. Each time a different woman of the community will give an explanation so that they will all get a turn.

At night you will be taken on night excursions, some - by canoe - to look for nocturnal animals in the swamps, like Caymans and frogs. Other excursions are on  foot to look for the critters of the night in the forest.

Discovery of the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, Day 4

On day four you will experience the feel of so many of our visitors: "It all went by too quickly". Maybe you will become one of our frequent visitors that keep coming back for a special program of one or two weeks. Anyway, you will have to leave in the morning to get back on time to catch the plane or bus in Lago Agrio. You will ride the canoe up the Cuyabeno River to the bridge, where your transport will be waiting for you to bring you to the airport or to the bus station for your return to Quito.

5 DAYS CUYABENO LAKE TOUR

Days 4 and 5 are like days 3 and 4 if the 4 DAYS CUYABENO LODGE TOUR. The 5 DAYS CUYABENO LODGE TOUR offers a fantastic opportunity to really explore the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador and get to know the Cuyabeno Lake area more thoroughly while spending a bid more relaxation time at our wonderful lodge.

In the morning you will be taken to a little visited swamp to look out for reptiles and birds and depending on the season an egret nesting colony. In the months of April - May, we may stumble upon nests of Huatzins.

Some of the fascinating wild animals of the Cuyabeno Lake area.

After lunch you can enjoy a last swim in the lake.

In the evening there is a last evening excursion and/or a review of what you have been able to enjoy during your stay and an exchange of digital pictures.

Discovery of the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, Day 5

 You will have to leave in the morning to get back on time to catch the plane or bus in Lago Agrio. You will ride the canoe up the Cuyabeno River to the bridge, where your transport will be waiting for you to bring you to the airport or to the bus station for your return to Quito.

2023 COFAN LODGE / CUYABENO LODGE / PARKS AND TRIBES PRICES

Prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers.

Individual bookings are WELCOME

AMAZON RAINFOREST TOURS [ECUADOR]