Transfer Option:

Five-day Adventure
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is situated in the north-eastern Amazon region of Ecuador, between the San Miguel and Aguarico rivers, and close to the Colombian and Peruvian borders. The reserve is made up of 605,000 hectares of primary forest, rivers and lakes, and is home to an incredible variety of animal and plant life. Five different ethnic groups live within the reserve: the Siona, Secoya, Cofán, Kichwas and Shuar, each of which has its own culture and language.
This tour is for those who have a passion for the environment and a love of adventure. You will discover this wild and fascinating world in the most natural and rewarding way, by canoe and on foot. We should be able to see parrots, toucans, monkeys, freshwater dolphins, anacondas and caimans.

Day 1
We leave Lago Agrio in the morning and travel to the Cuyabeno River bridge (the Park entrance) in private transport (3 hours). From the bridge we paddle by canoe down the Cuyabeno River to the Tiger Pass campsite, a beautiful spot in the midst of lush forest (3 hours). On the way, we see the wide range of flora and fauna that live in the primary forest. We finish the day with a night walk in search of nocturnal creatures. We spend the night camping out in tents.

Day 2
We continue paddling downstream to the Magic River Camp located on the banks of Cuyabeno River (3.5 - 5 hours). The facility consists of rustic jungle huts providing double rooms with beds, private bathroom and showers. In the afternoon we will explore the flooded forest of the Laguna Grande Lake, take a refreshing dip in the lake and watch the sunset.

Day 3
In the morning we take a longer walk on a small path through primary forest (3 hours). Our guide will explain the uses and applications of plants, those which are medicinal, edible, poisonous or hallucinogenic, and those that are used to build houses and canoes or to make hammocks and baskets. Later we head back to the camp for a rest. In the evening we paddle downstream on the Cuyabeno River by canoe. There are good chances of fishing for the notorious piranha on our way. After dark we take a night excursion in search of caimans.

Day 4
Today we visit the cultural center of Tarapuy, the indigenous community of the Siona. We travel by motorized dugout canoe downstream on the Cuyabeno River and have a short hike, for about 2 hours, until we reach the community. Here we get an insight into the Siona culture and their current lifestyle. We will help to make bread from manioc root in a family home. On our way back to the lodge, we pass a gigantic kapoc tree with its immense buttress roots, believed to be about 100 years old.

Day 5
Before sunrise we head out in the canoes, paddling along the Cuyabeno River to spot birds. We return to the camp for breakfast. During the morning we take the trip back in the motor canoe. Again there are chances of spotting wildlife on our way to the Cuyabeno River bridge. Our private transport will be waiting to take us back to Lago Agrio, where we arrive in the late afternoon. 


Eight-day Adventure:
AGUAS NEGRAS AND CUYABENO RIVER
Special customized tours 8 day program

Only from March to the end of July and mid September to the end of November.

Our 8 day tours are designed for people that like to explore more remote areas of the rainforest at far distance from the typical tour routes that are offered by most tour operators. This tour suits canoeists and/or wildlife enthusiasts who prefer small, remote rivers with more chances of spotting wildlife. The Aguas Negras River is a small tributary inside the Cuyabeno Reserve. It has no motor canoe traffic and very few tour groups per year. During the first 4 days of the tour, all equipment has to be carried in the paddling canoes. Camps will be set up on the river bank, where you stay in tents. These tours are accompanied by the best and most knowledgeable guides in the reserve. You will learn about survival techniques in the rainforest and encounter a variety of medicinal and other useful plants.

Day 1-4.
Paddling on Aguas Negras River
Transport from Lago Agrio to the Aguas Negras River. During the next 4 days, we will paddle downstream on the small black water river. Canoeing will be combined with a variety of daytime hikes through the jungle. On the evening of the fourth day, we join the Cuyabeno River, which is 3 times bigger than the Aguas Negras River. Here we head for a rustic hut that belongs to the Kichwa community of Playas de Cuyabeno, and sleep in tents inside the hut.

Day 5.
Jungle hikes and observation tower
In this area we have the opportunity to go on hikes along small jungle paths through primary forest, visit the 7-storey high observation tower with a spectacular view over the rainforest and observe river dolphins. We finish the day with a night walk in search of nocturnal creatures. We stay overnight in the same rustic hut as the previous night.

Day 6.
1 day visit to Cofán community
By motor canoe we reach the confluence of the Cuyabeno and Aguarico rivers within 1 hour. We travel downstream until we reach the village of Sábalo, an indigenous community of the Cofán. Accompanied by a Cofán guide, we visit this typical village and take a walk on a circular trail, getting to know a variety of medicinal plants used by the Cofán. On the walk we will see an old giant kapok tree with immense buttress roots. In the afternoon we return to the Cuyabeno River, where we stay another night in the typical hut.

Day 7
Journey Cuyabeno River upstream, shaman visit
Today we use a motorized dugout canoe to travel upstream on the Cuyabeno River until we reach the Magic River Camp in the Cuyabeno lake system. On the way we may visit the shaman of a nearby village and learn about medicinal plants and healing practices. In the afternoon there will be time to explore the flooded forest of Laguna Grande, paddling by canoe until dark.

Day 8
Early morning birdwatching, return to Lago Agrio
Early morning birdwatching. Later we paddle to various smaller lakes in the area. After lunch we return by motor canoe to the park entrance. From here we reach Lago Agrio within 3 hours by private transport. Arrival in Lago Agrio at approximately 6:00 pm.

The quality of equipment is fundamental in offering you both a comfortable and a safe trip. The only things you need to bring are some light clothes, your personal belongings and a flashlight with spare batteries.
We provide you with quality Canadian canoes, paddles, life vests, rain ponchos, boots (up to European size 47), dry bags for your luggage (from 5 to 115 liters), tents, air-sleeping pads, light sleeping bags, sheet liners, mosquito nets, etc.

Accommodation - most nights is in rustic, traditional huts. On our 5-day trip, we spend the first night in tents at a beautiful spot in the midst of the forest. The following nights we stay in our recently finished hut that provides single and double rooms, each with private bathroom and shower. On longer tours we stay in simpler huts, where we provide one large room for pitching tents or mosquito nets. Only a few huts have shower facilities but you can always swim in the rivers and lakes, as has been done for years, or use our camping shower.

Food - ranges from traditional Ecuadorian food to international cuisine and is prepared in our camp kitchen. Our cooks are specially trained to carefully prepare meals that are not only delicious, but also hygienic and safe to eat. All the water used for drinking and cooking is pure bottled water. We can also offer our guests a wide range of vegetarian dishes on request.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
Passports must be carried at all times.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: (a) A measles vaccination certificate is required by all nationals travelling from Germany and Italy and must be shown on arrival. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
Extensions of a further 90 days are available through the local immigration authorities.