4 Days Paddle Boarding in the Cuyabeno Reserve

4 days Free cancellation

4 Days Paddle Boarding in the Cuyabeno Reserve, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

This unique Amazon experience enables you to experience the jungle in a unique way - by paddle boarding! Cuyabeno is one of the most biodiverse nature reserves on Earth. There, you can spot over 500 bird species, 100 mammals, and over 400,000 plant species. In addition, enjoy local food, canoe rides, and swimming for the more adventurous!

During those 4 days, you will learn more about the 5 indigenous ethnic groups living along the banks. Waita Lodge is the only community-based lodge of the reserve. Therefore, by booking with Ecuatraveling, you contribute to the economic growth of the area. On top of that, Waita is an ecolodge, so staying there ensures environmental conservation and cultural preservation. Those are extremely important since Cuyabeno Reserve is under threat from the oil industry and deforestation and it is critical to ensure its sustainability through travel!

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At a glance

Duration: 4 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 6 people
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Ecuatraveling

Ages: Children (8–11 years) · Adults (12–70 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Transportation Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno – Lago Agrio
Included: Lunch
Included: Happy Hour: 18:30 p.m. to 21:00 p.m. free Caipirinha in our bar
Included: Lodging in traditional cabins, private bathroom, biodegradable soap
Included: Dinner
Included: Tea, coffee, chocolate available all day
Included: Breakfast
Included: Vegetarian or Vegan meal option
Included: Bilingual local naturalist guide: English/Spanish
Included: Paddle Boards
Included: Equipment (poncho, rubber boots, lifejackets)

Not included

Not included: Tips for our crew and guides
Not included: Visit to Birdwatching Observation Tower: $6 per passenger
Not included: Additional beverages such as beer and wine inside and outside the Lodge
Not included: Ground / Air transportation from Quito to Lago Agrio – Lago Agrio to Quito

Itinerary

Day 1 · Arrival Day

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

8 hours

Ready for your 4-day Amazon tour? Meet us at Meeting Point Restaurant (formerly Blue Planet) in Lago Agrio at 8:00 AM. A bus ride and scenic canoe trip will take you to Waita Lodge, where you’ll enjoy wildlife sightings and an immersive rainforest experience, including a night walk to spot insects, snakes, and more.

Waita Lodge

Day 2 · Paddle Board + Jungle Walk

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

8 hours

We begin our paddle ride at 6:00 - the best time to spot birds. While navigating through small lakes, enjoy the sunrise and incredible landscape. During this tour, we can observe many species of birds and mammals. Afterwards, we go back to the lodge to savour a delicious breakfast.

After a short rest, our guide takes us on a 3-hr walk. He will share his knowledge about the use of medicinal plants that his ancestors have transmitted through generations and provide information on the flora and fauna of the area.

After lunch, at 16:30, we once again take our boards to navigate around the lagoon of the Ceibo, "giant tree of the jungle". Here, the forest is flooded with black water, also called Igapo. Afterwards, we visit the San Francisco river, a narrow white water river surrounded by exuberant vegetation and unique species.

When the night begins to fall, we venture downstream in search of caimans and other species of nocturnal animals (fishing bats, tree snakes, nocturnal birds).

Waita Lodge

Day 3 · Full Day Paddle Board

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

8 hours

At 5:45, we hop on our paddlboards and navigate downstream for about 2 hrs to enjoy the awakening of nature. When we reach the saladero (clay bank full of nutrients exposed to the banks of the river), we can witness 5 species of colorful parrots and parakeets having breakfast. It is then time for us to savour our tasty breakfast!

After a break, we take our boards for a long journey downstream Cuyabeno. At the bocana, where the 2 rivers meet, we can spot pink dolphins and admire the unique coloration of the water. Back at the lodge, we will have a delicious lunch.

At 16:00, we take our canoe to Amarum Poza Lagoon. We enter this lagoon on our paddles to go visit the Bird Observation Tower, built around one of the largest trees of the area, a Ceibo tree. From the top of the tower, at 28 m (92 ft) high, we have a breathtaking view of the Canopy and wildlife.

Before returning to our Lodge for dinner, we go on a short night walk around the tower in search of new species of insects.

Waita Lodge

Day 4 · Return Day

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

4 hours

This being our last day in this wonderful place, we have one last early activity - either a brief forest excursion or a canoe ride - to witness the wildlife starting their day.

After breakfast, you must prepare your luggage for the return trip. We will sail 30 minutes downstream on the Cuyabeno river and then take the Aguarico river upstream for 3 hrs until we reach Tierras Orientales. Here, we have lunch while waiting for our transportation. Once back in Lago Agrio, around 15:00, you can either take the bus or the plane back to Quito.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Our guide will pick you up from here.

Location: Meeting Point Restaurant (formerly called Blue Planet)

Address: Desvio del Puente Rio Aguarico, Nueva Loja, Lago Agrio

Meeting Time: 8:00 AM

End point

Arriving approximately 15:00 on the last day, the guide will either drop you at the bus station to take the bus or at the airport to take the plane back to Quito.