4 Days Cuyabeno Amazon Experience at Waita Lodge

4.9 (39 reviews) 4 days Free cancellation

out of 5

39 reviews

4.9

4 Days Cuyabeno Amazon Experience at Waita Lodge — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

4 Days Cuyabeno Amazon Experience at Waita Lodge, 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. 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, paddling, 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 10 people
People per booking: 1–15
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: Lodging in traditional cabins, private bathroom, biodegradable soap
Included: Dinner
Included: Tea, coffee, chocolate available all day
Included: Breakfast
Included: Equipment (poncho, rubber boots, lifejackets)
Included: Bilingual naturalist guide: English/Spanish

Not included

Not included: Visit to Birdwatching Observation Tower - $6 per passenger
Not included: Additional beverages
Not included: Ground / Air transportation Quito - Lago Agrio - Quito
Not included: Tips for our crew and guides

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 · Canoe + Jungle Walk

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

8 hours

Our activity starts at 6:00 - the best time to spot birds. We take our rowing canoe through small lakes to enjoy the sunrise. We have the opportunity to observe many species of birds and mammals. We then return to our Lodge to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Later, we go on a walk of 3 hrs. Our local guide will share his knowledge about the use of medicinal plants that his ancestors have transmitted through generations and provide explanations about the fauna and flora of the area.

Back at the Lodge, we have a delicious lunch. At 16:30, we take again our canoe to navigate around the lagoon of the Ceibo, «giant tree of the jungle». We can admire the forest flooded by black water, also called Igapo. Afterwards, we visit the San Francisco river, a narrow white water river surrounded by exuberant vegetation and unique species of birds.

When it gets dark, we venture downstream in search of caimans and nocturnal animals (fishing bats, tree boas, nocturnal birds, etc.).

Waita Lodge

Day 3 · Salt Clay + Canoe + Bird Watching Tower

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

8 hours

At 5:45, we take the canoe to enjoy the awakening of nature. We navigate with the motor canoe for about 1h30 downstream Cuyabeno River. On the way, we can observe birds starting their day. Once at the saladero (a clay bank full of nutrient-exposed river banks), we can witness 5 species of colorful parrots and parakeets feed on clay.

After enjoying this wonderful morning, we return to our Lodge for breakfast.

We take a rest and hop in our motorized canoe once again, direction to the bocana, where the two rivers meet. Here, we are able to admire the freshwater dolphins and the different colorations of the water.

In the afternoon, we canoe-ride to the Bird Observation Tower. This tower is built around one of the largest trees in 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 the fauna.

Before returning to our Lodge for dinner, we go for 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

That day being our last one in this wonderful place, we will go on a forest excursion or canoe ride to witness the awakening of this incredible nature one last time.

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 hours until we reach Tierras Orientales. We will have lunch while waiting for our transportation back to Lago Agrio. We will arrive at approximately 15:00 and you will be able to 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 at 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.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.