Cuyabeno 5-Day Amazon Expedition
Flooded forest, a full canoeing day and the Siona community, deep inside the reserve
- Full canoeing day included
- Siona community and shaman
- Flooded forest exploration
- Night caiman expeditions
- All meals and gear included
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Duration5 days / 4 nights
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DifficultyModerate
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DeparturePuente Cuyabeno (Cuyabeno River Bridge), reached by overnight bus from Quito the night before the tour
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Departure daysMondays, Thursdays and Sundays
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LanguagesEnglish and Spanish
Tour overview
Five days is where Cuyabeno slows down and opens up. You stop counting activities and start reading the forest: the flooded lagoons, the monkeys crossing overhead, the caimans holding still in the torchlight.
This programme adds a whole day of paddling to the classic route. A relaxed morning in a traditional canoe searching for monkeys and birds, lunch at the camp, then the Laguna Grande for a swim and the sunset. You also spend a full day with the Siona community of Tarabeaya and their shaman.
You sleep every night at Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge, which we own and operate ourselves. That means one team from the canoe to the kitchen, and no agency in the middle changing your plans.
Level is medium-low and no experience is required. Full board, purified water, rubber boots and rain gear are all included.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Quito to Puente Cuyabeno and Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge
Travel from Quito the night before by public or private bus, around 10 hours, arriving at Puente Cuyabeno. Motorised canoe down the Cuyabeno River to our lodge. Lunch, then a visit to the Laguna Grande to swim and watch the sunset. Dinner and an exciting night walk.
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Day 2: Hiking day and flooded forest
Breakfast, then a three-hour hike in primary forest to learn about flora and fauna, in particular medicinal plants, frogs, insects and birds. Lunch at the camp and time to relax. In the afternoon we explore the lagoons by canoe to enjoy the flooded forest, with a chance to swim and watch the sunset. If conditions allow, you may see pink dolphins. Return to the lodge for dinner.
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Day 3: Rowing day and Siona community of Tarabeaya
After breakfast we visit the Siona community of Tarabeaya, where you help a family prepare casabe, the traditional food of the region, while your guide explains their culture and traditions. Lunch, then a visit to the shaman, who talks about the ceremonies of the jungle. Return to the lodge, dinner, and a night canoe expedition in search of caimans.
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Day 4: Full canoeing day
Breakfast, then a relaxing morning paddling a traditional canoe along the rivers, searching for monkeys and birds and enjoying the forest at its own pace. Lunch at the camp and time to relax. In the afternoon we head to the Laguna Grande to swim and watch the sunset. Dinner, followed by another night canoe expedition after caimans.
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Day 5: Cuyabeno to Lago Agrio and Quito
Early-morning birdwatching, then breakfast. We navigate back up the Cuyabeno River to El Puente with a box lunch on the way. Transfer at Puente Cuyabeno and return to Quito by public or shuttle bus.
What's included
Included
- Private river transport by canoe: Puente Cuyabeno to Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge and back
- Bilingual naturalist guide (English and Spanish)
- Accommodation in double or triple rooms with mosquito nets and private bathroom
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), plus purified water, coffee and tea
- Excursion gear: rain poncho, rubber boots, camping tents and life jackets
- All excursions listed in the itinerary
Not included
- Transport Quito to Puente Cuyabeno and back (bus or flight)
- Community visit USD 10 and shaman visit USD 10 per person
- Meals before and after the tour
- Tips
- Wi-Fi. An optional internet plan is available at the lodge for USD 15 per device per day
- Any other expense not specified in the itinerary
What to bring
- Long-sleeved shirts, 2 or more
- Comfortable trousers, 2 or more (no jeans)
- Shorts and T-shirts, 2 or more of each
- Socks, one pair per day
- Trainers and/or sandals
- Warm jacket and sweater
- Swimsuit
- Biodegradable or natural soap and shampoo
- Sunglasses and camera
- Small waterproof backpack
- Mosquito repellent and sunscreen
- Hat or cap
- Torch with spare batteries
- Binoculars (optional)
- Reusable water bottle and towel
- Personal first-aid kit
- Dry bags for gear, clothes and documents
- Original passport or ID card
Good to know
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How is this different from the 4-day tour?
The 5-day programme adds a complete canoeing day: a relaxed morning paddling the rivers in a traditional canoe searching for monkeys and birds, then the Laguna Grande in the afternoon and a second night expedition after caimans. It also swaps the day 2 afternoon for an exploration of the flooded forest by canoe.
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How demanding is this tour?
The level is medium-low and no previous experience is needed. Expect a three-hour forest hike on day 2 and several hours of paddling on day 4, always at an easy pace and with a guide.
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How many night excursions are included?
Three after-dark activities: a night walk on arrival day, and canoe expeditions in search of caimans on day 3 and day 4. Bring a torch with spare batteries.
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What is not included in the price?
The Quito to Puente Cuyabeno bus or flight, the community visit at USD 10 per person and the shaman at USD 10 per person, meals before and after the tour, tips, Wi-Fi and any personal expenses.
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Can I connect to the internet at the lodge?
The lodge is a place to disconnect, so Wi-Fi is not part of the package. If you need to stay online, an internet plan is available at the lodge for USD 15 per device per day.
Book this tour
Tell us your dates and we will confirm availability within 24 hours.
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