5 Days program
Location
Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve
Tucan Lodge
Tucan Eco Lodge is one of the newest lodges in the reserve, based down the Cuyabeno river it is around 30 Kilometers downstream from the entrance of the park and reachable by canoe all year long, and depending on the season.
Overview
Tucan Eco Lodge is one of the newest lodges in the reserve, based down the Cuyabeno river it is around 30 Kilometers downstream from the entrance of the park and reachable by canoe all year long, depending on the season. The Lodge accommodates up to 24 people in two guest huts; divided into 3 cabins and 4 cabins. Each hut houses 2 – 4 people in double or triple bedrooms (as required) each with its private bathroom and shower. Our lodge has a relaxing area with hammocks and a platform where one can watch the river and at the right time of year, you can spot the pink river dolphins. All our guests are assisted by an accredited naturalist guide and licensed canoe driver because we know that a good guide above all is crucial for a good tour.
Please keep in mind, that if you decide to reserve the night shuttle service to the Puente Cuyabeno the day before your tour, depending on the day you book, normally there are no buses going to the Reserve of Cuyabeno on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Also, no return shuttle back to Quito on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays. If your tour is scheduled to start or end on Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday, you can still confirm the trip if there is availability in the lodge and take the public bus there or back to Quito’s Terminal Terrestre. Which is 40 min taxi ride or $10 back into the city center. Feel free to check availability/book your tour or download the 5-day itinerary below. We accept most credit cards via our payment platform.
Book NowItinerary
Day 1: Quito - Cuyabeno
To reach our meeting point you have to travel the night before to "El Puente Cuyabeno", which is the entrance of the Cuyabeno reserve. If you go from Quito on a bus it's about 9 hours away.
The adventure begins at 11:00 AM at the entrance to the Cuyabeno reserve, with a canoe trip down the river to our lodge (3 hours exploring the river looking for monkeys, birds, etc.). Lunch and time for relax. In the afternoon you will explore the river and lagoons looking for more wild life, swim and enjoy the sunset. At night you will do a canoe expedition in search of caimans. Dinner. For all our guests interested in knowing more about the amazon rainforest, every evening the naturalist guide will give different lectures like the “Culture and communities, flora, fauna and conservation”.
Day 2: Hiking Day
In the morning after breakfast you will do a hike of about 4 hours in the primary forest accompanied by the naturalist guide who will explain about medicinal plants, frogs, insects, birds, etc. Lunch at the camp and time for relax. In the afternoon you will explore the streams in a traditional rowing canoe to enjoy the uniqueness of nature. You will enjoy the sunset in the river and if conditions permit, you may be able to see pink dolphins. Return to lodge gets ready for the night walk. Dinner. This night you will have the opportunity to know and taste the different traditional drinks of the Amazon.
Day 3: Canoeing
After breakfast you get ready for an exciting morning, you will explore in total tranquility and silence the streams and the flooded forest with its unique habitat in a traditional rowing canoe. In this activity, by going very slowly and in silence, you have more opportunity to observe more species of monkeys, birds, sloths, dolphins and more.
Lunch at the camp and time for relax. After 2 hours of rest you will prepare and tast coffee and chocolate in a traditional way. In the evening after dinner you can join our lectures or if you like adventure we have prepared for you a place in the middle of the forest where you can spend a few hours or all night enjoying the incredible sounds of the jungle.
Day 4: Community
After a delicious breakfast we will visit the community, there an indigenous woman will guide us through the community, where you will learn about their culture, clothing, language but especially about their gastronomy since with her we will prepare our lunch. In the afternoon the shaman of the community will teach us about medicinal plants and rituals of the Amazon. After this exciting day we return to the lodge, have dinner and relax.
Day 5: Cuyabeno - Quito
Early in the morning you will explore the river in search of birds and to enjoy the sunrise.
After this activity you will return to the camp, have breakfast and have time to organize your luggage. Then you will take the canoe back exploring the Cuyabeno river for 2 hours in search of more fauna until the entrance of the reserve, where you can take your transport back home. End of the tour.
Map
Costs for 5 days
- $330 per. person - 8 bed shared room
- $340 per person - 4 bed shared room
- $380 per person - Twin / Private based on double occupancy
Inclusions
- Canoe
- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Accommodation in double and / or triple room with mosquito nets and a private bathroom
- All meals from lunch day 1 until box lunch day 3 (breakfast-lunch-dinner); pure water, coffee, tea.
- Excursion gear (raincoat, rubber boots, camping tents, life jackets)
- Excursions
Exclusions
- Transportation Quito - Cuyabeno - Quito (bus or plane)
- $10 Contribution to the Community Visit
- Meals before and after the tour
- Tips
- All other expenses not specified in the tour