How do I travel from Quito to the Cuyabeno lodge?

On Day 1, you’ll depart Quito late at night for a 10‑hour ride to the Cuyabeno Bridge, then take a 2‑hour motorized canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River to reach your jungle lodge, enjoying the scenery along the way.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

The Cuyabeno Reserve is incredibly biodiverse; guests often spot multiple species of monkeys, caimans, and many kinds of birds. During boat trips, you may also see pink river dolphins in the Laguna Grande.

What cultural experiences are included?

On Day 3, you’ll visit the Tarapuy Indigenous community, where you learn to prepare casabe (yuca bread) using traditional methods. This hands‑on activity supports local families and offers insight into ancestral Amazonian food culture.

Do I get to relax in hot springs?

Yes. On Day 4, after morning bird‑watching, the tour heads to Papallacta, a high‑Andean village famous for its thermal waters. You can soak in the mineral‑rich pools, which are heated by the Chacana volcanic complex and known to relieve joint pain and reduce stress.

Bring lightweight long‑sleeved clothing, a rain poncho or waterproof jacket, plastic bags or dry sacks for electronics, a headlamp or flashlight, and binoculars for wildlife spotting. Rubber boots and raincoats are typically provided at the lodge.

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5-Day Amazon Tour: Cuyabeno & Papallacta

5 Days

Ecuador Amazon

From USD 1,142 p.p.

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Tour Summary

This Cuyabeno Amazon tour is an immersive nature adventure for travelers who want to experience Ecuador beyond the ordinary. Explore the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve by canoe and guided rainforest walks, encounter extraordinary wildlife, and connect with local communities. The journey ends in Papallacta’s thermal springs, adding a restorative wellness contrast to the Amazon. Designed for curious travelers and families with a moderate activity level, this tour blends biodiversity, culture, and comfort in one seamless itinerary. Travel year-round, with peak wildlife viewing during drier months. When you choose this Ecuador Amazon tour, 5 days of a balanced, deeply enriching Amazon experience await.

Highlights

Cuyabeno River
Enjoy a canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River and take your first look at the jungle before reaching the lodge.
Amazon Rainforest
Trek into the rainforest with the bilingual guide and spot a wide variety of animal and plant species.
Tarapuy Community
See the preparation of Casabe, a traditional bread, and learn about the culture of the native people.
Papallacta Hot Springs
Enjoy Papallacta’s waters that will help you to gently exfoliate your skin and relax your body.

Reviews

    
 
 
      
 
   Jennifer F 
 12/09/2025
 
 
    Beautiful, Safe, Ecuador! Get your cameras ready!!
Rebecca Adventure Travel worked with us to customize a 15 day, self-driven tour from the top of the country to the bottom of the country within the Ecuadorian Andes mountains. It’s was a fast paced trip but so worth being able to see the center of the country as well as some of own adventures. We planned the trip well in advance and selected each destination with purpose. Rebecca Adventure Travel did the rest. Fine hotels, excellent guides, car rental, attractions, some meals, and they provided FULL TIME guidance throughout the trip. We are well pleased with the team, communication was excellent and the hotels were beyond our expectations. We will use Rebecca Adventure Travel again and highly recommend their services. Many thanks to Maggie, Guillermo, Miguel, Katie!!
  
  Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
 
 
     
 
   petinab2017 
 02/09/2025
 
 
    A trip to remember!
We booked the 23-Day Complete Ecuador & Galapagos tour through Juan in the Rebecca office. From the start there was clear communication and a helpful attitude, nothing was a problem. This continued throughout the whole trip. The guides were awesome and Carlos and the Operations team were always on call to help us if we needed it. This was a fantastic tour which covered all the main attractions including a week in the Galapagos islands which was amazing. I highly recommend Rebecca Adventure Travel!
  
  Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
 
 
     
 
   Experience254329 
 13/08/2025
 
 
    Zorgeloos reizen in Ecuador!
Met Rebbeca’s Adventure traveling een individuele reis geboekt. 26 dagen Ecuador en de Galapagos eilanden en o.a. Quito, Mindo, Amazone, heetwaterbronnen, Cuenca, Baños en nog veel meer. Wat een fantastische reis hadden we. Eerst met ons gezin en halverwege sloten onze vrienden vanuit Aruba aan. Alles was perfect geregeld. Eigen busje met vaste gids en chauffeur. Bij iedere volgende locatie een update vanaf kantoor met de details voor de volgende bestemming. Hierdoor hadden we een zorgeloze tijd en hebben we Ecuador echt mogen leren kennen en beleven! Een volgende keer weten we jullie weer te vinden!
  
  Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  Tripadvisor rating score: 4.9 of 5, 
based on 588 reviews

Prices

Prices, based on number of guests, start at:

1 guest	USD 2,183 p.p.
2 guests	USD 1,401 p.p.
4 or more guests	USD 1,142 p.p.

Gallery

Hikers exploring a lush rainforest path surrounded by dense jungle foliage during a Cuyabeno jungle tour in Ecuador

Trekking through lush rainforest trails during an immersive Cuyabeno jungle tour

Kichwa community member smiling in traditional Amazon attire and woven headpiece during a Ecuador expedition

Kichwa elder wearing colorful Amazonian face paint and traditional feather headpiece

Steaming thermal pools surrounded by lush gardens and wooden cabins at Papallacta Hot Springs in the Andes of Ecuador

Relaxing steaming thermal pools nestled in lush mountain gardens at Papallacta Hot Springs

Exotic hoatzin bird perched on a branch displaying vibrant Amazon wildlife in the Ecuadorian rainforest canopy

Prehistoric hoatzin bird perched on a tree branch showcasing colorful Amazon wildlife

Clear waters reflecting Andean peaks at Papallacta Lake during an thrilling Ecuador amazon adventure trip into nature

Peaceful pristine reflections on Papallacta Lake during an Ecuador amazon adventure

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Download itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival to Cuyabeno Lodge
Your Cuyabeno Amazon tour begins with an early pickup in Quito and a scenic 10-hour journey to the reserve. At Cuyabeno Bridge, meet your naturalist guide and travel two hours by canoe to the lodge, spotting birds and wildlife along the river. After settling in, swim in Laguna Grande and watch the sunset over the jungle before returning to the lodge for dinner.
- Activity:Relaxing. Swimming. Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Canoe.
- Meal:Box Lunch. Dinner.
- Accommodation:Jamu Lodge or similar.
DAY 2: Jungle Expedition
Your Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve tour begins! After breakfast, you will take a walk of approximately 3 to 4 hours through the primary forest, where the guide will explain about the tropical forest and its medicinal plants. You will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go out to see the beautiful butterflies and swim in the lagoon, where you will enjoy the impressive sunset. If you are lucky, you will be able to observe pink dolphins. After dinner at the lodge, you will carry out a nocturnal activity focused on the search for caimans on the banks of the river.
- Activity:Exploring. Hiking. Swimming. Wildlife Watching.
- Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
- Accommodation:Jamu Lodge or similar.
DAY 3: Tarapuy Community
After breakfast, you will set off in a canoe, down the river for about an hour, to visit a family from the Tarapuy community. Here, you will learn how to prepare Casabe, a traditional Yuca bread, using the materials from the jungle. You will then return to the lodge. After lunch, you will have time for some relaxation activities. Today’s Amazon Cuyabeno adventure ends with a short walk through the primary forest focused on observing nocturnal animals, such as spiders, geckos, or scorpions, and listening to the noises and sounds of the night.
- Activity:Exploring. Hiking. Sightseeing. Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Canoe.
- Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
- Accommodation:Jamu Lodge or similar.
DAY 4: Cuyabeno - Papallacta
Today’s Cuyabeno jungle tour will have an optional bird-watching excursion before breakfast. This activity will depend on the weather conditions. After this, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then, you will be transferred back to the Cuyabeno Bridge. From here, you will be taken on a Papallacta hot springs tour where you can relax. The open-air thermal pools have various medicinal benefits. Due to their minerals, these waters will help you to gently exfoliate your skin and relax your body.
- Activity:Bird Watching. Hiking. Relaxing.
- Transport:Car.
- Meal:Breakfast.
- Accommodation:Papallacta Spa Hotel or similar.
DAY 5: Papallacta - Quito Airport or City
On the last day of your Ecuador jungle adventure, you will take private transportation from Papallacta to Quito’s Airport or back to your hotel in Quito. We hope you enjoyed your Amazon Rainforest tour, Ecuador! We hope to welcome you back soon and wish you safe travels.
- Transport:Car.
- Meal:Breakfast.

Map

Inclusions

Meals as described in the itinerary.
Accommodation in single, double or triple rooms with private bathroom.
Transportation according to the itinerary.
English speaking professional guide during tours.
All activities as described in the itinerary.
Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary.
Rubber boots, rain coats and lifejackets.
24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.

Exclusions

Extra food and drinks.
Extra activities.
Optional tips for guide.
Personal expenses.

Accommodations

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

📍 Cuyabeno

Cuyabeno Jamu Lodge

Rustic eco-lodge in Cuyabeno Reserve offering immersive Amazon jungle tours and wildlife.

Eco lodge
Jungle tours
Wildlife spotting

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

📍 Papallacta

Papallacta Spa Hotel

Tranquil thermal spa resort in the Andes mountains offering hot springs and relaxing spa treatments.

Hot springs
Spa resort
Mountain views

Cuyabeno Amazon Tour FAQs

How do I travel from Quito to the Cuyabeno lodge?
On Day 1, you’ll depart Quito late at night for a 10‑hour ride to the Cuyabeno Bridge, then take a 2‑hour motorized canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River to reach your jungle lodge, enjoying the scenery along the way.
What wildlife can I expect to see?
The Cuyabeno Reserve is incredibly biodiverse; guests often spot multiple species of monkeys, caimans, and many kinds of birds. During boat trips, you may also see pink river dolphins in the Laguna Grande.
What cultural experiences are included?
On Day 3, you’ll visit the Tarapuy Indigenous community, where you learn to prepare casabe (yuca bread) using traditional methods. This hands‑on activity supports local families and offers insight into ancestral Amazonian food culture.
Do I get to relax in hot springs?
Yes. On Day 4, after morning bird‑watching, the tour heads to Papallacta, a high‑Andean village famous for its thermal waters. You can soak in the mineral‑rich pools, which are heated by the Chacana volcanic complex and known to relieve joint pain and reduce stress.
What should I pack?
Bring lightweight long‑sleeved clothing, a rain poncho or waterproof jacket, plastic bags or dry sacks for electronics, a headlamp or flashlight, and binoculars for wildlife spotting. Rubber boots and raincoats are typically provided at the lodge.

Additional Information

To enter Ecuador, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended departure from the country.
Prices are subject to seasonal surcharges during Christmas, New Year’s, and Semana Santa.
For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
This tour departs every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Subject to availability.
Prices for 1 guest are based on a single private room, and prices for 2 or more guests are based on double or multiple rooms.
With 4 or more guests, the tour can start every day.
Some activities depend on weather conditions, such as Caiman watching.
Please bring your rain poncho. In the Amazon, the weather could change suddenly in the rainforest, and you might get wet.
Please take with you some plastic bags, to protect your camera and important documents; a headlight, because at night it becomes very dark; and a bottle of water.
If you enjoy watching Animals, please get some binoculars (10×40 are much better).
Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only peeled fruits, etc.).
Rebecca Adventure Travel cannot take any responsibility for any illnesses, missed meals & tours due to an illness.
It is important to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
Rebecca Adventure Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, availability, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.

Advantages of Booking with Rebecca Adventure Travel

Impactful Travel: Develop meaningful connections that provide mutual enrichment for both travelers and host cultures.
Empowering Locals: Support family-owned accommodations, involving local communities and contributing to local economies.
Sustainable Travel: Preserve cultures and environments for future generations with our Huella Positiva.
Travel With Trust: We are here for you every step of the way with solid insurance, certifications, and rebooking facilities.
Personalized Travel Curator: Ensures your trip meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
When you book a tour with us, you agree to our terms and conditions.

Exact Code: 25CUPA5

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