6 Day Amazon Cuyabeno & Papallacta Adventure

Highlights

Cuyabeno RiverEnjoy a canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River and take your first look at the jungle before reaching the lodge.
Laguna GrandeVisit the Laguna Grande to swim and enjoy the beautiful sunset at the Amazon.
Amazon Rainforest Trek into the rainforest with the bilingual guide and spot a wide variety of animal and plant species.
Tarapuy CommunitySee the preparation of Casabe, a traditional bread, and learn about the culture and customs of the native people.
Papallacta Hot SpringsEnjoy Papallacta's waters that will help you to gently exfoliate your skin and relax your body.

Map

Itinerary

DAY 1 ARRIVAL TO CUYABENO LODGE
Very early in the morning, around 3:00 AM, you will be picked up at your hotel in Quito to start your trip to the Cuyabeno. It will take around 8 hours to reach the reserve. Upon arrival to the Cuyabeno Bridge, your naturalist guide will share information about the Reserve and important recommendations before navigating two hours down the Cuyabeno River, towards the lodge. During the canoe ride, you will have a first look at the jungle, and be able to observe different types of birds. You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on weather conditions. Once you reach the lodge, you can relax a bit. After the break, you will go to swim in Laguna Grande, where you will witness a beautiful sunset. You will then return to the camp for dinner.
- ActivityRelaxing, Swimming, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportCanoe.
- MealBox Lunch, Dinner.
- AccommodationsJamu Lodge or similar.
DAY 2 JUNGLE EXPEDITION
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 brushed dolphins. After dinner at the lodge, you will carry out a nocturnal activity focused on the search for alligators on the banks of the river.
- ActivityExploring, Hiking, Swimming, Wildlife Watching.
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- AccommodationsJamu 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. At the end of the day, you will have a short walk through the primary forest focused on observing nocturnal animals, such as spiders, gekos or scorpions, and listening to the noises and sounds of the night.
- ActivityExploring, Hiking, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportCanoe.
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- AccommodationsJamu Lodge or similar.
DAY 4 QUILLA TRIP – FLOODED FOREST
On day four of your Cuyabeno & Papallacta Adventure, you will participate in two activities. First, there will be an excursion to the surroundings of the lodge by a native special canoe called “quilla” for bird watching. Then, you will have another hike where you will get a good idea of what a flooded forest looks like. While paddling, you will have a great opportunity to see even more fauna and flora, as a great variety of different birds and monkeys can be observed from the canoe. The activities of this day take about 4 to 5 hours long, so during the excursion, you will enjoy a box lunch.
- ActivityExploring, Hiking, Wildlife Watching
- TransportCanoe.
- MealBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- AccommodationsJamu Lodge or similar.
DAY 5 CUYABENO – PAPALLACTA
Early in the morning, and before breakfast, you will have an optional bird watching excursion. This activity will depend on the weather conditions. After this, you will have a delicious breakfast. Then, you will be transferred back to the Cuyabeno Bridge. From here, you will be taken to Papallacta, where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful hot springs. 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.
- ActivityBird Watching, Hiking, Relaxing.
- TransportCar.
- MealBreakfast.
- AccommodationsPapallacta Spa Hotel or similar.
DAY 6 PAPALLACTA - QUITO AIRPORT
On the last day of your Cuyabeno & Papallacta Adventure, you will go, by private transportation, from Papallacta to Quito’s Airport or back to your hotel in Quito.
- TransportCar.
- MealBreakfast.

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.

Additional information

TOUR SUMMARY

This Amazon Cuyabeno Adventure program is designed for adventurous travelers who love to experience nature without being disturbed by cell phones or wifi. You will stay at a simple eco-lodge with freshwater, normal toilets, comfortable beds, and a common chill-out place. You will have three meals a day on long tables together with the other guests. Meet the Tarapuy Community and taste their bread with their ancient recipe. Activities during these Amazon Cuyabeno Adventure days vary between wildlife spotting by canoe, hiking, and swimming.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
This tour departs every Monday, Thursday, 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 own 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 like to 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 precaution to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
Rebecca Adventure Travel cannot take any responsibility for any illnesses or 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, availabilities, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.