Day 1: Lago Agrio - Tarapoa - Cuyabeno Bridge - Cuyabeno Reserve - Nicky Amazon Lodge

Our tour begins at 9:00 am in Lago Agrio. We’ll travel to Tierras Orientales (2 hours approx.) and have lunch. After, we’ll start our canoe journey down the Aguarico River, and continue along the Cuyabeno black water river, heading to our accommodation (2 ½ hours approx.).

Finally, we’ll arrive to Nicky Amazon Lodge. There’ll be time to relax, and just lay back in the hammocks. In the evening, we’ll go for a walk through the surroundings. After dinner, our naturalist bilingual guide will give a briefing on the upcoming activities which will take place over the next few days.

Accommodation: Nicky Amazon Lodge Laguna Grande

Day 2: Nicky Amazon Lodge - Cuyabeno River - Kapok Island - Nicky Amazon Lodge

The day starts with an early morning canoe excursion, as the brisk morning hours are the best time to see the rainforest's thriving activity. After breakfast, we’ll trek into the rainforest with our naturalist guide, who’ll share his/her wealth of knowledge. There’ll also be the opportunity to learn how life in the tropical rainforest co-exists in a fragile balance. Botanical information emphasizes the use of the medicinal plants, which has been taught by the local ancestors for generations. We also find some species of amphibians, butterflies, snakes, birds, monkeys, centipedes and millipedes, as well as footprints of mammals on the trail.

We’ll return to the lodge for lunch. Later, we’ll navigate along the Cuyabeno River and by Kapok Island in search of monkey species. We’ll also have a good chance of seeing the freshwater pink dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis) in the amazing river habitat. Before dinner, we’ll venture into the forest to find species of insects, spiders, tarantulas, snakes and colourful frogs. The night world of the Amazon is perfect for viewing small species and enjoying the nocturnal sounds of the jungle.

Accommodation: Nicky Amazon Lodge Laguna Grande

Day 3: Nicky Amazon Lodge - Seoqueya Community - Nicky Amazon Lodge - Laguna Grande - Nicky Amazon Lodge

Rising early allows us to enjoy the nature, with a good chance of seeing monkeys and birds. After breakfast, we’ll follow the “taricaya” (that means turtle trail) to visit the Seoqueya Community, where some local families of the Sionas Indigenous group live. A member of the family shows us how they prepare the yuca bread (which is called “cassave”), and our guide explains local traditions and cultures from the past to the present.

We’ll head back to the lodge for lunch. After, there’ll be time to relax and enjoy the place. In the afternoon, we’ll go out with our motor canoe upstream to visit the Laguna Grande, where we’ll navigate on the amazing lake and admire the blackwater-flooded forest (or Igapo). This is considered an ecosystem of the rainforest, dominated by the famous Macrolobium trees, which are homes to Epiphyte plants and birds. You can swim in the lake whilst admiring the spectacular sunset in the rainforest. Before returning to the lodge, we’ll venture downstream to search for Caimans (alligator family) and fishing bats.

Accommodation: Nicky Amazon Lodge Laguna Grande

Day 4: Nicky Amazon Lodge - Jungle - Cuyabeno Bridge - Lago Agrio

The last early activity is a short canoe excursion to enjoy the sunrise over the jungle, creating a lasting memory of this wonderful place. This is also a good opportunity for bird watching. After breakfast, you’ll have time to prepare your luggage for the trip back. We’ll navigate upstream to reach the Cuyabeno Bridge. (Box lunch.) We’ll be picked up by our mini-bus and taken back to Lago Agrio, arriving at approx. 14h30, and either catch the bus or plane back to Quito.

DAY 1 - 09:30

Meeting point in front of D'Mario Hotel in Lago Agrio. Then we will depart to Tierras Orientales

---

DAY 1 - 11:30

Arrive in Tierras Orientales

---

DAY 1 - 13:30

Depart to Nicky Lodge in Cuyabeno

---

DAY 1 - 16:00

Arrive in Nicky Amazon Lodge

---

DAY 1 - 18:00

We will go for a walk in the surrounding area

---

DAY 1 - 19:00

Dinner

---

DAY 2 - 06:00

Canoe excursion to see the rainforest’s thriving activity

---

DAY 2 08:00 - 12:00

After breakfast, we trek into primary rainforest with our naturalist guide

---

DAY 2 12:00 - 18:00

Lunch, time to relax, then go out with our canoe

---

DAY 2 - 18:00

After dinner, we venture into the forest to find species of insects

---

DAY 3 - 06:00

After an early breakfast, we navigate downstream to observe the enchanting salt lick

---

DAY 3 - 09:00

We navigate the Cuyabeno River until the end of its black waters

---

DAY 3 - 11:00

Visit a Kichwa family from the local community

---

DAY 3 - 12:00

Return to the lodge

---

DAY 3 - 13:00

After lunch, we navigate along the Cuyabeno River

---

DAY 3 - 18:00

After dinner, we venture out on a night-time navigation to search for caimans and observe fishing bats and nocturnal birds

---

DAY 4 - 06:00

Walk into the primary forest for a final memory of this wonderful place

---

DAY 4 - 07:00

Breakfast; prepare your luggage for your trip back

---

DAY 4 - 08:00

Navigate along the Cuyabeno River towards the Aguarico River until Tierras Orientales

---

DAY 4 - 12:00

After a box lunch, our mini-bus will take us to Lago Agrio

---

DAY 4 - 14:30-15:30

Arrive in Lago Agrio

---

- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Meals on the tour (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- All the activities and excursions
- Transportation Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno – Lago Agrio
- Tea, coffee, purified water (available all day)

- Transportation from/to Lago Agrio (Bus-Airfare)
- Cuyabeno National Park entrance fee is free
- Entrance for the community visit ($4 USD per person)
- Entrance to the Kichwa birdwatching tower ($3.50 USD per person)
- Tips for guide
- Additional beverages and snacks
- Raincoat

- Long sleeves (shirts), hat or cap, sunglasses with a strap, cotton socks, light wind breaker & sweater, swimming suit, towel, raincoat
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, zip-lock plastic bags
- Flashlight (torch) and batteries
- Binoculars

Cancellation or changes of this tour:

Changes: It is FREE to change the tour date before 5:00 pm (Quito time) 7 days before the tour begins.

Cancellations: If you cancel before 5:00 pm (Quito time) 30 days before the tour begins, a 10% administration fee will apply. After this time, there is a 100% cancellation fee.

Please email bookings@findlocaltrips.com to cancel this tour or make any changes.

1. Why should I choose Cuyabeno Reserve?

   We recommend it because: - It is the only Amazon park accessible via paved road - It’s the only Amazon park near the Andes with both narrow creeks and lakes – It offers better wildlife viewing than any other Amazon park in the world – It has the lowest visit prices of any Amazon park in South America – It boasts the greatest diversity of any park in the world – It’s located right on the equator – You’ll experience wildlife viewing from boats with all your gear close at hand – 450 km long and 150 km wide, the park covers 603,380 hectares of pristine jungle - Guides are trained by the government National Park Service.

2. How can I get to Lago Agrio from Quito?

   - By bus from Quito: There are buses running between Quito (Terminal Quitumbe) and Lago Agrio every hour. The last bus from Terminal Quitumbe (Company: Banos) leaves at 11.30 pm. Ticket price: $8 USD. The trip lasts 7 hours. - By plane: We will pick you up directly from the Airport, and bring you to Nicky Lodge by bus and canoe. Note that for local flights, you must be at the airport one hour before your flight.

3. What kind of weather can we find in Lago Agrio?

   From August to October it can be hot and humid. From May to July it is rainy season. The average year-round temperature is between 7°C and 19°C, with the coolest month being February.

4. What time is used in Lago Agrio?

   Local time in Lago Agrio is GMT -5, the same as on Ecuador's mainland.