5 BEST ECUADOR AMAZON TOURS [FROM QUITO]

5 Best Ecuador Amazon Tours from Quito

The Cuyabeno Lodge, was the first lodge in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and among the very first in the entire Amazon region. It founded and managed by international conservationists who were part of the team that selected the National Parks system in the 1970s. The lodge is located on a seasonal island of Cuyabeno Lake, which is the most scenic spot in the entire park. Their now even is a canopy tower to watch birds and wildlife, which is part of the 5 best Ecuador Amazon Tours from Quito.

Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor recommend it for its beautiful location and professionally guided Amazon rainforest tours, while the Lodge has been verified by the Rainforest Alliance. A visit to the Cuyabeno Lodge combined with a trip to Galapagos is a life-time experience.

As we started as early as in 1986 using tents, we soon learned that visitors to the Amazon rainforest need to stay in an accommodation that on one hand is in harmony with the rustic environment, but still provides adequate comfort. So, in 1989, we built our lodge to such standards. Visiting the rainforest will get you to some rather muddy spots and sometimes you may get wet while out in the forest. For such conditions we do provide rubber boots and ponchos. But afterwards it is wonderful to be able to take a hot shower in the lodge.

Modern solar panels provide electricity for light and charging batteries of guests' equipment. We recently introduced electrical outboard "whisper" engines for our excursions on the lake.

Our Cuyabeno Lodge programs include all food, coffee and fruit juice that accompany the meals. We went at great length to build a functional kitchen where food could be prepared hygienically. The restaurant serves a balanced mix of healthy international food. Also included, besides lodging, are transportation to and fro the park from LagoAgrio, all water transportation and guiding. With rates starting at $65 per day depending on duration and accommodation, that is very good value for money, which makes them qualify for the best Ecuador Amazon Tours from Quito.

Visual impressions of the Cuyabeno Lodge tours

Our Amazon Tours

Best Amazon Tours in Ecuador, Day one

Fly in about 25 minutes from the capital Quito across the Andes to the frontier town of Lago Agrio, the oil boom town where the Amazon lowlands begin and your program for visiting the Amazon in Ecuador starts. Your flight passes by the Cayambe. Ask for a window seat at the right side of the plane to take pictures; on the way back on the left side. From there, our bus takes you in about 1 hour 45 minutes to the entry station Cuyabeno Bridge.

Volcanoes visible from the plane on a clear day.

Detailed map of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Click for enlargement.

Lago Agrio Airport usually is serviced with modern Embraer planes.

Private transportation from LogoAgrio to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.

Entrance ranger station "Cuyabeno Bridge". The government has significantly increased security with frequent patrolling by both the national police and the military. There are permanent police officers and park ranger at different ranger stations.

Here is where your real trip starts: An agile dugout canoe takes you on a one and a half hour tour on the winding Cuyabeno River to our Amazon Rainforest lodge, the Cuyabeno Lodge.

Upon arrival, your adventurous Amazon journey really takes off, as we take you along the beautiful winding Cuyabeno River to reach our lodge. It's a fascinating ride on this tributary of the Amazon River, that will take you first to the largest lake in the reserve, the Laguna Cuyabeno also known as Laguna Grande. This is the perfect spot to explore the Amazon, as our Amazon Jungle Lodge Cuyabeno Lodge is one of the few accommodation located on any of the seven lakes of the Cuyabeno river system.

The entrance to the Cuyabeno Lodge.

Relaxing a while after arriving at the lodge.

Upon arrival, you take a hot shower, relax a bit and after some rest, you may enjoy a swim in the lake.

With some luck, spot a few Amazon Dolphins or maybe even a Manatee.

Once the curtain of night falls after dinner, you will silently head out onto the lake again; this time in search of Caiman. You can spot them with flashlights, reflecting in their eyes like bright orange lights. Occasionally, with a bit of luck you may also catch the green eyes of a wandering Ocelot Cat or Jaguar in your beam. On the next night we take you on a walk through the woods with a flashlight. During such walks, we may find some of the strangest creatures, like this spider-like critter. Tree frogs are everywhere, but it is a bit difficult to find them. The moment you think you finally have one in your camera, they leap away to never be found again .

Best Amazon Tours in Ecuador, Days two and three

As birds are most active at dawn, you may start out your day with birdwatching before or right after breakfast with our experienced guide. Blue and Yellow Macaws fly noisily across the Cuyabeno Lake, while Hoatzins whisper their hoarse sounds as they browse the leaves of the Macrolobium trees. You may also hear the mysterious swelling sound of the Howler Monkeys or see a troop of squirrel monkeys bouncing through the treetops. In fact, 10 species of monkeys have been recorded in the reserve.

Bird and wildlife watching at dawn

Breakfast after the morning excursion.

Exploring Cuyabeno National Park from a dugout canoe. For the short distances we like to use peddles instead of a motor or use our brand new whispering electrical motor.

After breakfast explore the Amazon rainforest in the "terra firma" forest with your naturalist guide where you can learn about the forest's medicinal plants and traditions. There are many colorful flowers in the Cuyabeno Nature Reserve, but it takes a bit of an effort to find them. Orchids and Heliconias are among the more spectacular Amazon Forest Plants.

Blue and yellow Macaws are fairly common in Cuyabeno.

Black-Mantled Tamarins live in groups of up to 200. A group often hangs out around the lodge.

After lunch and a siesta you will look for birds and orchids in the flooded igapo (Brazilian Portuguese for Amazon swamp) with Macrolobium trees covered in abundant epiphytes. At the end of the day you can enjoy a sunset swim in the lake.

A visit to the Siona village is always interesting: Vegetable garden with explanations from a Siona woman

Preparation of manioc in the fire box.

The evenings are always a pleasant and relaxing time, far away from the modern world with television, you enjoy the peacefulness of the sounds of the jungle.

Having fun at our lodge in the evenings or......

enjoying a quiet read.

Best Amazon Tours in Ecuador, Day four

On day four you will experience the feel of so many of our visitors: "It all went by too quickly". Maybe you will become one of our frequent visitors that keep coming back for a special program of one or two weeks. Anyway, you will have to leave in the morning to get back on time to catch the plane or bus in Lago Agrio. You will ride the canoe up the Cuyabeno River to the bridge, where your transport will be waiting for you to bring you to the airport or to the bus station to take you on a trip back. skimping Cayambe National Park as it winds along the Andes flanks back to the central valley. For the flight back ask for a left window seat.

How to book for the lodge?

Our programs are rather customized and we try to accommodate the travel needs of our customers. To avoid misunderstandings, we don't offer a prepaid travel option. For details consult our reservations page. Prior to departure, visit our office in Quito at this location where you can proceed with your payment. Also consult our frequently asked questions about our Amazon Jungle Lodge.

What is essential to bring?

For this question we link to our special vacation packing list for the Best Amazon Tours in Ecuador from Quito.

Cuyabeno Lodge:

Shyris Park Building, Av. de los Shyris N36-188 & Av. Naciones Unidas, Office 608, 6th floor, Quito

Phone Office: (++593) (0)(2) 292 6153

Cell (mobile) phone: (++593) (0)999 80 3395

Email: info@cuyabenolodge.com.ec