THE BEST OF THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON- 8 DAYS
THE BEST OF THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON- 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS – BORDER WITH PERU
CUYABENO WILDLIFE RESERVE – LOOP TOUR BY RIVER ENDING UP IN COCA CITY
REMOTE DESTINATION OFF THE BEATEN TRACK – FULL ADVENTURE TOUR
ABOUT CUYABENO WILDLIFE RESERVE
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a protected area located in the North – East of Ecuador, bordering Peru to the East. Cuyabeno was established in 1979 and currently has an area of about 6000 square kilometers of Pristine Amazonian Rainforest. This stunning Rainforest contains an incredible variety of species of plants and animals, thus becoming one of the most biologically rich areas on Earth. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve also has a breathtaking landscape that includes forest, rivers and lagoons.
The following facts tell us that Cuyabeno is actually one of the most biologically rich areas on Earth.
There have been identified 473 species of plants in a single hectare (100 m by 100 m). In Cuyabeno exists approximately 3000-4000 species of identified plants, 165 species of mammals including the legendary pink river dolphin, 81 species of amphibians, 54 species of Reptiles, 500 species of birds, 200 to 300 species of fish.
The Cuyabeno wildlife reserve is also home to 5 indigenous nationalities spread over 7 communities. Kichwua, Shuar, Siona, Secoya and Cofán are the five nationalities that exist and survive in the reserve, some of them still maintain their ancestral customs.
AGUARICO RIVER – ZANCUDO LAKE – LAGARTO RIVER – COCAYA RIVER – NAPO RIVER – NUEVA ROCAFUERTE VILLAGE – COCA CITY
FOR NATURE LOVERS ONLY – AN AMAZING FULL ADVENTURE TOUR DEEP IN THE JUNGLE
This tour is of an easy active rating designed for everyone who loves camping in the middle of the Nature
An extraordinary tour exploring the deepest of the primary forest in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. During this incredible journey you will visit the Eastern part of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest as far as the border with Peru along the Aguarico, Lagarto Cocha, Cocaya and Napo rivers with great chances of watching wildlife. Your whole journey will be around 600 Km in total.
During this fantastic tour you will have the opportunity to visit Iripari Lake (Zancudo Cocha) which is the largest black water lake in the Ecuadorian Amazon. You will also have the chance to admire the biggest flooded forest area in our Ecuadorian Amazon where you will easily observe the legendary pink fresh water Dolphin (Innia Geofrensis). On your last day you will navigate on the greatest of the Ecuadorian rivers the mighty Napo River which is one of the main tributaries of the great Amazon River in Perú.
DAY 1
DAY 1.- LAGO AGRIO OR COCA CITIES – AGUARICO RIVER – ZANCUDO CAMP – IRIPARI (ZANCUDO) LAGOON
Your journey stars in the morning with a 2-hour drive from Lago Agrio or Coca to “Tierras Orientales” Village at shore of the Aguarico River. Here we´ll start our fantastic Amazon Rainforest experience by navigating on a motorized canoe downstream along this beautiful white water river until we´ll arrive at the mouth of the Cuyabeno River, a small and breathtaking black water river which is a tributary of the Aguarico, here, and with some luck we will have our first watch of the legendary pink Fresh water Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). During this first relaxing journey we`ll make a stop for a delicious picnic lunch and if you wish, a refreshing swim. From here we´ll continue navigating downstream Aguarico river until we reach the Zancudo Kichwua Native Community territory. This is a fantastic journey navigating East into the deep Amazon rain forest. Tonight, the accommodation will be in comfortable tents at the shore of the river or, if level of river permits, we will camp next to the beautiful Zancudo Lake. Welcome cocktail, Dinner
Navigation time 5 hours.
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 3.- ZANCUDO CAMP – AGUARICO RIVER – LAGARTO COCHA RIVER FLOODED FOREST SYSTEM
After breakfast we’ll break camp and navigate by motorized canoe downstream on the Aguarico river towards Lagarto Cocha river, a beautiful and remote small tributary of Aguarico river and the actual border between Peru and Ecuador. Lagarto Cocha River in native language means “the river of the Caimans”. We´ll continue upstream along the Lagarto River deep into the Rainforest to explore this spectacular system of river and lakes. We`ll arrive at Delfin Cocha Lake or “the lake of Dolphins” In this beautiful lake we´ll have the best chances of seeing the Amazonian Freshwater Pink and Grey River Dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis), and why not have a swim with them too? Picnic Lunch. In the afternoon we´ll look for a good place to set up our Camp. Late in the afternoon we´ll navigate slowly up Lagarto River looking for new species of wildlife until the Sun sets on the beautiful landscape. In the night and from the motorized canoe we´ll navigate downstream towards our camp. In the way we´ll search for wildlife which includes: Night birds, Snakes, Bats, Caimans, Frogs and more. Return to the Camp and Dinner. Night in tents at the shore of Lagarto Cocha River.
Navigation time 4 hours
DAY 4
DAY 4.- LAGARTO COCHA RIVER FLOODED FOREST SYSTEM
Early in the morning we`ll navigate slowly for a bird watching trip and to enjoy the fantastic sounds of the Rainforest life. After breakfast we`ll continue our adventure navigating up river, exploring deep in this pristine remote rainforest with excellent chances of spotting wildlife including: Parrots and Macaws, Herons, Egrets, Toucans and many other different species of birds. With some luck we´ll see some of the 10 species of Monkeys that live in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This journey will take us to a remote Secoya Indigenous Community. Secoya people are ancestral people with great knowledge of their environment, flora and fauna. We will also go for a hike with a Secoya Native Indigenous guide who will tell us about their traditional way of life in the Jungle.
Here we`ll be part of the making of the Casabe (Manioc or Yuca) bread starting from the extraction of the Casabe roots to the final product that is a special type of bread which is large, round and flat. Casabe is an important part of Indigenous people traditional diet. Here our picknic lunch will include Casabe bread. Return to the Camp site. Dinner.
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
NOTE: THE ITINERARIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGES,
DUE TO THE CLIMATE VARIATION THAT MAY OCCUR IN CUYABENO.
INCLUDED IN OUR SERVICES:
Transportation from Lago Agrio or Coca (Car & Canoe); Experienced bilingual naturalist guide / translator; Activities with the Indigenous community; Entrance fee to the fresh water dolphin conservation project; Rubber boots (up to No 46); Rain coat (Poncho); Life jackets; activities with Indigenous people, accommodation in Indigenous huts and Tents (double and single occupancy); bedding and camping mattress; Towel; Biodegradable soap, Hostel and meals in Nueva Rocafuerte Village; Lunch and dinner on the first day; Three meals a day on the next days and breakfast and lunch on the last day; Purified bottled water; Tea; Coffee; Cuisine that caters vegetarians and vegans; Pick up and droop off transfers in Lago Agrio and Coca.
NOT INCLUDED:
Your transport Quito – Lago Agrio/Coca – Quito; Accommodation and meals in Lago Agrio or Coca; Alcoholics drinks at a reduced price e.g. $3 for a 750ml pilsener beer; Additional beverages and tips; Souvenirs from Native Communities; Any no specified service.
RECOMMENDED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
You must bring your original Passport, Long-sleeved T-shirts, T-shirts, Cotton socks, Shorts, Sandals or walking shoes, Light waterproof wind-breaker, First aid kit, Swimming suit and towel, Hat or cap, Sunglasses with a strap, One small waterproof bag, Insect repellent, Sun block and Sunburn lotion, Zip lock plastic bags, Camera and spare camera batteries, Flashlight (torch) with spare batteries, Binoculars, Notepad/pen.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT YOUR TRIP
- Please remember that Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a stunning area, one of the most complex and bio diverse richest places on earth that contains a great amount of wildlife. We will explore a Pristine Rain Forest area where a few tourists visit and few native people live, therefore chances of watching wildlife are great. Every day by canoe and on foot we´ll be searching for wildlife including Macaws, Parrots, Toucans, Monkeys, Freshwater dolphins, Caimans and Anacondas. However, observing wildlife in their natural environment depends of some factors that include weather conditions and some luck.
- You will be walking slowly in primary forest on trails opened by the natives that in some areas implies crossing by flooded and muddy areas, in general the terrain is flat and do not demand much effort. A maximum walking time is of approximate 3 hours at a time.
- Please remember that the name Rainforest comes precisely from the 4000mm (about 12 feet) of rain it receives a year. Our canoes, motorized canoes or paddling canoes do not have roof so please expect heavy rain at any time. Our canoes are comfortable and provided with sits for two people each one with cushions and life jackets. Your luggage will be covered and protected against rain water. During all the navigation journeys you`ll always have access to cold drinks.
- Campsites are located on the margin of the rivers so that we will not need to carry the equipment for long distances, but you will need to be able to transport your own luggage for short distances.
- We´ll ask that everyone assist in setting up the campsites.
- We´ll visit the most pristine and remote areas of the Cuyabeno Reserve and in order to reach our furthest destination which is the City of Coca we´ll need to travel by motorized canoe a distance of around 600 Km.
- The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a protected area and to get there we´ll have to drive and navigate throughout Oil installations, secondary forest and farms. Once we enter the Reserve the landscape will change into a beautiful pristine Amazon Rainforest.
Book this Tour at an incredible price, ask about our payment methods.