Cuyabeno Experience by Nicky Amazon Lodge!

DAY 1 – Quito – Lago Agrio – El Puente del Cuyabeno - Nicky Amazon Lodge - Night hike (B - L, D)

The amazon journey begins at “El Puente' around 11h00, the main access to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and our last stop into civilization. We continue in a motorized canoe downstream for about 2 hours until we reach the Nicky Amazon Lodge. With a little luck we’ll be able to observe monkeys and bird species along the way. The Cuyabeno river is extremely narrow in this region and allows you to experience wildlife up close. A welcome cocktail waiting for your arrival at the lodge. Lunch. Later you will have time to recover and go on your first exploratory tour in the surrounding area, it is a night hike. we’ll explore the lodge's  surroundings to look for nocturnal animals such as insects, spiders, snakes and frogs, a live which becomes active when the sun sets. After dinner your bilingual guide will inform you about the activities of the following days.

DAY 2 – Birdwatching – Amazon hike – Canoe trip for pink river dolphins - Canopy Tower (FB)

Early in the morning we’ll explore the area looking for monkeys and birds in the awakening tropical rainforest. Return for Breakfast. Some time to relax before we’ll hike through the rainforest and our guide will share all his knowledge and experiences. We’ll learn how the most diverse life forms can coexist in the nature and survive side by side within a delicate balance. We may spot colorful butterflies, frogs and listen some birds as we learn more about the great variety of flora. Return to the lodge for lunch. After we have short time to rest enjoying the nature, swimming, play soccer or just a pleasant nap. In the afternoon we’ll take a trip by canoe along the Cuyabeno River, taking us through the dense jungle landscape. We’ll observe the wildlife found on the riverbanks, including monkeys, macaws, toucans and sloths. We’ll have a good chance to see the pink river dolphins in the impressive river landscape. Before dinner, we will visit the observation tower to see some wildlife at the canopy level or enjoy a beautiful sunset.

DAY 3 – Indigenoues communities life´style  – Motorized canoe trip to Laguna Grande (FB)

Early excursion in our canoe we will enjoy the awakening of the rainforest and look for animals. After breakfast, we’ll have an interesting activity our guide will explain about the Indigenous communities who lives in the Amazon Basin. we’ll have a demonstration on how to make ‘Cassave’, the typical manioc bread of the region. Additional we learn about the local customs and traditions of their past and present culture. Lunch. In the afternoon we’ll travel by motorized canoe upstream to reach the Laguna Grande. As we explore the lagoon, we’ll learn about the 'Igapó', the ecosystem of the flooded forest and dominated by giant macrolobium trees which provide habitat for epiphytes and some species of birds such as cormorants. After exploring the lagoon, we can swim in the calm waters while watching the spectacular sunset of the Amazon region. Later we’ll continue our adventure observing the nocturnal fauna of the river landscape with some species of bats and looking for caimans before returning to the lodge. Dinner.

DAY 4 - AM: Amazon hike (medicinal plants) - PM: paddle canoe trip

In the morning we’ll have the opportunity for an additional  excursion, either in our canoe or hiking. The choice depends on the weather conditions and the interests of the group. After breakfast, we will explore a pristine stretch of the jungle. Our guide will tell you more about the medicinal use of the flora as it has been used by native cultures for generations and how they could survive into the jungle. At lunchtime, return to the lodge for a rest. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the Cuyabeno River by paddle canoe and enjoy the views of the exceptional scenery and listen to the sounds of the jungle as we look for exotic local species. Really an amazing activity.

DAY 5 – AM: Last activity around the lodge – Return back to Quito (B)

Today's morning excursion includes a short trip by canoe, taking advantage of the early morning hours to observe the animals during their morning activities and to say goodbye to the jungle keeping in our minds the best pictures of the spectacular place. After breakfast at the lodge you will have time to pack your luggage for the return journey 08h30. We provide a box lunch for the trip. The ride takes you upstream back to the civilization at 'El Puente de Cuyabeno 11h00. Where a private bus will take you back to Lago Agrio at approximately 13h00h and from there you will return to Quito.

Regular departures:

• Tour 5 days every Monday Thursday & Friday
• Tour 4 days every Monday Tuesday & Friday ( Itinerary omits the 4th day)
• Tour 3 days every Tuesday & Saturday ( Itinerary omits 2nd and 4th day)

NOTES:

• Internet wifi service is available for an extra fee
• Semiprivate tours depending on the number of clients.
• We highly recommend 4D/3N tour
• For groups of 6 or more clients, any departure day.
• Kids in between 6 and 11 years old, 25% discount.
• Kids in between 4 and 5 years old, 50% discount.
• Food detail: B: breakfast. L: lunch BL: box lunch BB: box breakfast D: dinner FB: Full board

PAYMENT POLICY:

A deposit of 30% total invoiced for your trip is required to confirm your reservation. The remaining balance (70%) is required 30 days prior to the departure date. In cases of trips confirmed within 30 days of the departure date, payment in full is required for confirmation. You should receive confirmations with every payment you make.

CANCELATION POLICY:

• For cancelations of 30+ days before tour departure date, the full amount minus a cancelation fee of 10% will be refunded to the client. • For cancelations between 21-30 days before tour departure date, a cancelation fee of 50% to the deposit paid will be charged. • For cancelations less than 20 days prior to the tour departure date, full amount of the tour is charged with no refund.