4 Days Paddle Boarding in the Cuyabeno Reserve

Nueva Loja, Ecuador
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Duration4 days
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 6 travelers

Overview

This unique Amazon experience enables you to experience the jungle in a unique way - by paddle boarding! Cuyabeno is one of the most biodiverse nature reserves on Earth. There, you can spot over 500 bird species, 100 mammals, and over 400,000 plant species. In addition, enjoy local food, canoe rides, and swimming for the more adventurous!

During those 4 days, you will learn more about the 5 indigenous ethnic groups living along the banks. Waita Lodge is the only community-based lodge of the reserve. Therefore, by booking with Ecuatraveling, you contribute to the economic growth of the area. On top of that, Waita is an ecolodge, so staying there ensures environmental conservation and cultural preservation. Those are extremely important since Cuyabeno Reserve is under threat from the oil industry and deforestation and it is critical to ensure its sustainability through travel!

What's included

  • Transportation Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno – Lago Agrio
  • Lunch
  • Happy Hour: 18:30 p.m. to 21:00 p.m. free Caipirinha in our bar
  • Lodging in traditional cabins, private bathroom, biodegradable soap
  • Dinner
  • Tea, coffee, chocolate available all day
  • Breakfast
  • Vegetarian or Vegan meal option
  • Bilingual local naturalist guide: English/Spanish
  • Paddle Boards
  • Equipment (poncho, rubber boots, lifejackets)
  • Tips for our crew and guides
  • Visit to Birdwatching Observation Tower: $6 per passenger
  • Additional beverages such as beer and wine inside and outside the Lodge
  • Ground / Air transportation from Quito to Lago Agrio – Lago Agrio to Quito

What to expect

Day 1: Arrival Day
  1. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
    8h
    Ready for your 4-day Amazon tour? Meet us at Meeting Point Restaurant (formerly Blue Planet) in Lago Agrio at 8:00 AM. A bus ride and scenic canoe trip will take you to Waita Lodge, where you’ll enjoy wildlife sightings and an immersive rainforest experience, including a night walk to spot insects, snakes, and more.
Day 2: Paddle Board + Jungle Walk
  1. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
    8h
    We begin our paddle ride at 6:00 - the best time to spot birds. While navigating through small lakes, enjoy the sunrise and incredible landscape. During this tour, we can observe many species of birds and mammals. Afterwards, we go back to the lodge to savour a delicious breakfast.

    After a short rest, our guide takes us on a 3-hr walk. He will share his knowledge about the use of medicinal plants that his ancestors have transmitted through generations and provide information on the flora and fauna of the area.

    After lunch, at 16:30, we once again take our boards to navigate around the lagoon of the Ceibo, "giant tree of the jungle". Here, the forest is flooded with black water, also called Igapo. Afterwards, we visit the San Francisco river, a narrow white water river surrounded by exuberant vegetation and unique species.

    When the night begins to fall, we venture downstream in search of caimans and other species of nocturnal animals (fishing bats, tree snakes, nocturnal birds).
Day 3: Full Day Paddle Board
  1. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
    8h
    At 5:45, we hop on our paddlboards and navigate downstream for about 2 hrs to enjoy the awakening of nature. When we reach the saladero (clay bank full of nutrients exposed to the banks of the river), we can witness 5 species of colorful parrots and parakeets having breakfast. It is then time for us to savour our tasty breakfast!

    After a break, we take our boards for a long journey downstream Cuyabeno. At the bocana, where the 2 rivers meet, we can spot pink dolphins and admire the unique coloration of the water. Back at the lodge, we will have a delicious lunch.

    At 16:00, we take our canoe to Amarum Poza Lagoon. We enter this lagoon on our paddles to go visit the Bird Observation Tower, built around one of the largest trees of the area, a Ceibo tree. From the top of the tower, at 28 m (92 ft) high, we have a breathtaking view of the Canopy and wildlife.

    Before returning to our Lodge for dinner, we go on a short night walk around the tower in search of new species of insects.
Day 4: Return Day
  1. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
    4h
    This being our last day in this wonderful place, we have one last early activity - either a brief forest excursion or a canoe ride - to witness the wildlife starting their day.

    After breakfast, you must prepare your luggage for the return trip. We will sail 30 minutes downstream on the Cuyabeno river and then take the Aguarico river upstream for 3 hrs until we reach Tierras Orientales. Here, we have lunch while waiting for our transportation. Once back in Lago Agrio, around 15:00, you can either take the bus or the plane back to Quito.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Our guide will pick you up from here.
Location: Meeting Point Restaurant (formerly called Blue Planet)
Address: Desvio del Puente Rio Aguarico, Nueva Loja, Lago Agrio
Meeting Time: 8:00 AM

End point

Arriving approximately 15:00 on the last day, the guide will either drop you at the bus station to take the bus or at the airport to take the plane back to Quito.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$760.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Ecuatraveling · Booked through Viator
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From
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