5 Day Amazon Cuyabeno & Papallacta Tour

Day 1: ARRIVAL TO CUYABENO

1. Laguna Grande
   12h
   Very early in the morning, around 12:00 AM, you will be picked up at your hotel in Quito to start your trip to the Cuyabeno. It will take around 10 hours to reach the reserve. Upon arrival at the Cuyabeno Bridge, your naturalist guide will share information about the Reserve and important recommendations before navigating two hours down the Cuyabeno River, towards the lodge. During the canoe ride, you will have a first look at the jungle and be able to observe different types of birds. You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on weather conditions. Once you reach the lodge, you can relax a bit. After the break, you will swim in Laguna Grande, witnessing a beautiful sunset. You will then return to the Lodge for dinner.

Day 2: JUNGLE EXPEDITION

1. Cuyabeno Reserve
   7h
   After breakfast, you will take a walk of approximately 3 to 4 hours through the primary forest, where the guide will explain about the tropical forest and its medicinal plants. You will return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go out to see the beautiful butterflies and swim in the lagoon, where you will enjoy the impressive sunset. If you are lucky, you will be able to observe pink dolphins. After dinner at the lodge, you will carry out a nocturnal activity focused on the search for caimans on the banks of the river.

Day 3: COMMUNITY DAY

1. Cuyabeno Reserve
   8h · Admission ticket not included
   After breakfast, you will set off in a canoe, down the river for about an hour, to visit a family from the Tarapuy community. Here, you will learn how to prepare Casabe, a traditional Yuca bread, using the materials from the jungle. You will then return to the lodge. After lunch, you will have time for some relaxation activities. At the end of the day, you will have a short walk through the primary forest focused on observing nocturnal animals, such as spiders, geckos, or scorpions, and listening to the noises and sounds of the night.

Day 4: CUYABENO - PAPALLACTA

1. Papallacta
   12h
   Early in the morning, and before breakfast, you will have an optional bird-watching excursion. This activity will depend on the weather conditions. After this, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then, you will be transferred back to the Cuyabeno Bridge. From here, you will be taken to Papallacta, where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful hot springs. The open-air thermal pools have various medicinal benefits. Due to their minerals, these waters will help you to gently exfoliate your skin and relax your body.

Day 5: PAPALLACTA – QUITO

1. Sala VIP Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre
   7h
   On the last day of your Cuyabeno & Papallacta Adventure, you will go, by private transportation, from Papallacta to Quito’s Airport or back to your hotel in Quito.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• To enter Ecuador, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended departure from the country.
• This tour departs every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Subject to availability.
• Some activities depend on weather conditions such as Caiman watching.
• Please take with you some plastic bags, to protect your camera and important documents; a headlight, because at night it becomes very dark; and a bottle of water.
• nform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only peeled fruits, etc.).
• It is important to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.