COFAN LODGE & CUYABENO LOOP

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6 BEST CUYABENO RIVER TOURS [REVIEW]

Why are the Cuyabeno River Tours the best for wildlife and birdwatching in the Amazon Rainforest?

This is why...

Most animals live in the crowns of the trees. When you are in the jungle, those animals are really hard to spot and watch. In fact, when you look up you don't see all that much at all. The light of the sky is so bright, that the leaves of the trees look almost black and you will find it hard to spot birds and monkeys. Moreover, you have to carry your bird book and camera equipment all the time, either in your hand or in a carrying case.

On the other hand when you are in a sitting in a canoe on a narrow river, the light breaks through onto the trees, shrubs, and vegetation along river. Birds and wildlife often descent to much lower levels giving you a much closer look at them, while more light aluminates them. This is why watching birds and wildlife from a canoe on a river is much more effective, as the animals hop from branch to branch in the vegetation along the river banks.

Now why is Cuyabeno different from other nature reserves...

• Only Amazon nature reserve along the entire Andes-Amazon region with flat flooded forest traversed by slow-flowing streams and an abundance of lakes. Such conditions don't exist elsewhere in the foothills of the Andes. This distinguishes Cuyabeno from other nature reserves in other Andean-Amazonian countries!

• The abundance of water, creates conditions aquatic animals one will rarely find in the Andean foothills, like: Dolphins, Manatees, Capybaras, Cayman, Ducks, Cormorants, Herons, etc.

• Observing wildlife and watching birds from a canoe is much convenient than from a trail with all your handbooks and equipment for birdwatching and photography close at hand.

But there is more...

• The road from Lagoagrio to Cuyabeno is paved. Travel distances over water are considerably shorter than along Yasuní National Park;

•  All Our tours are organized by small indigenous communities of the Cofan and Siona people;

• Our tours are so child friendly, I took my grandchildren (3,5 & 6) there and boy did they have a ball!

We organize the following Cuyabeno River tours:

1. 5 DAYS' CUYABENO RIVER TOUR;

2. 4 DAYS' STANDARD COFAN LODGE TOUR;

3. 7 DAYS' LAGARTO COCHA TOUR;

4. 4 DAYS CUYABENO LAKE TOUR;

5. 5 DAYS CUYABENO LAKE TOUR;

6. PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION QUITO LAGOAGRIO.

5 DAYS' CUYABENO RIVER TOUR

FROM CUYABENO BRIDGE TO THE RIVER MOUTH

A 200 KM Cuyabeno expedition takes you on the Aguarico River,  the Zabalo River and along the entire Cuyabeno Rivervia Lake Cuyabeno all the way to the Park Entrance at the Cuyabeno Bridge. You will be spending 2 nights in the Cofan Lodge in the Cofan village Zabalo and 2 nights in the famous Cuyabeno Lodge.

Cuyabeno River Tour map.

The first 2,5 days are shared in the Cofan area of the Aguarico and Zabalo Rivers of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.  On  the third day, the Cuyabeno Loop continues to the Cuyabeno Lake region of the park, while the standard program remains in the Zabalo region.

Cuyabeno River Tour, day 1

Our transport meets you in Lagoagrio to take you in about 1 hour 30 minutes to the the canoe landing location Nuevo Unión, on the Aguarico River.

The Cuyabeno River tour begins with a stop in Zabalo, where visitors are given a tour of the village and shown to their cabins for some much-needed rest after a long journey from Quito. Take some time to freshen up and recharge before embarking on the exciting adventures that await you on the river.

After dinner, enjoy a night excursion and learn about nocturnal animals.

You'll be surrounded by the sounds of nature, including the croaks of tree frogs. While they may be difficult to spot, the thrill of finally capturing one on camera is worth the effort. And if you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive Ocelot Cat, with its piercing green eyes shining in the beam of your flashlight.

Cuyabeno River Tour, day 2

The next day rise early to make the most of your tour and experience the beauty of the Zabalo River, one of the few black water rivers in Ecuador. The clear dark water creates the perfect environment for Giant Otters to thrive. The river gets its dark color from the decaying leaves of the surrounding forests and swamps, with little to no sediment. Keep your eyes peeled for the Scarlet Macaws and a diverse array of tropical birds and monkeys that call this area home.

Cuyabeno River Tour, day 3

Experience the unique culture of the Cofan people with a day full of traditional activities. Learn the art of using a blowgun and witness the beauty of the Cofan dresses. Immerse yourself in their customs and traditions for a truly unforgettable experience.

Later in the day you embarking on a journey to the Cuyabeno River mouth, where you may spot some playful river dolphins. Then, head to the Canopy tower for a breathtaking view of the lush natural canopy.

From this poit, the program splits into:

• Cofan standard program or the

• Cuyabeno River Tour

4 DAYS' STANDARD COFAN LODGE TOUR

The standard program continues operating from the Cofan Lodge with fabulous excursions in the southern part of the reserve.

Day 4

On day four of the standard program takes you back to the beginning of the tour from where you return to Quito.

5 DAYS' CUYABENO LOOP CONTINUATION

Day 3 Cuyabeno River Tour

After climbing the tower, the Cuyabeno river tour navigates upstream all the way to the Cuyabeno Lagoon. There the program is being carried out by one of the lodges near the lagoon, such as the famous the Cuyabeno Lodge.

By the time you reach the lodge, you can enjoy a hot shower to recover from the ride before taking a swim in the lagoon in the late sun light.

The Cuyabeno Lagoon offers a unique opportunity to explore the nocturnal wildlife in the Macrolobium swamps. Take a night excursion and keep an eye out for the glowing orange eyes of cayman and other creatures that come out to become active after dark.

Cuyabeno River Tour, day 4

After a delicious breakfast, you go on an excursion to watch the birds and wildlife the Cuyabeno lagoon. Have a keen eye open for manatee, the rare grey Amazon Dolphins with the shark-like dorsal fins and Giant Otters.

The tranquil waters of the lake are often disturbed by the noisy flight of Blue and Yellow Macaws, while the Hoatzins quietly search for food in the Macrolobium trees. The haunting calls of Howler Monkeys can also be heard, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a troop of squirrel monkeys leaping through the treetops. With a total of 10 monkey species recorded in the reserve, there's no shortage of wildlife to discover.

Bird and wildlife watching

Cuyabeno River Tour, day 5

As your  Cuyabeno River Tour comes to a close on day five, you may find yourself wishing for more time in this beautiful and unique ecosystem. some visitors even return for longer stays, drawn back by the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife. However, it will be time to depart in the morning to ensure you make it back to Lagoagrio for your transportation back to Quito. You'll travel by canoe up the Cuyabeno River to the park's main entrance, the "Cuyabeno Bridge", where your ride will be waiting to take you to the airport or bus station.

2023 COFAN LODGE / CUYABENO LODGE / PARKS AND TRIBES PRICES

Prices are based on a minimum of 2 passengers.

Individual bookings are WELCOME

Cuyabeno River Tour