Zancudococha Deep Jungle Expedition | 6 Days – 5 Nights

Our adventure begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Meeting Point Restaurant in Lago Agrio.

If you arrive by public bus, please remain at the bus terminal and take a taxi to the restaurant.
If you arrive by tourist bus, remain at the designated meeting point.

If arriving by flight to Coca, we can arrange airport pick-up at 10:00 a.m. (extra cost).

We travel by private vehicle for approximately 2 hours to “Tierras Orientales” on the banks of the Aguarico River. Here we enjoy a box lunch before boarding our motorized canoe.

We navigate downstream for about 3 hours to “La Bocana,” where the Aguarico and Cuyabeno Rivers meet. Along the way, we may observe pink river dolphins and learn about the difference between primary and secondary rainforest.

We then continue 30 minutes upstream on the Cuyabeno River to our Amazon Lodge inside the reserve.

After settling in and relaxing, dinner is served. In the evening, your guide gives an orientation talk followed by an optional night walk to observe insects, frogs, spiders, and nocturnal wildlife.

At 5:30 a.m., we begin our early morning canoe excursion — the best time for birdwatching.

We visit a parrot clay lick, where up to five species of parrots feed on mineral-rich clay. After returning for breakfast and a short rest, we continue by canoe toward La Bocana again to observe river dolphins and the meeting of white and black waters.

We travel downstream along the Aguarico River toward the Ecuador–Peru border (approx. 4 hours), observing flooded forest ecosystems and diverse wildlife.

We enter the Lagartococha River, searching for monkeys, birds, and pink dolphins. Lunch is served at a local Kichwa family farm.

In the afternoon, we reach Redondococha, where we camp for two nights on raised platforms within primary rainforest (Igapó ecosystem).

After dinner, we go out by canoe to search for caimans.

Early breakfast at 5:30 a.m.

We navigate upstream along Lagartococha River for about 3 hours to reach Garzacocha Lagoon, one of the largest lagoons in the reserve.

Wildlife sightings may include:

Monkeys

Sloths

Caimans

Capybaras

Giant otters

Numerous bird species

After lunch near the lagoon, we explore its blackwater ecosystem and walk along a forest trail.

At sunset, we return to camp. After dinner, we conduct another night canoe excursion searching for boas, bats, nocturnal birds, and caimans.

Breakfast at 5:30 a.m.

We explore Imuya Lagoon, entering through narrow channels surrounded by floating vegetation islands.

We continue toward the Kichwa community of Zancudococha and then navigate the Iripari meander to reach Iripari (Zancudococha) Lagoon, one of the largest blackwater lagoons in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

We set up camp here for two nights.

In the afternoon, we explore the lagoon and enjoy a stunning sunset if weather permits.

After dinner, we search for black caimans and enjoy the star-filled Amazon sky.

Optional: night forest walk in Terra Firme forest.

After early breakfast (6:00 a.m.), we begin our return toward the Amazon Lodge.

We navigate through:

Iripari meander

Aguarico River

Zabalo River (remote blackwater ecosystem between Kichwa and Cofán territories)

This area is rarely visited and offers unique flora and fauna.

Lunch is served in the field.

In the afternoon, we arrive back at the Lodge and rest briefly.

At 5:00 p.m., we visit the 28-meter Ceibo Tree Observation Tower for panoramic canopy views and birdwatching.

Short night walk before returning for farewell dinner.

Early morning canoe ride or forest walk to observe sunrise wildlife.

After breakfast at 7:00 a.m., we pack and depart.

We navigate:

30 minutes on Cuyabeno River

Approximately 3 hours on Aguarico River

We arrive at Tierras Orientales and continue by private vehicle to Lago Agrio (arrival around 2:30 p.m.).

From there, guests may take public or tourist bus back to Quito.