Cuyabeno SUP 4 Days Itinerary
Welcome to the Cuyabeno Amazon of Ecuador. On this 4-day paddle board program, you will discover the best of the Amazon in a unique way!
Our program includes 2 full days of paddle boarding, beautiful 3,5-hour canoe rides, deep jungle walks, and even exciting night walks! You will stay in beautiful jungle lodges and our local guide will show you everything there is to see in the rainforest. So, don’t forget your camera because the Cuyabeno is home to sloths, monkeys, anacondas, spiders, birds and many more.
Read our detailed itinerary below and book the tour that fits you best!
Day 1: Canoe excursion & Night walk
If you arrive town of Lago Agrio by bus, your jungle tour will begin at 09:30 a.m. at Hotel D Marios. For those who arrive by plane, this will be at 10:30 a.m. You will be picked up by our private bus and travel for 2 hours to reach the town of ‘Tierras Orientales’. Here, you will be provide with a box lunch.
After lunch, you will be able to enjoy a 3,5 hour canoe ride through the rainforest. This is the moment where you can spot the first animals, such as pink dolphins, monkeys, and birds. After this breathtaking canoe trip, you will arrive at Waita Lodge where you will have time to unpack and relax.
After a delicious dinner, our local guide of the Cuyabeno will give an informative talk about the activities of the following days. Then, he will invite you to make an exciting night walk. Bring your flashlight, because you will be looking for spiders, insects, snakes, and other creatures of the night!
Day 2: Paddle boarding & Jungle walk
On the second day, we will have an early start on our paddle boards at 6:00am. This is the best time to see the sunset and enjoy birdwatching. We will navigate through small lakes near the lodge to discover the landscapes and observe animals.
After a well-deserved breakfast and some rest, our guide will take you on a 3 hour jungle walk through the rainforest of the Cuyabeno. Here, he will share knowledge about the Amazon that has been passed on for generations. This fascinating walk helps us understand the jungle in a unique way.
After lunch and rest, at 04:30 p.m. , you will get ready to take your paddle board for another adventure. First, we will admire the forest flooded by black water and its inhabitants. This is followed by an exclusive visit to the white water river where we can spot birds that can’t be found on big rivers.
When the night begins to fall, we will venture back to the lodge in search of caimans. This is also a perfect time to spot fishing bats, tree snakes, and many nocturnal birds.
Day 3: Paddle Boarding, Bird Observation Tower & Night Walk
Around 05:30 a.m., we will be sailing on our paddle boards to enjoy the jungle life before dawn. On a 2 hour journey, we will navigate to a special part of the Cuyabeno river. At 07:00 a.m., colorful parrots and parakeets eat nutrients of a clay bank exposed to the river. Our paddle boards give us the perfect opportunity to see this event up close.
After this unforgettable morning, you will be able to enjoy breakfast. After a break, we will take our paddle boards again for a longer journey. We will head downstream till the place where two rivers meet. Here we enjoy seeing pink dolphins and breath-taking landscapes. We will then head back to Waita lodge for a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon at 04:00 p.m., we will take the canoe that will bring us to the entrance of the Amarum Poza lagoon. Here we will enter the water with our paddle boards to visit the Bird Observation Tower. This tower, built around one of the largest trees, is an amazing 28 meters high. From this tower, we will enjoy an amazing view of the canopy and wildlife of the Cuyabeno.
Before returning to the lodge, we will make a short night walk to search for new species of insects. At the lodge, a delicious dinner and well-deserved rest is waiting for us..
Day 4.- Morning excursion & Canoe ride
On the last day of our 4-day tour, we will have our last early activity to enjoy the Cuyabeno. Our guide will take you on a brief excursion into the forest or by canoe to enjoy the awakening of nature.
After breakfast, you must prepare your luggage for the return trip. Luckily, there is another 3,5 hour canoe trip back to the town of Tierras Orientales. This will be a nice moment to take the last memory of this wonderful place.
Once we reach the town, our private transport will take you back to Lago Agrio. This will be the end of your jungle tour. Arriving at 04:00, here you can either take a bus or plane back to Quito.
Additional Information
Minimum 2 people maximum 6 people
Private room/Share room
4 Days – 3 Nights – $ 620p.p.
Kids under 12 special price
4 Days $500
Single Room supplement has an extra charge of 75% of the normal price
- Bilingual naturalist guide: English/Spanish
- River transport
- Lodging in traditional cabins.
- Private bathroom
- Meals on tour (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Tea, coffee, chocolate enabled all day
- Catering for vegetarians or vegans
- Electricity to charge the batteries
- Equipment (poncho, rubber boots, binoculars
- Happy time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Transportation Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno – Lago Agrio
- Ground / Air transportation from Quito to Lago Agrio – Lago Agrio to Quito
- Additional beverages such as beer and wine inside and outside the Lodge
- Visit observation tower 6 dollars per passenger
- Family visit Local 6 dollars per passenger
- Breakfast on the first day
- Last Day Dinner
- Tips for our crew and guides
Option 1: Quito – Lago Agrio Shuttle (Meeting Point)
Our shuttle service leaves from a number of sites in Quito at set times every week. The destination is our meeting place, Hotel D’Marios in Lago Agrio, and the cost is $20 USD per person. Note that because of tourists traveling from other places, pickup times may change.
Option 2: Quito Terminal – Lago Agrio Public Bus
Public buses in Quito leave every day from Quitumbe Terminal and Carcelén Terminal, for individuals who prefer flexibility. It will drop you off at the Terminal at Lago Agrio for $17.00 USD. You can then take a taxi to our meeting location for between $2 and $3 USD.
Option 3: Exclusive transfer
For a more expedient and comfortable travel, think about hiring private transportation. The location, size of your group, and kind of vehicle all affect the price. We will be pleased to help you set up private transportation that suits your needs.
TO COCA AIRPORT BY AIRPLANE
LATAM provides daily flights from Quito to Coca; the flight that fits in with our schedule departs at 9:00 AM. Upon arrival in Coca, we will arrange for transportation for an additional fee of $120 (for one to four people). From there, you will drive 2.5 hours to Tierras Orientales where you will meet up with the rest of the group and continue your journey by canoe to our lodge.
The airline only offers a flight back to Quito at 10:00, so you will need to stay an extra night in Coca to catch the flight the following morning. Our staff can assist you in making appropriate accommodations while you wait for your trip
Recall that while we cannot control any delays or changes made by transportation providers, we are here to assist you at every step of the way.
Please feel free to contact our direct sales representatives at +593 959641843 or by email at info@waitalodge.com if you need help or have any additional questions.