4, 5 and 7 Day Tour | Tapir Lodge Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

La Tapir Lodge holds three Tour Programs.
A. 4-Days Regular Tour (read here)
B. 5-Days Regular Tour (read here)
C. 7-Days Regular Tour (read here)

NOTE: The following itineraries are sample itineraries Tapir Jungle Lodge. Excursions and times on this itineraries are subject to change and largely depend on weather, season, group limitations, group interests, and guide decisions based on passenger safety and organized operations.

Day 1: Quito – Lago Agrio – Tapir Lodge

Your rainforest adventure starts in Lago Agrio, where our driver will pick you up. A fascinating drive will take you to the northeastern part of the Sucumbios province, while we pass by beautiful rivers and small villages going deeper into the rainforest.

When you arrive at “El Puente” (the bridge), we will have lunch before we continue our way to Tapir lodge crossing down the river by canoe. This part of the trip will give you a taste of the flora and fauna that Cuyabeno has to offer. We will ensure that you and your luggage stay dry during the river ride.

After welcoming you to the Tapir Lodge, you will have time to get settled in your room. Then you will join us for a wonderful dinner, an opportunity to get acquainted with your travel companions.

After dinner, your guide will give you an introduction to the Tapir Lodge, the Cuyabeno Reserve and the fascinating experiences planned for your rainforest adventure.

Day 2: Cuyabeno Igapo walk tour

In the morning, after a delicious breakfast at the lodge, we will canoe upstream to explore the unique ecosystem of Laguna Grande. While navigating in the Igapo (flooded forest), you will see (Macrolobium),  ancient majestic mimosa trees,  which create the ideal habitat for epiphyte plants, such as bromeliads, orchids, ferns and cacti.

We will continue the adventure to “Terra Firme”, where we will take a hike for the rest of the morning. You will get an introduction to the rainforest ecology and see an amazing variety of birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws and toucans. Here you will have the opportunity to see a couple of monkey species, as well.

After a delicious lunch and time to relax at the lodge, we will navigate back to Laguna Grande to enjoy a wonderful sunset, surrounded by animals of the rainforest as bats, bugs and frogs; and if the weather permits you will have the opportunity to go swimming and enjoy the lagoon.

After a day of adventures, we will return to the lodge where dinner will be waiting. After dinner you can enjoy refreshments at our bar and join us for a quick night hike around the lodge to explore night wonders of the rain forest.

Day 3: Shaman House visit

After breakfast we will canoe up the Cuyabeno river until we reach the local community where we will experience daily community life and activities like harvesting and cooking. You will have the opportunity to buy handmade crafts, that are carefully produced by the locals.

We finish our visit meeting the Shaman at his house where he will share his knowledge about the rainforest and the processes he uses to heal his people. Here you get to experience an ancestral healing ceremony that has been passed on through the generations.In the afternoon we will meet the local Siona family.

They will show us and invite us to take part in the preparation of cassava bread. This local dish, which is prepared with the yuca (cassava) root, represents an important part of the local diet and the main source of carbs for the indigenous communities of the rainforest. Once you have tried cassava bread we will head back to Tapir Logde to spend another night in the middle of the jungle.

Day 4: Return Tapir Lodge to Quito

After breakfast it is time to return to Lago Agrio. You get to enjoy your final canoe trip back to El Puente. From there our driver will take you back to the airport of Lago Agrio.

Day 1: Quito – Lago Agrio – Tapir Lodge

Your rainforest adventure starts in Lago Agrio, where our driver will pick you up. A fascinating drive will take you to the northeastern part of the Sucumbios province, while we pass by beautiful rivers and small villages going deeper into the rainforest. 

When you arrive at “El Puente” (the bridge), we will have lunch before we continue our way to Tapir lodge crossing down the river by canoe. This part of the trip will give you a taste of the flora and fauna that Cuyabeno has to offer. We will ensure that you and your luggage stay dry during the river ride. 

After welcoming you to the Tapir Lodge, you will have time to get settled in your room. Then you will join us for a wonderful dinner, an opportunity to get acquainted with your travel companions. 

After dinner, your guide will give you an introduction to the Tapir Lodge, the Cuyabeno Reserve and the fascinating experiences planned for your rainforest adventure.

Day 2: Cuyabeno Igapo walk tour

In the morning, after a delicious breakfast at the lodge, we will canoe upstream to explore the unique ecosystem of Laguna Grande. While navigating in the Igapo (flooded forest), you will see (Macrolobium),  ancient majestic mimosa trees,  which create the ideal habitat for epiphyte plants, such as bromeliads, orchids, ferns and cacti. 

We will continue the adventure to “Terra Firme”, where we will take a hike for the rest of the morning. You will get an introduction to the rainforest ecology and see an amazing variety of birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws and toucans. Here you will have the opportunity to see a couple of monkey species, as well. 

After a delicious lunch and time to relax at the lodge, we will navigate back to Laguna Grande to enjoy a wonderful sunset, surrounded by animals of the rainforest as bats, bugs and frogs; and if the weather permits you will have the opportunity to go swimming and enjoy the lagoon. 

After a day of adventures, we will return to the lodge where dinner will be waiting. After dinner you can enjoy refreshments at our bar and join us for a quick night hike around the lodge to explore night wonders of the rain forest.

Day 3: Cuyabenno day – Siona Community

After breakfast we will canoe up the Cuyabeno river until we reach the local community where we will experience daily community life and activities like harvesting and cooking.

You will have the opportunity to buy handmade crafts, that are carefully produced by the locals. We finish our visit meeting the shaman at his house where he will share his knowledge about the rainforest and the processes he uses to heal his people. Here you get to experience an ancestral healing ceremony that has been passed on through the generations.

In the afternoon we will meet the local Siona family. They will show us and invite us to take part in the preparation of cassava bread. This local dish, which is prepared with the yuca (cassava) root, represents an important part of the local diet and the main source of carbs for the indigenous communities of the rainforest.


Once you have tried cassava bread we will head back to Tapir Logde to spend another night in the middle of the jungle.

Day 4: Now is you turn at Tapir Lodge

Tapir Lodge, now it is your turn. Today you plan your itinerary! The Lodge offers a large array of activities like canoe paddling, trekking and swimming! The guide will help you to tailor your day.

Day 5: Return Tapir Lodge to Quito

After breakfast it is time to return to Lago Agrio. You get to enjoy your final canoe trip back to El Puente. From there our driver will take you back to the airport of Lago Agrio.

Day 1: Quito – Lago Agrio – Tapir Lodge

Your rainforest adventure starts in Lago Agrio, where our driver will pick you up. A fascinating drive will take you to the northeastern part of the Sucumbios province, while we pass by beautiful rivers and small villages going deeper into the rainforest. 

When you arrive at “El Puente” (the bridge), we will have lunch before we continue our way to Tapir lodge crossing down the river by canoe. This part of the trip will give you a taste of the flora and fauna that Cuyabeno has to offer. We will ensure that you and your luggage stay dry during the river ride. 

After welcoming you to the Tapir Lodge, you will have time to get settled in your room. Then you will join us for a wonderful dinner, an opportunity to get acquainted with your travel companions. 

After dinner, your guide will give you an introduction to the Tapir Lodge, the Cuyabeno Reserve and the fascinating experiences planned for your rainforest adventure.

Day 2: Cuyabeno Igapo walk tour

In the morning, after a delicious breakfast at the lodge, we will canoe upstream to explore the unique ecosystem of Laguna Grande. While navigating in the Igapo (flooded forest), you will see (Macrolobium),  ancient majestic mimosa trees,  which create the ideal habitat for epiphyte plants, such as bromeliads, orchids, ferns and cacti. 

We will continue the adventure to “Terra Firme”, where we will take a hike for the rest of the morning. You will get an introduction to the rainforest ecology and see an amazing variety of birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws and toucans. Here you will have the opportunity to see a couple of monkey species, as well. 

After a delicious lunch and time to relax at the lodge, we will navigate back to Laguna Grande to enjoy a wonderful sunset, surrounded by animals of the rainforest as bats, bugs and frogs; and if the weather permits you will have the opportunity to go swimming and enjoy the lagoon. 

After a day of adventures, we will return to the lodge where dinner will be waiting. After dinner you can enjoy refreshments at our bar and join us for a quick night hike around the lodge to explore night wonders of the rain forest.

Day 3: Cuyabeno day – Camping experience

Today we will venture out on a camping expedition. While we navigate downstream throughout the morning, we can enjoy searching for the spectacular rain forest beauties( monkeys, birds, butterflies, sloth…).

After lunch we will look for the perfect spot to set up camp. When settled we will hike in the forest for the rest of the afternoon, looking for diurnal mammals. We return to the camp for dinner and to spend the night in our tents, under the roof of the forest.

Day 4: Cuyabenno day – Canoe gliding

Today we will head out early to glide down stream while enjoying the morning soundtrack of the rain forest. After we return for breakfast, we continue the rest of the morning hiking in the forest. This part of the forest is home to herons, egrets, curassows, hawks, screaming pihas, oropendolas, fly catchers and king fishers, as well as various monkeys species!

Lunch will be enjoyed back at the camp, after than we will spend the afternoon on board of our canoe gliding silently along the Cuyabeno river, looking for other birds like toucan, parrots, hummingbirds, flycatchers, macaws. Once night falls, we will venture into the forest searching for caimans and other nocturnal animals. Our day will end back at the camp.

Day 5: Cuyabeno – Siona Community

After disassembling our camp, we will canoe up the Cuyabeno river until we reach the shaman´s (medizine man) house, where he will share his knowledge about the rainforest and the process he uses to curate his people.

Here you get to experience an ancestral healing ceremony that has been passed on through generations. Lunch will be served nearby the river Cuyabeno. In the afternoon we visit a local community where we will experience the daily life and activities, like harvesting and cooking.

We will also meet a local Siona family, which will invite us to take part in the preparation of cassava bread. This local dish, which is prepared with the yuca (cassava) root, represents an important part of the local diet and the main source of carbs for the indigenous communities of the rainforest.
 

You will have the opportunity to buy handmade crafts, that are carefully produced by the locals. Once you have tried this cassava bread, we will head back to Tapir Logde to spend the night in the the middle of the rain forest. Dinner.

Day 6: Now is you turn at Tapir Lodge

Now it is your turn. Today you plan your itinerary! Several options are offered like bird watching, fishing, hikes in the Rain Forest, canoeing, or swimming.

Lunch will be served at the Lodge. In the afternoon you will enjoy of the last sunset in the Laguna Grande. After dinner we will serve a Farewell Passion Fruit Cocktail, as we have a little time to introduce our hard working, attentive and diligent staff members whom without their cooperation, assistance and courteous service, Tapir Lodge could not provide to our guests with the first – class service you will receive from the first day with us.

Day 7: Cuyabeno – Lago Agrio – Quito

Early morning bird watching. Breakfast. Navigating the Cuyabeno river back to El Puente. Box Lunch. Transfer to Lago Agrio. Return to Quito by bus or plane (16h00).

 

Useful Trip Tips for your Amazon Jungle Tour with Tapir Lodge

* How to get to get to Lago Agrio?

There are two ways to get to Lago Agrio from Quito city.

Take a flight. It takes 30 minutes one-way from Quito, and the fare is around  $65 USD one-way, or $130 for a round-trip, on either airlines TAME or VIP. Please make sure you arrive earlier that 9:30 am. 

Take a bus on the night before the tour (it takes 8 hours from Quito). You must go to Quito’s Terminal Terrestre. Buses leave every half-hour between 6am and 11:30pm. Two main bus lines: Transportes Baños (tel. 02/2570-884) and Putumayo (tel. 02/2583-316 in Quito, or 06/2833-819 in Lago Agrio). The fare is around $9 (£6). 

We can also arrange a private transportation by car to Lago Agrio. It can inlcude a stop at Papallacta Hot Springs which are on the way there. Le us know.

* What about insects and malaria?

There has NOT been any malaria in our area until now. So no prophylaxis will be needed.

The fact that we do not have malaria does not mean that there are no insects in our area! Therefore, it would be better to protect yourself. Not at night, as everybody thinks, since you can walk around during this time with shorts without any problem, but during the day, when it is advisable to put a repellent on or, better, wear a pair of trousers with socks. The insects that bite during the day are not at all dangerous. They are just unpleasant.

* Cuyabeno National Park adn Tapir Lodge luggage recommendations

The temperatures in Cuyabeno National Park are rather stable this means that throughout the year you can expect very hot and dry months this however does not mean that it’s a sunny paradise all year long, it is after all a rainforest. 
Bring a small to medium seized waterproof backpack, big carry-on bags are not recommended bear in mind that you are going to the jungle so your luggage might get dirty on the way.

Cotton t-shirts or shirts with long sleeves are ideal, not only will you be protected from the sun but also 
from mosquito bites. 2 to 4 long pants, jeans are not recommended then it can be pretty humid and hot remember that wearing comfortable cloths during the jungle hikes is a bless. 2 pair of shorts and a cap to protect you from the sun. For those with sensible skin make sure to pack sunblock too much exposure to the sun can be dangerous for your skin.

Please do bring enough cotton socks, you will need them for when you wear rubber boots. A light raincoat is advised. Don’t forget your insect repellent, medicines if you need to take them and a personal first aid kit. Bathing suits are important you will feel like jumping into the water. Bring your camera/video camera as well as binoculars a torch, your original passport, a refillable bottle for the excursions, it is important to keep yourself hydrated all the time.

Bring enough money with you, (our currency is American dollars) in case you decide to purchase handcrafts made by the family of the Shaman or souvenirs from the tapir lodge. Try not to bring credit cards, travel checks and big notes ($50, $100) then you will not be able to use them in Cuyabeno National Park. Small notes and coins will be a better option. We encourage our guests to tip our staff the last day of their journey however you should not feel obliged to do it.

• Kids under the age of 12 are required to bring their own raincoats and boots.
• Note: Our minimum stay requirdment is 3 nights