Special Paddling Tour
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure deep in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon with our Special Paddling Tour at Tapir Lodge. Over four unforgettable days and three tranquil nights, you’ll explore the pristine Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes.
Paddle along winding rivers and serene lagoons, immersing yourself in the beauty of this unique ecosystem. Encounter exotic wildlife like pink river dolphins, colorful parrots, playful monkeys, and elusive jaguars. Our expert guides will lead you through an authentic Amazon experience, sharing their knowledge of the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage of the local Indigenous communities.
This tour is perfect for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and adventurers seeking an intimate connection with the Amazon rainforest. With comfortable accommodations at the eco-friendly Tapir Lodge and carefully curated activities, you’ll enjoy a blend of adventure and relaxation in one of the world’s most captivating natural wonders.
Itinerary
You can use the tourist bus from Quito to Cuyabeno which takes about 9-10 hrs. to continue to the Northeast side of the Sucumbíos province where “El Puente del Cuyabeno” (The Cuyabeno Bridge) is located. Throughout this drive, you will have the opportunity to see beautiful landscapes created by the combination of rainforest, rivers, and small towns.
After our arrival to “EL Puente”, we will take a break to enjoy our box lunch and then we will proceed to get ready for our journey on board of a motorized canoe. We will provide you with rain ponchos and life vest; your luggage be covered with plastic for protection to prevent it from getting wet in the event of rain. Throughout the trip down this narrow river “called” Cuyabeno, you will be able to admire some of the wide variety of flora and fauna that the Reserve has to offer. We will navigate for 2 to 3 hours, until we arrive to the Tapir Lodge. Once in the Tapir Lodge, we indicate guests to their rooms to make themselves comfortable. After dinner (19:30), the guide will provide general explanations about the Tapir Lodge as well as about the Cuyabeno Reserve and the activities that will take place the following days.
Our day will begin with a healthy and delicious breakfast that will be served at around 07:30 am, after that we will meet our guests at our pier where we will make sure that everyone has got a pair of rubber boots for the excursion (available until size 45 EU). We will be driving with a motorized canoe pulling our paddle canoes.
Our tour this day will start at 09:00, this day consists of an upstream drive to the “Laguna Grande” (Big Lake) where we can enjoy our tour in peace, on board of the paddle boats in the Laguna Grande, searching and having the opportunity to observe the surrounding Flora and Fauna. The Flora found in the lake is quite unique, we will find an Igapo or flooded forest, as well as the Macrolobium; ancient trees that have adapted themselves to the surrounding, environment thus growing straight out of the water. These majestic and antique trees create the perfect habitat for other plants, such as Bromeliads, Orchids, Ferns and Cacti. Once the Igapo excursion has been completed, we will row to “Terra Firme”, and begin a trek on a path called “Palma Roja” (Red palm); this path was once part of a scientific research station belonging to the Catholic University. Before starting our trek our guide will provide a brief explanation regarding basic ecology of the rainforest.
We hope to have the opportunity to see and hear many species of birds such as Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Macaws, and Toucans; and if we are lucky, enough we will come across two of three species of Monkeys. We will return to Tapir for lunch, it be served at 14:30, after that our guests will have a 11/2 hours brake approximately.
At around 16:00, we will meet at our pier and drive with the motorized canoe to a different area of the “Laguna Grande”. Once we get to the lake, we will continue navigate with our paddle boats through the surrounding area searching for birds and other animals. If so desired our guests could go for a swim, which is a perfectly safe, and a very relaxing activity. Depending on the weather, we may be able to admire a breathtaking sunset.
Once the evening activities are closed, we will return to Tapir and have a refreshing drinks at our bar or chat with the guide about the day´s events. After dinner depending on the weather conditions, we can take a quick night trek around the Lodge looking for frogs and other night wanders.
Depending on the weather conditions, we could have an early start and head out on a bird watching excursion. We will leave Tapir at around 06:00am navigating downstream admiring the flora and fauna found along the river while searching for exotic birds, native to the region we should be returning at around 07:00 am to enjoy a delicious breakfast. After this, we will meet at the pier at 8 o clock, tis day our excursion will consist of a 2 hours paddle boat drive downstream. Throughout our journeys we will search Morphos (giant Blue Butterfly), Monkeys and more.
On Our way we will pass the village of Puerto Bolívar who´s, solely inhabitants are the Sionas. Following Puerto Bolívar, we will continue to a small community where we will have the opportunity to visit and meet Thomas the local Shaman who belongs to the Cofan ethnic group. Thomas spends most of this time curing and treating the local inhabitants with his vast knowledge of medicinal plants.
At Thomas´ backyard, we will take a break to enjoy a tasty box lunch. After lunch, Thomas will share with us his experience in the rainforest as well as the processes for healing people. For those interested in taking part of a healing ceremony the option is there and it should last about 40 minutes. Handicrafts are available for purchase, all of them crafted out of materials provided by and obtained in the rainforest.
At around 15 hours, we will navigate with our motorized boat back to Puerto Bolívar where the local Siona family will greet us. There we will observe how the Cassava Bread is prepared. The Yuca (Cassava) Root (Manihot Esculenta) has always been an essential food supply and perhaps the main source of carbohydrates for the indigenous communities of the rainforest
Once the Yuca (Cassava) has been collected, it will be peeled and grinded into a paste; this “paste “, is pressed to eliminate the water and the starch. Toast the remaining dried product in a pan for few minutes and the result will be a “pancake” like bread of neutral taste, which we will be able to taste. We will then head back to the Tapir Lodge, arrival at 17 hrs, and if the time allows so as the weather , we can do our last excursion to the big lake, to enjoy the sunset sos as the magic night live and shining stars in the sky Dinner will be served at 8 o clock.
After dinner we will serve and enjoy a farewell Passion fruit Cocktail, as we take 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 our guests with the first – class service you will receive from the first day with us.
Breakfast at 7:30 AM. After breakfast, we will coordinate and schedule your departure from Tapir. Departure time is generally at 9:30 AM depending, on weather conditions, river level. Our staff will attend to the luggage, as they make sure it is all loaded onto the canoe. We will depart Tapir and make our way back to the bridge, where the transportation will be waiting, to take us back to Lago Agrio-Coca- Quito, with the option you have chosen.
Cuyabeno Rainforest Tours
Tapir Lodge
Tapir Lodge
Tour 4 days / 3 nights
Tour 4 days / 3 nights
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure deep in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon with our Special Paddling Tour at Tapir Lodge. Over four unforgettable days and three tranquil nights, you’ll explore the pristine Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes.
Tapir Lodge
Tour 5 days / 4 nights
Tour 5 days / 4 nights
Discover the soul of the Amazon on our Serenity Tour, a 5-day, 4-night journey through the enchanting Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This immersive experience combines breathtaking natural beauty with a deep connection to the traditions and wisdom of the Indigenous communities who call this rainforest home.
Prices are Per Person – 2026
Cuyabeno Tours
Included in all rates
- Accommodation in a double room with private bathroom.
- Full meals (arrival and departure days include box lunch).
- Guided canoe tours and jungle hikes.
- Purified water, coffee, and tea.
- Rubber boots, raincoats, and life jackets.
- Multilingual guides (English, Spanish, and German).
All suites and standard rooms feature:
- 24h electricity
- wifi
- hot shower
- daily housekeeping
- mosquito net
- jungle view
- Full board
This Lodge offers a variety of eco-friendly accommodations, designed to enhance the Amazon experience.
Room types: Double rooms with private bathrooms and hot water showers.
Capacity: Rooms accommodate 2 guests per room.
Social areas: A communal dining area, bar, and a terrace with jungle views. The lodge promotes sustainable living, using solar energy and eco-friendly waste systems.
