First Contact with the Amazon Rainforest

Travel from Quito to Lago Agrio, where you will arrive at the designated meeting point. The meeting time is 8:00 a.m., after which the group will depart towards the Ecuadorian Amazon. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our local naturalist guide, who will provide an introduction to the region and assist with the transfer. We will then continue our journey to the lodge, where you will check in and begin your Amazon adventure.

We travel downstream for nearly three hours, toward La Bocana, where the Aguarico and Cuyabeno Rivers converge. From La Bocana, we continue upstream along the Cuyabeno River for approximately 30 minutes, penetrating deeper into the reserve until reaching our remote Amazon Lodge, strategically located along the riverbanks. 

Upon arrival, there is time to settle into camp and acclimate to the rhythms of the rainforest, surrounded by the sounds of insects, birds, and distant wildlife.

After dinner, the expedition continues with a guided nocturnal exploration around the lodge. Equipped with flashlights, we search for the Amazon’s lesser-seen inhabitants, including amphibians, arboreal snakes, insects, spiders, and other nocturnal species that emerge under the cover of darkness.

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Cuyabeno to Zábalo: Culture, Wildlife & Tradition

At around 6:00 a.m., our guide invites us on an interpretive forest hike lasting approximately 3 hours. During this walk, you will learn about the traditional use of medicinal plants, knowledge passed down through generations by the Cofán people. This immersive experience offers a profound connection to the forest and insight into the ancestral wisdom that sustains life in the Amazon. After the hike, we return to camp to enjoy a hearty breakfast.

Following a short rest, the expedition continues with a motorized canoe journey downstream along the Cuyabeno River, as the rising sun illuminates the rainforest landscape. Along the way, there are excellent opportunities to observe diverse flora and wildlife in their natural habitat. We continue navigating the river and exploring small blackwater lagoons until reaching the confluence with the Aguarico River. Here, we make a brief stop to look for the iconic pink river dolphins, before continuing our journey to Zábalo Community, one of the Cofán communities located in the central zone of the reserve (approximately 2.5 hours of navigation in motorized canoe).

Upon arrival, we step ashore to visit the Zábalo community, where our guide introduces us to the Cofán culture, traditions, and daily life. We will observe the creation of traditional handicrafts and have the opportunity to support the local economy through community-based tourism. In the evening, we return to camp for dinner, followed by an optional nocturnal activity, offering a final chance to experience the rainforest under the cover of darkness.

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Amazon Expedition: Killas & Turtle Conservation

As dawn is the best time to experience the rainforest, we begin the day with an early breakfast at around 6:00 a.m., preparing for another day of deep exploration.

We then gear up for a journey to the Zábalo River, navigating upstream by motorized canoe as we venture deep into the forest, surrounded by rich flora and wildlife. The return journey is made downstream aboard killas, allowing for a silent and immersive experience where the peace and natural rhythm of the Amazon can be fully appreciated. After this scenic route, we board the motorized canoe once again to return to the Cofán community, where a delicious lunch awaits. We then prepare for our journey back to our Amazon Lodge, located in the central area of the Cuyabeno Reserve.

Along the way, we make a special stop at the Zábalo community’s Charapa conservation project, a community-led initiative dedicated to the protection of freshwater turtles. Here, we learn about the threats facing these species and the conservation efforts led by local families to safeguard nesting areas and hatchlings. gaining first-hand insight into how indigenous knowledge and community stewardship play a vital role in preserving Amazonian biodiversity.

After this meaningful cultural and conservation experience, we continue our return to the lodge, where we are welcomed with a refreshing welcome cocktail.
The day concludes with dinner, time to rest, and an optional nighttime activity, offering one last opportunity to experience the rainforest after dark.

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Farewell Expedition: Last Moments in the Amazon

On our final day in this extraordinary rainforest, we rise early for a short forest or canoe excursion, experiencing the awakening of the jungle as birds stir and the river comes alive. This early adventure is the perfect moment to soak in the last sights and sounds of the Amazon, leaving with memories that will last a lifetime.

After breakfast you must prepare your luggage for the return trip. We will leave at 8h00 from the lodge and we will sail 30 minutes on the Cuyabeno river downstream and then take the Aguarico river upstream for 3 hours until we reach Tierras Orientales where we will be waiting for our transport to move to the city of Lago Agrio, arriving approximately 14h30 to take the bus to return to Quito.

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