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JUNGLE TOURS IN ECUADOR:
The Ecuadorian Amazon is an exotic paradise teeming with life; almost half of the planet's 8,500 bird species, more than 1,200 butterflies, and thousands of reptiles and mammals thrive amidst a primordial setting of black-water lagoons, winding creeks, and towering trees. Travelers often find the rainforest's abundance and variety of flora and fauna overwhelming - one Amazonian tree can host more ant species than all of the British Isles put together and one hectare of forest boasts about as many frog species as all of North America! In addition to its incredible plant and animal life, Ecuador's rainforest is home to thousands of indigenous inhabitants from 200 distinct nations, including the Siona, Secoya, Cofan, Shuar, Zaparo, and the infamous Huaorani. The indigenous tribes that live in Ecuador's rainforest are the ancient keepers and guardians of the world's biological heritage; having lived there for more than 10,000 years, they know its trees, its animals, its rhythms better than anyone else on the planet.Ecuador, with its 2% share of the Amazon (know as the Oriente), provides unparalleled opportunities for experiencing the magic of the rainforest.
Whether you are looking for a luxury lodge with three-course meals and hot showers, a mud-up-to-your-knees trekking and camping adventure, or something in between, Ecuador has just what you are looking for and EQUATORINFORMATION has a program to meet your needs. Explore the Ecuadorian Amazon with EQUATORINFORMATION and let our specialized jungle-guides help you unlock the secrets of the rainforest.
As follows our most recommended jungle tours:
- CUYABENO LODGE / TOURIST CLASS
5 Days – 4 nights tour begins every Monday – Friday
4 Days – 3 nights tour begins every Friday – Monday
Cuyabeno Rainforest Adventure:
Below is a 5-day sample itinerary for guests wanting to use the Cuyabeno Lodge as their base to see the reserve.
Days can be added and itineraries/activities can be adjusted according the group interest. Families are encouraged and welcome. Special arrangements can be made for long-term visitors, student groups and researchers.
Alto Cuyabeno:
Day 1: Quito - Lago Agrio - Rió Cuyabeno - Laguna Grande
Fly or drive over the Andes to the oil town of Lago Agrio. Continue by private transportation to the entrance of the Cuyabeno Reserve in the Bridge of the Cuyabeno River. Load your luggage onto a dugout-motorized canoe and follow the winding Cuyabeno River to Laguna Grande, the largest lagoon in the Cuyabeno reserve, also the site of the Cuyabeno Lodge.
Day 2: Explore the Flooded forest via foot and canoe
Rise at dawn to birdwatch before breakfast and spot river dolphins. After breakfast a trek through terra firma forest with your naturalist guide to explore plants and wildlife. Your guide will teach you about the forest and medicinal plants and local folklore. After lunch and a siesta you will take a trip by dugout canoe to the flooded igapo with macrolobium trees covered with abundant epiphytes to spot the active monkeys and birds in the afternoon.
Day 3:
After breakfast journey down the Cuyabeno river followed by a short trek through terra firma to reach the Siona village with picnic lunch served by our cook. You will return to the lodge late afternoon for a siesta or a refreshing swim in Laguna Grande. After dinner, a nocturnal excursion to spot caiman and nocturnal birds.
Day 4:
Optional early birdwatching. After breakfast a rainforest walk to explore plant and wildlife, medicinal plants, and track animals. In the afternoon excursion to explore smaller lakes.
Day 5: Cuyabeno – Lago Agrio – Quito
Following an early breakfast journey up the river to the bridge where our vehicle will take you back to Lago Agrio. Return to Quito either by bus or by air.
Prices include:
Return transportation Lago Agrio – Cuyabeno Lodge; accommodation and meals including vegetarian food at the Lodge; purified drinking water; use of rain ponchos and rubber boots (up to size 47) and tours with bilingual-naturalist guides accompanied in the canoe by a native canooist.
Price does not include:
Cuyabeno park fee ($20), tips, additional beverages and transportation Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito.
Bajo Cuyaben: Lagartococha - Imuya
The lakes Imuya and Iripari seem to disappear in the largeness of the rainforest. Those lakes are situated in the Cuyabeno National Park and belong to the lakesystem Lagartococha which encompasses 30 blackwater lagoons. In the Amazonas bassin they are the last retreatment areas for flora and fauna. The area due to the closeness to the Andes has the greatest plant and animal variety of the whole ecuadorian amazon forest. Jaguars, Tapirs, Sloths, different species of monkeys and hundreds of different kinds of birds, that still live untouched by humans in the primary rainforest, have their home here. Every single lagoon has its won ecosystem, that provides the living base for the pink river-dolphin, the huge arapaimafish, 4 different species of caimans, piranhas and anacondas. A special phenomenon of the lake Imuya are the swimming islands, on which parts of the rainforest mystiriously move from one part to the other.
Day 1: Quito - Lago Agrio - Aguarico river
Flight to Lago Agrio (25 minutes) and transfer by bus to Chiritza (one hour aprox.) With a canoe you will follow the Aguarico river downstream 3-4 hours until reaching the Aguarico-Camp, which is operated by native inhabitants (Quichuas). After dinner you will go on a nightwalk through the jungle.
Day 2: Aguarico Camp - Zancudo
Early in the morning you will go out to watch birds and after breakfast start a tour to explore the river in a canoe. In the evening you will reach the Zanduco Quichua Camp and stay there overnight.
Day 3: Zancudo Camp - Lagartococha river - Imuya lagoon
You will go downstream the Lagartococha River until you reach Imuya lagoon. In the afternoon you will go out with the canoe to watch out for the legendary pink riverdolphins. In the night you will again go out with the canoe, this time to spot caimans. Overnight stay in tents on the shore of the Imuya lagoon.
Day 4: Imuya lagoon - Aguarico river - Sabalo community
Morning walk trough the jungle. After that you leave you camp and follow the Auguarico river. Overnightstay in the the village of the Sabalo community.
Day 5: Sabalo community - Cuyabeno river - Cuyabeno Lodge
Bird watching in the morning. After lunch you will follow the Cuyabeno river and have the opportunity to observe the flora and fauna from the canoe. Overnightstay in the Cuyabeno Lodge (Ecolodge in the Laguna Grande).
Day 6: Lagoon system in Cuyabeno
Jungle-walks and canoetours in the Laguna Grande area. Additional overnight stay in the Cuyabeno Lodge.
Day 7: Cuyabeno - Quito
In the morning you will go downstream to “El Puente”. From there you will be brought by bus to Lago Agrio (2,5 hrs.)and then fly back to Quito.
- MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER / FIRST CLASS
5 Days – 4 nights tour begins every Monday – Friday
4 Days – 3 nights tour begins every Friday – Monday
If you want to explore the Ecuadorian jungle in a different way, we suggest you to do it in a fluvial way thorough the rivers onboard this comfortable boat.
The MANATEE AMAZON EPLORER wants to offer you the different itineraries of 4, 5, 8 or 10 days that we are currently operating. Below please find examples of the itineraries for the 4, 5 and 8 days all year round, departures are on Mondays and Fridays.
The exploration Trips for 8 and 10 days are only under request.
• Type of vessel: River motor yacht
• Capacity: 30 passengers, 12 crew
• Length: 27 meters (89.1 feet) Beam: 7 meters (23.1feet)
• Speed: 12 knots
• Electricity: 110 and 220 volts, 60 hertz
• Generators: 2 Iveco, 60 kw
• Engines: 2 John Deere, 250 HP each
• Safety: Fire detectors, life jackets, 2 life boats
• Decks: Main deck, Cabin deck, Sun deck
• Navigation equipment: Furuno GPS, deep sounder and radar
• Communications: VHF, HF, satellite phone
• Facilities: Bar, restaurant, boutique, guest laundry, air conditioning, boots and rain ponchos.
• Crew: 12 (include Naturalist Guide) Yasuní River Amazon Rain Forest Excursion
MONDAY OR FRIDAY
Quito / Manatee Amazon Explorer
Depart from Quito in the morning (11:00), flight to Francisco de Orellana (Coca), arriving to Coca at around 12:00. Transfer to the Napo River port then the motorized canoe ride downstream will be approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Once aboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer will start navigating downstream. The courteous crew will attend to your needs and the guides will introduce you to the surprising Amazon world, its people, more than 600 species of birds, and hundreds of botanical wonders. The Manatee sails along different ecosystems and important natural reserves such as the Yasuní National Park and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve.
TUESDAY
Terra Firmae Forest, Lakes and Gorges
Morning disembarkation for a stroll on terra firmae forest, towards an internal lagoon on the Yasuní National Park, observing the different ecosystems and accompanied by the naturalist guide. The excursion includes the opportunity to swim and fish for the famous piranha, time to rest and lunch. The return to the mighty Napo River will be on board a native canoe, rowing along a small black water creek or gorge.
WEDNESDAY OR SATURDAY
Parrots and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve
Early departure by motor canoe to visit a very special corner of the jungle, the clay banks of the river where different species of parrots gather daily to eat this clay that helps them digest the seeds they feed on, it is quite a sight, colorful and noisy! Then, back aboard the Manatee to sail upriver and reach one of the tributaries of the Napo to observe the flora and fauna, the surprising pygmy monkeys and then a trek to the facilities of what used to be South America's Summer Institute of Linguistics in Limoncocha, currently the only Biological Reserve of Ecuador.
Upon reaching the Limoncocha Lake, we will board a canoe and travel along the banks of this marshy ecosystem, where over 470 species of birds have been recorded. There is a possibility to fish for piranha, and for a short walk. At night, it is possible to observe the black caimans that inhabit the lagoon; quite an experience... Late return to the Manatee for dinner and overnight.
THURSDAY OR SUNDAY
Culture / The Amazonian man / Giants of the Forest
The adventure today begins with a visit to the Museum of Pompeya, a small archaeological sample with Amazonian funeral urns that date back several centuries, as well as utensils and ways of life of the ancient denizens of the rain forest, which can still be seen today. We will also have the opportunity to see the giant trees of the Amazon, like the kapok, which rises over the forest canopy to more than 40 meters high, with huge, protruding roots. Guests can also try rowing the canoes on a tranquil tributary of the Napo River up to the house of a native family, to share a moment with them and learn their ways of life.
FRIDAY OR MONDAY
The Return
While the Manatee navigates upriver, the guides wrap up our knowledge of the great Amazon region. Then transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito.
- TAPIR LODGE / TOURIST CLASS
5 Days – 4 nights tour begins every Monday – Friday
4 Days – 3 nights tour begins every Friday – Monday
Tapir Lodge is a complex of a bungalow, built following the Quichua construction guidelines, a marvelous 15 m tower and a social area including a restaurant serving delicious food, and a bar. All this was constructed next to the Cuyabeno River.
Experience the jungle from our 15 m towers and enjoy the rainforest directly from your own room. Wake up in the morning with a monkey troop crossing the nearby Kapok Trees or relax in your hammock while having great views of the beautiful Cuyabeno River.
The first tower has four double rooms and the second 8 double rooms. Each room is comfortable equipped, with private bathroom, hot water, each with its own balcony and hammocks. The bungalow with 4 double rooms and 2 quadruple rooms is comfortable and spacious.
All rooms have private bathrooms, hot water and a mosquito net over every bed.
In the Tapir Lodge you do not have to worry about mosquitoes: in this part of Cuyabeno there are almost no mosquitoes because it is a black water area. The water level is changing constantly and therefore the mosquitoes have almost no chances to breed. Since we are operating our Tapir Lodge there has been no single case of Malaria with our guests or staff. So the danger of Malaria is quite small.
The social area offers our guests a place to relax. Either resting in traditional hammocks or drinking an iced cold beer or cocktail from the bar, every passenger can talk about the wonderful sightings of the day.
If you get hungry our chef and kitchen staff will be ready to serve you in our Dining room with capacity for 30 people. Our tasty meals are prepared with exotic and fresh fruits as well as vegetables.
In order to avoid unnecessary disturbances to the environment, Tapir Lodge has a new solar panel system. This enables us to provide (110 Volt) AC/DC electricity that can be used for to charge camera batteries and it is used for the illumination of the Lodge.
All disposable material and garbage is packed and transported out of the reserve. Organic waste is recycled at the lodge. Also with the help of our bio-digester we are able to transform the sewage waters in perfectly safe clean water for the environment.
4 days – 3 nights tour in Cuyabeno
DAY 1. Start of our four day tour to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in the Amazon rainforest. At 10:00 flight with TAME from Quito to Lago Agrio, which is the centre of the Ecuadorian oil industry. Private transportation to "El Puente", the entrance to Cuyabeno Reserve, on the way we'll enjoy a tasty lunch.
Canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River for about two hours, admiring the wide variety of Flora and Fauna. We arrive at the lodge around dusk at 6pm. Room occupation, dinner and overnight in our Tapir Lodge. Our program includes full board.
DAY 2. After breakfast we're off on a 3-hour trip to explore the primary forest, our guide will show us some of the local flora and fauna in the area and at the nearby lake "Laguna Grande". The sorrounding area of this beatiful lake offers the opportunity to admire a great variety of very ancient trees, long lianas, giant palms, bromeliads, and orchids. We'll also hope to catch sight and hear lots of birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws, and toucans; and with luck we'll come across two or three species of monkeys.
Lunch will be back at the lodge, followed by a short resting period.
In the afternoon there's the chance for some piranha fishing and a refreshing dip into the Cuyabeno lagoon. Dinner and overnight in our Tapir Lodge.
DAY 3. Today we will visit Alberto, a Cofan Shaman and his family in their small settlement. We will learn about how to use plants for medical reasons and about the Shamans' rituals for healing. Furthermore we will make jungle trek to "Terrafirme" and we have the opportunity to see the ruby poison dart frog (Epipedobates bilinguis) as well as macaws and toucans. On the way back to the Lodge we visit the small indian community of the Siona-Secoya. We will learn much about how they are living and we will visit their school. Lunch on the way. In the late afternoon, we return to Tapir Lodge. In the evening we will search for caimans with the help of our flashlights.
DAY 4. Early breakfast. Bird watching and a final taste of the glorious natural surroundings before making our way back to "El Puente", and then drive back to Lago Agrio to catch the flight to Quito.
5 days – 4 nights tour in Cuyabeno
DAY 1. Start of our five day tour to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in the Amazon rainforest. At 10:30 flight with TAME from Quito to Lago Agrio, which is the center of the Ecuadorian oil industry. Private transportation to "El Puente", the entrance to Cuyabeno Reserve, on the way we'll enjoy a tasty lunch. Canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River for about two hours, admiring the wide variety of Flora and Fauna.
We arrive at the lodge around dusk at 6pm. Room occupation, dinner and overnight in our Tapir Lodge. Our program includes full board.
DAY 2. After breakfast we're off on a 3-hour trip to explore the primary forest, our guide will show us some of the local flora and fauna in the area and at the nearby lake "Laguna Grande". The sorrounding area of this beatiful lake offers the opportunity to admire a great variety of very ancient trees, long lianas, giant palms, bromeliads, and orchids. We'll also hope to catch sight and hear lots of birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws, and toucans; and with luck we'll come across two or three species of monkeys.
Lunch will be back at the lodge, followed by a short resting period.
In the afternoon there's the chance for some piranha fishing and a refreshing dip into the Cuyabeno lagoon.
Dinner and overnight in our Tapir Lodge.
DAY 3. After breakfast, we start navigating in our "quillas" (dugout Indian canoes), to visit different lagoons in the Wildlife Reserve. Back to the Lodge for a taste of typical cuisine in the middle of the jungle. In the afternoon, canoe ride to the Canangüeno lake, home to fresh water dolphins, Arapaimas(Arapaima gigas), Hoatzins. After a chance to admire the sunset in a splendid location, it's time to get back to our Tapir lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4. Early breakfast, birdwatching. Then, we will enjoy 2 a hour-navigation, in the Cuyabeno River, looking at Morphos (giant blue Butterfly), Toucans, Macaws. Visit to a Cofan Shaman and his family, for some insights into traditional indigenous rituals and natural medicines. Continue upstream to the small settlement of Puerto Bolivar (Siona Indians). We will share with them the way they live. Lunch. In the afternoon, we will also have some bird and butterfly watching, and will take our canoes to go to the Main Lake, where we will also have an extraordinary sunset view. At night, we shall look for caimans and be part of the nocturnal wildlife along the Cuyabeno river.
DAY 5. Early breakfast. Birdwatching and a final taste of the amazing natural surroundings before making our way back to "El Puente", and then drive back to Lago Agrio to catch the flight to Quito.
- KAPAWI ECO-LODGE / FIRST CLASS
5 Days – 4 nights tour begins every Monday – Friday
4 Days – 3 nights tour begins every Friday – Monday
The Kapawi Project began in 1993. The goal was to commence a new trend in eco-tourism, in partnership with the OINAE, by providing a monthly means of economic support and jobs to the Achuar Indians located in Kapawi as well as in other communities. In 15 years, all installations will belong entirely to the Achuar Indians. The lodge accommodates up to 40 visitors and was built in accordance to the Achuar concept of architecture (not a single nail was used!).
Environmentally friendly methods such as solar energy and trash recycling are also being utilized.
Kapawi is located in the most remote area of the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, in the province of Pastaza. Flight destinations are to Sharamentsa from where motorised doughnut canoes will take you to Kapawi in a comfortable 1-hour and a half ride. We use the best aircraft, with very high standards. Nevertheless due to type of weather of the tropical rain forest some delays can be expected. Our recommendation is for you to please consider adding an extra day to your itinerary after visiting Kapawi to make sure you meet your connecting flights to your next destination!
The Lodge;
Completed in 1996, Kapawi is the newest of the Eco-lodges in South America. Built in partnership with the indigenous organisation OINAE, and the private enterprise CANODROS, Kapawi is a State-of-the-art-project. The lodge was created in accordance with the Achuar concept of architecture without a single metal nail. Environmentally friendly methods such as solar energy, biodegradable soaps, and trash-recycling systems are also being utilised.
Achuar is the name of one of the four groups of the linguistic family Jivaro, (Achuar, Shuar, Aguaruna and Huambisa). With a global population of about 80.000 people, the Jivaro group is by far the most important homogeneous culture on the Amazon basin. Well known in the past for their internal wars, the Achuar they now live peacefully in small villages.
As suggested by the missionaries, they obtain their products in small plots -"chacras"- and from hunting, fishing and gathering in the rain forest.
At the beginning of the 1970's the Achuar were the only Jivaros who had not suffered any loss of culture due to contact with the Western world.
Access:
In general, we offer two different possibilities to reach the Kapawi Lodge. This depends on your departure day.
Departure Day Monday: Quito - Shell - Kapawi (bus, flight)
• Bus Quito-Shell along the "Avenue of Volcanoes" and via Baños (app. 5 hours), departure at about 6h in the morning
• flight from Shell to Kapawi (app. 45 min.)
Departure Day Friday: Quito - (Shell) - Kapawi (flight)
• either direct flight Quito-Kapawi (app. 1,5 hours)
•or flight with stopover at Shell (app. 40 min., 45 min.)
Return Day Monday: Kapawi - Shell - Quito (flight, bus)
• from Kapawi to Shell by plane (app. 45 min.)
• Bus Shell-Quito via Baños and along the "Avenue of Volcanoes" (app. 5 hours)
Return Day Friday: Kapawi - (Shell) - Quito (flight)
• either flight with stopover at Shell (app. 45 min., 40 min.)
• or direct flight Quito-Kapawi (app. 1,5 hours)
Important:
Once in Kapawi, you will be miles away from what you know as civilization, as the nearest town is 2 weeks walk away through the forest for the local people. This remoteness is what makes Kapawi such a special and unique place. Please remember that because the only way in and out of the area is by air, we are 100% reliant on the weather. We request that you leave an extra day after your stay at Kapawi as a buffer day in case an act of God prevents your departure.
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