Tour to Cuyabeno

Written by: Steeven Perez

The Cuyabeno Wildlife Production Reserve, located in the Sucumbíos and Orellana provinces of Ecuador, spans an impressive 117,300 square kilometers. Cuyabeno encompasses 2% of the total Amazonian expanse found across nine countries. This magical place is named after the Cuyabeno River, which overflows into 14 lagoons, forming the most extensive wetland in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is home to various indigenous communities, including the Siona, Secoya, Kofan, Kichwa, and Shuar. Additionally, it hosts a vast diversity of animals, medicinal plants, rivers, trees, insects, and more. Today, I'll share my experience of a four-day tour to Cuyabeno.

Immerse yourself in nature with our Cuyabeno tours ⇚

On the first day, we started at the Cuyabeno Bridge entrance at 11 AM, where we met our guide. If you're traveling from Quito to Cuyabeno, expect a 7-8 hour bus ride to Lago Agrio and another 2-hour bus ride to the Cuyabeno Bridge. After meeting the guide, we embarked on a two-hour canoe journey to the lodge. During this trip, we spotted various monkey species swinging through the trees, caimans, sloths, anacondas, birds, boas, turtles, and if we were lucky, dolphins. Upon arriving at the camp, we settled into our rooms and enjoyed lunch. Afterward, we visited the Cuyabeno Lagoon for a refreshing swim and a magical sunset. As we returned to camp, we spotted caimans sleeping in the river or snakes coiled in the trees.

On the second day, after breakfast, we took a short canoe ride to a trail leading to a Siona community. The hike through the Amazon rainforest took about an hour. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the village shaman with a traditional drink. He demonstrated a traditional ritual to ward off evil spirits and alleviate bodily pains, and introduced us to Ayahuasca, a sacred hallucinogenic drink used by many Amazonian communities. The shaman explained the preparation process and its uses in traditional healing practices. We also had the opportunity to participate in the local culinary tradition by preparing fish wrapped in leaves and yuca bread with an indigenous woman. It's important to note that community members rely on their produce and tourism. Visitors contribute $10 to support the community and can purchase handcrafted jewelry made from local materials.

On the third day, we embarked on a five-hour hike through the Amazon rainforest, crossing rivers, climbing trees using vines, and walking on fallen logs. After lunch, we participated in a coffee and chocolate-making workshop using organic ingredients from a nearby farm. We roasted, ground, and prepared the coffee and chocolate, savoring the fruits of our labor.

On the fourth day, we bid farewell to this hidden Amazonian paradise. After breakfast, we boarded the canoe for a two-hour journey back to the Cuyabeno Bridge. Along the way, we enjoyed one last glimpse of the incredible flora and fauna, with our guide sharing fascinating insights about the various species.

Immerse yourself in the Cuyabeno jungle, its exuberant vegetation and the amazing variety of animal species create a natural symphony that resonates in the soul.

by Explorsierra Tourism Agency Ecuador