Caiman Lodge is at one of the best spots in the Cuyabeno wildlife reserve, really close to the Laguna Grande and reachable by canoe all year long, not depending on the season.
Caiman Lodge is at one of the best spots in the reserve, really close to the Laguna Grande and reachable by canoe all year long, not depending on the season. The Lodge accommodates up to 40 people in three individual guest huts; each hut has 2 – 4 double or triple bedrooms (as required) each with its own private bathroom and shower. There is also a relaxing area, hammocks, and an amazing tower (3 floors are fitted with triple rooms as those mentioned above) with a great view over the lagoon and the jungle from the 7th top floor. All our guests are assisted by an accredited naturalist guide and licensed canoe driver.
Day 1
DAY 1 Enter the Forest
Day 1: We will meet in Lago Agrio at 9:00 am, where we will take private transportation to the entrance of the Cuyabeno Reserve where we will have a lunch box. At this point, the visitors will register at the Reserve’s office and then board the canoe. Here our Naturalist Guide will provide information about the Reserve, important recommendations, and other tips to begin the two-hour canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River to Caiman Lodge. During the canoe ride, you will get a first glimpse of the amazing flora and wildlife found in the jungle. You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on the time and weather conditions. Arriving to the Lodge.
We will arrive at Caiman Lodge at around 3:30 pm. At that time you will be shown to your rooms and you will be able to relax. After a siesta, we will leave the camp for a swim in the lagoon and to watch a beautiful sunset while also having the possibility to spot freshwater dolphins. You will then return to the camp for dinner and then we will head out for a night walk and once back at the lodge you can finish your first day in the jungle relaxing in a hammock or having a drink at the bar.
Day 2 - EXPLORE THE JUNGLE
EXPLORE THE JUNGLE
Day 2: Day Jungle Hike in the Primary Forest where the guide will explain the ecology of the rainforest, medicinal plants, and flora and fauna and why the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. In the afternoon we will go paddling around the flooded Igapo inundated forest around the Laguna Grande (where if the water level is high enough and if you are up to it we can swim while watching the sunset also ) and in the evening we will head out by motor canoe to look for caimans.
Day 3 - SHAMAN OF THE FOREST
PUERTO BOLIVAR – INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Day 3: We will head out downstream to the Puerto Bolivar Siona Community and there we will be welcomed by one of the indigenous women and she will take us to the yuca plantation to harvest some yucas and with our help, she will show us the preparation of one of their traditions foods, Casave (Yuca flatbread). Immediately after this the guide will introduce you to one of the last 4 Shamans of the Siona tribe in Ecuador and there one of them will explain their cosmovision directly related to the Ayahuasca brew, he will perform an energy cleansing as part of the ritual singing their chants which come from a result of millenary Shaman-apprentice oral tradition
Day 4 - SPLENDOR OF NATURE
CUYABENO
Day 4: Early morning birdwatching (5:30) and sunrise, breakfast at the lodge and at 9:30 return to the Cuyabeno bridge where we will have a box lunch and then you will be picked up by a shuttle bus which will take you to Lago Agrio so you can get back to Quito either by bus or airplane also.
Important: If you buy the 5 days 4 nights tour this day you can paddle half day looking for animals around the lagoons and along the Cuyabeno and La Hormiga rivers or also go for new walks on different paths with your naturalist guide.
Day 5 - BACK TO CIVILISATION
RETURN TO LAGO AGRIO
Day 5: Early morning birdwatching (5:30) and sunrise, breakfast at the lodge and at 9:30 return to the Cuyabeno bridge where we will have a box lunch and then you will be picked up by a shuttle bus which will take you to Lago Agrio so you can get back to Quito either by bus or airplane also.
AND FINALLY I RETURN TO QUITO
ITINERARY
DAY ONE
Arrival to Lago Agrio
Transfer to the entrance of the national park
Lunch
Canoe ride to get to the lodge
Watch the sunset on the Lagoon
Dinner
Free time
DAY TWO
Breakfast
hike through the Amazon rainforest
Lunch
Free time
Dinner
We will take a Canoe and go out looking for Caiman
DAY THREE
Breakfast
Roughly 1.5 hour canoe ride to the community
Visit LAdy who shows you how to make Yuka bread
Lunch
Visit Shaman
Take the Canoe back to the lodge
Dinner
Night walk
DAY FOUR
If you take the the 4 day option
Breakfast
Leave the lodge by canoe
bus back to Lago agrio where the tour ends
If you take the 5 day option
Breakfast
Optional activity hiking or canoe ride
Lunch
Optional activity
Dinner
DAY FIVE
Breakfast
Leave the lodge by canoe
bus back to Lago agrio where the tour ends
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Meals from Lunch day 1 until lunch on day 4 or 5
Tea / Coffee and Filtered Water
Accommodation Double/Triple or Matrimonial cabin
Transportation from Lago Agrio to the Caiman Lodge and back to Lago Agrio
Bilingual Naturalist Guide
Rain Poncho and Rubber boots
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Transport from Quito to Lago Agrio and back – return flights approx. $190 US – bus is between $12.50 US – $20 US
$5 US Contribution to Siona Community Visit
$5 US Contribution to Shaman Visit
Alcoholic / Soft drinks
TIPS
WHAT TO BRING
Sunglasses
Light Jacket / Raincoat
Flash Lights (Preferable LED for the night walk and caiman spotting activities)
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