The Siona Lodge is in the Cuyabeno nature reserve, deep in the primary forest of the Amazon Jungle. If you are looking for a big adventure this might be the right place for you. Some activities among others are jungle trekking, bird watching, cayman watching, paddling Indian canoes, visits to the Siona Community, lake swimming. Adventure, wildlife, and fun guaranteed.
Day 1 Imerse yourself
DAY 1 Enter the Forest
Day 1:Reception in Lago Agrio at 09h50, and transfer to CuyabenoRiver.Box lunch in the route. Here our Naturalist Guide will give information about the Reserve, important recommendations, and other tips to begin the two hours navigation through Cuyabeno River to the Laguna Grande, where the Lodge is located. Along the river, you will find several species in its natural habitat as monkeys, toucans, parrots, insects, and the exuberant Amazonian vegetation. Arrival and check-in. Night walk in the primary forest to observe amphibians and reptiles for about one hour. Return to the lodge for a welcome cocktail and dinner.
Day 2 - EXPLORE THE JUNGLE
EXPLORE THE JUNGLE
Day 2:After breakfast, depart to the Siona Indian Community of Puerto Bolivar, the largest ethnic group in the Reserve. During this tour, you will learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life. You will be part of the elaboration of the Casabe; a local dish made of yucca (carbohydrates principal feed of the community). The trip takes 2 hours navigation downstream to get there, in the route will be possible to admire the existing fauna along the Rio Cuyabeno such as birds, monkeys, snakes, pink dolphins, tortoises, and many others. A visit to the Shaman is also included. This is a full-day excursion with Lunch in the Community. Return to the lodge. Night navigation for watching Caymans. Dinner.
Day 3 - SHAMAN OF THE FOREST
PUERTO BOLIVAR – INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Day 3: Breakfast. Trek in the primary rain forest for approximately 3-5 hours in the distance you will be able to explore the beautiful and complex tropical ecosystem. You will find a great variety of species of plants, trees, and animal life. Lunch back at the lodge. In the afternoon navigation in the big lagoon, to enjoy the surrounding of the lake, and wait for a very special sunset. Dinner.
Day 4 - SPLENDOR OF NATURE
CUYABENO
Day 4: Early in the morning before breakfast a bird watching excursion is optional. Breakfast and by 09h30 departure tour back to Lago Agrio to take your flight back.
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 in the morning before breakfast a bird watching excursion is optional. Breakfast and by 09h30 departure tour back to Lago Agrio to take your flight back.
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
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 THREE
Breakfast
hike through the Amazon rainforest
Lunch
Free time
Dinner
We will take a Canoe and go out looking for Caiman
DAY FOUR
If you take 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 – the 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)
Quito´s Historic center is a UNESCO world heritage site and offers a whole range of interesting buildings and places that reflect the Ecuadorian People, Environment and beliefs.
Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere, visit the Intiñan Museum which showcases the immense cultural diversity within this small South American country.
Antisana Ecological reserve is located about 100km away from Quito hidden in the mystical Andes Mountains. One of the best ways to explore the vastness of this reserve is by bicycle.
