Cuyabeno Birding Tour 4 - Dracaena Lodge - Cuyabeno Rainforest Lodges

CUYABENO
BIRDING TOUR

4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

CANOE TOUR IN CUYABENO RAINFOREST

Explore one of the world’s most mystical and wondrous regions: the South American rainforest. Among the inhabitants of Ecuador, this area at the foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes is better known as “Oriente”. Despite the comparatively representing only 2% of the Amazon rainforest, the Ecuadorian rainforest accounts for one-third of the Amazon’s biodiversity. The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve protects approximately 590,112 hectares located near the equator in the northeastern part of Ecuador. There are over 540 different species of colorful birds from the smallest hummingbird species, macaws, toucans, herons, over trumpeters, kingfisher to motmots and the majestic harpy eagle.

Our guides are specialized in nature and bird watching tours, they will be happy to share their knowledge and +craft well and provide not only a unique birding experience but also a personal insight of the Cuyabeno.

ITINERARY

Upper area of the Cuyabeno Reserve (Cuyabeno River)

DAY 0.- QUITO – AMAZONAS
The journey begins at night at 11:00 PM by bus starting from the highest capital in the world: Quito, located at 2,850 meters above sea level. Crossing the eastern mountain range of the Andes (Cordillera), you will pass “El Paso de la Virgen” at over 4,000 meters above sea level. From there you will drive the Andes down through the cloud forest into the rainforest to reach the small town ‘Lago Agrio’ after about six hours’ journey.

There is flight leaving from Quito to Lago Agrio at 10h00 it takes 35 minutes approximately, another option to reach Lago Agrio.

DAY 01: ADVENTURE IN AMAZONAS (BL / D)

The tour begins in Lago Agrio at 09h30. If you go by plane we will pick you up at the airport when the plane arrives. We travel by bus / pick- up truck approx. 2 hours looking for any species of birds that could appear on the way, and then we reach El Puente (the main entrance to the Cuyabeno Reserve). Here we eat our lunch. Later we journey down the Cuyabeno River to our Lodge (approx. 3 hours) along the way we can observe some species of monkeys and birds very close because this part of the river is narrow letting us see much easier the wildlife. Arrival to Nicky Amazon Lodge. Time for a short relaxes and later before dinner we go out looking for night birds. After dinner our guide gives us a briefing on the upcoming activities for the next few days in the area.

During the first day we have a good chance to observe: Great Kiskadee, Lesser Kiskadee, Yellow-runped Cacique, Crested Oropendola, Russet-backed Oropendola, Striated heron, Greater Ani, Smooth-billed Ani, Squirrel Cuckoo, Crimson Crested Woodpecker, long billed woodcreeper, Chestnut woodpecker, Cream colored Woodpecker, Black headed parrot, Blue headed parrot, White throated Toucan, Channel-billed Toucan, Lettered Aracari, Chesnut-eared Aracari, Ivory-billed Aracari, Many-banded Aracari, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Spix’s guan, Speckeled Chachalaca, laughing Falcon, Bat Falcon, Black Caracara, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Slate colored Hawk, Cinnamon Attila, Swallow-tailed Kite, Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, Black headed

DAY 02: RAINFOREST ADVENTURE (B / L / D)

Before breakfast we go on a morning canoe ride to observe some species of birds, the landscape around and to listen some information given by our Birdwatching Guide. After breakfast we travel up the Cuyabeno River to visit the Laguna Grande where we navigate in the amazing lake and admire the flooded forest called Igapo which is considered another ecosystem of the rainforest, dominated by the famous Macrolobium trees which are homes of Epiphytes plants and birds. We also have a good chance of seeing the freshwater pink and grey dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis), and we will enjoy swimming in the lake while we admire the spectacular landscape in the rainforest.

We will go for a walk in one of the trails located at the Laguna Grande (Palma Roja or El Saladero). We trek into the rainforest with our Birdwatching guide who will share with us his wealth of knowledge about the tropical rainforest and the use of some different medicinal plants which have been used by the local people and that has been passed and taught by their ancestors for generations, we could also find some species of birds amphibians, butterflies, centipedes and millipedes, snakes, monkeys or footprints from mammals when walking on the trail. Return to the lodge.

A good chance to observe: Hoatzin, Ringed Kingfisher, Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Violaceous Jay, Golden headed Manakin, Screaming piha, Cocoi Heron, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Boat billed Heron, Green Ibis, Neotropical Cormorant, Anhinga, Great Tinamou, Undulated Tinamou, Black-tailed Trogon, Amazonian White tailed Trogon.

DAY 03: RAINFOREST ADVENTURE (B / L / D)

An early activity let us enjoy nature at 04h00a.m we start the excursión down the Cuyabeno river aprox. 3 hours during the trip we enjoy the rainforest’s thriving activity and observing some species of birds. Finally we reach the enchanting salt lick (exposed clay bank) where colorful Parrots and Parakeets feed on the clay to draw the toxins from their bodies every day around 07h00 am, after we have the opportunity to climb the Kichwa Birdwatching Tower, from here above the canopy we see a breathtaking view of the surrounding rainforest. We also have a good chance of seeing the freshwater pink dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis) in the amazing river scenery.

After enjoying the middle part of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve We navigate upstream the Cuyabeno River to back, 3 hours aprox to our Nicky Amazon Lodge.

A good chance to observe: Black-headed parakeet, Yellow crowned parrot, Mealy parrot, Orange cheeked parrot, Cobalt winged parrot, Blue and Yellow macaw, Chesnut-fronted macaw, Great kiskadee, Lesser Kiskadee, Yellow rumped Cacique, Russet backed Oropendola, Blue-gray Tanager, Ecuadorian Thrush, White winged swallow, White banded swallow, Black-collared Hawk, Red capped Cardinal, Capped Heron.

DAY 04: RAINFOREST - QUITO (B / BL)

Today’s morning excursion includes a short trip by canoe. Take advantage of the early morning hours to observe the animals during their morning activities and to say goodbye to the jungle. After breakfast at the lodge you will have time to pack your luggage for the return journey. The ride takes you upstream back to the civilization at ‘El Puente de Cuyabeno’. After lunch (box lunch), a private bus will take you back to Lago Agrio at approximately 15h00h and from there you will return to Quito.

B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / BL: Box Lunch / D: Dinner

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TESTIMONIALS

“Dracaena Lodge is definitely the place to go. We had the most incredible 5 days”

Toneya

“Our guides were absolutely great. They were extremely knowledgeable of the jungle flora and fauna and were great “teachers”. They made the experience very interesting and educational. We learned so much about the indigenous tribal cultures, the birds, snakes, monkeys, animals, insects, fresh water dolphins, fish, etc.” jhabs

“The rooms are amazing. Really cute huts with hammocks and super comfortable beds with mosquito nets. The activities are awesome as well including night jungle walk, boat tours hunting for crocodiles, and piraña fishing. I never wanted to leave. Everything about this place is so amazing, you have to go!”

kaykay