Lagartococha Tour 7 - Dracaena Lodge - Cuyabeno Rainforest Lodges

CUYABENO
LAGARTOCOCHA

CUYABENO WILDLIFE RESERVE

About 2% of the Amazon Rainforest lies within Ecuador’s borders at the foothills of the Andes, containing about one third of its diversity! The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve protects 590.112 hectares. Located just along the Equator, in the northeast area of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, in Cuyabeno it is possible to identify over 500 different species of colorful birds starting from tiny hummingbirds to the majestic Harpy Eagle.

240 different species of plants can be found within in one hectare, many with a specific practical and medical use. Jaguars, Monkeys, Anteaters, Sloths, Dolphins (IniaGeoffrensis and Sotalia), Manatees and Armadillos, are just some of the mammals that live in the Cuyabeno reserve. Amazing anacondas and caimans are some of the reptiles found. Piranhas, Catfish, the gigantic Arapaima (reaching over 2 meters), and other species of fish thrive here in the black water rivers and lakes. The Cuyabeno Reserve provides not only a habitat for countless plant and animal species but also for Indigenous communities such as Sionas, Secoyas, Kichwas and Cofanes.

CUYABENO LAGARTOCOCHA
7 days / 6 nights

This is the most adventurous tour into the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest in our program and includes camps in different places deep in the Cuyabeno Reserve. The tour explores the upper and lower parts of the reserve, with canoe rides along the Cuyabeno & Aguarico Rivers until the border with Peru and exploring the Lagartococha Lakes. You visit native communities, stay at traditional open huts with thatched roofs and in tents at campsites deep in the rainforest (all beds/tents are equipped with mosquito nets). This kind of adventure trip involves simple accommodation but with high quality equipment and service and that toilet and showers will be shared.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hike in the rainforest and learn about the medicinal and practical uses of the plants
Learn about the different eco-systems and their balance in the rainforest
Go on night walks to observe insects, spiders, snakes, amphibians and listen to nocturnal animals
Climb the Kichwa Bird Watching Tower with approx. 26 mts altitude.
Visit the Salt lick with parakeets and parrots (depending on the climate)
Go on an excursion to Zancudococha Lake to explore the flooded forest
Participate in early bird watching activities to observe many species of tropical birds
Observe the Amazon’s Pink and grey dolphins (Inia Geoffrensis & Sotalia Fluviatilis )
Go on canoe safaris in search of caimans (alligators)
Visit a Siona Family
Learn more during captivating lectures given by our Naturalist Bilingual Guides
Amazing experience in the deep Amazon rainforest.
Explore the rainforest off the beaten track

ITINERARY

Location: Upper and lower parts of Cuyabeno Reserve,

Navigate along the Cuyabeno & Aguarico rivers to Zancudococha (Iripari Lake) one of the big lakes in the Amazon Basin. Full day to explore the Lagartococha River near the border to Perú

DAY 01: Trip to the lodge.

The tour begins at 09:30 in Lago Agrio. Your transfer by bus/truck brings you to El Puente (Approx. 2 hours) the main access to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and the last place in civilization. Here you will have lunch (box lunch) and then drive in a motorized canoe on the Cuyabeno River for about 2 hours until you reach the lodge. With a little luck you can already observe the first monkey and bird species along the way. The river is extremely narrow in this region and allows you to experience the wildlife up close. After your arrival at the lodge, you will have time to recover and go on your first exploratory tour in the surroundings of the lodge. After dinner your bilingual guide will inform you about the activities of the following days.

DAY 02: Navigation downstream Cuyabeno - Kichwa Campsite

After breakfast, you will start your adventure in a motor canoe along the Cuyabeno and Aguarico Rivers, entering the Amazon until you reach your campsite, looking out for birds, sloths and monkeys along the way. Box lunch.

The canoe ride will take approx. 4 hours, but you will make stops to stretch your legs and enjoy the sand beaches of the Aguarico river. In the afternoon you will arrive at the Zancudo campsite of the local Kichwa community.

DAY 03: Salt Lick with Parakeets and Parrots - Night Swim in the Delfin Cocha Lake

Before breakfast, you will visit a salt lick at the riverbank which many parakeets and parrots visit (note: on rainy days only few birds come to these places).

Then you continue downstream Cuyabeno River to the confluence of Cuyabeno and Aguarico River, the latter being a white-water river. You will continue for approx. another 3 ½ hours towards the border with Peru until you reach the Lagartococha River. Following the Lagartococha River upstream you reach the camp site situated deep in the remote jungle. accessing the flooded area shaped by a system of lakes and small rivers. Here you will have the opportunity to discover some lagoons connected by Black water rivers and explore the different ecosystems of the flooded forest or Varzea region. Box lunch. In the afternoon enjoy swimming in the Delfin Cocha Lake while observing some of the name giving freshwater pink dolphins (Inia Geofrensis). Overnight and dinner at the campsite.

DAY 04: Remote Secoya Community - Caiman Night Excursion

Enjoy a silent exploration of the area with your paddle canoe before breakfast. Later you head up the Lagartococha River by motorized canoe looking for the Terra Firme forest, a pristine primary rainforest. Then you visit Puerto Estrella, a remote Secoya community, where indigenous Peruvians and Ecuadorians live together. Box lunch included. The local guides will explain the traditions that their ancestors have passed on from generation to generation until today. Secoya women usually offer jungle bread made from yucca (manioc) to their visitors. In the afternoon you will return to the camp and in the night have the possibility to go on a canoe trip to look for caimans (Alligator family). Overnight and dinner at the campsite.

DAY 05: Birdwatching, Canoe journey to Zancudococha

Early in the morning you can enjoy a birdwatching tour with the paddle canoe. After breakfast you’ll start your way back down the Lagartococha River and then upstream Aguarico River to reach the Zancudococha campsite. After lunch you explore the area with the paddle canoe and enjoy the sunset in the jungle. Overnight and dinner at the campsite.

DAY 06: Canoe navigation upstream Aguarico River - Visit the Cofan Community

After breakfast you continue the navigation upstream Aguarico River. Box lunch included. On the way you stop at one of the small riverside villages from the local Cofan community to see their handicrafts. In the evening you reach the Lodge. Here you have some time to relax, enjoy dinner and go on an optional night walk (no extra costs).

DAY 07: Return to Lago Agrio

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

DEPARTURES:

Tuesday & Friday

PRICES PER PERSON: 2019 - 2020

1 pax US$ 3120

2 pax US$ 1560

3 pax US$ 1050

4 and more US$ 790

NB: Shared group departures are available; please contact us for details.

TOUR INCLUDES:

Bus transportation from Lago Agrio to El Puente and back to Lago Agrio
(Tourism Ministry Licensed) bilingual naturalist guides trained in Eco-tourism
All meals from Lunch on day one until box lunch for the last day (including purified water)
Accommodation according to the program at the lodge in double rooms with private bathroom and at the camp sites in double tents including all camping Equipment, all bedding for long expeditions (sleeping mats, bed sheets, blankets, pillows and towels). This kind of adventurous trip involves that simple camping toilets and showers will be shared.
Personal equipment: lifejackets and rubber boots (up to size 45 – from size 45 on request prior to the tour without additional costs).
Tea, Coffee, hot chocolate available at the campsites
Catering for vegetarians

NOT INCLUDED:

Trip Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito

Airfare Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito US$ 230 (40 minutes one way)

Bus Quito – Lago Agrio – Quito US$ 40 (6 hours one way – transport in a private bus in international groups)

US $ 5 Dollars for the visit of a native family (to be paid at site)
US $ 5 Dollars for the visit the Kichwa tower (to be paid at site)
Additional beverages and meals
Single Supplement
Tips
Personal Insurance and expenses
Personal equipment besides lifejackets and rubber boots

All short-term price increases regarding fees and taxes.

REQUIREMENTS:

For this trip, you should be in good physical shape so that you can enjoy jungle treks for 2-3 hours in a humid, tropical climate. However, if you would like to skip the hikes and other activities described above and only want to take part in the canoe trips, you can of course make use of the lodge´s facilities instead, for example: Relax in the hammock.

HEALTH ADVICE:

You may be wondering if you should get a yellow fever vaccine before you travel. We recommend talking to your doctor (who knows your health condition best) or see a doctor who specializes in international travel, perhaps at a travel clinic.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

An original document with photo (passport or identity card – obligatory), rain poncho, Long sleeve T-shirts and cotton socks, shorts, sandals or comfortable walking shoes, rain poncho and a sweatshirt, flashlight with spare batteries, personal medicine, toiletry bag, (important: biodegradable soap and shampoo) swimwear and towel, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses with tether. A waterproof or repellent backpack, protection against insects, sunscreen, Zip lock bag or plastic bag, camera, binoculars (10×40 is recommended). Notepad, Swiss army knife, wet wipes, reading material.

ARRIVAL TO LAGO AGRIO:

Tours to the lodges at Cuyabeno National Park start in Lago Agrio. The journey to Lago Agrio takes place from Quito either by private bus (international group, about 6 hours each way, night bus with departure at 23: 00h in Quito the evening before the tour – return trip after the tour with arrival in Quito at about 9:30 PM or by flight (about 40 minutes each way).

NB: Please read all routes only as a guideline. All routes and programs are subject to change without notice due to national park regulations, weather conditions, natural events, seasonal changes, or for security reasons. Flexibility is the key to the success of every tour. The safety of our passengers is our top priority.

CONTACT US

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