Siona Lodge is a tourist class lodge located within the Cuyabeno Reserve and enjoys a privileged location on a fresh-water lake with impressive sunsets and diverse wildlife. More than 550 different bird species have been identified in Cuyabeno, such as colorful parrots, macaws, kingfishers and hoatzins. Also more than 350 fish species, including piranhas. A great variety of reptiles can be found, such as boa constrictors, anacondas, caimans, poison dart frogs and river turtles. You also have the chance to see pink river dolphins and monkeys!
Siona Lodge aims to minimize environmental impact of your visit by using solar energy and responsibly disposes of waste products generated from tourist visits. The tour also includes a visit to the Siona community who receive support from each visit. The lodge has been constructed in typical style of the region and can accommodate up to just 20 people at one time in 4 guest huts; each hut has 2 bedrooms each with its own private bathroom and shower, mosquito nets and a balcony. It is possible to charge batteries in the communal area. At the lodge there is no Wi-Fi or cellphone service and there is only electricity from 6 – 10 PM.
The 4 day tour has departures on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. The 5 day tour has departures on Monday and Thursday. Please note that you will be combined with other passengers for the activities. Most lodges in the Cuyabeno Reserve are backpacker class; Siona Lodge is a tourist class lodge.
ITINERARY
Day 1:
The tour starts at El Puente de Cuyabeno, which is the entrance to the Cuyabeno Reserve. Our naturalist guide will give information about the reserve, important recommendations and other tips to begin the 2 hours navigation by motorized canoe through the Cuyabeno River to the Big Lagoon, where Siona 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, reptiles and insects. Return to the lodge for a welcome cocktail and dinner.
Accommodation: Siona Lodge
Meals included: -/Box Lunch/Dinner
Day 2:
After breakfast we departure to the Siona 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. The trip takes 2 hours navigating downstream to get there, on route look out for fauna on the Cuyabeno River such as: birds, monkeys, snakes, pink river dolphins and tortoises. 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 to observe caimans.
Accommodation: Siona Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 3:
Today we go for a hike in the primary rainforest to explore the beautiful and complex tropical ecosystem. You will find a great variety of plants, trees and animal life. Lunch back at the lodge. In the afternoon navigation around the big lagoon, to enjoy the surroundings of the lake and we will wait for a very special sunset.
Accommodation: Siona Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 4:
A visit to Laguna Canangueno for birdwatching by native dugout canoe, called “quilla”, followed by a hike to explore deeper into the forest are on the program for today. While paddling at the lake and creeks, you will have a better opportunity to see more fauna and flora and you can get a good idea of what a flooded forest looks like.
Accommodation: Siona Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 5:
Early in the morning before breakfast we will do a bird watching excursion. Breakfast and transfer back to El Puente de Cuyabeno to take the bus back to Quito.
Accommodation: -
Meals included: Breakfast/-/-
• 4 day / 3 night tour:
- USD 360 p.p. (based on double or triple accommodation)
- USD 540 p.p. (based on single accommodation)
• 5 day / 4 night tour:
- USD 450 p.p. (based on double or triple accommodation)
- USD 675 p.p. (based on single accommodation)
• Children under the age of 12 receive a 20% discount
• Accommodation with mosquito nets and a private bathroom
• Transportation from El Puente - Siona Lodge - El Puente (canoe)
• All meals (breakfast-lunch-dinner) from box lunch on the first day to breakfast on the final day
• Water, coffee and tea
• Excursions (shared)
• Bilingual naturalist guide
• Rain poncho, rubber boots and life jackets
• Night shuttle bus (USD 30 p.p. one way or USD 60 p.p. roundtrip - you travel together with other travelers who are going to visit the Cuyabeno Reserve) from Quito to El Puente de Cuyabeno and back to Quito
• USD 10 p.p. Puerto Bolivar community fee
• Meals before and after the tour
• Additional beverages
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Prices for 2025 are subject to change.
• Please note that you will be combined with other passengers for the activities.
• The 4 day tour has departures on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. The 5 day tour has departures on Monday and Thursday.
• The 4 day / 3 night itinerary is the same as the 5 day itinerary, but without the activities of the 4th day.
• Please note the first and last days are basically travel days. On the first day you will arrive in the afternoon to the lodge and you will do a night walk. On the last day there is time for an early morning bird watching activity and after breakfast you will start the trip back to Quito.
• Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
• For tours in the Cuyabeno Reserve we mostly work with Siona Lodge and Dolphin Lodge, but we also can help you with tours staying at Jamu Lodge, Tapir Lodge, etc. Please contact us for more information.
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