Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge is a rustic backpacker class lodge located in the heart of natural attractions, just a 20 minute motor canoe ride away from the Cuyabeno lake area and right next to the banks of the Cuyabeno River. 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!
From the hammocks at the pier, you can enjoy the scenery of the river. The location guarantees free navigation and access all year around, even in the drier season from December to February. Dolphin Lodge has capacity for 40 guests and all rooms have lower beds and private bathrooms. Each room is equipped with solar powered light and an 110V electric socket. There is no Wi-Fi or cellphone service in the Cuyabeno Reserve.
The 4 day tour has departures on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 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. Dolphin Lodge is a backpacker class lodge and a great budget option to visit the Cuyabeno Reserve!
ITINERARY
Day 1:
Our guide will meet us at El Puente de Cuyabeno, which is the entrance to the Cuyabeno Reserve at 11 AM, and he will give us an explanation about the reserve. We will travel by motorized canoe on the Cuyabeno River to the lodge, which takes approx. 2 hours of navigation. On the way we can observe monkeys, birds, reptiles, etc. After lunch you have time to rest and then we departure to the Laguna Grande where you can swim and enjoy the sunset. Upon returning to the lodge, we will search for caimans in the river.
Accommodation: Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge
Meals included: -/Box Lunch/Dinner
Day 2:
We will take the canoe to the starting point of the trail for our walk in the primary rainforest (approx. 3 hours). Our native bilingual guide will explain about the animals and medicinal plants that we find on the trail. After lunch there is time to relax, you can read a book or swim in front of the lodge. In the afternoon we go by canoe to search for animals such as sloths, monkeys, parrots, river dolphins, hoatzins, caimans, etc. In the evening we will do a night walk around the lodge to observe nocturnal animals.
Accommodation: Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 3:
Today we will go deeper into the primary rainforest to visit the local community. The first part we go by canoe and then we walk 1 hour to get to the community. Together with the women of the community we will prepare the typical food called Casabe, from the harvest of the yucca to the preparation. In the afternoon we will visit the shaman, the doctor of the community, where we will have a conversation about how the local people live and ancestral medicine. It is possible to receive an ancestral cleaning. Afterwards we return to the lodge.
Accommodation: Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 4:
After breakfast we leave by motorized canoe for 1 hour upriver to a place known as Canangueno to do the paddling activity. We will go down the river in a traditional canoe to explore and enjoy the uniqueness of nature while searching for monkeys and birds. After lunch you have some time to relax. Then we are going to visit the Laguna Grande to swim and to watch the sunset.
Accommodation: Cuyabeno Dolphin Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 5:
On this day we will wake up early for birdwatching. After breakfast we navigate back to the entrance of the reserve, El Puente de Cuyabeno. Here we will help you to take the bus back to Quito or we recommend the buses to other destinations.
Accommodation: -
Meals included: Breakfast/-/-
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Price (2024)
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Included
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Not included
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Additional information
• 4 day / 3 night tour:
- USD 290 p.p. (based on double or triple accommodation)
- USD 365 p.p. (based on single accommodation)
• 5 day / 4 night tour:
- USD 330 p.p. (based on double or triple accommodation)
- USD 410 p.p. (based on single accommodation)
• Children under the age of 12 receive a 15% discount
• Accommodation with mosquito nets and a private bathroom
• Transportation from El Puente - Cuyabeno Dolphin 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. 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, Thursday 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. 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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