A diminutive Pygmy Monkey makes eye contact with the camera | ©Humberto Castillo

The Best of The Cuyabeno Tour

Best of the Cuyabeno Tour, 4-Days / 3-Nights

Starting at $860 per person, double occupancy

Updated prices for 2026

In this tour, your Kichwa hosts introduce you to their home, the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, their neighbors, the Cofán of Zabalo River, and the rich biodiversity of the rivers and lakes in this pristine corner of Ecuador’s Amazon.

Day 1 – Experience the Rio Aguarico

Your day begins with a mid-morning pick up at Francisco Orellana Airport in Coca where our Kichwa guide will welcome you. From there, we depart for Tierras Orientales, eat a light lunch before boarding our private motorized canoe and begin our journey into the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Appreciate the spectacular views and wildlife sightings along the Rio Aguarico.

We will arrive at the lodge in the afternoon with an opportunity for time in the hammocks before heading out for the golden hour, a time of day when wildlife are more active. After admiring a gorgeous sunset reflected in the calm waters of the reserve, we will return to the lodge, maybe spotting a caiman along the way. Our evening will include a night walk in the jungle and a delicious dinner prepared by our local staff.

Man stands in bow of canoe with setting sun reflected in water in the background
A bird with a bright scarlet crown, orange-yellow chest, and dark brown wings perches on a branch
A four petaled creamy yellow flower at the end of a stubby branch

Day 2 – Immerse in Kichwa Culture

In the earliest morning hours, we will head out on the water to observe birds, monkeys, pink dolphins, anacondas, and other animals that are most active just after dawn. When the sun is higher in the sky, we will return to the lodge for a light breakfast.

In the afternoon, we will introduce Kichwa traditions with a walk in the jungle, learning about traditional medicines and survival strategies. In the late afternoon, we will head back to the river in search of birds and pink dolphins and, as evening settles, we hope to see caiman, snakes, and owls.

A man paddles a traditional wooden canoe on the deep blue-gray river backed by dense jungle foliage
Wasps begin to build a nest in the dark jungle light
A russet red monkey with white brow grasps a branch overhead

Day 3 – Visit the Cofán of Zabalo River

Immediately after breakfast, we head downriver on the Rio Aguarico to visit our neighbors, the Cofán of Zabalo River. We will tour their territory and learn about their sustainability projects. While visiting, we will be offered the opportunity to buy artisan goods made by Cofán women.

After lunch, we will walk along trails and cross the Zabalo River where we will observe local wildlife. Depending on the season, we might see monkeys, river otters, and caimans — and we always get to see many types of birds! We will return to the Kichwa Lodge in the evening and enjoy dinner.

A man sits at the head of a motorized canoe looking onto a river and shore covered by trees against a blue sky with white clouds
Two blue and gold macaws take flight in a bright blue sky
Four turtles lined up on a log sticking up out of the water

Day 4 – Farewell to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

We’ll begin the day with a light breakfast before our early-morning departure by motorized canoe, retracing our journey back to Tierras Orientales. From there, a van or bus will take you to your hotel in Coca. To ensure you don’t miss any important travel connections, we recommend spending the night in Coca (not included) and scheduling your onward flight to Quito for the following day.

If this trip seems a little too short, please check out our 7-day adventure that includes camping further inside the reserve.

Arrival & Departure

  • Pick-up at Francisco de Orellana (Coca) International Airport is at 10:30 AM on the day your trip begins.
  • Please provide your flight number and arrival time when booking, so we can coordinate your transfer.
  • If you plan to arrive in Coca the day before, alternative pick-up arrangements can be made from your hotel — just let us know in advance.
  • Drop-off is in Coca, either at the airport or your hotel. Most return flights depart the following morning, so we recommend staying overnight in Coca after your tour.

Included in Your Tour

  • Land and river transport from/to Francisco Orellana International Airport in Coca to our lodge.
  • Multilingual Guide who speaks English, Spanish, French, German, and Kichwa.
  • Professional Birding Guide available for group tours.
  • On the Cuyabeno-Yasuni Combo Tour, a Kichwa guide from the Yasuni will join your group in their region.
  • Accommodation and meals (vegetarian and vegan options available).
  • 24-hour electricity (solar-powered system).
  • Starlink internet, purified drinking water, and hot beverages.
  • Rain ponchos and rubber boots provided for your stay.

Not Included

  • Lodging in Coca before or after your tour.
  • Tips for guides, drivers, and staff.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Travel insurance.

Additional Information

Suggested Items to Pack

Headlamp or flashlight, waterproof 10×42 binoculars, lightweight clothing, long pants (not shorts), sunscreen, sunglasses, mosquito repellant (face mosquito net) with DEET, your personal medications, and US currency in small bills or coins.

Payment for Tours

We accept PayPal, International Bank Transfer, or Credit Card. We will send banking information after confirming the dates for your reservation.

Specialized Guides

We offer guides who speak French or German, as well as a dedicated Birdwatching Guide.

Reservation Policy

Reservations must be made with 3 months advance notice; last-minute reservations will be charged an additional fee. If you wish to cancel a last-minute reservation, no refund will be made.

This itinerary is priced per person. However, a minimum of two people are required to make a reservation. If you are a single person wanting to schedule this trip, the single person upgrade is the equivalent of 30% above the advertised price.

Children under 5 years of age stay free in the same cabin as their parents; however, we will charge for a roundtrip ticket to/from Quito–Coca. Children 5 years and older pay full price. We can arrange small group tours for 6–12 people at a time. Entrance to the Kichwa Lodge is possible every day of the week except Sundays.

Reservation Request

To reserve this trip, you may click the booking button above for scheduled departures or fill out this form for special requests. If this is urgent, please contact us directly via WhatsApp at +593 96 073 6216.