Ecuador Holidays - Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve rainforest exploration holiday in Ecuador

Mysterious and seductive, just the name "Amazon" encompasses, not only the largest forest in the world, but perhaps the least known natural wonder on earth. When God created the animals on earth, He must have stopped for a picnic in Cuyabeno. He looked at what He made - giant armadillos, boa constrictors, electric eels, alligators, fresh water dolphins, spiders, monkeys, tapirs, land tortoises, piranhas - and it was good. This reserve, located in Northern Ecuador, close to the Colombian border, was established in order to give Mother Nature some living space. Ramble through waterways and jungle teaming with life, much of it unchanged for the past million years! Our silent approach by hand carved canoe, no more unnatural to the animal eye than a floating log, guarantees us intimate contact with all aspects of this astonishing environment. Beneath a solid canopy of brilliant stars and cradled by an incessant symphony of nature's music, you will experience sensations only a few will ever know. Each year, fresh-water dolphins swim closer to our canoes and scrambling monkeys frolic over the towering canopy. Over 400 species of birds trash about the most exuberant vegetation. Your fear of the unknown will be replaced by a down-to-earth understanding of this ecosystem, inhabited by the highest biological diversity on the planet and the local indigenous communities of the Siona, Secoya and Shuar Indians! And rest assured that, though you are only a temporary resident in this magical wonderland, you will go home changed … forever!

DAY 1:
A 45 minutes flight takes us to Lago Agrio, where our jungle vehicle continues through plantations leading to the Cuyabeno Rainforest Lodge on the banks of the river. Afternoon introductory walk and first evening in the rainforest (LD)

DAY 2 and 3:
Macaws, toucans and parrots announce daybreak as we silently eke our way through still waters to spot fresh water dolphins, manatees, piranha, arapaima, monkeys and striking ferns, orchids and bromeliads dangling from gargantuan trees. In the evening we examine the water's edge via drifting dugout in search of caiman, agouti, paca and other night-roaming animals (BLD).

DAY 4:
Backtracking upriver offer us a last chance to discover even more hidden wonders among 25,000 existing species of trees and a final evening assessing this once-in-a-lifetime experience. In the evening, we will review our notes and enrich our travel diary with stories some of your friends might find hard to believe.(BLD).

DAY 5:
Early morning departure to Lago Agrio, in time for our flight over the vast Amazon and the towering Andean Cordillera. Arrival in Quito Airport (B) and the towering Andean Cordillera. Arrival in Quito Airport (B).

Facilities
The Cuyabeno Rainforest Lodge holds 24 lucky guests in doubles and quads with private facilities. Food is good and wholesome and a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and meats are used in the menu. The chefs are used to providing for vegetarian diets.

Climate and conditions
The Amazon basis rainforest is hot and humid all year around, with little variation as Cuyabeno is almost on the Equator. Daytime temperatures reach into the mid-thirties Celsius regularly. Variation in rainfall is not extreme; you can count on rain year-round, with heavy rains from June to August. As long as you come prepared with adequate rain gear, a shower or two will not ruin your trip - rain makes the jungle more authentic. Anyone, enjoying a good general health, can participate in Cuyabeno journeys. Biting insects are present, but less bothersome than mosquitoes in North America or Midges in Scotland. Our overland vehicles are specially designed for the tough terrain and river transport is by dugouts. As in any remote area, a positive attitude and willingness to accept the unexpected as part of the experience, is essential.

Medical matters
We recommend yellow fever shots and Malaria prophylactics, although no one on our trips has contracted either. Each participant should bring personal medication, as needed. Our leaders on these trips have first aid skills and we carry a large sophisticated medical kit on all journeys.

Our Guides
Experienced guides lead all our tours to the rainforest of the Cuyabeno Reserve. All guides have a background in ecology or field biology and are familiar with the ecosystem and the flora and fauna that exists here. Our guides speak English and Spanish.

5 days/4 nights with Cuyabeno Rainforest Lodge
No of persons	1	2	3	4-8	9-14	15-22	23-30
USD	$ 889	$ 821	$ 813	$ 805	$ 782	$ 769	$ 767
EUR	€ 738	€ 681	€ 675	€ 668	€ 649	€ 638	€ 636
GBP	£ 498	£ 459	£ 455	£ 451	£ 438	£ 430	£ 429
Domestic Flights: USD 142 / GBP 79 / EUR 118

(*) Price last updated on 23 February 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
(**) Flight prices are susceptible to change at any time without prior notice

4 days/3 nights with Cuyabeno Rainforest Lodge
No of persons	1	2	3	4-8	9-14	15-22	23-30
USD	$ 736	$ 668	$ 660	$ 652	$ 633	$ 622	$ 621
EUR	€ 611	€ 554	€ 548	€ 541	€ 525	€ 516	€ 515
GBP	£ 412	£ 374	£ 370	£ 365	£ 354	£ 348	£ 347
Domestic Flights: USD 142 / GBP 79 / EUR 118

What is included?
Bi-lingual biologist/naturalist guides.
Experienced cooks and field staff, all terrestrial and fluvial transport, food as stated, drinking water, all lodge accommodations, National Park entrance fees, transfer to and from hotel in Quito.

Not included:
Flight Quito-Lago Agrio-Quito (approx USD 120), airport tax, bottled drinks except water, tips, items of a personal nature e.g. laundry, hotel in Quito (can be arranged if required), excess luggage charges

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

"Ecuador"