8 Days Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Middle of the World Discovery

Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador! Arrive at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), where your driver will meet you to transfer to your accommodation in the city center, a one-hour trip.
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The entire city of Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing at an altitude of 9,350ft (2,850m). It welcomes visitors with its picturesque plazas situated between mountain peaks. The city has an abundance of market stands, shamanistic healers, and fourth-generation hat makers, as well as a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.
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Overnight: Quito
Meals included: None
Group type: Private
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After breakfast, you will start your day at the border of Cotopaxi National Park. You will visit Lake Limpiopungo, located in the highlands of the park.
Here, you will have a spectacular view of Cotopaxi Volcano's gigantic cone. Lake Limpiopungo offers a variety of birds, and occasionally even wild horses.
A short walk around the lake will allow you to admire the Andean plant and animal life along the way. If time permits and the altitude doesn't affect you, hike up to the refuge Jose Ribas on 4800 m and enjoy the view of the National Park.
Return to Quito and prepare for your overnighshuttle to Cuyabeno!
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Meals: Breakfast
Group type: Private

Reception at El Puente de Cuyabeno in the morning, and transfer to Cuyabeno River. Box lunch in the route. Here our Naturalist Guide will give information about the Reserve, important recommendations, and other tips to begin the two hours navigation through Cuyabeno River to the Big Lagoon, where the Lodge is located. Along the river, you will find several species in its natural habitat as monkeys, toucans, parrots, insects, and exuberant Amazonian vegetation. Arrival and check-in. Night walk in the primary forest to observe amphibians and reptiles for about one hour. Return to the lodge for a welcome cocktail and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included
Group type: Small group

In the early morning, we venture into the rainforest to seek out monkeys and birds in the vibrant tropical ecosystem. After returning for breakfast, there's some downtime to unwind. Later, our guide leads us on a rainforest trek, sharing their insights into the delicate balance that allows diverse life forms to thrive in harmony. Along the way, we might encounter colorful butterflies, frogs, and diverse flora, all while listening to the melodies of birds. We return to the lodge for lunch, followed by leisure time for swimming, soccer, or a siesta.
In the afternoon, a paddle canoe journey along the Cuyabeno River immerses us in the dense jungle. On the riverbanks, we spot diverse wildlife, including monkeys, macaws, toucans, and sloths. There's also a good chance of encountering pink river dolphins in this impressive river landscape. After dinner, we explore the lodge's surroundings in search of nocturnal creatures like insects, spiders, snakes, and frogs, all of which come to life as the sun sets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included
Group type: Small group

After breakfast, we'll immerse ourselves in the Indigenous Siona community, gaining insights into their daily life and traditions. We'll witness the making of 'Cassave,' a regional manioc bread, and learn about their rich cultural heritage. Returning for lunch, we'll embark on an afternoon adventure by motorized canoe, heading upstream to Laguna Grande. Amidst the flooded forest ecosystem ('Igapó'), we'll discover diverse wildlife and enjoy a serene swim at sunset. As night falls, we'll seek out bats and caimans, wrapping up a day of cultural discovery and Amazonian exploration.
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included
Group type: Small group

It's time to bid farewell to the Amazon, but not without a final morning canoe adventure to soak in the jungle's morning magic. After an early morning breakfast, get ready for your journey home, complete with a packed lunch for the road. As you cruise upstream and reach 'El Puente de Cuyabeno' before noon, a friendly tourist bus will be there to take you back to Quito. Keep those Amazon memories close as you head back.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Group type: Small group

Start in Independence Square to see La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, or La Compañía—a 17th-century volcanic-rock-, cedar-, and gilt-decorated-church.
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Next, visit La Basílica y Convento de San Francisco, or "el San Francisco," considered Ecuador's most important church for its scale and history. Stroll on La Ronda, a pre-Columbian walking trail that is now brimming with cafés, live music, and boutiques.
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Then your driver guide will take you by car to the north of the city, see a monument commemorating the discovery of the point where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres divide in the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City). Spend some time visiting a planetarium, scale model of Quito, several museums, an old train station, and a small chapel.
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Meals: Breakfast
Group type: Private group

Today you are free to explore Quito on your own before getting picked up for your transfer to the airport.
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At the designated time, meet with your driver at the hotel and head to the airport for your flight home.
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Meals included: Breakfast
Group type: Self guided