CUYABENO NATURAL RESERVE - DRACAENA CAMP SITE: 04 DAYS – 03 NIGHTS

Dracaena works together with native communities, renting their opened huts (rustic cabins without walls made of local and ecological materials), letting you enjoy nature and the surroundings all the time. We provide always: Tents, bedding, mosquito nets, mattress, lifejackets, rain ponchos, and rubber boots.
With a simple accommodation but with all camping equipment of high quality and in excellent condition, Dracaena offers an unforgettable experience with these kind of tours.

ITINERARY

TOUR 04 DAYS – 03 NIGHTS

DAY 1. - There are two direct ways of traveling from Quito to Lago Agrio – by plane or bus: If you travel by plane, you will arrive in Lago Agrio at 11h00 am. If you travel by bus, you must leave Quito a day in advance in order to reach Lago Agrio in time for the tour. Traveling by bus is 8 hours. Our adventure begins at 11h00am. We travel by bus/truck to Chiritza River (1 ½ hour), where we start our canoe journey down the Aguarico and continue along the Cuyabeno black water river, to our Lodge. (3 ½ hours approximately.) After dinner our naturalist bilingual guide give us a captivating lecture.

DAY 2. - Early morning a canoe excursion, the brisk morning hours are the best time to see the rainforest thriving activity. We trek into pristine primary rainforest. Our native guide shares his wealth of knowledge, showing us the medicinal and practical uses of the rainforests flora and fauna that their ancestors have taught throughout generations and we learn how all life in the tropical rainforest co-exists in a fragile balance. Lunch. In the afternoon, we explore the Balata 0blackwater river observing different habitats and looking for new species. Back to the Cuyabeno River we have a good chance of seeing the freshwater pink and grey river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis) in the spectacular scenery. Dinner. Night walking to learn more about the nocturnal life in the rainforest.

DAY 3. - Starting early in the morning we spend the whole day exploring. We visit the Quichua Birdwatching Tower. Here above the canopy we see a breathtaking view of the surrounding rainforest. From the tower we can observe a variety of species; including Toucans, Parrots, Monkeys, and many more. After breakfast, we trek to the Quechua Indian Community where our naturalist guide explains the culture and traditions of the native people from the past to the present. Back to the campsite. Lunch. After lunch traveling by canoe we fish for Piranhas enjoying rainforest wildlife and exotic surroundings. After dinner, we venture out on a night excursion to search for Caimans (alligator family) and nocturnal birds.

DAY 4. - Early morning a canoe excursion, the brisk morning hours are the best time to see the rainforest thriving activity. After breakfast, we travel by canoe down the Cuyabeno River Observing the enchanting salt lick (exposed clay bank) where colourful Parrots and Parakeets feed on the clay to draw the toxins from their bodies and back along the Aguarico river to Chiritza where our bus/truck will take us to Lago Agrio 16h00 approximately. Departure fight/bus to Quito.



TOUR 06 DAYS – 05 NIGHTS
DAY 1.- We begin our adventure in Lago Agrio where our flight arrives at 11:00. From Lago Agrio we travel by bus to Chiritza (jungle gateway) where we start our canoe journey down the Aguarico River to Dracaena’s first camping site. Our naturalist bilingual guide gives us a captivating lecture ' Introduction to the rainforest, after dinner; we take an adventurous night walk, where it is possible to view nocturnal animals and giant insects.

DAY 2.- Today we make an early start traveling by motorized canoe along the Aguarico River deeper into dense jungle to our second campsite at Lagartococha (border with the Peruvian country). Before dinner we enjoy a swim in the Dolphin Cocha Lake surrounded by breathtaking tropical scenery. After reaching our second campsite we pitch our tents.

DAY 3.- In the morning, we trek into pristine primary rainforest. Our native guide shares his wealth of knowledge, showing us the medicinal and practical uses of the rainforests flora and fauna that their ancestors have taught throughout generations. After lunch, we explore different habitats looking for new species. Here amongst the spectacular scenery we have a good chance of seeing the freshwater pink and gray river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis). After dinner, we venture out on a night excursion to search for Caimans (alligator family) and nocturnal birds.

DAY 4.-After breakfast, our native and naturalist guides take us to a different ecosystem (Tierra Firme forest), where they explain the difference between this area and the locations we have observed previously. We return to our campsite for lunch. Later in the afternoon, we try our luck at Piranha fishing. A relaxed dinner is enjoyed at our campsite.

DAY 5.-In the morning, we travel by motorized canoe up the Lagartococha River for bird and wildlife watching. After breakfast, we continue along the Lagartococha River to our fourth campsite located in the Quichua community.

DAY 6.- Early morning we visit the Quichua Birdwatching Tower. Here above the canopy we see a breathtaking view of the surrounding rainforest. From the tower we can observe a variety of species; including the toucans, parrots, monkeys and many more. The brisk morning hours are the best time to see the rainforest thriving activity. After breakfast, we travel by canoe down the Cuyabeno River and back along the Aguarico River to Chiritza our bus/truck will take us to Lago Agrio 16h00 approximately. Departure fight/bus to Quito.