CUYABENO NATURAL RESERVE - DRACAENA CAMP SITE: 05 DAYS – 04 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.

TOUR 05 DAYS – 04 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. Travelling by bus is 8 hours. Our adventure begins at 11h00am. We travel by bus/truck to Chiritza (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 guides give us a captivating lecture.

DAY 2. - After breakfast, we visit the Quichua Bird watching 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 lunch, Later we paddle by traditional dug-out canoe, enabling us to enjoy the sounds of the jungle….from the smallest insect to the fierce sounding Howler monkeys. We paddle back to our campsite, bird watching, observing wildlife and being overwhelmed by breathtaking scenery.

DAY 3. - Starting early in the morning we spend the whole day exploring. Observing the enchanting salt lick (exposed clay bank) where colorful Parrots and Parakeets feed on the clay to draw the toxins from their bodies. After breakfast 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 black water 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. After dinner, we venture out on a night excursion to search for Caimans (alligator family) and nocturnal birds.

DAY 4.- 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. Trip back to the campsite. Lunch. After lunch travelling by canoe we fish for Piranhas enjoying rainforest wildlife and exotic surroundings.

DAY 5.- 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 and back along the Aguarico River to Chiritza River where our bus/truck will take us to Lago Agrio 16h00 approximately. Departure fight/bus to Quito.