CUYABENO NATURAL RESERVE - DRACAENA CAMP SITE: 08 DAYS – 07 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 08 DAYS – 07 NIGHTS

DAY 1.- There are two direct ways of travelling 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 campsite. ( 3 ½ hours approximately. ) After dinner our naturalist bilingual guide gives us a captivating lecture and takes an adventurous night walk, where it is possible to view nocturnal animals and giant insects.

DAY 2.- Today we make an early start travelling by motorized canoe go down along the Aguarico River deeper into dense jungle to our second campsite located on Parrots island. After reaching our second campsite we pitch our tents.

DAY 3.- Starting early in the morning we spend the whole day exploring. The brisk morning hours are the best time to see the rainforests thriving activity. We take an early morning canoe ride to observe the abundance of birds and wildlife. After breakfast we head to our third campsite situated deep in remote jungle (Lagartococha area) on the Peruvian border. Before dinner we enjoy a swim in the Dolphin Cocha Lake surrounded by breathtaking tropical scenery.

DAY 4.- 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 his 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 Amazonian Freshwater Pink and Grey 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 5.- After breakfast, our native and naturalist guides take us to a different ecosystem (Terra 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 6. - 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 navigating to the Aguarico River reaching our fourth campsite located in the Quichua community.

DAY 7.- After breakfast, 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. After lunch, we travel by canoe up the Cuyabeno River to Dracaena’s campsite. Along the way we stop to observe the enchanting salt lick (exposed clay bank) where hundreds of colorful Parrots and Parakeets feed on the clay to draw the toxins from their bodies. In the late afternoon we relax, reflect and enjoy the sounds of the rainforest.

DAY 8. - 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.