Product Description

Travel by motorized canoe and stay at campsites and lodges along the river banks on an extraordinary tour exploring the deepest of the primary forest in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.

Highlights:

• Explore the eastern part of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest
• Visit local indigenous communities, hike through the jungle, learn about their way of life, and make (and eat) traditional Casabe bread with them
• Travel along the border between Ecuador and Peru
• See the Aguarico, Lagarto Cocha, Cocaya and Napo rivers
• Visit Iripari Lake (Zancudo Cocha) for a swim and an opportunity to see wildlife
• See pink freshwater dolphins (Innia Geofrensis), grey river dolphins, the “Lake of Dolphins”, and visit a river dolphin conservation project
• Go birdwatching for a chance to see parrots and macaws, herons, egrets, toucans, and many other different species of birds
• Look out for the 10 species of monkeys that live in the Cuyabeno Reserve
• Do 5 short, educational hikes with a naturalist guide

During this incredible journey, you will visit the eastern part of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest as far as the border with Peru along the Aguarico, Lagarto Cocha, Cocaya and Napo rivers with great chances of watching wildlife. Your whole journey will be around 600 km in total. During this fantastic tour, you will have the opportunity to visit Iripari Lake (Zancudo Cocha) which is the largest blackwater lake in the Ecuadorian Amazon. You will also have the chance to admire the biggest flooded forest area in our Ecuadorian Amazon where you will easily observe the legendary pink freshwater dolphin (Innia Geofrensis). On your last day, you will navigate along the greatest of the Ecuadorian rivers: the mighty Napo River, which is one of the main tributaries of the great Amazon River in Perú.

Seasonal Notes: Any time of the year is perfect for visiting the Ecuadorian Amazon since the weather varies only slightly from month to month in both rainfall and temperature. Expect some rain (it is the rainforest after all!) but you’ll likely have similar periods of bright sunshine. In general, it’s hot and humid, but not as much as many people imagine. The year-round temperature average is 82°F (28°C), however, nights can be cooler. Since Ecuador is located right on the equator, the country does not experience extreme weather changes aside from a slightly rainier and wetter season. During a visit to the Amazon region, in 4 or 5-day visit, you will often see more or less the same amount of rain and sunshine.

• The Rainier Season in the Amazon Runs from December to June, with temperatures ranging from 23°C (73°F) to 30°C (86°F) and frequent rains throughout April and May. The Rainy Season has its pros due to the fact that many plants have evolved to fruit and flower during the rainy season – a phenomenon that often attracts birds and primates to the water’s edge and grants visitors the chance to observe them more frequently.
• The Drier Season in the Amazon Lasts from July to November, with temperatures from 26°C (78°F) to 40°C (104°F), with less rain, though showers are still possible. The Dry Season also offers its own set of benefits, for it’s during this time that the water gets lower and attracts animals that you won’t often see during the rainy season. Beach nesting birds are everywhere, as there are more beaches present during this time.