VILCABAMBA TOUR
FROM $1095 PP/DBL OCC
Transportation from Vilcabamba, all hotels, tours, all meals at lodge, and rubber boots!
Intinerary
DAY ONE
Pick up from hotel or home in Vilcabamba. Transfer to airport. Fly from Catamayo to Quito. Arrive in Quito and transfer to hotel
DAY TWO
Fly to Coca and transfer to CuyabenoRiver. 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, insect and the 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.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, departure to the Siona Indian Community of Puerto Bolivar, the largest ethnic group in the Reserve. During this tour you will learn their customs , traditions and way of life. You will be part of the elaboration of the Casabe ; local dish made of yucca (carbohydrates principal feed of the community). The trip takes 2 hours navigation downstream to get there, in the route will be possible to admire the existing fauna along the Rio Cuyabeno such as: birds, monkeys, snakes, pink dolphins, tortoises and many others. A visit to the Shaman, is also included. This is a full day excursion with Lunch in the Community . Return to the lodge. Night navigation for watching Caymans. Dinner.
DAY FOUR
Breakfast. Trek in the primary rain forest for approximately 3-5 hours in the distance you will be able to explore the beautiful and complex tropical ecosystem. You will find the great variety of species of plants, trees and animal life. Lunch back at the lodge. In the afternoon navigation in the big lagoon, to enjoy the surrounding of the lake, and wait for a very special sunset. Dinner.
DAY FIVE
Early in the morning before breakfast a bird watching excursion is optional. Breakfast and by 09h30 departure tour back to Coca for overnight accommodations.
DAY SIX
Depart Coca to Quito - catch afternoon flight to Catamayo and transfer to Vilcabamba will be waiting.
Where in the Amazon??
The Cuyabeno Reserve
The Cuyabeno Reserve is a protected zone since 26 July 1979 with an area of 603.380 square kilometres (2,329.7 sq mi) One of the principle objectives of the Cuyabeno Reserve is ongoing conservation of the Amazonian ecosystem- the most complex ecosystem in the world.
This reserve is a complex of rivers, lagoons, and floating forest. This protected area is characterized by its high biodiversity and interrelationships between the species inhabiting the area. The Reserve’s geomorphology is a consequence of the rivers carrying sediment and materials from the Andes, principally by the Aguarico River. The huge volume of water cascading down from the mountains maintains the naturally high water levels ensuring that the river is navigable all year round.
In the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve there are more than 10 monkey species, 500 bird spices, and an incredible record of 307 species of tree per hectare.
There are two seasons, dry and rainy. The entrance is by fluvial (river) transport and is offered by the local communities with the coordination of the lodge and a highly trained, accredited guide.
