Route of the river dolphins- Cuyabeno Reserve – 4 days/ 3 nights

$560 per person ( 4 or more persons )

Activity Level Moderate

All about the Route of the river dolphins- Cuyabeno Reserve – 4 days/ 3 nights

This Amazon region is characterized by large expanses of tropical forest where trees such as Ceibo, Sande and Mahogany can easily reach more than 50 meters in height. However, there are areas where water replaces the firm soil, forming lagoons. As a result, the only means of transportation is via water and the canoe is the only way to move between the trees and vegetation. This place is commonly known as the flooded forests of the Amazon.

The Cuyabeno Reserve gets its name from the Cuyabeno River, which travels through the heart of the reserve creating 14 different lagoons. This area is considered to be the most extensive wetland in all of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. The flooded forests are a natural habitat for a variety of animals such as dolphins, manatees, caimans, anacondas and otters. It’s also home to the Huarango tree, which is the most unique tree in the reserve. This remarkable tree has the deepest root system of any tree in the world and uses the roots to suck up water for the tree and also brings it to the topsoil for other plants as well.

What to bring? Items you will need

Shorts
A hat
Long trousers (not jeans) for walking in the jungle
Long sleeved top or light sweater
Insect repellent
Sun Cream
Shoes (We supply boots but we suggest bringing a pair of light shoes for walking in the cabanas)
A small bottle for carrying water
Long pair of socks
Light rain coat
Torch

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What's included in this tour Items that are covered in the cost of tour price.

Native Guide
All meals, (breakfast lunch, dinner)
Water
Rubber boots
Accommodation – mosquito nets included
Motorised canoe

What's not included in this tour Items that are not covered in the cost of tour price.

Tips
Extra drinks or meals

Day 1 Cocaya River - River Dolphins - Eco-Lodge

From Francisco de Orellana (El Coca) we will take a motorized canoe to Nuevo Rocafuerte. This is a beautiful 4-hour journey through the majestic Napo River. So, sit back and enjoy the scenery.

Lunch will be at Rocafuerte and afterward it’s back to the boat!

You will travel along the Napo River to the mouth of the Aguarico River and the Cocaya River. This is a fascinating journey and gives you the opportunity to spot your first river dolphins!

Later, we arrive upon shore to the beautiful Yacu Warmi Eco Lodge. This enchanting place is nestled deep in the jungle and is owned by the indigenous Kichwa community of Martinica. This community cares for 6,000 hectares (14,830 acres) of primary forest and has strict conservation policies to ensure its safe from extraction of any kind.
Day 2 Pink and Grey Dolphins - Bird Watching

They say the early bird gets the worm but with Akangau Jungle Expeditions, the early person gets the best birdwatching! This morning you’ll hop in a canoe at 5am and venture out into the lagoon in search of different Amazon birdlife.
Later, the trained guide will use a peculiar call to attract pink and grey dolphins to the canoe. This is an extraordinary experience and an awesome way to start off your day!
Around 8:30, return to the eco-lodge for breakfast then rest up a bit before the activities begin again.
At 10:00 am, gear up for a a walk through the jungle to visit a macaw salt lick. The salt licks are naturally formed walls of clay and provide essential vitamins and minerals for the birds. Along the way, keep your eyes out for monkeys and learn about medicinal plants found along the trail. Your guide will also share vital techniques used by our ancestors to survive in the jungle.
Lunch will be served at the lodge and afterward it’s about to get exciting because you will fish for the infamous piranha! These feisty little guys are fun to catch and provide a great story to tell when you get back home.
Later that night, your prized catch will be artfully prepared and served for dinner!
To top off the night, you’ll go on an outing to spot caimans and, if weather permits, see luminous insects, nocturnal animals and other interesting Amazonian nightlife.
Day 3 Flooded Forest - Lagarto Cocha Lagoon

After breakfast, we will explore the incredible flooded forest. We will take a canoe to the Lagarto Cocha Lagoon to observe the endemic flora and fauna species. Many other lagoons are in the area where we will explore and look for to dolphins, monkeys, parrots, birds, manatees, snakes and even anacondas!

At the end of our adventure, we will return to Rocafuerte and spend the night in a local hotel.
Day 4 Return to Coca
Today is your final day of travel and you will board the canoe for the last time, headed to Coca.
- Akangau Jungle Expeditions provides all safety gear.
- Fitness Level: Moderate
- Traveling in the jungle poses possible risks. In case of emergency, our guides carry cell phones to call for help and know the best places for signal. In Yasuní and Cuyabeno, motorized canoes are available for transport to nearest community.

Route of the river dolphins- Cuyabeno Reserve – 4 days/ 3 nights

Lodging

Yaku Warmi (Woman of the water), is located in the parish of Yasuní. The Community Tourism Center is managed by families of the Martinica community, who have organized themselves to develop ecotourism projects.

The eco-lodge has comfortable cabins, equipped with mosquito nets and bathrooms.

Lodging details