Ecuador Amazon Express
Discover Ecuador’s Amazon on this 5 day tour from Quito to Cuyabeno and back again. Travel deep into the rainforest by canoe, spotting monkeys, exotic birds and pink river dolphins along the Cuyabeno River. Guided jungle walks reveal towering trees, medicinal plants and incredible wildlife, while visits to the Tarapuy community offer insight into local traditions and cassava breadmaking. Early morning birdwatching and nights spent in a jungle lodge surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon complete this immersive rainforest adventure through one of Ecuador’s most biodiverse regions.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
5 daysHotel Rating
3 star lodgesStarts
QuitoEnds
QuitoMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Ecuador that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
No - hotel pick up day 1Departure Transfer
No - hotel pdrop off on day 5Tour Guide
Yes - for some included sightseeingCountry
EcuadorMeals Included
Breakfast: 3, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 3Passengers
£715.00
£215.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour blends guided and self-guided travel. You will experience some guided sightseeing with expert guides and will enjoy lots of leisure time in destinations, without a tour guide. Accommodation and transportation is included as per the Inclusions, but you will travel on trains, ferries, planes or other transport by yourself. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - for some included sightseeingGroup Size
Min 1 / Max Private tourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour blends guided and self-guided travel. You will experience some guided sightseeing with expert guides and will enjoy lots of leisure time in destinations, without a tour guide. Accommodation and transportation is included as per the Inclusions, but you will travel on trains, ferries, planes or other transport by yourself. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursTour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Overnight bus to Lago Agrio
Quito - Lago Agrio. Arrive in Quito the day before your tour begins. You will be met and collected from your accommodation, where you will be transferred to the shuttle meeting point to begin your overnight journey towards Lago Agrio through Ecuador’s changing Andean and Amazon landscapes.
Day 2 - Cuyabeno Reserve & Jungle Exploration
Lago Agrio - Cuyabeno. This morning, you will arrive in Lago Agrio before continuing to the entrance of the Cuyabeno Reserve, where you will enjoy a box lunch and complete the reserve registration process.
You will then meet your naturalist guide, who will provide an introduction to the reserve along with important information and recommendations for your time in the Amazon. From here, you will board a canoe and begin your first journey along the Cuyabeno River. As you travel through the rainforest, you may spot a variety of wildlife, including hoatzins, caciques, orioles, monkeys, and other jungle animals depending on conditions.
You will arrive at Jamu Lodge in the afternoon with time to settle into your room and relax before heading out again to swim in the lagoon and enjoy sunset views across Laguna Grande.
This evening, you will return to the lodge for dinner before relaxing in a hammock or enjoying a drink at the bar surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.
Day 3 - Amazon Rainforest Hike & Lagoon Wildlife Experience
You will embark on a 3-4 hour hike after breakfast through the primary rainforest, where your guide will introduce you to the Amazon’s unique ecosystem, medicinal plants, and native wildlife. Along the trail, you may encounter towering ceibo trees, colourful insects, and a variety of plant species hidden within the dense jungle.
After returning to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax, you will head out again in the afternoon to spot butterflies, swim in the lagoon, and, if conditions allow, and you may have a chance to see the the famous pink river dolphins. As the day comes to an end, you can enjoy a beautiful Amazon sunset before dinner at the lodge.
In the evening, you may choose to join an optional nocturnal canoe excursion along the riverbanks in search of caimans and other nighttime wildlife before returning to the lodge for the night.
Day 4 - Tarapuy Community Visit & Nocturnal Jungle Walk
Today, you will travel by canoe along the river for approximately an hour to visit a family from the Tarapuy community, where you will learn about local traditions and daily life in the Amazon. During your visit, you will discover how Casave, a traditional yuca bread, is prepared using natural materials from the forest, and you may also have the opportunity to take part in the process yourself.
You will return to the lodge around 2 pm for lunch and time to relax.
After dinner, you can choose to join an optional nocturnal walk through the primary rainforest to search for spiders, geckos, scorpions, and other nighttime wildlife while experiencing the sounds of the Amazon after dark.
Day 5 - Early Morning Wildlife Excursion & Return to Quito
Cuyabeno - Lago Agrio - Quito. You will have an early start with a birdwatching excursion before breakfast, offering one final opportunity to experience the rich wildlife of the Amazon rainforest.
After breakfast, you will travel by motorised canoe back to the entrance of the Cuyabeno Reserve. Along the journey, you may spot additional wildlife, including monkeys, birds, and possibly even anacondas. A box lunch will be provided before continuing by shared transfer to Lago Agrio and onward by bus to Quito.
On arrival in Quito, one of our representatives will meet you at the bus station and transfer you to your accommodation.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Prices & Dates
'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults.
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