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9 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America

9-Day Colonial Quito & Amazon Cuyabeno Eco Lodge

Ecuador has four drastically different regions, the Andes mountains, the Amazon jungle, the Pacific Coast, and of course the Galapagos Islands. Each region has its unique fauna and flora, climate, and culture. The highlights of Ecuador trips let you visit two or more regions and take you to their mo... Read More

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Juan CarlosMaggy

By Juan Carlos and Maggy

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Average
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Quito

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Indigenous culture

Visit markets

Meet local people

Hiking

Kayak & Canoe

Culture & History

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Quito's Old Town - Quito has the biggest and most well preserved historical center in South America.

2

Cuyabeno River - Enjoy a canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River to the lodge.

3

Kichwa Community - Get to know their way of life in the jungle, their stories and traditions.

4

Trek into the Amazon with the bilingual guide and discover the wide variety of flora and fauna.

Itinerary

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Day 1

place ARRIVAL IN QUITO

This is the first day of your 9-Day Amazon & Quito Tour. After your flight to Quito, you will be picked up by one of our drivers and he’ll take you safely to your hotel.


  • Transport: Car.

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

  • Adults: Carlota
Day 2

place COLONIAL HISTORICAL CENTRE OF QUITO – EQUATOR

After having a large breakfast, you will discover the beauty of the colonial historical center of Quito. Later, you’ll have lunch at a typical local “almuerzo” place, and in the afternoon you will visit the Equator and its Inti-Nan Museum. At night, a semi-private night bus will take you to the Cuyabeno Reserve in the Amazon, which will take about 8 hours.


  • Activity: Sightseeing.
  • Transport: Bus. Car.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Adults: Cuyabeno Lodge
Day 3

place ARRIVAL TO CUYABENO

The bus you took the night before will bring you to the Cuyabeno Bridge, which is the starting point of your Amazon adventure. From here, you will have a canoe trip down the Cuyabeno River to the lodge. The guide will share information about the Reserve, important recommendations, and other tips to begin the two-hour navigation on the Cuyabeno River. Once you arrive at the lodge, you will be shown to your rooms and you can relax a little before enjoying a delicious dinner. Then, you can take an exciting night walk into the forest.


  • Activity: Hiking. Exploring.
  • Transport: Car, Canoe.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Adults: Cuyabeno Lodge
Day 4

place CANOE EXCURSION – AMAZON HIKE

Early in the morning, you’ll go on a canoe excursion because the brisk morning hours are the best time to see the rainforest’s thriving activity. After breakfast, you’ll trek into the primary rainforest with your naturalist and native guides who will explain to you the practical and medicinal uses of the plants. Then, you’ll have lunch and go out with either paddling or motorized canoes to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Maybe you’ll get the chance to spot several species of monkeys and dolphins. After dinner, you will venture into the forest to find different species of insects and with a bit of luck different kinds of snakes or frogs.


  • Activity: Exploring. Hiking. Wildlife Watching.
  • Transport: Canoe.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Adults: Cuyabeno Lodge
Day 5

place RAINFOREST – NIGHT EXCURSION

Starting early in the morning, you’ll spend the whole day exploring the amazing surroundings! After your breakfast, you’ll trek into the pristine primary rainforest. Your native guide will share his wealth of knowledge, showing you the medicinal and practical uses of the rainforest’s flora and fauna that their ancestors have taught throughout generations. Additionally, you will learn how all life in the tropical rainforest co-exists in a fragile balance. Then, you’ll return to the lodge to have some lunch and relax a little. In the afternoon, you’ll navigate along the Cuyabeno River. After your dinner, you’ll venture out on a night excursion to search for caimans (alligator family) and nocturnal birds.


  • Activity: Exploring. Hiking. Wildlife Watching.
  • Transport: Canoe.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Adults: Cuyabeno Lodge
Day 6

place KICHWA COMMUNITY – QUITO

After breakfast, you’ll navigate along the Cuyabeno rivers towards the Kichwa Indian Community, where your naturalist guide will explain more about the culture and traditions of the Natives, from the past to the present. Later, you will travel by canoe down the river back to the Cuyabeno Bridge from where you will take a bus to return to Quito.


  • Activity: Exploring.
  • Transport: Bus. Canoe. Car.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Adults: Carlota
Day 7

place FREE DAY IN QUITO

Today you’ll have a day off to explore the city by yourself, to go shopping or relax. Additionally, you can take an optional day trip to Mindo, Papallacta, and Baños or you can go horseback riding.


  • Activity: Relaxing. Exploring.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Adults: Carlota
Day 8

place FREE DAY IN QUITO

On this day, you’ll also get the chance to decide what kind of activity you would like to do. An option is to another day trip, which you could do the day before (Mindo, Papallacta, Baños, horseback riding).


  • Activity: Relaxing. Exploring.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Adults: Carlota
Day 9

place TRANSFER TO QUITO AIRPORT

On your last day of your Amazon & Quito Adventure, you’ll be brought to the airport to take your flight back home.


  • Transport: Car.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Carlota
  • Cuyabeno Lodge

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (8)
  • Lunch (5)
  • Dinner (4)

Transport expand_less

  • Airport transfers.
  • Bus from Quito to the Cuyabeno Bridge (and viceversa) and transportation within the Cuyabeno Reserve

Activities expand_less

  • Bilingual naturalist guide.
  • All activities as described in the itinerary.

Extras expand_less

  • 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
  • Tea, coffee, purified water available all day in the jungle lodge.

Not Included expand_less

  • Entrance fee to the Kichwa community.
  • Personal travel & health insurance.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Optional tips for the guide.

About Juan Carlos

TEAM LEAD

+1 Local experts

verified Baboo Certified

star_outline 4.9 (10 reviews)

Expertise: 

Cycling

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Indigenous culture

Culture & History

Rafting

Kayak & Canoe

Purposeful Travel

Water & Coastline

Nature & Wildlife

I’m Juan Carlos. I was born and raised in Ecuador. Graduated in Administration and electromechanics. I am a born traveler, a seeker of new travel experiences. Passionate about tourism in Ecuador and Latin America.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$1,654.00 USD