TAPIR LODGE
The Amazon, measuring 6.5 million square kilometers (approximately 2.5 million square miles) is the largest tropical ecosystem and contains the biggest network of rivers and lakes, which constitutes 20% of the earth’s freshwater. The highest levels of biodiversity in the whole of the Amazon Basin and the world have been recorded in the Ecuadorian Jungle.
The border of this natural wonder can be reached by land after a spectacular journey through breathtaking scenery or alternatively after a 30-minute flight from Quito, the capital city of this peaceful oasis, Ecuador. Approximately a third of the 1,800 species of birds that exist in the tropical Amazon Jungle can be found here in our rainforest. It is a bird paradise.
Lush, green jungle lies below, in this area of pristine beauty, botanists have discovered around 450 species of trees in one hectare alone. It is a heaven to be explored with its impressive vegetation and humid, earthy odor, along with the song of hidden frogs, karting birds, the wind-like cries of howler monkeys and the constant buzzing and chirping of a fascinating variety of insects. Just as a sample, more than 250 species of mammals inhabit the rainforest.
In addition, the abundant rivers and lakes are home to 2 species of freshwater dolphins, as well as 4 species of piranhas, and the gigantic paiche (Arapaima), measuring up to 3 meters in length. A national park, (Parque Nacional Yasuní), and the two reserves: Cuyabeno and Limoncocha, with the aim of preserving the rainforest, protect approximately 1 million hectares of the rich Ecuadorian Rain Forest.
The Amazon region is also home of eight indigenous communities: The Cofanes, the Shuaras, the Huaoranis, the Secoyas, the Sionas, the Achuar, the Quichuas and the Zaparos.
Visitors to the Amazon have the opportunity to discover some of the ancient traditions of these native people, as well as receiving the benefit from their vast knowledge and understanding of their environment. In our strive to establish Ecotourism, the participation of the indigenous communities in our work is fundamental, in order to keep this mutual collaboration and respect between visitors to the rainforest and their native hosts.
For every visitor there is a suitable tour from lodges to camping trips for the more adventurous. The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is located on the north-east side of Quito, it’s indeed one of the richest zones of Biodiversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle. Because of its geographic location and alluvial formations we can find on it, 14 lakes, which give the tourist the unique opportunity of admiring the beauty of the flora and fauna in this flooded rain-forest, technically called Igapó. Because the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve belongs to the National Protected Areas System, run by INEFAN (Governmental Office in charge of Wild life Conservation), only very few Tour Operators are qualified to work in this zone. This is reason enough not to find a lot of tourists visiting this area, so we are able to enjoy the nature and its great sounds.
Total capacity: 36 passengers
– 1 bungalow with 6 double rooms with private bathrooms, 2 of them can also be used as family cabins for 4 and 2 more for five persons
– Our 15 meter tower with 4 rooms equipped with a queen size bed and a twin size extra bed, with private bathroom, hammock, balcony and a spectacular view to the Amazon jungle
– Our new tower with 6 rooms equipped with a queen size bed and a twin size bed, with private bathroom, hammock & balcony
– Hot water at all rooms
* All the facilities count with electricity provided by solar panels Other facilities:
– Gift shop: T-shirts, Polo shirts, caps, handicrafts from the area
– Dining room (capacity 35 passengers)
– Bar with wine, beer, cocktails and soft drinks available
GENERAL INFORMATION
Tapir Lodge is based in the northeastern Province of Sucumbíos, in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon region, within the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, and was built in partnership with some family members of the Siona Community and private sponsors. In order to meet appropriate ecological standards, Tapir Lodge shares with them the Eco-tourism activities and profits. Tapir Lodge offers all the facilities possible in the heart of the jungle, but in order to avoid unnecessary disturbances to the environment, we employ alternative jeans of illumination, like solar panels to produce 110 volts electricity.
CLIMATE
It is a tropical rainforest, with a precipitation of 3000 to 4000 mm3 a year, and humidity between 85 to 95%. From December to March we have a marked dry season; the rainy season goes from April to July; and from August to November, it’s moderate.
The mean annual temperature ranges over 25 Celsius degrees.
ETHNOLOGY
Many indigenous communities live in the boundaries of two important rivers known as Aguarico and Cuyabeno, in particular Cofanes and Secoyas, both legendary in this area.
The Siona community inhabits the upper part of the Cuyabeno Reserve, at Puerto Bolívar and the river Tarapuy.
The activities are designed by our multilingual naturalist guides, which have knowledge and experience in handling guests in this outstanding environment.
Itinerary 7D/6N
A UNIQUE COMBINATION FOR NATURE LOVERS!!!
(4 nights lodging & 2 nights camping)
DAY 1.
Morning flight from Quito to the Amazonian capital city of Lago Agrio. From there we’ll drive you to “El Puente”, the entrance to Cuyabeno Reserve, on the way we’ll enjoy a tasty lunch. Canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River admiring the wide variety of flora and fauna. We arrive at the lodge around dusk at 6pm. Dinner and overnight accommodation in our cozy Tapir Lodge.
DAY 2.
After breakfast we’re off on a 3-hour trip to explore the primary forest, a guide will show us some of the local flora and fauna in the area and at the nearby lake “Laguna Grande”. There is an opportunity to admire a big variety of ancient trees, long lianas, giant palms, bromeliads, and orchids.
We’ll also hope to catch sight and hear lots of birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws, and toucans; and with luck we’ll come across two or three species of monkeys.
Lunch will be back at the lodge, followed by a short resting period.
In the afternoon there’s the chance for some piranha fishing and a refreshing dip into the Cuyabeno lagoon.
Dinner and overnight in our Tapir Lodge.
DAY 3.
After Breakfast, we will be ready to start our expedition by taking our canoes and navigate for about 4 hours until reaching the campsite.
Delicious box lunch on the way. In the afternoon we will have a trekking into the Jungle where we Hill have the great chance to see diurnal mammals, reptiles and birds. Dinner and overnight in our Campsite for a wonderful experience in the deep virgin rainforest.
DAY 4.
Early breakfast, hike for about 4 hours in the Rainforest where we have good opportunities to find birds like such as: Herons, Egrets, Curasows, Hawks, Screaming Pihas, Oropendolas, fly catchers and king fishers as well as different species of monkeys. Back for lunch at the camp. In the afternoon we take a boat along the Cuyabeno River for some bird watching and to see what else there is along the river bank. Dinner and overnight at our camp.
DAY 5.
Early breakfast, then some bird watching.
Pack up at camp then navigate upstream along the Cuyabeno. On the way we’ll stop to visit the shaman and his family, for some insights into traditional indigenous rituals and natural medicines.
Continue upstream to the small settlement of Siona Indians at Puerto Bolívar. Lunch on the way. In the afternoon, we will be back at Tapir Lodge.
Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
DAY 6.
After breakfast, we start navigating in our “quillas” (dugout Indian canoes), to visit different lagoons in the Wildlife Reserve. Back to the Lodge for a taste of typical cuisine in the middle of the jungle. In the afternoon, canoe ride to the Canangüeno lake, home to fresh water dolphins, Arapaimas, Hoatzins. After a chance to admire the sunset in a splendid jungle setting it’s back to the lodge for dinner. Then out again in the boat to look for caimans and experience some of the nocturnal wildlife along the Cuyabeno River. Back to sleep at our Tapir Lodge.
DAY 7.
Early breakfast. Bird watching and a final taste of the glorious natural surroundings befote making our way back to “El Puente”, and then drive back to Lago Agrio to catch the flight to Quito.