Galatrails – Mapping your adventure
Amazon
Amazing feeling of peace and isolation close to nature and deep in the jungle remote lodge far from other tourists and lodges relax and comfortable.
Cost
789 USD (Per pax - from 2+)
Accommodation
- Basic
Start & finish
Quito to Quito - Departures: Every Thursday
Aguas Negras River Lodge is a beautiful native style lodge built by natives using local materials. The lodge is located on a breathtaking spot at the shore of the Eastern partof Cuyabeno River in the heart of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. This Lodge takes its name from the beautiful Aguas Negras River (Blackwater River) located just a few minutes from the camp. Blackwater Rivers are a type of river with slow moving water flowing through forest and, as vegetation decays, tannin acid leach into the water turning it darkly stained, resembling tea or black coffee. Blackwater Rivers are in fact considered some of the cleanest natural waters in the world.
IMPORTANT FACTS
LOCATION.- Aguas Negras River Lodge is the farthest lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve, located in an isolated region far from other lodges deep in the Amazon Rainforest at the shore of the Cuyabeno River near its mouth in the white waters of the great Aguarico River. The lodge is accessible by river only.
ACCOMODATION.-The Lodge is the first of its type in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, it is an eco-friendly option designed to accommodate a maximum of 12 people and provide them with a unique jungle experience.
The visitors’ accommodation will be in native-style cabins covered with a roof made out of Palm Leaf. Palm leaf roofs provide a pleasant temperature to the space inside.
The cabins are spacious and for single, matrimonial (Queen size bed), double or triple accommodation (family bedroom). Ideal for nature lovers, couples, families and children. Each cabin has a private bathroom with hot shower.
At present Aguas Negras River Lodge is one of the most comfortable lodges in the Cuyabeno WildliIfe Reserve.
CREW.- Our crew members consist of experience, well trained people ready to assist you and make sure that you have the best possible Jungle experience. You will be guided by experienced bilingual naturalist guides.
TOUR GROUP.- In order to maximize your Rainforest experience, we manage small groups of maximum 10 people per guide.
TRIP A – AGUAS NEGRAS RIVER LODGE
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS ITINERARY
FOR EVERYONE – DEEP IN THE JUNGLE WITH 3 NIGHTS AT AGUAS NEGRAS RIVER LODGE
This tour is of an easy level designed for eveyrone who loves Nature at its best.
LAGO AGRIO – AGUARICO RIVER – CUYABENO RIVER – AGUAS NEGRAS RIVER LODGE CAMP
Your journey stars with a 2 hour drive from Lago Agrio or Coca (9:30am) to “Tierras Orientales” Village at shore of the Aguarico River. Here we ́ll start our fantastic Amazon Rainforest experience by navigating on a motorized canoe downstream along this beautiful white-water river. After approximately 2.5 hours of navigation we ́ll arrive at the mouth of the Cuyabeno River, a small and breathtaking black water river which is a tributary of the Aguarico. During this first relaxing journey we`ll make a stop for a delicious picnic lunch and if you wish, a refreshing swim. We ́ll continue navigating upstream along the Cuyabeno river to our Aguas Negras lodge camp (45 min approx.) During this journey we ́ll have great chances of watching wildlife including the legendary pink and the grey Fresh water Dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis). Our staff will welcome you with a cold drink before accompany you to your cabin. At night and before dinner we`ll take a short hike where it is possible to see giant insects, spiders, snakes and enjoy the fantastic sounds of the night life in the Amazon. Return to the Lodge. Dinner.
AGUAS NEGRAS RIVER LODGE CAMP
Early in the morning we ́ll navigate towards a place called “Saladero” or Salt licks (Clay Licks) where parrots of different species show up in large numbers to get the minerals, they need to help digest toxics they have consumed with their diet. Under favorable conditions and with some luck, we ́ll enjoy this natural spectacle. After breakfast we ́ll start our day with a hike in the marvelous primary Amazon rainforest, one of the most biologically rich places on Earth. Here our experienced naturalist guide will explain to us the use of plants for the native ́s survival. During the walk we ́ll also have a chance to admire the majestic Kapoc (Ceiba Pentandra) a giant tree that towers over the rest of the forest. After the walk we ́ll have time for a refreshing swim. After Lunch it will be a time to relax at the lodge. Late in the afternoon we ́ll navigate slowly up Cuyabeno River looking for new species of wildlife until the Sun sets over a beautiful landscape. In the night and from the motorized canoe we ́ll navigate downstream towards our Lodge. On the way we ́ll search for wildlife which include night birds, Snakes, Bats, Caimans, Frogs and more. Return to the Lodge and Dinner.
AGUAS NEGRAS RIVER LODGE
After breakfast we ́ll explore downstream of the Cuyabeno river by paddling canoe. During this quieter and enjoyable journey, you ́ll have excellent chances of spotting wildlife including parrots and Macaws, Herons, Egrets, Toucans and many other different species of birds. With some luck we ́ll see some of the 10 species of Monkeys that live in the Cuyabeno Wild life Reserve. Return to the lodge. Today for lunch we ́ll enjoy “Maito” a typical delicious traditional Kichwa meal. The Maito is an Amazonian dish that consists of a wrap of fish meat; vegetables such as palmito, chontaduro (fruit of the palm); fish and vegetables are seasoned with salt and wrapped in bijao leaves (llaki panga). After lunch we ́ll make our own chocolate using dry Cocoa beans, first we ́ll roast them then our next step in chocolate making is to grind the roasted beans to obtain a delicious homemade chocolate. In the afternoon and by motorized canoe we ́ll navigate towards the “Aguas Negras River” to explore this beautiful black water river. At night we`ll take a second short hike to enjoy the night life in the Amazon. Return to the Lodge. Farewell Dinner.
AGUAS NEGRAS RIVER LODGE - AGUARICO RIVER – LAGO AGRIO
Early in the morning we ́ll go for a walk-in primary forest with good chances of watching fantastic wildlife. After breakfast we ́ll navigate slowly downstream along the Cuyabeno River towards Aguarico River. Once on Aguarico we ́ll navigate upstream to Tierras Orientales located at the shore of the river. During the way we ́ll enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with a Secoya Native family. From Tierras Orientales our car will drive us back to Lago Agrio or Coca (arrival at about 3- 4 pm.). From here you can take a bus or flight back to Quito.
RECOMMENDED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
You must bring your original Passport, Long-sleeved T-shirts, T-shirts, Cotton socks, Shorts, Sandals or walking shoes, Light waterproof wind-breaker, First aid kit, Swimming suit and towel, Hat or cap, Sunglasses with a strap, One small waterproof daypack, Insect repellent, Sun block and Sunburn lotion, Zip lock plastic bags, Camera and spare camera batteries, Flashlight (torch) with spare batteries, Binoculars, Notepad/pen.
INCLUDED IN OUR SERVICES
- Transportation from Lago Agrio or Coca (Bus & Canoe), experienced bilingual naturalist guide / translator, Accommodation in the Lodge, Biodegradable soap, Rubber boots (up to No 46), Rain coat (Poncho), life jackets, Lunch and dinner on the first day, Three meals a day on the next days and breakfast and lunch on the last day, Purified bottled water, tea, coffee, cuisine that caters vegetarians and vegans, pick up and drop off transfers in Lago Agrio or Coca
NOT INCLUDED
- Your transport Quito - Lago Agrio/Coca - Quito, Accommodation and meals in Lago Agrio or Coca, Additional beverages and tips, souvenirs from native communities, Any no specified service.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT YOUR TRIP
Please remember that Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a stunning area, one of the most complex and biodiverse richest places on earth that contains a great amount of wildlife. We will explore a Pristine Rain Forest area where a few tourists visit and few native people live, therefore chances of watching wildlife are great. Every day by canoe and on foot we ́ll be searching for wildlife including Macaws, Parrots, Toucans, Monkeys, Freshwater dolphins, Caimans and Anacondas. However observing wildlife in their natural environment depends of factors that include weather conditions and some luck.
You will be walking slowly in primary forest on trails opened by the natives that in some areas implies crossing by flooded and muddy areas, for this we`ll provide you with rubber boots. In general the terrain is flat and do not demand much effort. A maximum walking time is of approximate 2 hours at a time.
Please remember that the name Rainforest comes precisely from the 4000mm (about 12 feet) of rain it receives a year. Our canoes, motorized canoes or paddling canoes do not have roof so please expect heavy rain at any time. Our canoes are comfortable and provided with sits for two people each one with cushions and life jackets. Your luggage will be covered and protected against rain water. During all the navigation journeys you`ll always have access to cold drinks.
Our Lodge is located on the margin of the river so that we will not need to carry the equipment for long distances. Our team will help you with your heavy luggage.
We ́ll visit the most pristine and remote area of the Cuyabeno Reserve and in order to reach our furthest destination we ́ll need to travel by motorized canoe a
distance of around 200Km (return trip in a 4 Day Tour)
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is a protected area and to get there we ́ll have to drive and navigate throughout Oil installations, secondary forest and farms. Once
we enter the Reserve the landscape will change into a beautiful pristine Amazon Rainforest.
HOW TO GET TO LAGO AGRIO FROM QUITO
You can choose to go by plane or by car
BY PLANE & CAR
The airline going to el Coca are LATAM & AEroregional. The Flight takes 45 min and cost an average of $205 per person approx. for round trip. Latam flight ticket tend to be a little higher depending on the date, Latam by far doesn’t have an establish price., this depends on the dates.
If you travel by plane the same day of the tour, our crew will collect you from the Airport in el Coca for the morning flight and than we go by car 2 hours approximately to the Aguarico River.
Return Flight.- The ideal return flight on the last day of the tour is in the afternoon flight, but lately there is not flihgt at that late, for that reason is recomended to sleep one night in the Coca city and the next morning take the flight back to Quito. The airport is about 10 minutes by car from the town.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Flights to Lago Agrio are suspended for now, flights are only to el Coca from Quito city.
Another way to get to Lago Agrio or el Coca also can be by bus, private car, private bus shuttle bus, the ride goes around 6- 8 hours one way.
Private bus (Shuttle).- only for tourist that will cost around $20 -25 one way and will depart only in the night from the Quito Mariscal zone.
Public bus.- that cost $12-15 approx. one way. Public bus will depart from the Terminal Terrestre in Quito (North or South)
Please fell free to reach us to arranging a private transport if is the case:
A cost of private car from Quito to Lago Agrio/Coca, 260 USD per way, from 1 t0 3 passengers.
Just to take you to Lago Agrio/Coca or bring you back, the cost is 310 usd per way, from 1-3 passengers.
In case you go by car, we recommend to get to Lago Agrio due for operational reason for the lodge is more easy.
If you travel by car, the meeting point will be at “Hotel Lago Imperial” all taxi drivers in Lago Agrio know this hotel. Our journey to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve begins from here. If you travel by car the day before and stay the night in Lago Agrio, we´ll collect you from your hotel at 9:30 am
IF YOU TRAVEL BY BUS, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO TAKE THE BUS THE DAY BEFORE THE TOUR, YOU WILL ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE DURING THE WAY AND SLEEP IN LAGO AGRIO FOR THE NEXT DAY TO BE READY TO ENJOY THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR JUNGLE TRIP.
THERE ARE COMFORTABLE PUBLIC BUSES LEAVING QUITO EVERY 30 MINUTES. A RECOMMENDED BUS COMPANY IS TRANSPORTES BAÑOS.
BY CAR
The journey will take around 7 hours.
You can choose to take a private bus (Shuttle) only for tourist that will cost $20 one way and will depart only in the night from the Quito Mariscal zone.
Another choice is the public bus that cost $12 one way. Public bus will depart from the Terminal Terrestre in Quito (North or South)
LODGE LOCATION
Aguas Negras River Lodge is located in an isolated region far from other lodges deep in the Amazon Rainforest at the shore of the Cuyabeno river near its mouth in the white waters of the great Aguarico River. The lodge is accessible by river only.
From the city of Lago Agrio a 2 hour drive followed by a fantastic 3 hours navigation by motor canoe will take us to our beautiful lodge.