Caiman Lodge

Caiman Lodge – 5 days/4 nights

You can choose to visit the Caiman lodge on a 4 or 5-day itinerary.

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Day 1: Arrival to Lodge / Getting Settled in / Afternoon at the lagoon 

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We will meet in Lago Agrio at 9:00 am, where we will take private transportation to the entrance of the Cuyabeno Reserve where we will have a lunch box. At this point, the visitors will register at the Reserve’s office and then board the canoe. Here our Naturalist Guide will provide information about the Reserve, important recommendations and other tips to begin the two-hour canoe ride down the Cuyabeno River to Caiman Lodge. During the canoe ride, you will get a first glimpse of the amazing flora and wildlife found in the jungle. You may also be able to see a variety of monkeys and other jungle animals, depending on the time and weather conditions. We will arrive at Caiman Lodge at around 3:30 pm. At that time you will be shown to your rooms and you will be able to relax. After a siesta, we will leave the camp for a swim in the lagoon and watch a beautiful sunset while also having the possibility to spot freshwater dolphins. You will then return to the camp for dinner and then we will head out for a night walk and once back at the lodge you can finish your first day in the jungle relaxing in a hammock or having a drink at the bar.

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Day 2: Jungle Hike Primary Forest / Paddle Canoe / Search for Caimans at night

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Day Jungle Hike in the Primary Forest where the guide will explain the ecology of the rainforest, medicinal plants and flora and fauna interactions of the most biodiverse ecosystem on Earth. In the afternoon we will go paddling around the flooded Igapo inundated forest around the Laguna Grande (where if the water level is high enough and if you are up to it we can swim while watching the sunset also ) and in the evening we will head out by motor canoe to look for caimans.

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Day 3: Siona Community visit / Shaman Experience 

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We will head out downstream to the Puerto Bolivar Siona Community and there we will be welcomed by one of the indigenous women and she will take us to the yuca plantation to harvest some yucas and with our help, she will show us the preparation of one of their traditions foods, Casave (Yuca flatbread). Immediately after this the guide will introduce you to one of the last 4 Shamans of the Siona tribe in Ecuador and there one of them will explain their cosmovision directly related to the Ayahuasca brew, he will perform an energy cleansing part of the ritual singing their chants which come from a millenary Shaman-apprentice oral tradition

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Day 4: Early morning Birdwatching / Extra activities

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Early morning birdwatching (5:30) and sunrise, breakfast at the lodge. If you buy the 5 days 4 nights tour this day you can paddle half day looking for animals around the lagoons and along the Cuyabeno and La Hormiga rivers or also go for new walks on different paths with your naturalist guide.

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Day 5: Early morning Birdwatching / Departure from the Lodge 

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Early morning birdwatching (5:30) and sunrise, breakfast at the lodge and at 9:30 return to the Cuyabeno bridge where we will have a box lunch and then you will be picked up by a shuttle bus which will take you to Lago Agrio so you can get back to Quito either by bus or airplane also.

Caiman Lodge 2020 Rates

Rates Include:

• Meals from Lunch day 1 until lunch on day 4 or 5
• Tea / Coffee and Filtered Water
• Accommodation Double/Triple or Matrimonial cabin
• Transportation from Lago Agrio to the Caiman Lodge and back to Lago Agrio
• Bilingual Naturalist Guide
• Rain Poncho and Rubber boots

Rates do not include:

• Transport from Quito to Lago Agrio and back – return flights approx. $190 US – the bus is between $10 US – $15 US
• $5 US Contribution to Siona Community Visit
• $5 US Contribution to Shaman Visit
• Alcoholic / Soft drinks
• TIPS

*Contact us for further information  

Access to Caiman Lodge:

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Recommendations for your trip from the city of Quito to Lago Agrio and return:

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Option 1:

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Travel by public bus: (the night before the tour) Departure: 23:30 pm from Terminal Quitumbe (Quito) The Transport Co. Name: TransEsmeraldas or Transportes Baños Arrival: 7:00 am Bus Terminal Lago Agrio Price: $ 13 USD per person (subject to changes)

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Option 2:

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Travel by public bus (the previous morning of the tour) You may leave Quito in the morning to get to Lago Agrio in the afternoon/evening, there you should overnight. Estimated journey time: 7 hours approximately For the return from Lago Agrio to Quito, there are buses that leave every hour, all day.

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Option 3:

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Travel by airplane: Airline: Tame Quito – Lago Agrio / Flight 201 / 10:00 am – 10:50 am Lago Agrio – Quito /Flight 201 / 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm The lodge recommends these flights since they are in line with their logistics and operation.

Caiman Lodge Packing List

• Sunglasses
• Light Jacket / Raincoat
• Flash Lights (Preferable LED for the night walk and caiman spotting activities)
• Swimsuits
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito Repellent
• Water Bottle
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts 2 or more
• Long trousers 2 or more ( not jeans )
• Shorts, 2 or more (quick-drying material )
• T-shirts, 3 or more
• Cotton socks, a pair per day
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• Toiletries ( biodegradable shampoo and soap )
• Binoculars ( optional )
• Original Passport & copy
• Zip-lock bags to keep clothes / equipment dry