Tapir Lodge Amazon Ecuador

Tapir Lodge is based in the northeastern Province of Sucumbíos in the upper Ecuadorian Amazon region in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. Built in partnership with some family members of the Siona community and private sponsors in 1999. In order to meet appropriate ecological standards, Tapir Lodge shares the Eco-tourism activities and profits with the community.

Accommodation

36 guests – One bungalow with 6-double rooms with private bathrooms, two can be used as family cabins for 4 and 2 more for 5 persons. Our 15-meter tower has 4 rooms with queen-sized beds and a twin with private bathroom, hammock, balcony and a spectacular view of the Amazon jungle. Newest tower has 6 rooms with queen-sized beds and a twin with private bathroom, hammock, balcony and hot water.

The entire facility runs on electricity provided by solar panels, which produce 110 volts.

• Dining room
• Bar
• Gift shop

Day 1

Your Cuyabeno National Park rainforest adventure starts in Lago Agrio, where our driver will pick you up. A fascinating drive will take you to the northeastern part of the Sucumbios province, while we pass by beautiful rivers and small villages going deeper into the rainforest.

When you arrive at “El Puente” (the bridge), we will have lunch before we continue our way to Tapir lodge crossing down the river by canoe. This part of the trip will give you a taste of the flora and fauna that Cuyabeno has to offer. We will ensure that you and your luggage stay dry during the river ride.

After welcoming you to the Tapir Lodge, you will have time to get settled in your room. Then you will join us for a wonderful dinner and an opportunity to get acquainted with your travel companions.

After dinner, your guide will give you an introduction to the Tapir Lodge, the Cuyabeno National Park and the fascinating experiences planned for your rainforest adventure.

Day 2

In the morning, after a delicious breakfast at the lodge, we will canoe upstream to explore the unique ecosystem of Laguna Grande. While navigating in the Igapo (flooded forest), you will see (Macrolobium), ancient majestic mimosa trees, which create the ideal habitat for epiphyte plants, such as bromeliads, orchids, ferns and cacti.

We will continue the adventure to “Terra Firme”, where we will take a hike for the rest of the morning. You will get an introduction to the rainforest ecology and see an amazing variety of birds such as woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws and toucans. Here you will have the opportunity to see a couple of monkey species, as well.

After a delicious lunch and time to relax at the lodge, we will navigate back to Laguna Grande to enjoy a wonderful sunset, surrounded by animals of the rainforest as bats, bugs and frogs; and if the weather permits you will have the opportunity to go swimming and enjoy the lagoon.

After a day of adventures, we will return to the Tapir Lodge where dinner will be waiting. After dinner you can enjoy refreshments at our bar and join us for a quick night hike around the lodge to explore night wonders of the rain forest.

Day 3

After breakfast we will canoe up the Cuyabeno River until we reach the local community where we will experience daily community life and activities like harvesting and cooking. You will have the opportunity to buy handmade crafts, carefully produced by the locals. We finish our visit meeting the shaman at his house where he will share his knowledge about the rainforest and the processes he uses to heal his people. Here you get to experience an ancestral healing ceremony that has been passed on through the generations.

In the afternoon we will meet the local Siona family. They will show us and invite us to take part in the preparation of cassava bread. This local dish, which is prepared with the yuca (cassava) root, represents an important part of the local diet and the main source of carbs for the indigenous communities of the rainforest. Once you have tried cassava bread we will head back to Tapir Lodge to spend another night in the middle of the jungle.

Day 4

After breakfast it is time to return to Lago Agrio. You get to enjoy your final canoe trip back to El Puente. From there our driver will take you back to the airport of Lago Agrio.